Abstract: In general, one aspect disclosed features an active choke circuit, including a first three-winding choke; a second three-winding choke; and an amplifier; wherein a first winding of the first three-winding choke is electrically coupled in series with a first winding of the second three-winding choke; wherein a second winding of the first three-winding choke is electrically coupled in series with a second winding of the second three-winding choke; wherein a third winding of the first three-winding choke is electrically coupled to an input of the amplifier; and wherein a third winding of the second three-winding choke is electrically coupled to an output of the amplifier.

Abstract: In general, one aspect disclosed features an active choke circuit, comprising: a first three-winding choke; a second three-winding choke; and an amplifier; wherein a first winding of the first three-winding choke is electrically coupled in series with a first winding of the second three-winding choke; wherein a second winding of the first three-winding choke is electrically coupled in series with a second winding of the second three-winding choke; wherein a third winding of the first three-winding choke is electrically coupled to an input of the amplifier; and wherein a third winding of the second three-winding choke is electrically coupled to an output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A current-mode controller comprises an inductance element, at least one semiconductor switch coupled to the inductance element, and a ramp compensator coupled to sense an indication of current through the inductance element and coupled to control the at least one semiconductor switch that senses current during on-time of the DC-DC converter, infers current during off-time of the DC-DC converter, and determines a slope compensation signal based on the sensed and inferred currents.

Abstract: A network interface apparatus is disclosed that includes a connector coupled to a plurality of communication lines. A Physical Layer (PHY) device coupled to the communication lines and to a first ground level. A transient event suppression module coupled between the communication lines and a low impedance path to earth ground. During a transient event the transient event suppression module provides a low impedance path to the earth ground to protect the PHY device from the transient event. A power circuit that delivers power from a second ground level to the PHY device is coupled to the first ground level. The first ground level and the second ground level are coupled to provide a low impedance path during normal operation and high impedance during transient events.

Abstract: A power converter is configured for usage in a power factor correction system. The power converter comprises a transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding which isolates a primary side from a secondary side. A primary side switch is coupled to the primary winding. An isolator coupled to the primary side switch isolates the primary side from the secondary side and comprises a signal pathway passing a digital signal from the primary side to the secondary side. Power factor correction circuitry is coupled to the primary side switch and adjusts electric load characteristics to improve power factor toward unity.

Abstract: A power over Ethernet (PoE) system has a reclassification functionality. The illustrative PoE system comprises a powered device (PD) and a power sourcing equipment (PSE) communicatively coupled to the PD. A classification identification component coupled to the PD encodes a classification value. A classification identification component can typically be implemented as a classification resistor, although any other suitable component such as a capacitor, inductor, register, or other structure or method can otherwise be implemented. The PoE system can further comprise a reclassification register in a non-volatile memory that stores a value indicative of a new classification state and a new classification identifier and a power switch that powers the powered device to a classification voltage.

Abstract: A current-mode controller comprises an inductance element, at least one semiconductor switch coupled to the inductance element, and a ramp compensator coupled to sense an indication of current through the inductance element and coupled to control the at least one semiconductor switch that senses current during on-time of the DC-DC converter, infers current during off-time of the DC-DC converter, and determines a slope compensation signal based on the sensed and inferred currents.

Abstract: Power feed circuitry within a power over Ethernet (PoE) device detects fault conditions within power and data distribution lines coupled to the power feed circuitry. This circuitry includes network interface circuitry coupled to the network in order to exchange both data and power signals. The power interface circuitry also communicatively couples to at least one isolated power supply in order to draw power. The power may then be distributed via the attached network interface circuitry. A fault detection module couples to the power interface circuitry and the network interface circuitry. This fault detection module senses fault conditions associated with the power interface circuitry, network interface circuitry, and associated distribution lines in order to better draw and distribute power signals using the power feed circuitry.

Abstract: In a network device, a connector module comprises a network connector coupled to the connector module in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals and an application connector that comprises serial media independent interface (SMII) pins and power pins. A Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit is coupled between the network connector and the application connector.

Abstract: A network device comprising an integrated circuit configured for coupling to lines between a network connector and an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) and comprising a diode bridge and protection circuitry integrated onto a common integrated circuit whereby parasitics in an energy discharge path and stress on the PHY and the diode bridge are reduced.

