ETHERNET MODULE
First Claim
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1. 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 configured for coupling to the application processor; and
a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit coupled between the network connector and the application connector.
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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.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. 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 configured for coupling to the application processor; and
a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit coupled between the network connector and the application connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. 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 comprising;
an integrated Powered Ethernet Source (iPES) comprising;
an isolated Ethernet physical layer (PHY) integrated into the iPES 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 to power feed pins of the application interface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A network device configured to receive a plurality of power signals and data signals through a coupled network comprising:
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a network connector configured to physically couple the network device to the network and receive four twisted pairs that carry the plurality of power signals, wherein the plurality of power signals comprise a first power signal and a second power signal; and
an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the network connector and comprising;
an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) module;
a power management module;
isolation capacitors coupled between the Ethernet PHY module and an application device;
an optical coupler coupled between the power management module and the application device; and
a direct connection module coupled to the network connector and operative to;
pass the received data signal(s) to the Ethernet PHY;
sense a current associated with the twisted pairs;
actively balance current associated with the twisted pairs; and
pass the received plurality of power signals to the power management module wherein the power management module is operative to at least partially power the network device from the received plurality of power signals.
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22. A power source equipment (PSE) network device operative to distribute a network power signal and a network data signal through a coupled network comprising:
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a network connector configured to physically couple the PSE network device to the network; and
an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the network connector that further comprises a power feed circuit operative to;
exchange data signals with a network physical layer (PHY) module, Ethernet switch, and the network connector;
isolate the network PHY module from the Ethernet switch; and
pass the power signal to the network connector as directed by a power source equipment (PSE) controller, wherein the power signal is received from an isolated power supply.
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23. A method for supplying power from a power source equipment (PSE) network device with an Ethernet power signal fed through an Ethernet network connection comprising:
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producing the Ethernet power signal from power supplied by an isolated power supply in an integrated circuit (IC) within the PSE network device;
physically coupling the PSE network device to the isolated power supply;
physically coupling the PSE network device to an Ethernet network;
combining within the IC an Ethernet data signal and the Ethernet power signal to produce an Ethernet signal;
providing ground isolation for the Ethernet data signal and the Ethernet power signal;
exchanging the Ethernet signal with at least one Ethernet network power device (PD) physically coupled to the Ethernet network within the PSE network device; and
isolating the IC from the at least one Ethernet network power device.
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24. A power source equipment (PSE) network device operative to distribute an Ethernet power signal and an Ethernet data signal through a coupled Ethernet network comprising:
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an Ethernet network connector configured to physically couple the PSE network device to the Ethernet network;
a PSE controller;
an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) module configured to couple the PSE network device to a multiport switch at an isolated interface; and
an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the Ethernet network connector that further comprises a power feed circuit configured to;
exchange Ethernet data signals with the Ethernet PHY module and the Ethernet connector;
supply a power signal from a power supply to the PSE network device; and
produce and pass the Ethernet power signal to the Ethernet connector as directed by the PSE controller.
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Specification