Abstract: Techniques are provided for delivering power to powered devices. Power is received from an inline power device and the power is separated into multiple power distribution paths. The power is received at a connector jack comprising conductor pins configured to receive the power and data. A transceiver is configured to interface with the first portion and the second portion of the conductor pins of the connector jack. The power distribution paths are electrically isolated, and rectifying diodes are configured to interface with the conductor pins are also electrically isolated. The power is transmitted from the inline power device across the multiple power distribution paths.

Abstract: In one embodiment, power from multiple inline power sources is collected. Power is supplied to powered network circuits from the collected power and any excess power from the collected power is supplied to downlink inline equipment. A worst-case power source loss scenario is determined based on power source and load information. Removal of an inline power source is detected and load power is reduced when the removed power source reduces the power required to operate the powered network circuits.

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: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling circuit resistance values used for detection of a device in an inline powered system. The system comprises a source device, either a current source or a voltage source, associated with an inline power device. The system also comprises a resistance control circuit comprising a transistor having an emitter, a base and a collector, and a first resistor coupled between the emitter and the collector. In response to the resistance control circuit receiving a relatively low current from the source device, the transistor is configured to be in an off state so that current from the source device flows through the first resistor have a value selected in order to maintain a sufficient resistance during an inline power device detection mode.

Abstract: A system conducts a plurality of cycles on the powered device. Each cycle has a detection phase and a classification phase. A classification voltage is applied to the conductors during each cycle. The system measures a current in the conductors while the classification voltage is applied. The system determines a final class responsive to a plurality of measured currents. The final class utilized to determine an amount of inline power to deliver to the powered device.

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 set of network communications devices shares available power among themselves to meet overall system power loading. An individual device is configured to include a local power supply delivering power to a local power bus at a local supply voltage varied in response to a voltage control signal. A protection component is connected between the local power bus and an external power cable used to connect the device to another device for sharing power. The protection component provides an interruptible low-impedance DC path for carrying current based on direction and magnitude of a voltage difference between the local power bus and the external power cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling circuit resistance values used for detection of a device in an inline powered system. The system comprises a source device, either a current source or a voltage source, associated with an inline power device. The system also comprises a resistance control circuit comprising a transistor having an emitter, a base and a collector, and a first resistor coupled between the emitter and the collector. In response to the resistance control circuit receiving a relatively low current from the source device, the transistor is configured to be in an off state so that current from the source device flows through the first resistor have a value selected in order to maintain a sufficient resistance during an inline power device detection mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, power from multiple inline power sources is collected. Power is supplied to powered network circuits from the collected power and any excess power from the collected power is supplied to downlink inline equipment. A worst-case power source loss scenario is determined based on power source and load information. Removal of an inline power source is detected and load power is reduced when the removed power source reduces the power required to operate the powered network circuits.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for delivering power to powered devices. Power is received from an inline power device and the power is separated into multiple power distribution paths. The power is received at a connector jack comprising conductor pins configured to receive the power and data. A transceiver is configured to interface with the first portion and the second portion of the conductor pins of the connector jack. The power distribution paths are electrically isolated, and rectifying diodes are configured to interface with the conductor pins are also electrically isolated. The power is transmitted from the inline power device across the multiple power distribution paths.

Abstract: A set of network communications devices shares available power among themselves to meet overall system power loading. An individual device is configured to include a local power supply delivering power to a local power bus at a local supply voltage varied in response to a voltage control signal. A protection component is connected between the local power bus and an external power cable used to connect the device to another device for sharing power. The protection component provides an interruptible low-impedance DC path for carrying current based on direction and magnitude of a voltage difference between the local power bus and the external power cable.

Abstract: A system conducts a plurality of cycles on the powered device. Each cycle has a detection phase and a classification phase. A classification voltage is applied to the conductors during each cycle. The system measures a current in the conductors while the classification voltage is applied. The system determines a final class responsive to a plurality of measured currents. The final class utilized to determine an amount of inline power to deliver to the powered device.

