Abstract: A high speed isolation interface which can be used to enable high speed communications between the isolated side and the wire side in a PoE system is provided. The high speed isolation interface may implement an Ethernet or non-Ethernet based signaling scheme. The high speed isolation interface can be used within both PSE (endspan or midspan) and PD systems, including single port and multi-port PSE and PD systems. Further, the high speed isolation interface is usable within pre-standard PoE, 802.3af PoE, and 802.3at PoE systems. The high speed isolation interface may also be used within 2-pair PoE (Alternative A) and 4-pair PoE (Alternative B) systems.

Abstract: In a Power over Ethernet (POE) system, a power source equipment (PSE) device configured to deliver power to one or more powered devices (PDs) over a plurality of Ethernet transmission lines. The PSE interface includes a multi-port transmission line connector capable connecting to multiple Ethernet transmission lines, and a power source equipment (PSE) controller module integrated with the multi-port transmission line connector. The PSE controller module is capable of semi-automatic mode and legacy detection of one or more of the PDs that are coupled to the Ethernet transmission lines. The PSE controller module includes a plurality of PSE controllers corresponding to the Ethernet transmission lines, including a master PSE controller and plurality of slave PSE controllers coupled to the master PSE controller. The master PSE controller controls the slave PSE controllers, so as to provide power management to said corresponding PD devices, without an external microcontroller.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling communication between power source equipment and a powered device chip. In one embodiment, communication between the power source equipment and the powered device chip is enabled through a communication link established between the powered device chip and a host device on the powered device.

Abstract: A system and method of analyzing a powered device (PD) in a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system are presented. The system includes an Ethernet interface having a physical layer (PRY) chip capable of providing a signal pulse in addition to physical layer 1 functions. The system further includes a pulse transformer, coupled to the PRY chip, capable of relaying the signal pulse provided by the PRY chip to the PD via the transmit line and a second PRY chip. The first PRY chip receives one or more return pulse signals from the PD, analyzes characteristics such as voltage and/or frequency of the return pulse signal(s), and determines attributes of the PD based on those characteristics. The attributes can include powered device validity and power classification. A method of supplying power to a PD is also presented.

Abstract: A system and method of analyzing a powered device (PD) in a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system are presented. The system includes an Ethernet interface having a physical layer (PHY) chip capable of providing a signal pulse in addition to physical layer 1 functions. The system further includes a pulse transformer, coupled to the PHY chip, capable of relaying the signal pulse provided by the PHY chip to the PD via the transmit line and a second PHY chip. The first PHY chip receives one or more return pulse signals from the PD, analyzes characteristics such as voltage and/or frequency of the return pulse signal(s), and determines attributes of the PD based on those characteristics. The attributes can include powered device validity and power classification. A method of supplying power to a PD is also presented.

Abstract: Methods and/or devices are provided for monitoring life-expectancy and/or useful life of an optical transceiver module by tracking an insertion cycle count of an optical transceiver module. An alarm/warning indicator may be generated or the optical transceiver module can be disabled completely if the insertion cycle count exceeds a predefined threshold. The host device first detects the insertion of the optical transceiver module and then reads the cycle count along with an identifier value from the non-volatile memory of the optical transceiver module. The host device then increments the insertion cycle count by one, to account for the current insertion, and stores this new cycle count into a non-volatile memory of the optical transceiver module. The insertion cycle count value may be encrypted and/or the non-volatile memory of the optical transceiver module may be password-protected to avoid accidental and/or unauthorized access to the non-volatile memory of the optical transceiver module.

Abstract: In a Power over Ethernet (POE) system, a power source equipment (PSE) device configured to deliver power to one or more powered devices (PDs) over a plurality of Ethernet transmission lines. The PSE interface includes a multi-port transmission line connector capable connecting to multiple Ethernet transmission lines, and a power source equipment (PSE) controller module integrated with the multi-port transmission line connector. The PSE controller module is capable of high power operation beyond that specifically by IEEE standard 802.3af™ for powered devices. More specifically, the PSE controller is configured to deliver over 15.4 Watts, and up to 36 Watts of power, to meet the needs of high powered devices such as IP Phones, and access points. Further, the PSE controllers can utilize, currently unused, class 4 of IEEE standard 802.3af™ to identify, initiate, and classify the high power operation.

Abstract: Increased cable length Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems are provided. Embodiments can be designed for compliance with IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3at, or legacy PoE standards. Embodiments include PSE and PD designs enabled for increased length PoE. Embodiments include example modifications of IEEE 802.3af PSE system rules, including example modifications of PSE port voltage ranges to support IEEE 802.3af compliant PDs across increased cable lengths. Embodiments include example modifications of IEEE 802.3af PD system rules, including example modifications of PD port voltage ranges to enable current IEEE compliant PSEs to support increased cable length PoE. Embodiments include PDs having increased voltage process and/or added voltage protection circuitry to support increased length PoE. Modifications of PSE system rules and PD system rules can be performed independently of each others, so that modified PSEs can be made to work with existing PDs, or vice versa.

Abstract: A Powered Device (PD) in a Power Over Ethernet system that supports increased cable lengths of more than 100 m is provided herein. The proposed PD design requires no modifications at the PSE side. Embodiments include example modifications of IEEE 802.3af PD system rules, including example modifications of PD classification and port voltage ranges to enable increased cable length PoE.

