Abstract: A method for transferring power and information across an isolation barrier comprises transferring power across a power transfer isolation barrier between a primary circuit and a secondary circuit while maintaining isolation between the primary and secondary circuits, and transferring data between the powered system and the isolated system across a communication isolation barrier that is distinct from the power transfer isolation barrier.

Abstract: An active clamp device electrically couples first and second nodes in respective first and second supply domains referenced to ground potentials that can be different. The active clamp device comprises first and second active devices controlled by signals respectively referenced to the first and second supply domains that create a short-circuit or low impedance connection between the first and second nodes in normal operation and drive impedance between the first and second nodes high in response to a transient event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit (IC) having an integrated DC-DC power converter therein. This IC is operable to support the distribution of combined power and data signals in a network environment such as an Ethernet network according to protocols such as the power over Ethernet (PoE) protocol. The IC includes a DC-DC power converter, a power feed circuit, and a network physical layer (PHY) module, wherein the PHY module may contain fine line structures susceptible to damage when exposed to excessive voltages. To prevent or reduce the likelihood of damage to the PHY module from voltages supplied to the DC-DC power converter, a common substrate ground is shared between the IC components.

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: A powered device on a network is isolated by communicating operating power and data to a powered device from a network line, referencing the network line to a line reference, and referencing the powered device to a device reference that can be different from the line reference. The powered device is isolated from the network line with an isolation boundary positioned between distributed power and the powered device at a digital port coupled to the powered device.

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 power converter comprises an input connection to a single power source, an output connection to a single coil, and a daisy-chain connection coupled to the output connection and configured to enable coupling of at least one additional daisy-chained power converter and at least one respective additional power source to the single coil. The power converter further comprises a power integrator coupled between the input connection and the output connection and adapted for summing power from the power sources into a single voltage on the single coil and a time multiplexer coupled to the power integrator configured to control power integration.

Abstract: A network system comprises dynamic power management controllers respectively configured for usage in a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) and a Powered Device (PD) coupled by a network cable in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals from the PSE to the PD. The dynamic power management controllers are configured to communicate power management information over the network cable at a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) layer and/or a Media Access Control (MAC) layer.

Abstract: In a network device, an Ethernet bridge module is integrated onto a single-chip integrated circuit. The Ethernet bridge module comprises a network connector integrated onto the Ethernet bridge module in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals, and at least one driver and/or transceiver integrated onto the Ethernet bridge module and configured to interface to at least one device external to the Ethernet bridge module. The Ethernet bridge module further comprises a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit integrated onto the Ethernet bridge module and coupled between the network connector and the at least one driver and/or transceiver.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit (IC) having an integrated DC-DC power converter therein. This IC is operable to support the distribution of combined power and data signals in a network environment such as an Ethernet network according to protocols such as the power over Ethernet (PoE) protocol. The IC includes a DC-DC power converter, a power feed circuit, and a network physical layer (PHY) module, wherein the PHY module may contain fine line structures susceptible to damage when exposed to excessive voltages. To prevent or reduce the likelihood of damage to the PHY module from voltages supplied to the DC-DC power converter, a common substrate ground is shared between the IC components.

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 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 produce a second power signal which may be supplied to the Ethernet network. The active control circuits sense the second power signal passed by each transistor and are operable to apply a feedback signal to the differential transistor pairs based on the sensed power signal. At least one twisted pair couples to each differential transistor pair's output node and is operable to pass the Ethernet power signal.

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: 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 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: 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.