PoE Power Management Using Real-Time PSU Capacity Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems face inefficiencies due to simple power management models that lead to unnecessary shutdowns of interfaces and require large power reserves, as they lack real-time power consumption data, resulting in inaccurate power allocation and increased guard bands.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a supervisor obtains power information from multiple power supply units (PSUs) to calculate total available PoE power, using this data to determine whether to stop power to powered devices, allowing for real-time power management and reducing the risk of system failure by shedding loads or adjusting power distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If simple power management models with bins tied to number of PSUs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but power allocation accuracy deteriorates and large power reserves are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management model complexityVSAvoidpower allocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors actual power consumption from PSUs and feeds this information back to the supervisor, which dynamically adjusts power allocation decisions. This feedback mechanism enables accurate real-time power management without requiring complex pre-configured models or large power reserves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If software polling is used to read per-port power consumption, then adaptability is improved, but response time increases and accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management adaptabilityVSAvoidpower management response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces software-based polling mechanisms with a hardware supervisor that continuously monitors PSU output power and per-port consumption in real-time. This hardware-based approach eliminates polling delays and provides immediate response to power consumption changes, while maintaining the adaptability to dynamically adjust power allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If large power reserves as guard bands are used, then system reliability is improved, but power utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidpower utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power allocation based on real-time monitoring of actual power consumption and available PSU capacity. Instead of using static large power reserves, the supervisor continuously optimizes power distribution to match actual needs, maintaining system reliability while eliminating excessive guard bands and improving power utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11630499B2Power over Ethernet (PoE) power management

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 ARISTA NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for managing power for a Power over Ethernet (PoE) device are disclosed herein. The method may include obtaining, by a supervisor, power information from a plurality of power supply units (PSUs) to obtain total consumed power; obtaining, by the supervisor, a total system power capacity value associated with the plurality of PSUs; and calculating, by the supervisor, a total available PoE power value using the total consumed power and the total system power capacity value; and making a first determination, by the supervisor, using the total available PoE power value and a PoE power table, whether a powered device should stop receiving power.