PoE Power Sourcing Equipment Detection Across Intermediate Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed WLAN systems, the use of power over Ethernet (PoE) technology leads to additional electricity loss due to voltage conversion, and increases device management complexity when multiple access points are deployed.
Innovation Solution
The power sourcing equipment performs detections across an intermediate device to identify effective powered devices and supplies power directly, avoiding unnecessary voltage conversions and simplifying device management by using Ethernet ports and integrated switches to control power supply ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If PoE technology is used in distributed WLAN to supply power to multiple APs, then network coverage is expanded and device management is simplified, but additional electricity loss is caused due to voltage conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voltage conversion function from the power supply path by enabling the PSE to directly detect and power multiple PDs through the intermediate device. This eliminates the intermediate voltage conversion step that caused energy loss, while preserving the PoE-based distributed power supply architecture that expanded network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The PSE is enhanced with multi-functionality to perform both data communication and direct power delivery to multiple PDs simultaneously. The detection mechanism allows the PSE to identify multiple PDs connected through a single intermediate device and allocate power accordingly, eliminating the need for separate power conversion stages at each AP.
2Illumination intensity
If more APs are deployed to improve indoor signal quality, then network coverage is improved, but device management complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of multiple APs into a unified PoE-based system where a single PSE controls power delivery to all PDs. The intermediate device acts as a centralized management point, allowing administrators to manage multiple APs through one interface rather than configuring each AP individually, thus reducing management complexity while improving signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate device serves as an intermediary between the PSE and multiple PDs, centralizing the management function. This mediator enables the PSE to detect and control multiple PDs through a single connection point, simplifying the management architecture while allowing extensive network coverage with multiple APs.
3Productivity
If the PSE supplies power through an intermediate device to multiple PDs, then power supply efficiency is improved by avoiding voltage conversion, but detection complexity increases due to multiple power supply ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into multiple independent detection cycles, with each cycle focusing on one PD connected to the intermediate device. The PSE sequentially activates and detects each PD through the intermediate device's multiple power supply ports, making the complex detection task manageable through systematic division into discrete steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate device performs preliminary actions by maintaining ready-to-connect power supply ports that can be quickly activated for detection. This preliminary preparation allows the PSE to efficiently detect multiple PDs without complex real-time switching, as the infrastructure is pre-configured to handle multiple connections systematically.
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
This approach reduces power loss, improves power supply efficiency, and decreases device complexity, thereby lowering costs and enhancing network performance.
Implementation Method 1
inputting a detection voltage to the Ethernet port, detecting impedance of a currently connected power supply port of the intermediate device, and obtaining a detection result based on the detected impedance
Implementation Method 2
supply power to the Ethernet port, where the power supply indication is based on each detection result of the plurality of detections
Data Source
AI summary
A power over Ethernet method includes: performing, by power sourcing equipment, a plurality of detections by using an Ethernet port, connected to an intermediate device, of the power sourcing equipment, where a quantity of detections performed by the power sourcing equipment is equal to a quantity of power supply ports of the intermediate device; and if at least one detection result of the plurality of detections is effective, sending, by the power sourcing equipment, a power supply indication to the intermediate device, and supplying power to the connection port. In this way, the power sourcing equipment can supply power across the intermediate device to a powered device connected to the intermediate device, and a power loss caused by voltage conversion is avoided.