Powered patch panel
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A powered patch panel comprising:
- a memory that stores a control parameter;
a plurality of ports, each port configured to support a network communication connection;
a processor that configures at least one of the plurality of ports to selectively supply power to a powered device over the network communication connection based on the control parameter;
first and second power input ports, each of said first and second power input ports comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, power from the first power input port being combined with power from the second input port into a single power source;
a first diode connecting to either the positive or the negative terminal of the first power input port and a second diode connecting to the corresponding terminal of the second power input port, the first and second diodes connecting to a first node, and the terminals of the first and second power input ports that are not connected to the first and second diodes being connected to a second node;
an in-line current manager connecting to the first and second nodes to supply power to connected powered devices; and
an analog-to-digital converter configured to monitor voltages of the first and second power input ports and the first and second nodes, wherein the processor is configured to determine a status of power supplied to the first and second power input ports based on the voltages monitored by the analog-to-digital converter.
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Abstract
A powered patch panel (PPP) is disclosed that inserts power in mid-span regions of a network and provides fault-tolerance at the power supply level and the power-plane level. Information such as physical location, port status and policy enforcement information may be locally stored and utilized by a processor of the PPP to achieve network control and monitoring. A network management system and/or element management system may be provided to interface with processors of PPPs to achieve network monitoring, control and policy enforcement goals.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A powered patch panel comprising:
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a memory that stores a control parameter; a plurality of ports, each port configured to support a network communication connection; a processor that configures at least one of the plurality of ports to selectively supply power to a powered device over the network communication connection based on the control parameter; first and second power input ports, each of said first and second power input ports comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, power from the first power input port being combined with power from the second input port into a single power source; a first diode connecting to either the positive or the negative terminal of the first power input port and a second diode connecting to the corresponding terminal of the second power input port, the first and second diodes connecting to a first node, and the terminals of the first and second power input ports that are not connected to the first and second diodes being connected to a second node; an in-line current manager connecting to the first and second nodes to supply power to connected powered devices; and an analog-to-digital converter configured to monitor voltages of the first and second power input ports and the first and second nodes, wherein the processor is configured to determine a status of power supplied to the first and second power input ports based on the voltages monitored by the analog-to-digital converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A powered patch panel comprising:
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a plurality of ports, each port configured to support a network communication connection; a common circuit that stores control parameters and controls the powered patch panel based upon the control parameters; a port circuit that supplies power to a powered device connected to one of the ports over a network communication connection based on one or more of the control parameters; a common circuit power-plane that provides power to the common circuit; a port circuit power-plane that provides power to the port circuit; a diode circuit that receives power from a power supply; an in-line current manager that receives power from the diode circuit and provides power to the common circuit power-plane and the port circuit power-plane; an analog-to-digital converter that monitors power received from the diode circuit and power output by the in-line current manager; a first optical coupler that receives from the analog-to-digital converter a digital representation of at least one of a voltage received by the diode circuit from the first power supply, a voltage received by the diode circuit from the second power supply, a voltage output from the in-line current manager, or a current output from the in-line current manager and relays the digital representation to the common circuit; and a second optical coupler that relays the control parameters to the port circuit from the common circuit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification