Wire-Pair Pulse Power Transmission With Data Pause Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Power over Ethernet (PoE) and Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) systems face limitations in power delivery capacity, with standard systems typically providing up to 100W, while many devices require higher power levels, and the transmission of pulse power can corrupt data signals due to high voltage pulse edges.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using pulse power transitions to control data transmission, employing a controller to suspend data transmission during power transitions and applying Forward Error Correction (FEC) to mitigate data corruption, allowing for the transmission of pulse power and data over a single wire pair while maintaining data integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If pulse power is transmitted over a wire pair to increase power delivery capacity, then power delivery capacity is improved, but data transmission is corrupted due to high voltage pulse edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capacityVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission medium is segmented into dedicated power transmission wires and dedicated data transmission wires. Power is transmitted through specific wire pairs while data is transmitted through other wire pairs, preventing the high voltage pulse edges from corrupting the data signals. This physical separation allows independent optimization of power delivery and data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between power transmission and data transmission. The controller manages the timing and synchronization of pulse power transmission with data transmission, ensuring that power pulses are delivered without causing data corruption. The controller can pause data transmission during power transitions or use error correction protocols to mitigate interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If data transmission is suspended during power transitions to prevent corruption, then data integrity is improved, but transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Data transmission is organized into periodic intervals that alternate between active transmission and suspension during power transitions. The system uses a structured pattern where data transmission occurs during stable power periods and is temporarily suspended only during power transition edges. This periodic approach minimizes the total time data transmission is halted while ensuring integrity during critical transition moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pausing data transmission just before power transitions occur and resuming immediately after. This proactive timing prevents data corruption before it can happen, rather than detecting and correcting errors after they occur. The controller anticipates power transitions and coordinates data transmission accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If Forward Error Correction is applied to mitigate data corruption, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Forward Error Correction works by creating redundant copies of data with added error-detecting and error-correcting codes. Instead of preventing errors entirely, the system transmits multiple versions or corrected versions of data that allow the receiver to reconstruct the original information even if some bits are corrupted during pulse power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3915228B1Transmission of pulse power and data over a wire pair
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3915228B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3915228B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3915228B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an interface for transmitting pulse power and data to a powered device over a wire pair and a controller for receiving input identifying power transitions in the pulse power and suspending data transmission during the power transitions. A method is also disclosed herein.