System and method for detecting a device requiring power

• US 7,254,495 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yousefi, Nariman, Rakshani, Vafa
• Primary Examiner(s): Huff; Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Suglo; Janet L
• Application Number:
  US11/204,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20060034376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188, 702/60, 702/62, 370/257
• US Class Current: 702/60
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0001 using modification of a parameter of the network power signal
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0005 the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/242 by comparing a transmitted test signal with a locally generated replica
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/02 Details ; arrangements for supplying electrical power along data transmission lines systems for transmitting signals via power distribution lines H04B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/00 Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

A system and technique for detecting a device that requires power is implemented with a power detection station. The power detection system includes a detector having an output and a return which are coupled together by the device when the device requires power. The detector includes a word generator for generating test pulses for transmission to the device via the detector output, and a comparator for comparing the detector output with the detector return. The power detection station has a wide variety of applications, including by way of example, a switch or hub.

Claims

1. A detecting station having an output and a return coupled to a two-way transmission line, comprising:

a word generator operable to generate a test word that is transniitted on the detection station output;

a comparator to compare the detecting station output with the detecting station return; and

a controller operable to determine whether a device requiring power is coupled to the transmission line based on the comparison;

wherein the test word comprises an address of the controller.

2. The detecting station of claim 1 wherein the word generator comprises a free running timer.

3. The detecting station of claim 1 further comprising a pulse shaping device coupled between the word generator and the detecting station output.

4. The detecting station of claim 3 wherein the pulse shaping device is progranirnaNe by the controller.

5. A detector having an output and a return coupled to a two-way transmission line, comprising:

a word generator operable to generate a test word that is transmitted on the detector output;

a register coupled between the word generator and the detector output and operable to latch a word generator output in response to a trigger;

a timer enabled by the trigger for a predetermined time thereafter;

a comparator operable to compare the detector output with the detector return, the comparator being enabled only while the timer is enabled; and

a controller operable to determine whether a device requiring power is coupled to the transmission line based on the comparison.

6. The detector of claim 5 wherein the word generator comprises a free running timer.

7. The detector of claim 5 further comprising a pulse shaping device coupled between the word generator and the detector output.

8. The detector of claim 7 wherein the pulse shaping device is programmable.

9. The detector of claim 8 wherein the pulse shaping device is programmed to output a first pulse having a first pulse width and a second pulse having a second pulse width different from the first pulse width.