Ethernet module

• US 20070041577A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kinetic Technologies International Holdings LP
• Original Assignee: Akros Silicon, Inc. (Kinetic Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ghoshal, Sajol, Camagna, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,719 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/413
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

In a network device, a connector module comprises a network connector coupled to the connector module in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals and an application connector that comprises serial media independent interface (SMII) pins and power pins. A Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit is coupled between the network connector and the application connector.

Claims

1. A network device comprising:

a connector module comprising;

a network connector coupled to the connector module in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals;

an application connector coupled to the connector module and comprising serial media independent interface (SMII) pins and power pins; and

a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit coupled between the network connector and the application connector.

2. The network device according to claim 1 further comprising:

the network connector comprising an eight-pin Registered Jack (RJ) 45 physical interface; and

the application connector comprising a SMII signal interface, a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) interface, and a two-pin power interface.

3. The network device according to claim 2 further comprising:

the SMII signal interface is a four-pin signal interface or a six-pin signal and reference clock interface; and

the MDIO interface is a two-pin data and clock interface or a four-pin data, clock, and opto-coupling interface.

4. The network device according to claim 1 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit comprising;

a magnetic transformer coupled to communication signal pins of the network interface;

an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) coupled between the magnetic transformer and the application interface, the Ethernet PHY coupled to the application interface by a SMII interface;

a Powered Ethernet Device (PD) controller coupled to power pins of the network interface; and

a Direct Current-Direct Current (DC-DC) power converter coupled between the PD controller and power pins of the application interface.

5. The network device according to claim 4 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit further comprising;

a diode bridge coupled between power pins of the network interface and the PD controller.

6. The network device according to claim 4 further comprising:

the Ethernet PHY coupled to the application interface by a SMII interface and a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) interface.

7. The network device according to claim 4 further comprising:

the Powered Ethernet Device (PD) controller comprising a power switch circuit and a signature and classification circuit.

8. The network device according to claim 1 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit comprising;

an integrated Powered Ethernet Device (iPED) comprising;

a non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit integrated into the iPED and coupled to communication signal pins of the network interface;

an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) integrated into the iPED and coupled between the non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit and the application interface, the Ethernet PHY coupled to the application interface by a SMII interface and a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) interface;

a Powered Ethernet Device (PD) controller integrated into the iPED and coupled to power pins of the network interface; and

a Direct Current-Direct Current (DC-DC) power converter integrated into the iPED and coupled between the PD controller and power pins of the application interface.

9. The network device according to claim 8 further comprising:

the Powered Ethernet Device (PD) controller comprising;

a diode bridge coupled to power pins of the network interface;

a power switch circuit coupled to the diode bridge; and

a signature and classification circuit coupled to the diode bridge and the power switch circuit.

10. The network device according to claim 8 further comprising:

the integrated Powered Ethernet Device (iPED) further comprises a T-Less Connect™

solid-state transformer that separates Ethernet signals from power signals.

11. The network device according to claim 8 further comprising:

the integrated Powered Ethernet Device (iPED) further comprises a T-Less Connect™

solid-state transformer that floats ground potential of the Ethernet PHY relative to earth ground.

12. The network device according to claim 1 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit comprising;

a magnetic transformer coupled to communication signal pins of the network interface;

an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) coupled between the magnetic transformer and the application interface, the Ethernet PHY coupled to the application interface by a SMII interface and a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) interface;

a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controller coupled between power pins of the network interface and power feed pins of the application interface.

13. The network device according to claim 12 further comprising:

a multi-port switch coupled to the PoE circuit via the application interface.

14. The network device according to claim 1 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit comprising;

an integrated Powered Ethernet Source (iPES) comprising;

a non-magnetic power supply circuit integrated into the iPES and coupled to communication signal pins and power pins of the network interface;

an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) integrated into the iPES and coupled between the non-magnetic power supply circuit and the application interface, the Ethernet PHY coupled to the application interface by a SMII interface and a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) interface; and

a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controller coupled between the non-magnetic power supply circuit and power feed pins of the application interface.

