Dual-mode detection of powered device in power over ethernet system

• US 20060164775A1
• Filed: 10/19/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stineman, John Arthur Jr., Heath, Jeffrey Lynn
• Granted Patent: US 7,613,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/93.100
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/12 responsive to underload or no-load for motors H02H7/0827
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/351 for local area network [LAN], e.g. Ethernet switches

Abstract

Novel circuitry and methodology for detecting a Powered Device (PD) in a system for providing power to the PD. PD detection circuitry detects the PD in a first mode by providing detection current to probe the PD, and in a second mode by providing detection voltage to probe the PD. A control circuit determines that the PD is a valid device if the PD is detected both in the first mode and in the second mode.

Claims

1. A system for providing power to a Powered Device (PD), comprising:

PD detection circuitry for detecting the PD in a first mode by providing detection current to probe the PD, and in a second mode by providing detection voltage to probe the PD, and

a control circuit for determining that the PD is a valid device if the PD is detected both in the first mode and in the second mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the PD detection circuitry is configured for determining voltage produced in response to the detection current in the first mode, and for determining current produced in response to the detection voltage in the second mode.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the PD detection circuitry comprises a force-current detection circuit for operating in the first mode and a force-voltage detection circuit for operating in the second mode.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the PD detection circuitry is configured to determine prescribed resistance in the PD in the first mode and in the second mode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the PD detection circuitry is configured to detect the PD sequentially in the first mode and in the second mode.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the PD detection circuit is controlled to detect the PD in the first mode before detecting the PD in the second mode.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the PD detection circuitry to operate in the first and second modes.

8. A Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system, comprising:

a PD detection source for detecting a PD in a force-current mode and a force-voltage mode, and

a control circuit for validating the PD if the PD is detected in both the force-current mode and the force-voltage mode.

9. The PSE of claim 8, wherein the PD detection source comprises a force-current detection circuit for producing detection current to probe the PD in the force-current mode, and the force-voltage detection circuit for producing detection voltage to probe the PD in the force-voltage mode.

10. The PSE of claim 9, wherein the force-current detection circuit is configured for determining voltage produced in response to the detection current, and the force-voltage detection circuit is configured for determining current produced in response to the detection voltage.

11. The PSE of claim 8, wherein the PD detection circuit is configured to determine signature resistance in the force-current mode and the force-voltage mode.

12. The PSE of claim 8, wherein the PD detection circuit is configured to detect the PD sequentially in the force-current mode and the force-voltage mode.

13. The PSE of claim 8, wherein the PD detection circuit is configured to detect the PD in the force-current mode before detecting the PD in the force-voltage mode.

14. The PSE of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured for controlling the PD detection source to operate in the force-current mode and the force-voltage mode.

15. A method of detecting a PD, comprising the steps of:

determining a prescribed parameter of the PD in a force-current mode,

determining the prescribed parameter of the PD in a force-voltage mode, and

validating the PD if the prescribed parameter of the PD is found to be valid in both the force-current mode and the force-voltage mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the prescribed parameter of the PD includes prescribed resistance in the PD.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the force-current mode and the force-voltage mode are carried out sequentially.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the force-current mode is carried out before the force-voltage mode.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the force-voltage mode is carried out by probing the PD with test voltage of a prescribed value.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the force-current mode is carried out by probing the PD with test current corresponding to the test voltage of the prescribed value.