Network Cable Connector Switch Control for Power Negotiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network cable connectors interfere with power negotiation between Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) and external Powered Devices (PDs), leading to inefficient power usage and incorrect power classification, as they continue to supply power even after the PD is disconnected due to their load.
Innovation Solution
A network cable connector with a switch that disconnects its circuitry from the PSE when an external PD is connected, allowing the PD to request power directly from the PSE without interference, enabling accurate power classification and detection of disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the network cable connector includes circuitry that requests power from PSE, then the connector can power its components (display, circuit), but it interferes with power negotiation between PSE and external PD
Solution Approach 1:
The connector circuitry is segmented into separable components that can be independently connected or disconnected from the PSE power supply. The switch isolates the connector's internal circuitry (display, control circuit) from the power negotiation path, allowing the connector to power its components while preventing interference with external PD power classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector dynamically changes its electrical configuration based on operational state. When an external PD is connected, the switch transitions to disconnect the connector's power-requesting circuitry from the PSE, enabling accurate power negotiation. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between needing power for components and avoiding interference with power measurement.
2Reliability
If the network cable connector remains connected to PSE, then it can continuously monitor power status, but it cannot detect when external PD is disconnected due to its own load
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection is segmented into two separate paths: one for power negotiation with external PDs and another for powering the connector's internal components. This segmentation allows the connector to detect PD disconnection accurately by monitoring the power negotiation path without the masking effect of its own continuous power draw.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector implements feedback monitoring of the power negotiation status between PSE and external PD. When the switch disconnects the connector's circuitry, the PSE can accurately detect changes in power demand and notify the connector of PD connection/disconnection status, enabling the connector to stop wasting power when no PD is connected.
3Ease of operation
If the connector's circuitry remains connected during power negotiation, then it can maintain operational readiness, but it causes incorrect power classification of external PD
Solution Approach 1:
The connector dynamically switches between two operational modes: during power negotiation, the switch disconnects the connector's circuitry to enable accurate PD classification; when negotiation is complete, the switch reconnects the circuitry to restore full operational functionality. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between maintaining readiness and ensuring measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch performs preliminary disconnection of the connector's circuitry before power negotiation begins, ensuring that the PSE measures only the external PD's power characteristics without interference. This preliminary action prevents incorrect power classification while allowing the connector to regain full functionality after negotiation completes.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are network cable connectors with components such as switches, displays, and printed circuit with controllers. The disclosed network cable connector may be connected to a power over Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE). The printed circuit of the cable connector may request power for the display from the PSE. The switch of the cable connector may be operated such that at least one component of the printed circuit is disconnected from the PSE when an external powered device (PD) is connected to the cable connector. Disconnecting components of the printed circuit from the PSE may reduce the interference to the power negotiation between the PSE and external PD.