Abstract: A powered device interface assembly includes an optocoupler and a powered device interface. The opto-coupler is electrically coupled with a microcontroller of the power device interface. The powered device interface includes a telemetry circuit coupled with the opto-coupler and configured to generate encoded telemetry information for output via a single pin of the powered device interface for transmission to the microcontroller of the powered device, wherein the opto-coupler is coupled with the single pin and is configured to electrically isolate the single pin from the microcontroller.

Abstract: A powered device interface includes a supply sensing circuit, a demand sensing circuit, and a control circuit. The supply sensing circuit is configured to sense an amount of power received by the powered device from at least one power source equipment over an ethernet cable. The demand sensing circuit is configured to sense a power demand requested by the powered device. The control circuit is coupled with the supply sensing circuit and the demand sensing circuit and is configured to cause the power demand requested by the powered device to be reduced when the power demand requested by the powered device exceeds the amount of power allowed by the power source equipment for the powered device.

Abstract: A tracking power supply includes a power conversion subsystem and one or more tracking subsystems. The power conversion subsystem is configured to generate N power rails, where N is an integer greater than one. Each tracking subsystem includes a switching network and a controller. The switching network is electrically coupled between each of the N power rails and a tracking power rail of the tracking power supply. The controller is configured to control operation of the switching network according to a tracking signal associated with a load powered by the tracking power supply, such that a voltage at the tracking power rail is one of two or more values, as determined at least partially based on the tracking signal. The controller is further configured to adjust voltage of at least one of the N power rails.

Abstract: A powered device interface includes a supply sensing circuit, a demand sensing circuit, and a control circuit. The supply sensing circuit is configured to sense an amount of power received by the powered device from at least one power source equipment over an ethernet cable. The demand sensing circuit is configured to sense a power demand requested by the powered device. The control circuit is coupled with the supply sensing circuit and the demand sensing circuit and is configured to cause the power demand requested by the powered device to be reduced when the power demand requested by the powered device exceeds the amount of power allowed by the power source equipment for the powered device.

Abstract: A powered device interface assembly includes an optocoupler and a powered device interface. The opto-coupler is electrically coupled with a microcontroller of the power device interface. The powered device interface includes a telemetry circuit coupled with the opto-coupler and configured to generate encoded telemetry information for output via a single pin of the powered device interface for transmission to the microcontroller of the powered device, wherein the opto-coupler is coupled with the single pin and is configured to electrically isolate the single pin from the microcontroller.

Abstract: A semi-active bridge for furnishing voltage of a correct polarity to a powered device in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the semi-active bridge includes a diode having an anode portion and a cathode portion. The anode portion of the diode is connected to an input terminal, and the cathode portion of the diode is connected to an output terminal. The semi-active bridge also includes an active transistor device having a source region and a drain region. The drain region of the active transistor device is connected to the input terminal, and the source region of the active transistor device is connected to the output terminal.

Abstract: A method for detecting and classifying powered devices in power over Ethernet/non-power over Ethernet applications is described. In one or more implementations, the method includes deactivating a non-power over Ethernet component for a predetermined time period. The method also includes activating an isolation switch of a powered device after the predetermined time period has elapsed since no characteristic impedance associated with the powered device has been detected.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of isolation transistors in high power Power over Ethernet (PoE) networks to achieve greater power delivery to a load is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a first power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device controller configured to control power supply to a load, and a second PoE powered device controller coupled to the load and to the first PoE powered device controller. The second PoE powered device controller is connected to the first PoE powered device controller using a shared connection interface and is configured to control power supply to the load. The shared connection interface is configured to synchronize the first PoE powered device controller and the second PoE powered device controller to deliver power at least substantially contemporaneously to the load.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to at least partially prevent back powering of power sourcing equipment. In one or more implementations, the method includes detecting a magnitude of current through a current sensor, such as a transistor and/or a resistor. The active FET bridge is configured to rectify input power supplied by power sourcing equipment to a power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device. The method also includes causing the transistor to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration to at least substantially prevent current flow through the transistor when the magnitude of current is below a predefined threshold to at least substantially prevent back powering of the PSE.

Abstract: A system for sinking maintain power signature (MPS) current to a rectifier bridge from a powered device (PD) controller in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a rectifier bridge configured to electrically connect to Power over Ethernet power sourcing equipment for receiving power from the power sourcing equipment. The system also includes a powered device controller operatively connected to the rectifier bridge and configured to control power supplied to a load. The load is configured to receive power from the power sourcing equipment and a second power source. The powered device controller is configured to source maintain power signature current to the power sourcing equipment using an input of the rectifier bridge when the second power source is furnishing power to the load.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to at least partially prevent back powering of power sourcing equipment. In one or more implementations, the method includes detecting a magnitude of current through a current sensor, such as a transistor and/or a resistor. The active FET bridge is configured to rectify input power supplied by power sourcing equipment to a power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device. The method also includes causing the transistor to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration to at least substantially prevent current flow through the transistor when the magnitude of current is below a predefined threshold to at least substantially prevent back powering of the PSE.

Abstract: A system for sinking maintain power signature (MPS) current to a rectifier bridge from a powered device (PD) controller in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a rectifier bridge configured to electrically connect to Power over Ethernet power sourcing equipment for receiving power from the power sourcing equipment. The system also includes a powered device controller operatively connected to the rectifier bridge and configured to control power supplied to a load. The load is configured to receive power from the power sourcing equipment and a second power source. The powered device controller is configured to source maintain power signature current to the power sourcing equipment using an input of the rectifier bridge when the second power source is furnishing power to the load.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of isolation transistors in high power Power over Ethernet (PoE) networks to achieve greater power delivery to a load is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a first power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device controller configured to control power supply to a load, and a second PoE powered device controller coupled to the load and to the first PoE powered device controller. The second PoE powered device controller is connected to the first PoE powered device controller using a shared connection interface and is configured to control power supply to the load. The shared connection interface is configured to synchronize the first PoE powered device controller and the second PoE powered device controller to deliver power at least substantially contemporaneously to the load.