Abstract: A phase cut angle converter with range detection for a phase cut dimmer constituted of: a phase cut angle detector arranged to detect the phase cut angle presented by the phase cut dimmer blocking a portion of an alternating current mains power sine wave from reaching a power converter, and output a signal whose value is responsive to the detected phase cut angle; a storage functionality constituted of a memory in communication with the phase cut angle detector, the storage functionality arranged to detect each of a minimum value and a maximum value for the detected phase cut angle of the phase cut angle detector and store the minimum value and the maximum value on the memory; and a signal adjustment functionality arranged to convert the detected phase cut angle to a dimming signal responsive to the stored minimum value and the maximum value for the detected phase cut angle.

Abstract: A method of classification of power requirements in a power over Ethernet system, the method comprising: providing a first classification voltage for a first classification cycle time, the provided first classification voltage being within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit; measuring a first current flow responsive to the provided first classification voltage; subsequent to the first classification cycle time, providing a voltage outside of the classification voltage range for a classification indexing time; subsequent to the classification indexing time, providing a second classification voltage for a second classification cycle time, the provided second classification voltage being within the classification voltage range; measuring a second current flow responsive to the provided second classification voltage; determining a classification responsive to the measured first current flow and the measured second current flow; and

Abstract: A phase cut angle converter with range detection for a phase cut dimmer constituted of: a phase cut angle detector arranged to detect the phase cut angle presented by the phase cut dimmer blocking a portion of an alternating current mains power sine wave from reaching a power converter, and output a signal whose value is responsive to the detected phase cut angle; a storage functionality constituted of a memory in communication with the phase cut angle detector, the storage functionality arranged to detect each of a minimum value and a maximum value for the detected phase cut angle of the phase cut angle detector and store the minimum value and the maximum value on the memory; and a signal adjustment functionality arranged to convert the detected phase cut angle to a dimming signal responsive to the stored minimum value and the maximum value for the detected phase cut angle.

Abstract: A midspan unit arranged to supply power to a powered device over data communication cabling constituted of a signal conditioner exhibiting a transfer function with a gain of not less than ?0.4 dB as compared with: (K1*(s+R/L1+a)^m)/((s+R/L2+b)^n) over a predetermined frequency range associated with the data transmitted from the powered device. s represents 2*?*(??1)*f, wherein f represents the predetermined frequency range associated with the data terminal equipment to be powered. R represents the signal source impedance in parallel with the load termination impedance. L1 represents the effective inductance of a data transformer winding of the data transmitter of the powered device, the effective inductance determined responsive to power received by the powered device from the power sourcing equipment; and L2 represents the effective inductance of the data transformer winding of the data transmitter of the powered device expected by a receiver of the switch or hub equipment.

Abstract: A power saving arrangement for use with a phase cut dimmer, the power saving arrangement constituted of: a power converter arranged to convert a received alternating current power signal to a direct current signal; a detector arranged to detect the presence, or absence, of the phase cut dimmer blocking a portion of an alternating current mains power sine wave from reaching the power converter; and a controllable minimum holding current circuit in communication with the received alternating current power signal, the controllable minimum holding current circuit responsive to an output of the detector, wherein in the event that the detector detects the absence of the phase cut dimmer, the controllable minimum holding current circuit is disabled such that a minimum holding current is not provided.

Abstract: A solid state lighting controller arranged for use with a single stage power factor correction switched mode power supply, a light emitting diode (LED) string and a current sense element arranged to sense current through the LED string, the solid state lighting controller constituted of: a current governor in series with the LED string exhibiting a governor differential amplifier and a governor electronically controlled switch responsive to the output of the governor differential amplifier, the current governor arranged to limit current flow through the LED string responsive to a current limit reference; and a feedback circuit exhibiting an error amplifier, the feedback circuit arranged to feedback a signal to the power factor correction switched mode power supply controller whose value is a function of the difference between the current through the LED string sensed by the current sense element and a target current signal.

