Texas Instruments Corporation

Jean Picard

Karl H Jacobs

David N Abramson

Barry Jon Male

Robert Allan Neidorff

Lin Wang

Wilburn M Miller

Guillermo J Serrano

William Taylor

A method that may be used for power-over-Ethernet includes generating and sending a first pulse of a voltage signal during a classification phase, receiving a current that is responsive to the first pulse, and determining a nominal power of a powered device (PD) from the current. The method also includes generating and sending a quantity of pulses of the voltage signal subsequent to the first pulse during the classification phase, the quantity of pulses including a command to operate the PD at less than the nominal power level during an operational phase subsequent to the classification phase.

Power-over-ethernet (PoE) control system

A switching converter controller includes a detection circuit, an input load circuit, and a timer circuit. The detection circuit is configured to compare voltage at a power stage voltage input to a line undervoltage threshold voltage to initiate a soft stop operation. The input load circuit is coupled to the power stage voltage input. The input load circuit is configured to, responsive to the soft stop operation, switchably reduce a resistance from the power stage voltage input to a ground terminal. The timer circuit is configured to set a duration of reduced resistance from the power stage voltage input to the ground terminal.

Switching converter controller with soft stop

A power stage controller includes: a reference circuit having a first reference input and a reference output, the first reference input adapted to be coupled to an input terminal of a power stage, and the reference circuit configured to adjust a reference voltage at the reference output responsive to whether a voltage at the first reference input is below a threshold; and a comparator having a current sense input, a second reference input, and a comparator output, the current sense input adapted to be coupled to a current terminal of the power stage, the second reference input coupled to the reference output, and the comparator output coupled to a driver input of a driver circuit configured to configured to control a driver output adapted to be coupled to a gate of a transistor of the power stage and responsive to the driver input.

Power stage controller for switching converter with clamp

Disclosed examples include redundant Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems, powered device (PD) controllers and methods in which a first PD controller sends a signal to indicate to the other PD controllers that the first PD controller is powered, and a second PD controller newly connected or reconnected to a corresponding power sourcing equipment (PSE) refrains from turning off a shared DC-DC converter, and the second PD controller waits to allow an inrush current delay of the corresponding PSE to complete before allowing current flow between the DC-DC converter and the corresponding PSE, and the second PD controller selectively provides a signal to request an application circuit powered by the DC-DC converter to temporarily reduce its power consumption below a predetermined value if the corresponding PSE is configured to provide no more than the predetermined value of power.

Turn on method without power interruption for redundant power over ethernet systems

One example includes a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) control system. The system includes a powered device (PD) that is configured to receive a voltage signal via an Ethernet connection and which comprises a PoE signal receiver configured to indicate a nominal power level via the received voltage signal. The system also includes a power sourcing equipment (PSE) device configured to generate the voltage signal and to measure a class current of the voltage signal to determine the nominal power level. The PSE device includes a PoE controller configured to provide a power setting command as a function of the nominal power level to the PoE signal receiver via the voltage signal, such that the PD can operate at a power level that is based on the power setting command.

Power-over-ethernet (PoE) control system having PSE control over a power level of the PD

Methods and devices for detecting USB devices attached to a USB charging port including a USB port having a first data line D+, a second data line D&#x2212;, and a power line are disclosed. A USB device is attached to the USB port; applying power to the USB device by the power line; applying a first voltage to the line D+ at the USB port by a first impedance; applying a second voltage to the line D&#x2212; at the USB port by a second impedance. The voltages on the line D+ and the line D&#x2212; are then monitored at the USB port. If the voltage on the line D+ is approximately equal to a first predetermined value for a predetermined period and the voltage on the line D&#x2212; is below a second predetermined value, then the USB device is determined to be of an alpha type device.

Devices and methods for detecting USB devices attached to a USB charging port

In a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system, a Powered Device (PD) having circuitry to measure the load current from a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) in the PD. Circuitry compares the measured load current with a first threshold. Circuitry automatically generates load pulses for signaling the PSE. The pulse widths of the load pulses are measured and the widths are automatically adjusted, that power to the PD should be maintained.

Automatic power over ethernet pulse width signaling correction

Power over Ethernet (PoE) communication systems, control circuits and methods are presented for controlling power delivered to a powered device through a communication cable, in which a power sourcing equipment measures a supply voltage and selectively discontinues provision of power from a power source in response to a measured supply current exceeding an adaptive limit signal representing a supply current level corresponding to a predetermined safe operating power level at the measured supply voltage.

System and method for controlling power delivered to a powered device through a communication cable

Turn on method without power interruption redundant power over Ethernet systems

In a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system, a Powered Device (PD) having circuitry to measure the load current from a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) in the PD. Circuitry compares the measured load current with a first threshold. Circuitry automatically generates load pulses for signaling the PSE, that power to the PD should be maintained.

Power over ethernet powered device having automatic power signature

A power-over-Ethernet (PoE) apparatus is provided with PSE controllers that are cooperable to manage a global power budget of the PoE apparatus automatically. Information indicative of the global power budget is conveyed to a group of PSE controllers. The PSE controllers cooperate collectively to allocate the global power budget among themselves automatically and autonomously. This is accomplished in simple fashion without using a separate, programmed microcontroller. Each PSE controller also manages its own local power budget, allocating available local power among its own power sourcing ports.

Automatic power budget management for power-over-Ethernet apparatus

Circuits and methods for providing power from power sourcing equipment to a powered device using an ethernet cable are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the method includes detecting a resistance value in the powered device, wherein the resistance value determines whether the powered device can receive power. A first class event is performed to determine the class of the powered device. A second class event is then performed to determine the class of the powered device. Power is transmitted on all four pairs of the ethernet cable simultaneously when the first and second class events indicate that the class of the powered device conforms to a class that can receive power from the power sourcing equipment on all four pairs.

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Hooksett, NH, United States of America

Jean Picard