Power Sourcing Equipment Signaling to Override Power Withholding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Power over Ethernet (POE) systems cannot facilitate communications between a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) and a Powered Device (PD) when normal operating power is withheld, limiting the ability to modify or override power conservation policies based on changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows a PSE to withhold normal operating power from a PD while monitoring for specific signals via the powered communications interface, enabling the PSE to enter a power-providing state in response to user or sensor-generated signals, thus supporting power-withholding policies that can be modified or overridden as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the PSE withholds normal operating power from the PD to conserve energy, then power efficiency is improved, but the ability to communicate and modify power policies is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power delivery function into two distinct modes: detection/classification mode (low power, <30V) and normal operating mode (full power, 48V). The PSE can withhold full operating power while maintaining the ability to communicate via detection signals, thus separating the communication function from the full power delivery function. This allows the PSE to conserve energy by withholding normal operating power while still maintaining limited communication capability through the powered communications interface during detection phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary signaling mechanism that operates during the detection and classification phases. The PSE and PD can exchange information about power policy modifications through these intermediate detection signals, rather than requiring full operating power for communication. This intermediary communication channel allows policy modification requests to be transmitted when only detection power is supplied, resolving the contradiction between energy conservation and communication capability.
2Reliability
If the PSE automatically applies full power to the PD after detection and classification, then power delivery reliability is improved, but power conservation opportunities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power delivery state dynamic by allowing the PSE to transition between withholding power and providing power based on received signals. After detection and classification complete successfully, the PSE does not immediately commit to continuous full power delivery. Instead, it enters a conditional state where it monitors for signals indicating power policy modification requests. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain reliability by ensuring power is available when needed while conserving energy by withholding it when the PD does not request it, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the PD can signal back to the PSE whether it requires continuous power or if power can be withheld. After the PSE performs detection and classification, it waits for a signal from the PD indicating whether power should be supplied or withheld. This feedback loop allows the system to make informed decisions about power delivery, ensuring reliability by responding to actual PD needs while avoiding unnecessary power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between power delivery reliability and power conservation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the PSE monitors for signals while withholding power, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing detection and classification circuitry multi-functional by having it serve both its traditional purpose (detecting and classifying the PD) and an additional purpose (monitoring for power policy modification signals). The same powered communications interface and detection circuitry used for initial PD identification are also used to monitor for signals indicating whether power should be withheld or supplied. This universal use of existing components achieves adaptability without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the monitoring function leverages already-present hardware rather than requiring separate dedicated monitoring equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A power-sourcing equipment (PSE) has a powered communications interface to which a powered device (PD) is coupled. The PD presents a valid PD signature indicating that the PD is attached and capable of receiving normal operating power from the PSE. Per a power-withholding policy, the PSE operates in a power-withholding state to withhold the normal operating power notwithstanding the valid PD signature, and monitors for a signal via the powered communications interface indicating that the normal operating power should be delivered to the PD. The signal may be an alternative signature generated by a user-activated switch for example. In response to receiving the signal in the power-withholding state, the PSE enters a power-providing state in which it provides the normal operating power to the PD notwithstanding the power-withholding policy. An intermediate device (dongle) may be employed to generate the signal.