Abstract: A powered communications interface in a power-over-Ethernet (POE) system has a non-powered operating mode in which it withholds operating power from a powered device and applies relatively low signaling voltages and currents to the conductors of the Ethernet cable which include (a) first signaling voltages and currents of a detection/classification operation, and (b) second signaling voltages and currents of a low-speed communications operation by which the power-sourcing equipment and the powered device exchange operational information. The low-speed communications from the power-sourcing equipment to the powered device are conveyed by values and sequencing of the second signaling voltages, and low-speed communications from the powered device to the power-sourcing equipment are conveyed by values and sequencing of the second signaling currents conducted by the powered device in response to the second signaling voltages from the power-sourcing equipment.

Abstract: A powered device can provide information to another device (such as a power sourcing equipment) via a powered communications interface when operating power is not being provided to the powered device via the powered communications interface, enabling a variety of functions and applications. Relatively low voltages and currents of the type used for detection and classification of the powered device are used in an extended way to achieve the communications. The power sourcing equipment performs additional detections and/or classifications, and the powered device responds by presenting corresponding signatures or identity networks that convey additional information beyond the presence and power requirements of the powered device. As an example, a powered device can present a sequence of signatures signifying that power should be applied to the powered device notwithstanding an active policy of withholding power in furtherance of a power conservation scheme.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide an IP telephone or similar device with a mechanism to receive and at least briefly loop back discovery signals received from a telecommunications device such as an Ethernet switch while not permitting the loop back of data packet signals. No mechanical relays are required and the circuitry can be fully integrated on an integrated circuit using commonly available techniques, if desired.

Abstract: In a wired data telecommunication network power sourcing equipment (PSE) coupled to a powered device (PD) carries out an inline power discovery process to verify that the PD is adapted to receive inline power, then a plurality of classification cycles are carried out to convey a series of inline power classes back to the PSE. The series of inline power classes may all be the same, in which case the PD is legacy equipment and is adapted to receive the power level corresponding to that class. If they are not all the same, information is thus conveyed to the PSE which may, for example, correspond to a specific power level to be applied or to other information.

Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices via an automatic selection device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of PSE devices, and coupling a port of one PSE device and a redundant port of the second PSE device to respective first and second interfaces of a port of the selection device. The selection device initially selects one of the two PSE devices and communicates data and/or Inline Power to a third interface of the selection device. A powered device (PD) coupled to that third interface communicates data and/or Inline Power with the selected one of the first and second PSE device through the selection device. Upon detection of a condition, such as a failure condition, the selection device may select the other of the two interfaces.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a printed circuit board having a coaxial via is disclosed. The method includes assembling a plurality of layers configured in a stack so that the plurality of layers has a top signal layer and a bottom signal layer; forming a hollow via through the plurality of layers to connect GND layers in the printed circuit board, forming or inserting into the hollow via a conductor coated with non-conductive material, covering the top layer and bottom layer with dielectric and patterned signal layers, covering the top layer and bottom layer with a masking agent, plating the top layer and bottom layer with a conductive material that connects signal traces within via, and removing the masking agent from the top layer and bottom layer.

Abstract: The operation of a powered device is monitored to detect a failure condition, the powered device connected to power sourcing equipment by a communications channel including inline power delivery from the power sourcing equipment to the powered device. Diagnostic information is captured including (i) configuration and status information identifying the power sourcing equipment, the communications channel, and status of the inline power delivery at the time of detection of the failure condition, and (ii) failure information identifying the failure condition. This diagnostic information is stored as diagnostic information signals in an electronic memory which is electronically accessible by an external user as part of a failure analysis process. By this process, diagnostic information pertaining to the operation of the powered device with the power sourcing equipment and the communications channel is captured and stored, providing greater information for more thorough failure analysis.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol (IP) telephone operates a communications uplink to a switch based on activity on a separate communications downlink (such as to a personal computer) to conserve power when possible. The IP telephone monitors the communications activity of a link partner on the communications downlink, and when the link partner is present and operating at a relatively high data rate, the IP telephone operates the communications uplink at a correspondingly high data rate to support the communications needs of the IP telephone and the link partner. If the monitoring indicates that the link partner has reduced communications activity (which may include becoming entirely disconnected from the communications downlink), the IP telephone transitions to a second operating condition to operate the communications uplink at a relatively low data rate, with a corresponding decrease in the power required for operation of the communications uplink interface circuitry.