Abstract: A PSE configured to determine the end of the start up phase at the PD responsive to a condition of the voltage at the PSE output. In one particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to a PSE output voltage within a predetermined range of the PSE input voltage. In another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the voltage drop associated with the PSE current limiter being lower than a predetermined maximum. In yet another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the absolute value of the rate of change of the PSE output voltage being lower than a predetermined value. In yet another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the absolute value of the rate of change of the voltage drop associated with the PSE current limiter being lower than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system for location identification in a local area network comprising: a current limited voltage source; a telecommunications outlet; communication cabling connecting the current limited voltage source to the telecommunications outlet; and a location identifier associated with the telecommunications outlet, the location identifier being responsive to a pre-determined voltage level from the current limited voltage source to transmit a multi-bit location data. In one embodiment the multi-bit location data is received at the power sourcing equipment and in another embodiment the multi-bit location data is received at a data terminal equipment connected to the telecommunications outlet.

Abstract: A method for communicating settable priority data from a powered device being powered over communication cabling to power sourcing equipment, the method comprising: prior to connecting power to operational circuitry of the powered device, transmitting first multi-bit data from the powered device to the power sourcing equipment; subsequent to the transmitted first multi-bit data, connecting power received over the communication cabling to the powered device operational circuitry; receiving information from the powered device operational circuitry; disconnecting the received power from the powered device operational circuitry; and subsequent to the disconnecting, and prior to reconnecting power to the operational circuitry, transmitting second multi-bit data from the powered device to the power sourcing equipment, the second multi-bit data being a function of the received information, at least one of the first multi-bit data and the second multi-bit data being a function of a settable priority.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing harmful transients resulting from a probing routine for a valid powered device detection signature in a network, the method comprising: operating power sourcing equipment to provide via its output port a pre-detection output voltage; obtaining an indication of the pre-detection output voltage; comparing the indication of the pre-detection output voltage with a pre-determined value; and in the event that the indication of the pre-detection output voltage is less than the pre-determined value; initiating a probing routine for a valid powered device detection signature. The higher voltage of the probing routine is thus not present at the output port in the absence of pre-detection of a potentially valid powered device detection signature.

Abstract: A method of classification of power requirements in a power over Ethernet system, the method comprising: providing a first classification voltage for a first classification cycle time, the provided first classification voltage being within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit; measuring a first current flow responsive to the provided first classification voltage; subsequent to the first classification cycle time, providing a voltage outside of the classification voltage range for a classification indexing time; subsequent to the classification indexing time, providing a second classification voltage for a second classification cycle time, the provided second classification voltage being within the classification voltage range; measuring a second current flow responsive to the provided second classification voltage; determining a classification responsive to the measured first current flow and the measured second current flow; and

Abstract: A midspan unit arranged to supply power to a powered device over data communication cabling constituted of a signal conditioner exhibiting a transfer function with a gain of not less than ?0.4 dB as compared with: (K1*(s+R/L1+a)?m)/((s+R/L2+b)?n) over a predetermined frequency range associated with the data transmitted from the powered device. s represents 2*?*(??1)*f, wherein f represents the predetermined frequency range associated with the data terminal equipment to be powered. R represents the signal source impedance in parallel with the load termination impedance. L1 represents the effective inductance of a data transformer winding of the data transmitter of the powered device, the effective inductance determined responsive to power received by the powered device from the power sourcing equipment; and L2 represents the effective inductance of the data transformer winding of the data transmitter of the powered device expected by a receiver of the switch or hub equipment.

