PoE repeater

Abstract

The utility model discloses a PoE repeater, which comprises a repeater shell and a circuit board arranged in the repeater shell, the circuit board comprises an MCU processing chip, an LED indicating unit, a power supply unit, a PSE device, a power receiving end device and a protocol conversion unit, the protocol conversion unit comprises an NFC chip, the NFC chip and a user terminal establish communication connection within a preset distance, and the NFC chip is connected with the power receiving end device. The NFC chip at least comprises a memory in which multiple communication protocol standards and corresponding PoE repeater models are stored, the MCU processing chip at least comprises a trigger and a controller, and the memory and the trigger are electrically connected to the controller; and after the trigger triggers a corresponding operation instruction, the controller identifies a corresponding communication protocol according to the model of the PoE repeater in the memory, converts the communication protocol into a uniform format, and sends the converted communication protocol to a user terminal. According to the invention, the NFC chip is used as a protocol conversion unit, and a user can quickly identify and establish communication connection through a user terminal, so that unified management of PoE repeaters of different models is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of Ethernet communication, in particular to a new type of general-purpose PoE repeater. Background Art

[0002] A PoE repeater (Power over Ethernet Repeater) is mainly used to extend the network transmission distance, which is achieved by amplifying, retransmitting or forwarding data signals. In a Power over Ethernet (PoE) environment, a PoE repeater can also provide power for remote PoE-powered devices (such as surveillance cameras, wireless access points, etc.) while transmitting data. This function greatly simplifies the complexity of network cabling and power supply, and improves the flexibility of network deployment.

[0003] Early PoE repeaters mainly focused on the transfer of signals and power supply, without complex management functions. These devices are usually plug-and-play and can work without complex configuration. With the development of technology, more and more PoE repeaters have begun to integrate more advanced management functions. Therefore, some intelligent PoE repeaters have emerged, which have intelligent management interfaces that allow users to remotely monitor and control the PoE repeater and the devices connected to it through a network (including a mobile phone APP). However, there are significant differences in the functions of different brands and models of intelligent PoE repeaters currently on the market. At the same time, due to the existence of multiple communication protocol standards in the market (such as IEEE 802.3af / at / bt, etc.), the protocols between various models of intelligent PoE repeaters are different from each other, resulting in potential protocol incompatibility problems for users during use, making it impossible for users to achieve unified management. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] A brief overview of the embodiments of the present utility model is given below to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present utility model. It should be understood that the following overview is not an exhaustive overview of the present utility model. It is not intended to identify the key or important parts of the present utility model, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. Its purpose is only to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description to follow.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present application, a PoE repeater is provided, which includes a repeater housing and a circuit board disposed inside the repeater housing. The circuit board includes an MCU processing chip, an LED indication unit, a power supply unit, a PSE device, a powered device (PD), and a protocol conversion unit. The LED indication unit, the power supply unit, the PSE device, the powered device, and the protocol conversion unit are all connected to the MCU processing chip, and the powered device, the power supply unit, and the PSE device are connected in sequence. Wherein the protocol conversion unit includes an NFC chip that establishes a two-way communication connection with the MCU processing chip, and the NFC chip establishes a communication connection with a user terminal within a preset distance to achieve data transmission with the user terminal. Wherein, the NFC chip at least includes a memory storing various communication protocol standards (such as IEEE 802.3af / at / bt, etc.) and the corresponding PoE repeater model. The MCU processing chip at least includes a trigger for triggering an operation instruction, a controller for receiving the trigger instruction of the trigger and executing a corresponding operation command. The memory and the trigger are both electrically connected to the controller. After the trigger triggers a corresponding operation instruction, the controller identifies the corresponding communication protocol according to the PoE repeater model in the memory and converts it into a unified format and sends it to the user terminal, thereby realizing a seamless communication connection between the user terminal and different PoE repeater models.

[0006] Further, the circuit board further includes a signal input port connected to the MCU processing chip. Preferably, the signal input port is an RJ45 interface or an RS485 interface or an RS232 interface.

[0007] Further, the circuit board further includes a signal output port connected to the MCU processing chip. The signal output port is an RJ45 interface or an RS485 interface or an RS232 interface.

