PoE Power Scheduling Circuit for High-Density Device Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems face limitations in powering a large number of high-power devices simultaneously due to electrical circuit constraints, often requiring multiple Power Source Equipment (PSE) or limiting the number of devices that can be powered.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control circuit that schedules the operation of PoE+ devices to operate in high-power mode and lower power mode alternately, ensuring the total power demand never exceeds the PSE's capacity by allocating power across time slots, allowing more high-power devices to be used without exceeding the power supply capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional PoE systems power devices simultaneously without scheduling, then devices can operate continuously at full power, but the number of high-power devices that can be powered is limited by electrical circuit constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time-based power allocation where devices are scheduled to operate in high-power and lower-power modes alternately across different time slots. This periodic scheduling allows the system to serve more devices than the instantaneous power capacity would normally permit, as devices take turns consuming full power rather than all devices drawing power simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power delivery to individual devices based on scheduled time slots and operational requirements. The PSE controller modifies power allocation in real-time, transitioning devices between different power states according to the schedule, thereby optimizing the utilization of available power capacity across the entire device population.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple PSEs are deployed to power more high-power devices, then power capacity increases, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple PSEs into a single PSE by implementing time-based power scheduling. Instead of requiring multiple simultaneous power sources, one PSE with scheduling capability can serve the same number of devices by allocating power sequentially across different time slots, thereby reducing system complexity and infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The PSE is designed with multi-functional capability to handle both power delivery and centralized scheduling operations. The single PSE performs multiple roles including power management, device coordination, and temporal allocation, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized PSE units working in parallel.
3Productivity
If devices operate continuously at high power, then device performance is optimized, but power supply capacity is exceeded and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic high-power operation interspersed with lower-power intervals. Devices receive full power during their allocated time slots to maintain optimal performance, then transition to lower-power modes during other slots, creating a periodic cycle that prevents continuous thermal accumulation while preserving productivity during active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The PSE controller pre-schedules power allocation before devices begin operation, establishing a temporal roadmap that prevents power capacity exceedance. By planning power distribution in advance across time slots, the system proactively manages thermal loads and prevents overheating before it occurs, rather than reacting to thermal conditions after they develop.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is performed in a power sourcing device (PSD). The method includes, for each of a plurality of powered devices (PDs) configured to time-varyingly draw power from the PSD, (a) receiving a set of power requirements for that PD, (b) assigning a set of amounts of power to be allocated to that PD, each assigned amount respectively indicating an assigned power allocation to that PD at a different time slot, and (c) during each time slot, providing an amount of power to that PD in accordance with the assigned amount. The set of power requirements includes (1) a plurality of different amounts of power to be drawn by the PD, each different amount of power being associated with an operational mode in which the PD can operate and (2) a policy indicating which operational mode the PD should operate in at different times.