Abstract: A method of classification of power requirements in a power over Ethernet system, the method comprising: providing a first classification voltage for a first classification cycle time, the provided first classification voltage being within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit; measuring a first current flow responsive to the provided first classification voltage; subsequent to the first classification cycle time, providing a voltage outside of the classification voltage range for a classification indexing time; subsequent to the classification indexing time, providing a second classification voltage for a second classification cycle time, the provided second classification voltage being within the classification voltage range; measuring a second current flow responsive to the provided second classification voltage; determining a classification responsive to the measured first current flow and the measured second current flow; and

Abstract: A PSE configured to determine the end of the start up phase at the PD responsive to a condition of the voltage at the PSE output. In one particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to a PSE output voltage within a predetermined range of the PSE input voltage. In another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the voltage drop associated with the PSE current limiter being lower than a predetermined maximum. In yet another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the absolute value of the rate of change of the PSE output voltage being lower than a predetermined value. In yet another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the absolute value of the rate of change of the voltage drop associated with the PSE current limiter being lower than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A redundant powering system for a powered device receiving power over communication cabling, the redundant powering system comprising: a redundant power supply comprising a first power sourcing equipment and a second power sourcing equipment; a powered device; communication cabling connecting the redundant power supply to the powered device, the communication cabling comprising a first path connecting the first power sourcing equipment to the powered device and a second path connecting the second power sourcing equipment to the powered device, the first and second paths at least partially being constituted of a single structured cable, the at least one powered device comprising at least one signature impedance, the redundant power supply being operable so that power is operably supplied to the powered device from only one of the first and second power sourcing equipment.

Abstract: A combiner for use with a powered device having high power needs, the combiner comprising: a first power input adapted to receive a first power signal over a first set of wire pairs utilized to carry communication data; a second power input adapted to receive a second power signal over a second set of wire pairs, wherein the first power signal is combined with the second power signal to produce a combined high power signal; and a control circuit operable to sense the combined high power signal and to supply the combined high power signal to a powered device in response to the sensed combined high power signal. Also disclosed is a local area network adapted to supply power to powered devices over a plurality of paths utilizing the combiner, the local area network thus supplying high power to a powered device.

Abstract: A method of powering from a power sourcing equipment to a powered device over communication cabling, the method comprising: determining the effective resistance between a power sourcing equipment and a powered device; determining the length of communication cabling between the power sourcing equipment and the powered device; calculating a metric of the constituent wires of the communication cabling between the power sourcing equipment and the powered device responsive to the determined effective resistance and the determined length of communication cabling; and setting current limits for the powering of the powered device from the power sourcing equipment responsive to the calculated metric. In one embodiment the metric is one of a cross-sectional, an effective resistance per unit length and a current carrying capability of the constituent wires.

Abstract: A method for determining the classification of a powered device, the method comprising: obtaining a first classification over a first power path; obtaining a second classification over a second power path; comparing the obtained first classification with the obtained second classification; and in the event the obtained first classification is different from the obtained second classification determining a combined classification as a decoded value of the obtained first classification and the obtained second classification.

Abstract: A method of determining impedance comprising: supplying power to a powered device from a power sourcing equipment at a first current limited level, Ilim1; measuring, at a plurality of times a voltage associated with the output of the power sourcing equipment; determining a minimum voltage, Vmin1, of the measured plurality of voltages; determining an associated time of the determined Vmin1; removing the supplied power from the powered device; subsequent to the removing, supplying power to the powered device from the power sourcing equipment at a second current limited level, Ilim2, the Ilim2 being different than the Ilim1; measuring, at the determined associated time in relation to the beginning of the supplying power at the Ilim2, a voltage associated with the output of the power sourcing equipment, Vmin2; and determining an impedance responsive to the Vmin1, Vmin2, Ilim1 and Ilim2.

Abstract: Power sourcing equipment providing a plurality of power sources for connection over communication cabling to a single powered device, the power sourcing equipment comprising: a first power source; a second power source; a control circuit; a current sensor adapted to monitor an output current of the first power source, the current sensor being operatively connected to the control circuit; and a voltage regulating means associated with one of the first power source and the second power source, the voltage regulating means being responsive to the control circuit, the control circuit being operative responsive to the monitored output current to operate the voltage regulating means so as to maintain the monitored output current within a pre-determined range.