Power over Ethernet Access Point Power Allocation by Demand Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unpredictable nature of power delivery to Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices due to unknown line losses and varying power requirements based on factors like temperature and device usage, leading to inefficient power allocation and potential denial of power to lower priority devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors within PoE devices to measure power needs, including voltage and temperature, and communicate these measurements to Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to accurately determine and allocate power considering transmission losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PDs request more power than actually needed based on worst case expectations, then power delivery reliability is improved, but power resource utilization deteriorates and lower priority PDs are denied power
Solution Approach 1:
The PSE monitors actual power consumption of PDs and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust power allocation. The system continuously receives power consumption information from PDs and modifies power distribution accordingly, transitioning from static worst-case provisioning to dynamic demand-based allocation, thereby improving both reliability and resource utilization
Solution Approach 2:
PDs autonomously report their actual power consumption needs to the PSE based on their own monitoring of operating conditions. Each PD serves itself by measuring its power requirements and communicating this information to the power sourcing equipment, eliminating the need for conservative over-provisioning and enabling precise power allocation
2Reliability
If power is provisioned based on worst case expectations, then power delivery reliability is improved, but the number of supported PDs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power allocation system transitions from static worst-case provisioning to dynamic demand-based allocation. The PSE continuously monitors actual power consumption and adjusts power distribution in real-time based on changing conditions, allowing the system to support more PDs by allocating power according to actual needs rather than fixed conservative estimates
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter basis for power allocation from fixed worst-case power requirements to dynamic actual power consumption measurements. By monitoring and responding to changes in power consumption parameters based on operating conditions, the system can efficiently support a larger number of PDs within available power capacity
Data Source
AI summary
An access point, which is a Power over Ethernet (PoE) Powered Device (PD) measures input voltage and input current. The access point determines a power requirement of the access point based on the measured current, measured voltage, and information about power requirements of access point components or devices coupled to the access point a power requirement of the access point. The access point communicates the determined power request to a power sourcing equipment (PSE), e.g., a network switch in some embodiments, the access point further communicates one of measured input current and measured input voltage to the PSE. The PSE uses the information received from the access point, e.g., power request and power measurements to determine an amount of power to be granted to the access point. If the access point does not receive the requested power level the access point selects internal components and/or external devices to de-power.