Abstract: A focus ring, similar in user feel to an optical scope focus ring, for an image sensor based weapon sight, wherein the ring is rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the weapon bore. The rotational position of the ring is sensed electronically and read by a weapon sight control processor, and the rotational position is used by the processor to set the digital zoom of a user accessible weapon sight electronic display. The weapon sight may be built in sections, including a stiff chassis section for the electronics and processor elements which includes the mounting to the weapon. The camera section which may include a combination of visible and/or thermal cameras, mounts to chassis and the chassis is enclosed by a floating housing that is compliantly mounted to the stiff chassis. The focus ring/rotational position sensor section mounts to the housing, thereby isolating the hard mounted weapon sight sections from parts of the sight handled by the user.

Abstract: In a method performed by a PoE system, a PSE provides data and operating voltage over Ethernet wires to a PD. Before the full PoE voltage is supplied, the PSE generates a low current signal received by the PD. A circuit in the PD, connected across its input terminals, has a characteristic analog response to the PSE signal corresponding to the PD's PoE requirements, such as whether the PD is a Type 1 or Type 2 PD. The circuit may be a certain value capacitor, zener diode, resistor, or other circuit. The PSE may generate a fixed current, fixed voltage, or time varying signal. Upon the PSE sensing the magnitude of the analog signal response at a particular time, the PSE associates the response with the PoE requirements of the PD. The PSE then applies the full PoE voltage in accordance with the PD's PoE requirements.

Abstract: A PoDL system includes a PSE connected via a wire pair to a PD, where differential data and DC power are transmitted over the same wire pair. Typically, low voltage/current detection and classification routines are required upon every powering up of the system to allow the PD to convey its PoDL requirements to the PSE. Various techniques are described that simplify or obviate such start-up routines or enable increased flexibility for the PoDL system. Such techniques include: ways to specify a particular PD operating voltage; ways to disable the PD's UVLO circuit during such routines; using opposite polarity voltages for the two routines; using voltage limiters or surge protectors to convey the PoDL information; detecting loop resistance; using a PSE memory to store previous results of the routines; and powering the PD communication circuit using the wire pair while the PD load is powered by an alternate power source.

Abstract: A PoDL system includes a PSE connected via a wire pair to a PD, where differential data and DC power are transmitted over the same wire pair. Typically, low voltage/current detection and classification routines are required upon every powering up of the system to allow the PD to convey its PoDL requirements to the PSE. Various techniques are described that simplify or obviate such start-up routines or enable increased flexibility for the PoDL system. Such techniques include: ways to specify a particular PD operating voltage; ways to disable the PD's UVLO circuit during such routines; using opposite polarity voltages for the two routines; using voltage limiters or surge protectors to convey the PoDL information; detecting loop resistance; using a PSE memory to store previous results of the routines; and powering the PD communication circuit using the wire pair while the PD load is powered by an alternate power source.

Abstract: In a method performed by a PoE system, a PSE provides data and operating voltage over Ethernet wires to a PD. Before the full PoE voltage is supplied, the PSE generates a low current signal received by the PD. A circuit in the PD, connected across its input terminals, has a characteristic analog response to the PSE signal corresponding to the PD's PoE requirements, such as whether the PD is a Type 1 or Type 2 PD. The circuit may be a certain value capacitor, zener diode, resistor, or other circuit. The PSE may generate a fixed current, fixed voltage, or time varying signal. Upon the PSE sensing the magnitude of the analog signal response at a particular time, the PSE associates the response with the PoE requirements of the PD. The PSE then applies the full PoE voltage in accordance with the PD's PoE requirements.

Abstract: In a method performed by a PoE system, a PSE provides data and operating voltage over Ethernet wires to a PD. Before the full PoE voltage is supplied, the PSE generates a low current signal received by the PD. A circuit in the PD, connected across its input terminals, has a characteristic analog response to the PSE signal corresponding to the PD's PoE requirements, such as whether the PD is a Type 1 or Type 2 PD. The circuit may be a certain value capacitor, zener diode, resistor, or other circuit. The PSE may generate a fixed current, fixed voltage, or time varying signal. Upon the PSE sensing the magnitude of the analog signal response at a particular time, the PSE associates the response with the PoE requirements of the PD. The PSE then applies the full PoE voltage in accordance with the PD's PoE requirements.

