Power Distribution Hub for Multi-Device PoE Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems typically allow only one device to draw power from a single port, leading to underutilization of available power, especially in environments where devices require varying amounts of power, such as IoT lighting fixtures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power distribution hub (PDH) that transparently passes Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) packets between devices and Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE), enabling multiple devices to negotiate and draw power from a single PSE port, while managing aggregated power to prevent overcurrent faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single PSE port provides power to only one device, then power management is simple, but power utilization efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power delivery function by introducing a Power Distribution Hub (PDH) that acts as an intermediary between the PSE port and multiple devices. The PDH receives power from a single PSE port and segments it to multiple downstream devices, enabling one-to-many power distribution while maintaining manageable power allocation through the hub's control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The PDH serves as an intermediary device between the PSE and multiple powered devices. It transparently passes LLDP packets between devices and PSE while managing power allocation, thus enabling multiple devices to negotiate power from a single port without complicating the PSE's power management architecture
2Loss of energy
If multiple devices draw power from a single PSE port, then power utilization efficiency improves, but risk of overcurrent faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where devices send power requests through LLDP packets, the PDH aggregates these requests, and the PSE monitors total power consumption. This feedback loop enables dynamic power allocation and prevents overcurrent conditions by adjusting power distribution based on real-time device needs and port capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary power negotiation before actual power delivery. Devices must successfully negotiate power requirements through LLDP exchange with the PSE (facilitated by the PDH) before receiving power, ensuring that total power demands are validated against port capacity in advance, thus preventing overcurrent faults
3Loss of energy
If power is allocated dynamically to multiple devices, then power optimization improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PDH acts as a simplified intermediary that handles the complexity of multi-device power management. It transparently passes LLDP packets between devices and PSE, enabling automatic power negotiation without requiring complex PSE logic. The hub consolidates power management functions, reducing overall system complexity while enabling dynamic power allocation
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a power sourcing equipment (PSE) includes: processing circuitry, a multiplicity of power over Ethernet (PoE) enabled ports, a PSE module to be executed by the processing circuitry and operative to: receive requests for power from at least two devices via one PoE enabled port from among the multiplicity of PoE enabled ports, allocate power for the at least two devices according to the requests for power, and provide the power to the at least two devices via the one PoE enabled port.