PCIe PoE Card Power Pooling for Higher Ethernet Output

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) systems require large, expensive, and thermally challenging power supplies to accommodate higher power levels, especially in applications like advanced camera systems, which increase installation costs and thermal constraints.

Innovation Solution

A Power-Over-Ethernet card with a PCIe edge connector and pin connectors that combine power from both sources to provide higher POE levels, using a DC-DC converter to boost voltage and a POE controller to manage power delivery, allowing power to be sourced from both PCIe edge and pin connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If large power supplies are installed to accommodate higher POE power levels, then POE power delivery capability is improved, but device cost and thermal management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePOE power delivery capabilityVSAvoidpower supply size and thermal management

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply function is segmented between the headend device and the POE card. The POE card contains its own power supply unit that can be independently sized and managed, allowing the headend device to provide power without requiring a large integrated power supply. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing power management responsibilities and reducing the thermal burden on the headend device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves power delivery capability from the headend device dimension to the POE card dimension. Instead of increasing power supply capacity at the headend, the POE card itself is equipped with power supply capabilities, effectively adding a new dimension for power management. This allows high POE power delivery without requiring large power supplies at the headend.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If separate dedicated POE supplies are installed to feed multiple outputs, then POE power capability is improved, but installation cost and mechanical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePOE power capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost and mechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The POE card integrates multiple functions including Ethernet switching, POE power delivery, and power supply capabilities into a single device. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate dedicated POE supplies and reduces mechanical complexity. The universal POE card can serve multiple outputs while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the POE power supply function with the Ethernet card function into a single integrated unit. Instead of having separate POE supplies and Ethernet devices, the POE card merges these functions, reducing the number of components needed and simplifying installation. This merging directly addresses the contradiction by reducing both cost and mechanical complexity while maintaining POE power capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If power is provided through PCIe edge connector only, then device simplicity is maintained, but available POE power is insufficient for advanced devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard structure simplicityVSAvoidavailable POE power

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The POE card employs a nested power architecture where a secondary power supply unit is integrated within the card structure, which itself is installed in the headend device. This nested configuration allows additional power sources to be incorporated without significantly increasing external complexity. The card maintains its compact form factor while providing enhanced POE power capability through the nested power supply arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

The solution provides increased POE power levels efficiently, reducing costs and thermal challenges by pooling power from multiple sources, enabling higher power delivery to POE devices.

Implementation Method 1

A DC-DC converter is configured to boost a voltage of power received from the power supply of the computing device, at least partially through the PCIe edge connector, from a first voltage to a second voltage higher than the first voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDC-DC conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS12596416B2Power over ethernet card with expanded power for power sourcing equipment

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 LANTRONIX INC

AI summary

Disclosed are POE cards having a PCIe edge connector, configured to couple to a PCIe edge connector slot of a computing device, to receive power from a power supply. The card also includes an Ethernet interface device having ports for connection to POE capable devices through Ethernet cables. A DC-DC converter is configured to boost a voltage of power received at least partially through the PCIe edge connector from a first voltage to a second voltage. A POE controller is coupled between the Ethernet interface device and the DC-DC converter and is configured to control delivery of power to the POE capable devices connected to the ports. A switch is coupled to the Ethernet interface device to provide data communication between the computing device, coupled to the POE card through the PCIe edge connector, and a network or the POE capable devices connected to the ports.