Abstract: A PoDL system includes a PSE connected via a wire pair to a PD, where differential data and DC power are transmitted over the same wire pair. Typically, low voltage/current detection and classification routines are required upon every powering up of the system to allow the PD to convey its PoDL requirements to the PSE. Various techniques are described that simplify or obviate such start-up routines or enable increased flexibility for the PoDL system. Such techniques include: ways to specify a particular PD operating voltage; ways to disable the PD's UVLO circuit during such routines; using opposite polarity voltages for the two routines; using voltage limiters or surge protectors to convey the PoDL information; detecting loop resistance; using a PSE memory to store previous results of the routines; and powering the PD communication circuit using the wire pair while the PD load is powered by an alternate power source.

Abstract: A PoDL system includes a PSE connected via a wire pair to a PD, where differential data and DC power are transmitted over the same wire pair. Typically, low voltage/current detection and classification routines are required upon every powering up of the system to allow the PD to convey its PoDL requirements to the PSE. Various techniques are described that simplify or obviate such start-up routines or enable increased flexibility for the PoDL system. Such techniques include: ways to specify a particular PD operating voltage; ways to disable the PD's UVLO circuit during such routines; using opposite polarity voltages for the two routines; using voltage limiters or surge protectors to convey the PoDL information; detecting loop resistance; using a PSE memory to store previous results of the routines; and powering the PD communication circuit using the wire pair while the PD load is powered by an alternate power source.

Abstract: A PoDL system includes a PSE connected via a wire pair to a PD, where differential data and DC power are transmitted over the same wire pair. Typically, low voltage/current detection and classification routines are required upon every powering up of the system to allow the PD to convey its PoDL requirements to the PSE. Various techniques are described that simplify or obviate such start-up routines or enable increased flexibility for the PoDL system. Such techniques include: ways to specify a particular PD operating voltage; ways to disable the PD's UVLO circuit during such routines; using opposite polarity voltages for the two routines; using voltage limiters or surge protectors to convey the PoDL information; detecting loop resistance; using a PSE memory to store previous results of the routines; and powering the PD communication circuit using the wire pair while the PD load is powered by an alternate power source.

Abstract: A PSE includes a PSE controller that performs a handshaking routine with any PDs connected to the data wire pairs and spare wire pairs and applies power to the data wire pairs and spare wire pairs, via a switch, if certain conditions are met. Two different levels of currents are supplied to different terminals of the PSE controller that are connected to the data wire pairs and the spare wire pairs, and the resulting voltages are measured. The voltages are used to determine the PD impedances at the ends of the data wire pairs and spare wire pairs to determine whether a PD is connected to the data wire pair, whether another PD is connected to the spare wire pair, or whether a single PD is connected to both the data wire pairs and the spare wire pairs.

Abstract: In a method performed by a PoE system, a PSE is able to detect whether a PD is compatible for receiving power via four wire pairs in the standard Ethernet cable. The PSE provides a current limited voltage to a first and second pair of wires in the cable, during a detection phase, to detect a characteristic impedance of the PD. In the PSE, a first resistor is connected to a third wire pair and a second resistor is connected to a fourth wire pair. During the detection phase, the PSE detects the relative currents through the resistors. If the currents are the same, then the PSE knows the PD is able to receive power via the four wire pairs. The PSE then applies the full PoE voltage to the first and second wire pairs and connects the third and fourth wire pairs to a low voltage via a MOSFET.

Abstract: In a method performed by a Power Over Ethernet (PoE) system, Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) provides data and voltage over Ethernet wires to a Powered Device (PD). The PD converts the PSE voltage to a regulated voltage by at least one DC-DC converter in the PD. A first load in the PD, such as a processor, operates in a standby mode during a standby period and draws a low current from the converter via a low current path. During this standby period, a high current load in the PD is disconnected and does not draw current. When the first load comes out of the standby mode and into an active mode, the converter supplies a relatively high current to the second load and the first load. In this way, the first load, if a processor, can be already booted up at the time the second load becomes active.

Abstract: In a PoE system in an automobile, Power Source Equipment (PSE) is connected to Powered Devices (PDs) to provide data and power via Ethernet wires. When the ignition switch is on, the full PSE voltage, such as 44 volts, is supplied to the PDs, and the voltage is regulated by the PDs to power one or more loads in the PD. During a standby mode, such as when the ignition switch is off, the PSE is controlled to output a lower voltage of, for example, 5 volts, and the voltage is regulated by the PDs to power the loads, such as processors, in a low power standby mode. The voltage regulator in the PD for the low power mode may be an efficient linear regulator, and the voltage regulator in the PD for the full voltage mode may be a switching regulator. Thus, there is improved efficiency.

