PoE Port Controller Error Priority Power Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems face challenges in managing power allocation to network ports with faulty devices, as existing technologies do not effectively prioritize power distribution based on device attributes and error detection, leading to potential disruptions and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A network device with a power management controller and port controller that allocates power based on sorted priorities, assigning a lower error priority to devices with operational errors, allowing regular priority devices to receive power first and restoring priorities when errors are resolved, while also considering device attributes and implementing a delay for power-up to faulty devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is allocated to all network ports simultaneously without priority sorting, then all devices can receive power, but faulty devices may consume excessive power and disrupt network operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power allocation process by dividing network ports into different priority groups based on error detection results. Healthy ports are allocated in a first group while faulty ports are placed in a second group, allowing differential power distribution strategies for different device states
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the power allocation parameter (power priority level) based on the detected error state of devices. When errors are detected, the power priority parameter for affected ports is adjusted from high to low, enabling the system to adapt power distribution to current network conditions
2Productivity
If power is immediately allocated to devices with errors, then all devices can operate, but network performance deteriorates due to faulty device interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary error detection and classification before power allocation. By detecting errors in advance and sorting ports into priority groups before allocating power, the system prevents faulty devices from receiving power that would interfere with network performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful presence of faulty devices into a beneficial sorting mechanism. Error detection results are used to create priority groups that automatically separate healthy from faulty devices, transforming error information from a problem into a useful classification criterion for optimized power distribution
3Reliability
If power priority is not restored after error correction, then faulty devices remain deprioritized, but healthy devices continue to receive reduced power allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring device error states and adjusting power allocation accordingly. When errors are corrected, the feedback loop detects the improved device state and triggers restoration of normal power priority, ensuring power allocation always reflects current device health status
Solution Approach 2:
The power priority assignment is made dynamic rather than static. The system can transition ports between different priority groups based on real-time error detection results, allowing healthy devices to regain high priority status when their operational status improves, creating a flexible and adaptive power management system
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide a network device that includes a plurality of network ports, a power management controller and port controllers. The plurality of network ports is configured to respectively couple external devices with the network device via network cables, and provide power to the external devices via the network cables. The power management controller is configured to allocate power to the external devices following a power allocation order that is sorted according to power priorities of the external devices. A port controller detects an external device coupled to a particular network port having an operational error. In response to the error detection, the port controller assigns an error priority that is lower than regular power priorities to the external device. The regular priorities are assigned to external devices without the operational error. Further, the port controller provides the error priority to the power management controller for power allocation.