Abstract: A technique is able to direct a power signal from a port power controller to one of multiple physical ports. The technique involves activating a set of port power controllers. Each port power controller is constructed and arranged to deliver power to a device through at most one physical port at a time. The technique further involves performing a set of discovery operations to discover device presence, the set of discovery operations providing discovery data. The technique further involves providing, based on the discovery data provided by the set of discovery operations, a set of switching signals to switching circuitry which is coupled to a set of physical ports. The switching circuitry is constructed and arranged to steer power signals from the activated set of port power controllers through the set of physical ports to deliver power to a set of devices.

Abstract: A technique is able to direct a power signal from a port power controller to one of multiple physical ports. The technique involves activating a set of port power controllers. Each port power controller is constructed and arranged to deliver power to a device through at most one physical port at a time. The technique further involves performing a set of discovery operations to discover device presence, the set of discovery operations providing discovery data. The technique further involves providing, based on the discovery data provided by the set of discovery operations, a set of switching signals to switching circuitry which is coupled to a set of physical ports. The switching circuitry is constructed and arranged to steer power signals from the activated set of port power controllers through the set of physical ports to deliver power to a set of devices.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing power onto multiple power distribution paths. Power controller devices receive power from a power source device and are coupled to first and second multiplexer units. The multiplexer units receive power from the power source devices via the power controller devices for first and second power distribution paths. A multiplexer control unit controls the multiplexer units to output power from the first power distribution path, the second power distribution path or both of the paths. Power subsystems are provided comprising first and second power transistor units. The first transistor unit receives power from the first multiplexer unit over the first path and the second transistor unit receives power from the second multiplexer unit over the second path. Ports are provided and are coupled to a powered device. The multiplexer control unit controls the multiplexer units to supply power to the respective ports according to the type of powered device detected at a port.

Abstract: A technique is able to direct a power signal from a port power controller to one of multiple physical ports. The technique involves activating a set of port power controllers. Each port power controller is constructed and arranged to deliver power to a device through at most one physical port at a time. The technique further involves performing a set of discovery operations to discover device presence, the set of discovery operations providing discovery data. The technique further involves providing, based on the discovery data provided by the set of discovery operations, a set of switching signals to switching circuitry which is coupled to a set of physical ports. The switching circuitry is constructed and arranged to steer power signals from the activated set of port power controllers through the set of physical ports to deliver power to a set of devices.