Abstract: A Power Over Ethernet (PoE) system, or other power over data lines system, includes Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) providing combined data and voltage over wires to a Powered Device (PD). Since cable length and PD load currents may not be known, there is a variable voltage drop along the cable between the PSE and PD. Prior to the PD being fully powered up, a test is performed by the PSE to determine the actual resistance or voltage drop of the cable, and the results are stored in a memory accessed by the PSE upon powering up. The PSE uses the stored information to adjust its voltage source to provide a target voltage at the PD input during full power operation. This may obviate the need for a voltage regulator at the PD. The test may only be conducted when the PSE is initially powered up or may be conducted periodically.

Abstract: A Power Over Ethernet (PoE) system includes Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) providing data and voltage over Ethernet wires to a Powered Device (PD). Instead of the conventional detection and classification routine being performed every time the system is powered up, the pertinent data to determine whether to apply PoE to the PD is stored in a memory in the PSE. The memory is accessed by a controller in the PSE when the PSE is powered up. Therefore, a time-consuming detection and classification routine does not have to be performed each time the system is powered up. The system is particularly useful in automobiles where the particular PDs and PSEs are predetermined. The PoE data may be obtained the first time the system is powered up or may be stored in the memory when the PSE is designed or fabricated.

Abstract: A PSE includes a PSE controller that performs a handshaking routine with any PDs connected to the data wire pairs and spare wire pairs and applies power to the data wire pairs and spare wire pairs, via a switch, if certain conditions are met. Two different levels of currents are supplied to different terminals of the PSE controller that are connected to the data wire pairs and the spare wire pairs, and the resulting voltages are measured. The voltages are used to determine the PD impedances at the ends of the data wire pairs and spare wire pairs to determine whether a PD is connected to the data wire pair, whether another PD is connected to the spare wire pair, or whether a single PD is connected to both the data wire pairs and the spare wire pairs.

Abstract: In a method performed by a PoE system, a PSE is able to detect whether a PD is compatible for receiving power via four wire pairs in the standard Ethernet cable. The PSE provides a current limited voltage to a first and second pair of wires in the cable, during a detection phase, to detect a characteristic impedance of the PD. In the PSE, a first resistor is connected to a third wire pair and a second resistor is connected to a fourth wire pair. During the detection phase, the PSE detects the relative currents through the resistors. If the currents are the same, then the PSE knows the PD is able to receive power via the four wire pairs. The PSE then applies the full PoE voltage to the first and second wire pairs and connects the third and fourth wire pairs to a low voltage via a MOSFET.

Abstract: A PoDL system includes a PSE connected via a wire pair to a PD, where differential data and DC power are transmitted over the same wire pair. Typically, low voltage/current detection and classification routines are required upon every powering up of the system to allow the PD to convey its PoDL requirements to the PSE. Various techniques are described that simplify or obviate such start-up routines or enable increased flexibility for the PoDL system. Such techniques include: ways to specify a particular PD operating voltage; ways to disable the PD's UVLO circuit during such routines; using opposite polarity voltages for the two routines; using voltage limiters or surge protectors to convey the PoDL information; detecting loop resistance; using a PSE memory to store previous results of the routines; and powering the PD communication circuit using the wire pair while the PD load is powered by an alternate power source.

Abstract: In a method performed by a PoE system, a PSE provides data and operating voltage over Ethernet wires to a PD. Before the full PoE voltage is supplied, the PSE generates a low current signal received by the PD. A circuit in the PD, connected across its input terminals, has a characteristic analog response to the PSE signal corresponding to the PD's PoE requirements, such as whether the PD is a Type 1 or Type 2 PD. The circuit may be a certain value capacitor, zener diode, resistor, or other circuit. The PSE may generate a fixed current, fixed voltage, or time varying signal. Upon the PSE sensing the magnitude of the analog signal response at a particular time, the PSE associates the response with the PoE requirements of the PD. The PSE then applies the full PoE voltage in accordance with the PD's PoE requirements.

Abstract: System and methodology for managing power supplied to powered devices over communication links, such as Ethernet links. A power supply system has multiple power supply ports for providing power to respective powered devices via multiple communication links. A power-in-use bus shared by the multiple power supply ports is configured for receiving a power-in-use signal representing total amount of power being used by the powered devices. Multiple port control circuits associated with the power supply ports are responsive to the power-in-use signal for controlling supply of power to the respective powered devices.