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: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting ground faults in an Ethernet system. An Ethernet switch is configured to provide inline power to a plurality of ports each having positive and negative rails. Current is injected into selected rails of a port and ground isolation is temporarily broken for the port. A detected mismatch in current levels between the positive and negative rails of the port indicates a ground fault in the port.

Abstract: A discovery technique employs a single-conductor-pair identity circuit for a remotely powered device. A communications system includes a first communications device (e.g. and IP telephony switch) capable of supplying power at an interface, and a second communications device coupled to the interface via a multiple-conductor-pair cable. The second communications device may be a terminal device such as an IP telephone or an intermediate device such as a re-wiring device or a mid-span power supply. The first communications device includes a single-pair identity signal generator that generates a single-pair identity signal on one conductor pair of the cable, and a single-pair sensor operative to sense a conduction characteristic of the conductor pair indicative of the presence of a single-pair identity circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-powered, non-ethernet device can be plugged into an ethernet port of a host to transfer data stored on the device to the host.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for the sensing and detection of potential ground faults, and location of faulty ports. Circuitry is provided that utilizes the isolation resistor provided in the PSE. The present disclosure provides for temporarily breaking isolation to help improve the detection process disclosed herein.

Abstract: A dynamic fuse element is provided in an inline power circuit to provide an electrical current protection level that varies in accordance with allocated current levels and that can respond to current spikes that are not expected. The dynamic fuse element comprises a processor aware of allocated current levels and an inline switch controlled by the processor to turn OFF in the event of a fault. In another aspect ferrite fuses may be provided for relatively low-current applications. In yet another aspect test fuses may be placed on the circuit board to verify that fuses used in manufacture operate at a certain current level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering power down all conductors of an Ethernet connection are disclosed. Embodiments include control circuitry coupled to both conductor of an Ethernet cable. The control circuitry is configured to sense the current flowing through power switches coupled inline with the respective conductors and control the switch in order to maintain the current flow through the power switch below a predetermined level. The circuitry prevents Ethernet ports from being shutting down due to conditions caused by imbalances in the effective resistance of Ethernet conductors and circuit paths.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus provide for determining whether a data terminal equipment (DTE) device represents a compatible device lacking an independent power supply and adapted to be powered using phantom power over a wired connection from a communications device such as a switch. A detection signal may be transmitted from the communications device to an identity network connected to the DTE. A response detection signal may be returned and checked in a receiver at the communications device. A switch may then be closed to provide phantom power if the result of the check indicates that the DTE is a compatible device adapted to receive phantom power. Compatible DTE device may include telephones, Voice over IP (VoIP, IP or Ethernet) telephones, network access devices, computers, and the like.

Abstract: In a circuit delivering common mode inline power over a pair of conductors imbalance in the current carried by the first and second conductors of the pair of conductors is detected and compensated with a bias current applied to counter the imbalance.

Abstract: In a circuit delivering common mode inline power over a pair of conductors imbalance in the current carried by the first and second conductors of the pair of conductors is detected and compensated with a bias current applied to counter the imbalance.

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.

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 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: 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: 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: 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: Systems and method for providing redundancy of communications and/or inline power to a powered Ethernet device are disclosed. A redundancy device is configured to receive in-line data and/or power from a plurality of Ethernet relay uplinks and to monitor communications between the relay uplinks. One of the relay uplinks is established as an active state uplink and passes data and/or power to the power device. Responsive to a switchover communication from a redundant uplink, the redundancy device establishes the redundant uplink as the active uplink, thereby passing data and/or power from the redundant uplink to the power device. The relay uplinks may use packet-based communication to sense when there is a failure in a link, and replace a failed device with a redundant device.

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: A data communications device includes a supervisory circuit, a power supply, and a power circuit. The power circuit includes a data communications port, a power supply connection coupled to the power supply, and a power controller coupled to the data communications port and the power supply connection. The power controller is configured to provide a power signal from the power supply connection to the data communications port in response to communication with the supervisory circuit. Upon loss of communication with the supervisory circuit, the power controller is configured to selectively continue to provide the power signal from the power supply connection to the data communications port when a local parameter has a first value, and discontinue providing the power signal from the power supply connection to the data communications port when the local parameter has a second value.

Abstract: Detecting a signal disruption of an AC-signal by a DC-current in a powered networking system includes receiving an AC-signal from the networking system; analyzing the AC-signal based on a predetermined characteristic of the AC-signal and generating an analysis output; then comparing the analysis output with a predetermined reference source wherein the comparing detects the AC-signal disruption in the powered networking system.