Ethernet PSE Power Quota Management for Stable PD Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing power over Ethernet (POE) systems, multiple powered devices (PDs) requesting power simultaneously can cause unstable power consumption, leading to overload protection triggers and power hiccups due to fluctuating power demands during startup, resulting in inefficient power distribution and unstable power supply.

Innovation Solution

An Ethernet Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) with a controller that calculates a remaining power quota based on allocated and measured power consumption, determining the power quota for each PD during startup and power supply stages to manage power distribution effectively, ensuring sufficient power for all devices and preventing power hiccups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the Ethernet PSE supplies power to multiple PDs simultaneously during startup stage, then the power consumption of PDs increases rapidly, but the power stability deteriorates and overload protection is triggered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply speedVSAvoidpower supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary assessment of remaining power quota before allowing PDs to enter the startup stage. By calculating the remaining power quota based on allocated power quotas of PDs in startup stage and measured power consumption of PDs in power supply stage, the system prepares in advance to prevent overload conditions, thus maintaining both fast power supply and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors measured power consumption of PDs in the power supply stage and uses this feedback to calculate the remaining power quota. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust power allocation dynamically, ensuring that multiple PDs can start up simultaneously without triggering overload protection, thereby maintaining power supply stability while enabling rapid power delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the Ethernet PSE calculates remaining power quota based on measured power consumption of PDs in startup stage, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the power consumption fluctuation increases causing power hiccups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption measurement accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of remaining power quota based on allocated power quotas before PDs fully enter the power supply stage. This preliminary action uses the allocated power quota (determined during grading stage) as a more stable basis for calculation, avoiding the fluctuations inherent in measuring actual power consumption during the unstable startup phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller maintains a remaining power quota that acts as a cushion or buffer. By calculating this quota based on allocated power quotas rather than fluctuating measured consumption during startup, the system creates a safety margin that prevents power hiccups and ensures continuous stable power supply even as PDs transition through startup stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the Ethernet PSE triggers overload protection mechanism, then the power consumption of PDs is limited, but the power supply continuity is interrupted causing power hiccups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverload protectionVSAvoidpower supply continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller calculates the remaining power quota in advance before overload conditions occur. By assessing the remaining power quota based on allocated power quotas of PDs in startup stage and measured consumption of PDs in power supply stage, the system prevents overload conditions from developing, thereby avoiding the need to trigger protection mechanisms that would interrupt power supply continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous monitoring and recalculation of remaining power quota provides real-time feedback that allows the controller to adjust power allocation before overload conditions trigger protection mechanisms. This feedback loop ensures power supply continuity by preventing the need for protective shutdowns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12107641B2Ethernet power sourcing equipment and power management method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

An Ethernet power sourcing equipment (PSE) and a power management method thereof are provided. The Ethernet PSE includes a plurality of ports and a controller. Each port is coupled to a powered device (PD), to supply power to the PD through the port when the PD is in a power supply stage. When the PD enters a startup stage before the power supply stage, the controller calculates a remaining power quota based on a power quota allocated to the PD.