[0008] Further, the circuit board further includes a storage unit electrically connected to the MCU processing chip. The storage unit can be implemented by a flash memory or an EEPROM memory.

[0009] Further, the power supply unit can be implemented by a switching power supply chip and its following circuit.

[0010] Further, the MCU processing chip is implemented by a chip with the model EN8855M.

[0011] The PSE device is the abbreviation of Power Sourcing Equipment and is responsible for providing DC power for the powered device (PD).

[0012] This application realizes an NFC chip as a protocol conversion unit through design. Different communication protocols corresponding to different PoE repeater models are set in the NFC chip, and users can quickly identify and establish communication connections through the user terminal; after a trigger operation, the MCU processing chip reads the data of the NFC chip to link the operation. In addition, this design allows the device to quickly configure or switch the operation mode through the NFC chip without physical connection or pre-programming, which has the advantages of being easy to use and easy to modify the operation anytime and anywhere. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present utility model can be better understood by referring to the description given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same or similar components. The accompanying drawings, together with the following detailed description, are included in this specification and form a part of this specification, and are used to further illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present utility model and to explain the principles and advantages of the present utility model. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 is the principle block diagram of the PoE repeater of the present utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 is the partial circuit principle of the PoE repeater of the present utility model Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 3 is the partial circuit principle of the PoE repeater of the present utility model Figure 2 。 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Embodiments of the present utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements and features described in one drawing or one embodiment of the present utility model may be combined with elements and features shown in one or more other drawings or embodiments. It should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, representations and descriptions of components and processes that are irrelevant to the present utility model and are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are omitted from the drawings and the description.

[0018] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0019] An embodiment of the present utility model provides a PoE repeater, which includes a repeater housing and a circuit board disposed within the repeater housing. Refer to Figure 1 , the circuit board includes an MCU processing chip, an LED indication unit, a power supply unit, a PSE device, a powered device (PD), a protocol conversion unit, a signal input port, a signal input port, and a storage unit. The LED indication unit, the power supply unit, the PSE device, the powered device, the protocol conversion unit, the signal input port, the signal input port, and the storage unit are all connected to the MCU processing chip, and the powered device, the power supply unit, and the PSE device are connected in sequence.

[0020] Among them, the protocol conversion unit includes an NFC chip that establishes a two-way communication connection with the MCU processing chip. The NFC chip establishes a communication connection with a user terminal within a preset distance to achieve data transmission with the user terminal. Among them, the NFC chip at least includes a memory storing multiple communication protocol standards (such as IEEE 802.3af / at / bt, etc.) and the corresponding PoE repeater model. The MCU processing chip at least includes a trigger for triggering an operation instruction and a controller for receiving the trigger instruction of the trigger and executing a corresponding operation command. The memory and the trigger are both electrically connected to the controller. After the trigger triggers a corresponding operation instruction, the controller identifies the corresponding communication protocol according to the PoE repeater model in the memory and converts it into a unified format and sends it to the user terminal, thereby realizing a seamless communication connection between the user terminal and different PoE repeater models.

[0021] Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , in this embodiment, the MCU processing chip is implemented by a chip with the model EN8855M. The storage unit is implemented by flash memory. The power supply unit is implemented by a switching power supply chip and its following circuit. The signal input port is an RJ45 interface or an RS485 interface or an RS232 interface. Similarly, the signal output port is an RJ45 interface or an RS485 interface or an RS232 interface. The PSE device is a power supply device, which is responsible for providing DC power to the powered device (PD).

[0022] In this application, by designing an NFC chip as the protocol conversion unit, different communication protocols corresponding to different PoE repeater models are set in the NFC chip, and users can quickly identify and establish a communication connection through the user terminal; after triggering an operation, the MCU processing chip reads the data of the NFC chip to link the operation. In addition, this design allows the device to quickly configure or switch the operation mode through the NFC chip without physical connection or pre-programming, which has the advantages of being easy to use and easy to modify the operation anytime and anywhere.