Abstract: A system conducts a plurality of cycles on the powered device. Each cycle has a detection phase and a classification phase. A classification voltage is applied to the conductors during each cycle. The system measures a current in the conductors while the classification voltage is applied. The system determines a final class responsive to a plurality of measured currents. The final class utilized to determine an amount of inline power to deliver to the powered device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for enabling high-speed data communication at relatively low cost. Some methods allow devices to communicate by selecting a data transfer rate from among multiple data transfer rates. Some such methods allow devices to communicate according to the highest data transfer rate among multiple data transfer rates at which communications can be made without exceeding a predetermined error rate. Communications may be enabled between a first device operating at a relatively higher data transfer rate and a second device operating at a relatively lower data transfer rate. Pause frames or the like may be used to rate limit data received from the first device and maintain an average data transfer rate for communications with the second device at the lower data transfer rate.

Abstract: A method and system for requesting inline power at a powered device coupled to power sourcing equipment in a communications network are disclosed. The method includes drawing power corresponding to a requested power level at the powered device, operating the powered device in a first mode if the requested power level is maintained at the powered device, and operating the powered device in a second mode if power to the powered device is removed and is restored within a predetermined time.

Abstract: In a wired data telecommunication network power sourcing equipment coupled to a powered device performs policing of power drawn by the powered device. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring power drawn by the powered devices at power sourcing equipment, each powered device having a policing limit associated therewith. If power drawn by one of the powered devices exceeds the policing limit, it is determined if a power budget of the power sourcing equipment continues to provide power to the powered devices. If the power budget has been exceeded, action is initiated at the power sourcing equipment. The action may include sending or logging a warning, requesting the powered device to reduce its power requirement or removing power from one of the powered devices. An apparatus for policing inline power is also disclosed.

Abstract: An LED drive circuit includes a current source configured to electrically drive an LED. In one configuration, the current source forms part of an integrated circuit that requires a relatively small amount of voltage for operation. As such, separate voltage sources can be electrically coupled to the LED and integrated circuit respectively. For example, a first voltage source provides a source voltage to the LED that is sufficient to allow operation the LED and a second voltage source provides a source voltage to the integrated circuit that is sufficient to allow operation of the integrated circuit but that is less than a voltage operable to activate the LED. As a result, a low voltage source can be used as a supply for all of the circuitry associated with the integrated circuit, including the current source, without sacrificing the supply voltage used to drive the LED.

Abstract: A system conducts a plurality of cycles on the powered device. Each cycle has a detection phase and a classification phase. A classification voltage is applied to the conductors during each cycle. The system measures a current in the conductors while the classification voltage is applied. The system determines a final class responsive to a plurality of measured currents. The final class utilized to determine an amount of inline power to deliver to the powered device.

Abstract: In a wired data telecommunication network power sourcing equipment coupled to a powered device performs policing of power drawn by the powered device. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring power drawn by powered devices at power sourcing equipment, each powered device having a policing limit associated therewith. If power drawn by one of the powered devices exceeds the policing limit, it is determined if a power budget of the power sourcing equipment has been exceeded. If the power budget has not been exceeded, the power sourcing equipment continues to provide power to the powered devices. If the power budget has been exceeded, action is initiated at the power sourcing equipment. The action may include sending or logging a warning, requesting the powered device to reduce its power requirement, or removing power from one of the powered devices. An apparatus for policing inline power is also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for enabling high-speed data communication at relatively low cost. Some methods allow devices to communicate by selecting a data transfer rate from among multiple data transfer rates. Some such methods allow devices to communicate according to the highest data transfer rate among multiple data transfer rates at which communications can be made without exceeding a predetermined error rate. Communications may be enabled between a first device operating at a relatively higher data transfer rate and a second device operating at a relatively lower data transfer rate. Pause frames or the like may be used to rate limit data received from the first device and maintain an average data transfer rate for communications with the second device at the lower data transfer rate.