Inline Power Controller Digital Serial Bus Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inline power management in wired data telecommunications networks is inefficient in handling power discovery, classification, and provision, particularly in allocating resources effectively and protecting against overcurrent conditions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of inline power controllers with digital and analog interface circuit modules, coupled with a central processing unit, facilitates efficient inline power discovery, classification, and management through a digital serial bus interface, enabling precise control of voltage and current, and monitoring for overcurrent conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional inline power management is used, then basic power delivery is achieved, but power allocation efficiency is poor and overcurrent protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower allocation efficiencyVSAvoidovercurrent protection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the inline power controller continuously monitors current consumption of powered devices and dynamically adjusts power allocation. The controller receives current consumption data from powered devices, compares it against allocated power budgets, and modifies power delivery in real-time to optimize allocation efficiency while preventing overcurrent conditions through automatic circuit breaker functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing power discovery and classification before full power delivery. The controller identifies powered devices, determines their power requirements through classification protocols, and pre-allocates power budgets before enabling full power transmission. This preliminary assessment ensures efficient power distribution and establishes protection parameters in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If detailed power monitoring and control is implemented, then power management efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management efficiencyVSAvoidcontroller system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inline power controller is designed as a multi-functional device that consolidates discovery, classification, power budgeting, real-time monitoring, and overcurrent protection capabilities into a single controller. This universal approach manages multiple powered devices through unified protocols while providing detailed power tracking and control, improving management efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity through modular functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges discovery, classification, and power management functions into an integrated controller system. Rather than separate systems for device identification, power requirement determination, and power delivery control, the invention combines these functions into a unified controller that handles the complete power management lifecycle, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detailed monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If dynamic power allocation is implemented, then power resource utilization improves, but control mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower resource utilizationVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the controller continuously monitors current consumption of powered devices and adjusts power delivery in real-time based on actual needs. Power budgets are dynamically reassigned when devices are added or removed from the network, and the controller modifies transmission parameters adaptively. This dynamic approach maximizes power resource utilization while using automated control algorithms to manage complexity rather than increasing mechanical or manual control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1913707B1Inline power controller
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP1913707B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP1913707B1 patent drawingFigure 1D
  • EP1913707B1 patent drawingFigure 1E

AI summary

An inline power controller (204) includes at least one analog interface circuit module (AICM) (218) having a first analog input node fo receiving an inline power port voltage, a second analog input node for receiving an inline power port current, a first analog output for effecting an inline power port voltage, a second analog output for effecting an inline power port current, and a digital interface (222) converting the received inline power port voltage to a digital value, the inline power port current to a digital value, a first digital value to the first analog output and a second digital value to the second analog output. A digital serial bus (DSB) (214) couples the AICM (218) to a digital controller (208) via digital serial bus interfaces (DSBIs) (226).