Abstract: A system and method for multiple power over Ethernet (PoE) power supply management. Power supply status signals indicative of an operating condition of a plurality of PoE power supplies are provided to a plurality of power sourcing equipment (PSE) controller chips. Pre-configured combination logic within each of the PSE controller chips converts an indicated operational state of the plurality of PoE power supplies into a powering decision for each of the Ethernet ports served by the PSE controller chip within one microsecond.

Abstract: A system and method for multiple power over Ethernet (PoE) power supply management. Power supply status signals indicative of an operating condition of a plurality of PoE power supplies are provided to a plurality of power sourcing equipment (PSE) controller chips. Pre-configured combination logic within each of the PSE controller chips converts an indicated operational state of the plurality of PoE power supplies into a powering decision for each of the Ethernet ports served by the PSE controller chip within one microsecond.

Abstract: Increased cable length Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems are provided. Embodiments can be designed for compliance with IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3at, or legacy PoE standards. Embodiments include PSE and PD designs enabled for increased length PoE. Embodiments include example modifications of IEEE 802.3af PSE system rules, including example modifications of PSE port voltage ranges to support IEEE 802.3af compliant PDs across increased cable lengths. Embodiments include example modifications of IEEE 802.3af PD system rules, including example modifications of PD port voltage ranges to enable current IEEE compliant PSEs to support increased cable length PoE. Embodiments include PDs having increased voltage process and/or added voltage protection circuitry to support increased length PoE. Modifications of PSE system rules and PD system rules can be performed independently of each others, so that modified PSEs can be made to work with existing PDs, or vice versa.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating information using Layer 1 from a powered device to power source equipment via Ethernet. In one embodiment, Layer 1 information such as power management, classification, temperature, and disconnect information is transmitted from a powered device to power source equipment using an AC signal that has a cycle defining a first time period during which the AC signal is turned on and a second time period during which the AC signal is turned off. A type of information being sent by the powered device can be determined based on characteristic on/off times of the AC signal cycle.

Abstract: A system and method of classifying a high powered device (PD) with an increased current limit includes: connecting a voltage to the PD, measuring current through a classification resistor connected to the PD, and determining a PD classification signature based on the current according to classification steps such that a minimum classification step includes a minimum current of 0 mA and a maximum classification step includes a maximum current beyond a predetermined current limit. The system includes a PSE, voltage source, PD classification resistor, and PD voltage, connected to the P. An alternative embodiment further includes a discrete classification circuit and discrete classification resistor to be used to measure the current for classification purposes instead of the PD classification resistor when the PD and PD classification resistor do not support power classification under the classification scheme.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating information using Layer 1 from a powered device to power source equipment via Ethernet. In one embodiment, Layer 1 information such as power management, classification, temperature, and disconnect information is transmitted from a powered device to power source equipment using an AC signal that has a cycle defining a first time period during which the AC signal is turned on and a second time period during which the AC signal is turned off. A type of information being sent by the powered device can be determined based on characteristic on/off times of the AC signal cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for global power management in a power over Ethernet (PoE) chassis. Power supply status signals indicative of an operating condition of a plurality of power supplies are provided to a plurality of power sourcing equipment (PSE) controller chips in a plurality of blades of a chassis system. Pre-configured combination logic within each of the PSE controller chips converts an indicated operational state of the plurality of power supplies into a powering decision for each of the ports served by the PSE controller chip. Global power management is also effected through the use of scaling factors for the various blades to ensure that the lowest priority powered port (LPPP) in a first blade does not have a lower priority than the highest priority non-powered port (HPNPP) in a second blade.

Abstract: A high speed isolation interface which can be used to enable high speed communications between the isolated side and the wire side in a PoE system is provided. The high speed isolation interface may implement an Ethernet or non-Ethernet based signaling scheme. The high speed isolation interface can be used within both PSE (endspan or midspan) and PD systems, including single port and multi-port PSE and PD systems. Further, the high speed isolation interface is usable within pre-standard PoE, 802.3af PoE, and 802.3at PoE systems. The high speed isolation interface may also be used within 2-pair PoE (Alternative A) and 4-pair PoE (Alternative B) systems.

Abstract: A system and method for multiple power over Ethernet (PoE) power supply management. Power supply status signals indicative of an operating condition of a plurality of PoE power supplies are provided to a plurality of power sourcing equipment (PSE) controller chips. Pre-configured combination logic within each of the PSE controller chips converts an indicated operational state of the plurality of PoE power supplies into a powering decision for each of the Ethernet ports served by the PSE controller chip within one microsecond.

Abstract: An integrated physical layer (PHY) and powered device (PD) chip for use in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system is provided. Embodiments reduce circuit size and cost and enable improved and novel PoE applications. Embodiments include one or more of a PHY circuit, a PD controller circuit, a DC-DC converter circuit, and an enterprise Internet Protocol (IP) circuit, integrated within a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. Embodiments are implemented using a floating ground design. Embodiments can be implemented using a mixed-voltage or a “voltage island” design or using a multi-die scheme.

Abstract: A Powered Device (PD) in a Power Over Ethernet system that supports increased cable lengths of more than 100 m is provided herein. The proposed PD design requires no modifications at the PSE side. Embodiments include example modifications of IEEE 802.3af PD system rules, including example modifications of PD classification and port voltage ranges to enable increased cable length PoE.