Abstract: A particular technique provides power to a plurality of Power over Ethernet powered devices. The technique involves operating, during a first time interval, an initial set of Power over Ethernet powered devices (i.e., one or more powered devices) in a higher power consuming mode and the remaining Power over Ethernet powered devices of the plurality of Power over Ethernet powered devices that are not in the initial set in a lower power consuming mode to maintain total power consumption below a predetermined total power threshold. The technique further involves operating, during a second time interval after the first time interval, a different set of the Power over Ethernet powered devices in a higher power consuming mode and the remaining Power over Ethernet powered devices of the plurality of Power over Ethernet powered devices that are not in the different set in a lower power consuming mode to maintain total power consumption below the predetermined total power threshold.

Abstract: A particular technique provides power to a plurality of Power over Ethernet powered devices. The technique involves operating, during a first time interval, an initial set of Power over Ethernet powered devices (i.e., one or more powered devices) in a higher power consuming mode and the remaining Power over Ethernet powered devices of the plurality of Power over Ethernet powered devices that are not in the initial set in a lower power consuming mode to maintain total power consumption below a predetermined total power threshold. The technique further involves operating, during a second time interval after the first time interval, a different set of the Power over Ethernet powered devices in a higher power consuming mode and the remaining Power over Ethernet powered devices of the plurality of Power over Ethernet powered devices that are not in the different set in a lower power consuming mode to maintain total power consumption below the predetermined total power threshold.

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: 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: Improved techniques involve provisioning power for a remote device through a data communications cable. Such techniques involve providing a first electrical stimulus (e.g., a first voltage, V1) to the data communications cable and the remote device, and sensing a first electrical response (e.g., a first current, I1) to the first electrical stimulus from the data communications cable and the remote device. Additionally, the techniques involve providing a second electrical stimulus (e.g., a second voltage, V2) to the data communications cable and the remote device, and sensing a second electrical response (e.g., a second current, I2) to the second electrical stimulus from the data communications cable and the remote device, the second electric stimulus being different than the first electrical stimulus. Furthermore, the techniques involve identifying a power demand for the data communications cable and the remote device. The power demand is based on the first and second electrical responses.

Abstract: An inline power controller includes at least one analog interface circuit module (AICM) having a first analog input node for receiving an inline power port voltage, a second analog input node for receiving an inline power port current, a first analog output for effecting an inline power port voltage, a second analog output for effecting an inline power port current, and a digital interface converting the received inline power port voltage to a digital value, the inline power port current to a digital value, a first digital value to the first analog output and a second digital value to the second analog output. A digital serial bus (DSB) couples the AICM to a digital controller via digital serial bus interfaces (DSBIs).

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an integrated jack unit is provided. The integrated jack unit includes a housing. The integrated jack unit also includes a jack positioned at least in part in the housing. The integrated jack unit also includes a power controller positioned in the housing and coupled to the jack by a line. The line is designated for coupling with a transformer. The integrated jack unit also includes a pin protruding outwardly from the housing. The pin is electrically coupled to the jack through the power controller and the line. The pin is positioned to receive power for the jack from a printed circuit board.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for supplying power over Ethernet includes determining whether a first port of power sourcing equipment is supply current to a power over Ethernet device in a predetermined current range. The method also includes logically connecting a second port of the power sourcing equipment to the power over Ethernet device in response to determining that a first port of the power sourcing equipment is supplying current to the power over Ethernet device. The method also includes supplying power from the second port to the power over Ethernet device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bidirectional provision of inline power over data telecommunications cabling permits power to be received at a local powered device (PD) from remote power sourcing equipment (PSE) via at least one conductor at a first time and power to be provided by the local device to the remote device or another device at a second different time.

Abstract: Communications over a wired data telecommunications network between and among power sourcing equipment (PSE), powered devices (PDs), and the like, take place over the wired medium by modulating an inline power signal. Any suitable communications protocol may be used and any suitable modulation scheme can be used. Examples of information to be communicated include: changing power requirements or capabilities (higher or lower) and acknowledgements thereof (permitting finer power class gradation than available under existing standards); sensor data; wireless data converted to wired data; status signaling, and the like. Such communications may be used for a number of purposes including supporting redundant provision of services over a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redundant power and data over a wired data telecommunications network permits power to be received at a local powered device (PD) from remote power sourcing equipment (PSE) via at least one conductor at a first time and power and/or data to be obtained by the local device from another port of the remote device or another remote device at a second different time. Power levels obtained may be adjusted from time to time in response to circumstances.

Abstract: A method for power delivery comprises coupling an Ethernet cable comprising four wire pairs to a power delivery system and providing power to a powered device on all of the wire pairs. A power delivery system includes an interface operable to couple to an Ethernet cable comprising four wire pairs and a controller operable to provide power to a powered device on all of the wire pairs.

Abstract: An apparatus provisions power from a power budget to remote devices configured to obtain phantom power. The apparatus includes, among other things, a controller which is configured to identify a power demand for a remote device (e.g., a power demand based on an actual cable loss), and generate a comparison between the power demand for the remote device and the power budget of the apparatus. The controller is further configured to allocate power from the power budget provided by the power supply to the remote device when the comparison indicates that the power budget supports the power demand for the remote device, and reject allocation of power from the power budget to the remote device when the comparison indicates that the power budget does not support the power demand for the remote device.

Abstract: An escape ladder at rest is an elongated cylindrical body divided lengthwise with a plurality of rung devices hingeably attached between rear quadrants and between front quadrants lockable in a horizontal position and foldable into the tubular body when left and right quadrants and mated together. Right quadrants and left quadrants are interlocked together to allow the interlocked quadrants to slideably move only lengthwise in relation to each other.