Multi-Pair Audio Bus Power Over CAT Cables With Low Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication infrastructure for electronic components, such as in vehicles, requires thick and heavy bundles of cables due to the asynchronous and packet-based nature of Power over Ethernet (PoE), which is inefficient for audio applications and adds extra power wiring complexity.

Innovation Solution

A synchronous audio communication system using CAT cables with 8P8C connectors that share a differential communication wire pair for power and return current, employing a staged and negotiated bus power method, reducing complexity and latency by using cost-effective inductors for bias injection and high-pass filtering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Power over Ethernet (PoE) is used for audio communication, then power and data can be transmitted over Ethernet cables, but the system becomes complex and introduces additional latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and data transmission capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power transmission function from the Ethernet cable infrastructure and implements it through a dedicated power injection mechanism using inductors and capacitors on the audio cable lines. This separates the complex PoE negotiation protocol from the audio transmission path, reducing system complexity while maintaining power delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using Ethernet cables for both power and data (PoE approach), the patent inverts the approach by using traditional audio cables for data and adding power injection through circuit elements. This reverses the conventional wisdom that Ethernet must be used for powered devices, achieving simpler audio-specific implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Power

If additional power cables are used for audio equipment, then power supply is ensured, but cable bundles become thick and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidcable bundle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power transmission function with the existing audio cable infrastructure by injecting power through the same cable lines that carry audio signals. This eliminates the need for separate power cables, reducing cable bundle weight and simplifying connections while ensuring adequate power supply for audio equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If analog connectivity is used for audio signals, then compatibility is maintained, but noise and interference occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalog compatibilityVSAvoidnoise and interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes analog voltage-based audio transmission with digital signal transmission over the same cable infrastructure. By converting audio signals to digital format for transmission and only converting to analog at the destination, the system eliminates noise and interference while maintaining compatibility through digital-to-analog conversion at the receiving end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This system allows for efficient power distribution over data lines, reducing latency and complexity, enabling the reuse of communication cables for power supply and protecting devices from voltage mismatches, while maintaining high digital communication properties.

Implementation Method 1

employing cost-effective inductors for bias injection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12619292B2Synchronous audio communication and bus power over multi-pair cables and connectors

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 ANALOG DEVICES INC

AI summary

In some examples of both networks and methods, a data communication network includes a plurality of nodes. The nodes include a main node (MN) and at least one sub node (SNi=SN0, . . . SNX). Each node includes a node transceiver. The node transceiver is operable to perform data communication in accordance with a first network protocol for power over data via a pair of conductors (e.g., the conductors of bus). A physical layer includes a cable segment (e.g., the cable segment of bus) between each node. Each cable segment includes a plurality of pairs of conductors (e.g., pairs) and a connector (e.g., 8P8C connector—though other connectors with multiple pairs of conductors can be used) at each end. A first pair of the conductors (e.g., connected to pin 4 and pin 5 of the 8P8C connector) implements the first network protocol between the nodes. One or more of the remaining pairs of the conductors provide supplemental power to the nodes 102.