Auxiliary Processor for PoE Power Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Powering up high-performance devices that require more than 13 watts using existing PoE standards is challenging, especially when the Power Sourcing Equipment does not support hardware-based two-event classification, necessitating special boot software and increased development costs for low power hardware and power management code.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an auxiliary low-power processor in the PoE Powered Device to negotiate power levels using LLDP, allowing the device to operate within the 12.95-watt limit during initialization and enabling the main processor to boot up once sufficient power is granted, thereby simplifying the power up hardware and boot code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If hardware-based two-event classification is used for power negotiation, then power allocation speed is improved, but device compatibility deteriorates when PSE does not support this feature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an auxiliary processor as an intermediary between the main processor and the PSE. This auxiliary processor handles initial power negotiation using software-based LLDP classification, which is compatible with all PSE devices regardless of whether they support hardware-based two-event classification. The auxiliary processor acts as a mediator that translates between different power negotiation protocols, enabling the main processor to eventually use faster hardware-based negotiation when PSE supports it.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary processor performs preliminary power negotiation and system initialization before the main processor becomes fully operational. This preliminary action using software-based LLDP ensures that power allocation can begin immediately with broad PSE compatibility, while the main processor is then enabled to utilize faster hardware-based two-event classification if the PSE supports it.
2Adaptability or versatility
If special boot software is implemented for power management, then power negotiation capability is improved, but development cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management functionality into two distinct components: an auxiliary processor that handles initial power negotiation and system initialization, and a main processor that handles full device operations. This segmentation allows the complex power management tasks to be isolated in the auxiliary processor, simplifying the main processor's boot code while maintaining comprehensive power negotiation capability through the auxiliary processor's specialized software.
3Use of energy by moving object
If low power hardware is used during initialization, then power consumption is reduced, but device performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary processor performs all necessary power negotiation and system initialization tasks while consuming low power, before the main processor is activated. This preliminary action ensures that the device can establish power allocation and begin basic operations using minimal power, and only then does the main processor activate to provide full device performance at higher power levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments device operations into an initial low-power phase handled by the auxiliary processor and a full-power phase handled by the main processor. This segmentation allows the device to minimize power consumption during initialization and boot-up, while still achieving high performance when the main processor becomes operational after power is granted.
Data Source
AI summary
A Power over Ethernet (PoE) Powered Device (60) is described herein that includes an auxiliary processor (62) that negotiates a power level with a PoE Power Sourcing Equipment using a first link layer (650), means for holding the PoE Powered Device in a low power state, and a second link layer (50) that allows the main processor to communicate over the Ethernet.