[0023] In actual production, data encoding is carried out first: the data content to be stored, including parameter settings, protocol standards corresponding to models, etc., is stored in a format that can be parsed by the MCU processing chip. A format that the MCU processing chip can parse is, for example, NDEF - NFC Data Exchange Format, and the data is encoded into the NFC chip. NDEF provides a standardized way to store and exchange various types of data. Then, an NFC writing device (such as an NFC mobile phone, a dedicated writer, etc.) is used to write the encoded data into the NFC chip. Then, driver programs and library functions for the NFC interface are written or integrated for the MCU processing chip so that it can read the data in the NFC chip. Finally, a trigger is designed, and a triggering mechanism, such as proximity detection of the NFC chip, button pressing, etc., is designed to initiate the operation of reading the NFC chip. When the triggering mechanism is activated, the MCU processing chip reads the data in the NFC chip through the NFC interface, and then uses an appropriate parsing algorithm to convert the read data into instructions and parameters that the MCU processing chip can understand and execute. The MCU processing chip identifies the target protocol to be switched to and sends the result to the user terminal. The user terminal can directly communicate and connect with different PoE repeaters according to the target protocol identified by the MCU processing chip without complex settings.

[0024] Through the above solution, only the MCU processing chip and the NFC chip need to be updated to upgrade the original PoE repeater. At the same time, only the storage content of the NFC chip needs to be updated to be compatible with the newly added intelligent PoE repeater. It can not only be conveniently remotely controlled, facilitating device debugging and fault maintenance, but also greatly improve the user's flexibility in use. In addition, the PoE repeater of this solution can support management functions internally by using the EN8855M main control chip. The user terminal can control the device to turn on or off VLAN, 250 - meter transmission, port power supply through the device IP address and domain name, can manage the port output power, and the port network rate, etc. The working status of the device can be viewed through the user terminal to troubleshoot device faults. During installation, debugging, and fault maintenance, it can be checked through the user terminal operation whether it is necessary to go to the site to view the working status, which can reduce the waste of unnecessary on - site work.

[0025] It should be emphasized that the term "including / containing" when used in this text refers to the presence of features, elements, steps, or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, or components.

[0026] Although the present utility model has been disclosed above through the description of specific embodiments of the present utility model, it should be understood that all the above embodiments and examples are illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art can design various modifications, improvements or equivalents to the present utility model within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These modifications, improvements or equivalents should also be considered to be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A PoE repeater, characterized in that: It includes a repeater housing and a circuit board disposed inside the repeater housing. The circuit board includes an MCU processing chip, an LED indication unit, a power supply unit, a PSE device, a powered device, and a protocol conversion unit. The LED indication unit, the power supply unit, the PSE device, the powered device, and the protocol conversion unit are all connected to the MCU processing chip, and the powered device, the power supply unit, and the PSE device are connected in sequence; wherein the protocol conversion unit includes an NFC chip that establishes a two-way communication connection with the MCU processing chip. The NFC chip establishes a communication connection with a user terminal within a preset distance to achieve data transmission with the user terminal. Among them, the NFC chip at least includes a memory storing multiple communication protocol standards and corresponding PoE repeater models. The MCU processing chip at least includes a trigger for triggering an operation instruction and a controller for receiving the trigger instruction of the trigger and executing a corresponding operation command. The memory and the trigger are both electrically connected to the controller. After the trigger triggers a corresponding operation instruction, the controller identifies the corresponding communication protocol according to the PoE repeater model in the memory and converts it into a unified format and sends it to the user terminal.

2. The PoE repeater according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit board further includes a signal input port connected to the MCU processing chip.

3. The PoE repeater according to claim 2, characterized in that: The signal input port is an RJ45 interface or an RS485 interface or an RS232 interface.

4. The PoE repeater according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit board further includes a signal output port connected to the MCU processing chip.

5. The PoE repeater according to claim 4, characterized in that: The signal output port is an RJ45 interface or an RS485 interface or an RS232 interface.

6. The PoE repeater according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit board further includes a storage unit electrically connected to the MCU processing chip, and the storage unit is implemented by a flash memory or an EEPROM memory.

7. The PoE repeater according to claim 1, wherein: The power supply unit is implemented by a switching power supply chip and its following circuit.

8. The PoE repeater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The MCU processing chip is implemented by a chip with the model of EN8855M.

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