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: An apparatus includes power circuitry and hazard detection circuitry connectable to a multi-conductor cable. The power circuitry transfers electrical power from a power-sourcing equipment (PSE) to a powered device (PD) over the multi-conductor cable. The hazard detection circuitry senses an electrical characteristic of the multi-conductor cable and generates a detection signal indicating whether a potentially hazardous abnormal operating condition exists in the multi-conductor cable based on the sensed electrical characteristic. Examples include short-circuit detection circuitry which detects a hazard-producing short-circuit connection between sets of conductors that can cause a “stacking” or additive combining of PSE output voltages, and hot-cable detection circuitry detecting the presence of full operating voltage on the cable under abnormal conditions.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of this disclosure, an Ethernet device is provided that draws current below a predetermined voltage, and as the voltage across the device exceeds the threshold, the device transforms into a high-impedance state, appearing as a high impedance device. Once in the high-impedance state, the discovery process proceeds normally as the current drawn through the high-impedance device is no more than normally occurs due to leakage or other typical conditions. Thus, the IEEE discovery now proceeds normally in the higher voltage ranges (6V to 9V) where the device of this disclosure is effectively out of the circuit, causing no interference.

Abstract: A multiple-position modular connector (jack, plug or both) includes a rigid insulating body and a set of spaced-apart coaxial conductors carried by the body. Each coaxial conductor has a mating end at a mating portion of the body providing electrical connection between the inner signal conductor and a corresponding conductor of a mating modular connector. A conductive structure extends between the outer shield conductors of the coaxial conductors and a reference contact at an outer surface of the body to provide a high-frequency ground for the outer shield conductors. In another aspect, a modular connector includes a printed circuit board carried by an insulative body and employing some combination of well-matched conductive paths and filtering circuitry such as common-mode coils or “chokes”. Electrical traces of the printed circuit board may include ground/reference traces interspersed among signal traces to provide shielding and uniform electrical characteristics to the signal traces.

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 method and apparatus for managing an Inline Power relationship between and among a first network device acting as power sourcing equipment (PSE) to provide Inline Power to a second Powered Device (PD) and a third device. In one aspect of the invention, the powered device(s) and the third device are powered (at least in part) by the PSE using inline power from at least one port (which may include more than one PSE) and they are powered over one or more sets of cables.

Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a first network device and a second network device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices and coupled together and to a third network device (such as a PD) via a Y device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of network devices, and coupling a port of each of the network devices to the Y device and from there to a third port where a third network device such as a PD may be coupled. Because the Y device is essentially passive, communications paths between the PSE devices and the PD are provided for negotiating master/slave status and other status and related information among the respective network devices. Dynamic impedance matching is provided to handle situations where not all devices are plugged in and as a communications technique among the devices.

Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices via an automatic selection device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of PSE devices, and coupling a port of one PSE device and a redundant port of the second PSE device to respective first and second interfaces of a port of the selection device. The selection device initially selects one of the two PSE devices and communicates data and/or Inline Power to a third interface of the selection device. A powered device (PD) coupled to that third interface communicates data and/or Inline Power with the selected one of the first and second PSE device through the selection device. Upon detection of a condition, such as a failure condition, the selection device may select the other of the two interfaces.

Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or inline power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of network devices via a selection device is provided by communicating redundant signals with each of the pair of network devices and coupling ports of the first network device and corresponding ports of the second network device to paired inputs of the selection device. The selection device operates: 1) under the control of the pair of network devices, one acting as master and one as slave, the master selecting (for each port or for all ports) one of the two paired inputs and causing the selection device to communicate data and/or inline power via a third port of the selection device to a third network device receiving data connectivity and/or inline power from the selection device; or 2) to route two redundant signals to a third network device which then selects one for use.

Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a first network device and a second network device configured as power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices and coupled together and to a third network device (such as a PD) via a Y device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of network devices, and coupling a port of each of the network devices to the Y device and from there to a third port where a third network device such as a PD may be coupled. Because the Y device is essentially passive, communications paths between the PSE devices and the PD are provided for negotiating master/slave status and other status and related information among the respective network devices. Dynamic impedance matching is provided to handle situations where not all devices are plugged in and as a communications technique among the devices.

Abstract: Redundancy of data and/or Inline Power in a wired data telecommunications network from a pair of power sourcing equipment (PSE) devices via an automatic selection device is provided by providing redundant signaling to/from each of the pair of PSE devices, and coupling a port of one PSE device and a redundant port of the second PSE device to respective first and second interfaces of a port of the selection device. The selection device initially selects one of the two PSE devices and communicates data and/or Inline Power to a third interface of the selection device. A powered device (PD) coupled to that third interface communicates data and/or Inline Power with the selected one of the first and second PSE device through the selection device. Upon detection of a condition, such as a failure condition, the selection device may select the other of the two interfaces.

Abstract: Wired data telecommunications networks can make advantageous use of a communications capability between and among more than two network devices. Such capabilities may be utilized in providing redundancy of data and/or inline power capabilities from a pair of network devices to a third network device receiving the redundant capability. Impedance modulated communications are provided in a wired data telecommunications network among at least a first, second and third network device coupled together via a Y device. The Y device couples the three network devices (higher order Y devices could couple more than three devices) allowing monitoring of communications and inline power provision so that one of the network devices may act in response to monitored conditions by communicating via impedance modulated communications with one or both of the other network devices.