15. The network device according to claim 14 further comprising:

isolation capacitors coupled between the Ethernet PHY and the application interface; and

at least one optical coupler coupled between the PSE controller and the application interface.

16. The network device according to claim 14 further comprising:

a multi-port switch coupled to the PoE circuit via the application interface.

17. The network device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a midspan Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) module comprising;

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit comprising;

a non-magnetic power supply circuit integrated into the midspan PSE module and coupled between the network connector and the application connector; and

a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controller coupled between the non-magnetic power supply circuit and power feed pins of the application interface.

18. The network device according to claim 17 further comprising:

a multi-port switch coupled to the PoE circuit via the application interface.

19. A network device comprising:

a network attached appliance comprising;

a housing;

an application processor contained within the housing; and

a connector module contained within the housing and configured to couple the application processor to a network, the connector module comprising;

a network connector coupled to the connector module in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals;

an application connector coupled to the connector module and comprising serial media independent interface (SMII) pins and power pins; and

a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit coupled between the network connector and the application connector.

20. The network device according to claim 19 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit comprising;

an integrated Powered Ethernet Device (iPED) comprising;

a non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit integrated into the iPED and coupled to communication signal pins of the network interface;

an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) integrated into the iPED and coupled between the non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit and the application interface, the Ethernet PHY coupled to the application interface by a SMII interface and a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) interface;

a Powered Ethernet Device (PD) controller integrated into the iPED and coupled to power pins of the network interface; and

a Direct Current-Direct Current (DC-DC) power converter integrated into the iPED and coupled between the PD controller and power pins of the application interface.

21. A network device comprising:

a power sourcing equipment appliance comprising;

a housing;

an Ethernet switch contained within the housing;

an isolated power supply contained within the housing; and

a connector module contained within the housing and configured to couple the Ethernet switch and the isolated power supply to a network, the connector module comprising;

a network connector coupled to the connector module in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals;

an application connector coupled to the connector module and comprising serial media independent interface (SMII) pins and power pins; and

a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit coupled between the network connector and the application connector.

22. The network device according to claim 21 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit comprising;

an integrated Powered Ethernet Source (iPES) comprising;

a non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit integrated into the iPES and coupled to communication signal pins and power pins of the network interface;

an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) integrated into the iPES and coupled between the non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit and the application interface, the Ethernet PHY coupled to the application interface by a SMII interface and a Management Data Input/Output (MDIO) interface; and

a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controller coupled between the non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit and power feed pins of the application interface.

23. The network device according to claim 22 further comprising:

isolation capacitors coupled between the Ethernet PHY and the application interface; and

at least one optical coupler coupled between the PSE controller and the application interface.

24. The network device according to claim 21 further comprising:

the power sourcing equipment appliance further comprising;

an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) coupling the Ethernet switch and the isolated power supply to the application interface; and

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit comprising;

an integrated Powered Ethernet Source (iPES) comprising;

a non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit integrated into the iPES and coupled to communication signal pins and power pins of the network interface; and

a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controller coupled between the non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit and power feed pins of the application interface.

25. The network device according to claim 24 further comprising:

isolation capacitors coupled between the non-magnetic transformer and choke circuit and the application interface; and

at least one optical coupler coupled between the PSE controller and the application interface.

26. A network device comprising:

a network interface module comprising;

a network connector coupled to the network interface module in a configuration that transfers power and communication signals;

an application connector coupled to the network interface module; and

a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit coupled between the network connector and the application connector, the PoE circuit comprising;

a transformer coupled to communication signal pins of the network interface; and

an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) coupled between the transformer and the application interface.

27. The network device according to claim 26 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit further comprising;

a Powered Ethernet Device (PD) controller coupled to power pins of the network interface.

28. The network device according to claim 26 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit further comprising;

a Direct Current-Direct Current (DC-DC) power converter coupled between the PD controller and power pins of the application interface.

29. The network device according to claim 26 further comprising:

the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit further comprising;

a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controller coupled between power pins of the network interface and power feed pins of the application interface.