Abstract: Signals may be communicated between a video source and a video rendering device via and asymmetrical multi-rate Ethernet physical layer (PHY). The asymmetric multi-rate PHY may support multiple rates. The asymmetrical multi-rate Ethernet PHY may handle compressed and/or uncompressed, encrypted and/or unencrypted video signals and may handle audio/video bridging. One or more of the communicated signals may be modified by an echo cancellation operation, a near end cross talk (NEXT) cancellation operation, equalization, a far end cross talk (FEXT) cancellation operation and/or a forward error correction (FEC) operation. An aggregate communication rate may be evenly or unevenly distributed among one or more links coupling the video signal source to the video rendering device. A plurality of links coupling the video signal source to said video rendering device may also be aggregrated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for docking a laptop with Ethernet A/V bridging to guarantee services are disclosed and may include interfacing a portable computing device with a docking station using an Ethernet interface, and utilizing audio/video (AV) bridging for communicating data between the portable computing device and one or more devices coupled to the docking station. AV bridging may be utilized based on latency requirements of the data communication. The interfacing may include directly coupling an Ethernet port of the docking station to an Ethernet port of the portable computing device. Alternatively, the interfacing may include coupling an Ethernet port of the docking station to an Ethernet port of the portable computing device via an Ethernet cable. The portable computing device may be powered via the Ethernet interface, and may utilize power over Ethernet protocol. The docking station may include a passive or active docking station.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for Ethernet and multimedia functions into a LAN subsystem are provided. In this regard, an integrated network interface which may comprise one or more Ethernet interfaces, and one or more high definition (HD) multimedia interfaces may be enabled to transmit and/or receive HD multimedia content over a network. Audio/Video Bridging and/or Audio/Video Bridging extensions may be utilized for the transmission and/or reception of HD multimedia content over a network. The integrated network interface may be enabled to transmit and/or receive physical layer signals adhering to protocols such as Ethernet and DisplayPort and may be configurable to select the type of signals to be transmitted or received. In this regard, aspects of the invention may enable converting Ethernet frames to DisplayPort micro-packets and visa-versa.

Abstract: A Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) communication system dynamically provides power and data communications over a communications link. In a computing environment made up of one or more personal computing devices (PCD) and/or one or more powered devices (PD), power source equipment (PSE) determines an allocated amount of power to be supplied to each device. The personal computing devices include a unified LAN-On-Motherboard (LOM) that combines the functionality of a powered device (PD) controller of a conventional PD and a LOM of a conventional personal computing device into a single unified subsystem. The unified LOM includes a standard or universal interface between the LOM and PD controller so that different types of PD devices with differing functionality can be easily married to the LOM, without requiring significant hardware or software redesign.

Abstract: In a Power over Ethernet (POE) system, a power source equipment (PSE) device configured to deliver power to one or more powered devices (PDs) over a plurality of Ethernet transmission lines. The PSE interface includes a multi-port transmission line connector capable connecting to multiple Ethernet transmission lines, and a power source equipment (PSE) controller module integrated with the multi-port transmission line connector. The PSE controller module is capable of semi-automatic mode and legacy detection of one or more of the PDs that are coupled to the Ethernet transmission lines. The PSE controller module includes a plurality of PSE controllers corresponding to the Ethernet transmission lines, including a master PSE controller and plurality of slave PSE controllers coupled to the master PSE controller. The master PSE controller controls the slave PSE controllers, so as to provide power management to said corresponding PD devices, without an external microcontroller.

Abstract: A technique verifies a that a module is from an approved vendor. The technique involves obtaining vendor data and a first magic code from a module (e.g., a small form factor pluggable component), and generating a second magic code based on the vendor data. The technique further involves outputting (i) a magic code valid signal when the second magic code matches the first magic code, and (ii) a magic code invalid signal when the second magic code does not match the first magic code. Operation of a computerized device having the module can be based on the valid and invalid signals (e.g., a voltage level, a bit that is set or cleared, a value in a register, etc.). For example, a supplier of the electronic device can configure software running on the computerized device to disable the module if the first and second magic codes do not match.

Abstract: A technique verifies a that a module is from an approved vendor. The technique involves obtaining vendor data and a first magic code from a module (e.g., a small form factor pluggable component), and generating a second magic code based on the vendor data. The technique further involves outputting (i) a magic code valid signal when the second magic code matches the first magic code, and (ii) a magic code invalid signal when the second magic code does not match the first magic code. Operation of a computerized device having the module can be based on the valid and invalid signals (e.g., a voltage level, a bit that is set or cleared, a value in a register, etc.). For example, a supplier of the electronic device can configure software running on the computerized device to disable the module if the first and second magic codes do not match.

Abstract: In a network deploying a plurality of network devices with PSE capabilities, a UPS resource may be effectively shared among those network devices by selecting at least one network device to be “master” and transmitting information reflecting worst case power commitments from “slave” network devices to the at least one master network device so that the master network device may keep track of the worst case power commitments of the plural network devices as a group. This information is compared to the known capabilities of the UPS resource and, where a deficiency or near-deficiency exists, the situation is communicated to network management for responsive action.

Abstract: A controller in PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) controls how to provision uninterruptible power through corresponding data ports (and cables) of the PSE to network devices. For example, the controller receives power profile information associated with the network devices indicating how to provision power to the network devices during a power failure such as when an uninterruptible power supply providing power to the power sourcing equipment runs on a battery rather than failed primary wall power. In response to detecting a power failure condition, the power sourcing equipment provisions power to the network devices based on the power profile information associated with the network devices. Consequently, the PSE can smartly provision power to more critical network devices while in a power failure mode rather than provision power to the network devices in the same way before and after occurrence of the power failure mode.

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 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: 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: Techniques test a clock signal by comparing different portions of that clock signal to each other. Such techniques enable the detection of a clock signal having anomalies such as missing pulses or occasional delayed pulses. In one arrangement, a data communications device has a clock signal generator, processing circuitry and a test circuit, both of which are coupled to the clock signal generator. The clock signal generator provides a clock signal. The processing circuitry uses the clock signal to receive data elements on a set of input ports, and to transmit the data elements on a set of output ports. The test circuit includes a node that receives the clock signal, a comparison circuit that provides a comparison signal based on a comparison between the clock signal and a delayed copy of the clock signal, and an output circuit that provides a result signal based on the comparison signal.