Abstract: In a network device, an active Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) suppression circuit is coupled in parallel to transmit and receive differential signal lines connecting an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) module and a network connector, actively suppressing EMI in a network communications system that replaces a traditional transformer with an active direct connect interface.

Abstract: In a network device, a connector module comprises a network connector coupled to the connector module in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals and an application connector that comprises serial media independent interface (SMII) pins and power pins. A Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit is coupled between the network connector and the application connector.

Abstract: In a network device, an interface is coupled between an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) module and a network connector, and comprises at least one pair of pins coupled to output connections of the Ethernet physical layer (PHY), a direct current (DC) blocking capacitor coupled to each pin, and a common-mode suppression amplifier coupled between the paired pins.

Abstract: The present invention provides for dynamic insertion loss control for a 10/100/1000 megahertz Ethernet power on differential cable pairs. A power feed circuit supplies power to a network attached device (PD). An insertion loss control circuit limits power loss in a coupled power feed circuit. The insertion loss control circuit determines an insertion loss limit and senses an average power of the power signals to produce a common mode feedback signal to the power feed circuit. The insertion loss limit is determined for the received signals based on a differential RMS of the received Ethernet power signals as seen by a differential transistor pair. Alternatively, the insertion loss limit may be determined logically by the higher layers of the network protocol based on the AC differential portion of the network power signal.

Abstract: In a network device, a power potential rectifier is adapted to conductively couple a network connector to an integrated circuit that rectifies and passes a power signal and data signal received from the network connector. The power potential rectifier regulates a received power and/or data signal to ensure proper signal polarity is applied to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a power source equipment (PSE) network device operable to provide a network signal that may include both power and data. This PSE network device includes a network connector and an integrated circuit. The network connector physically couples the PSE network device to the network. The integrated circuit further includes a power feed circuit. This power feed circuit is operable to draw and balance a plurality of power signals from an isolated power supply. Then the power feed circuit may combine and pass the received data signals and power signal as a single network signal. A PSE controller electrically couples to the integrated circuit but is not necessarily part of the integrated circuit. The PSE controller is operable to govern the production and distribution of the power portion of the network signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a power source equipment (PSE) network device operable to provide a network signal that may include both power and data. This PSE network device includes a network connector and an integrated circuit. The network connector physically couples the PSE network device to the network. The integrated circuit further includes a power feed circuit. This power feed circuit is operable to combine and pass the received data signals and power signal as a single network signal. A PSE controller electrically couples to the integrated circuit but is not necessarily part of the integrated circuit. The PSE controller is operable to govern the production and distribution of the power portion of the network signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to at least partially power an Ethernet device from a plurality of balanced network power signals received through a network connection. This involves attaching the network device to the network, wherein network signals are received and contain both power signals and/or data signals. These network signals may be passed through surge protection and power-conditioning circuitry wherein the output of these circuits may be provided to a power absorbing circuit. This power absorbing circuit may separate the communication signal and power signal from the network signal. The communication signal may be passed to a network physical layer while the power signal may be passed to a power distribution module. Additionally, because certain embodiments may provide multiple pairs of network power signals to the power absorbing circuit, the current or power associated with each power signal must be sensed and balanced. This may be done with an active control circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a power feed circuit operable to supply an Ethernet power signal to a coupled Ethernet network. This power feed circuit includes a number of input nodes, differential transistor pairs, active control circuits, insertion loss control limit circuits and output nodes. The input nodes receive a first power signal such as that provided by an isolated 48 volt power supply. Each transistor of the differential transistor pairs couples to one input node. These differential transistor pairs draw currents which combine to produce a power signal component of the Ethernet power signal. The active control circuits sense the currents drawn by each transistor and are operable to apply a feedback signal to the differential transistor pairs based on the second circuit. Additionally, the insertion loss control limit circuit may sense the power and/or data rate associated with the data signal component of the Ethernet power signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved ESD protection circuit within a power over Ethernet (PoE) network device operable to handle a network signal that may include both power and data. This PoE network device includes a network connector, an integrated circuit (IC) and an ESD protection circuit. The network connector physically couples the PoE network device to the network. The IC couples to the ESD protection circuit, wherein the IC further includes a power feed circuit. This power feed circuit is operable to handle network signals containing both data signals and power signals. The ESD protection circuits shunts ESD events to an ESD capacitance and then dissipates the ESD event through a discharge path in order to reduce the energy associated with the ESD event and dissipated within the IC.