Systems and methods operable to allow loop powering of networked devices
First Claim
1. An Ethernet network device operable to receive both a power signal and a data signal through a coupled Ethernet network, comprising:
- an Ethernet network connector operable to physically couple the Ethernet network device to the Ethernet network, wherein the Ethernet network connector receives a plurality of twisted pairs;
an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the Ethernet network connector comprising a power feed circuit and a surge protection circuit, wherein the power feed circuit is operable to;
pass the received data signal to an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) module; and
pass the received power signal to a power management module, wherein the power management module is operable to at least partially power the Ethernet network device from the received power signal; and
the surge protection circuit interfaces to a diode bridge network and protects against surge voltage across a plurality of twisted pairs within the Ethernet network connector;
the IC comprising an IC ground that tracks an Ethernet line ground wherein potential at the IC varies up to approximately 1500 volts from chassis ground of the Ethernet network device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a network device operable to receive a network signal that may include both power and data from a coupled network. This network device includes a network connector and an integrated circuit. The network connector physically couples the network device to the network. An optional protection circuit may provide surge protection or incoming network signals received by the network device through the network connector. An optional switching/rectifying circuit sees the output of the protection circuit and is operable to rectify a power signal when contained within the network signal. The integrated circuit further includes a power feed circuit conductively coupled to the protection circuit and the rectifying circuit. This power feed circuit is operable to separate and pass the received data signal to a network physical layer and separate and pass the received power signal to a power management module. The power management module electrically couples to the integrated circuit but is not necessarily part of the integrated circuit. The power management module is operable to at least partially power the network device for specific circuits within the network device from the received power signal.
19 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An Ethernet network device operable to receive both a power signal and a data signal through a coupled Ethernet network, comprising:
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an Ethernet network connector operable to physically couple the Ethernet network device to the Ethernet network, wherein the Ethernet network connector receives a plurality of twisted pairs; an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the Ethernet network connector comprising a power feed circuit and a surge protection circuit, wherein the power feed circuit is operable to; pass the received data signal to an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) module; and pass the received power signal to a power management module, wherein the power management module is operable to at least partially power the Ethernet network device from the received power signal; and the surge protection circuit interfaces to a diode bridge network and protects against surge voltage across a plurality of twisted pairs within the Ethernet network connector; the IC comprising an IC ground that tracks an Ethernet line ground wherein potential at the IC varies up to approximately 1500 volts from chassis ground of the Ethernet network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method to at least partially power an Ethernet network powered device (PD), from an Ethernet power signal fed through an Ethernet network connection, comprising:
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physically coupling the Ethernet network PD to the network; receiving an Ethernet signal from the Ethernet network, wherein the Ethernet signal comprises the plurality of power signals and/or a data signal(s); passing the Ethernet signal to an integrated circuit (IC) within the Ethernet network PD, the IC comprising an IC ground that tracks an Ethernet line ground wherein potential at the IC varies up to approximately 1500 volts from chassis ground of the Ethernet network PD; separating with the IC, the data signal from the Ethernet signal, wherein the data signal is passed to an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) module; separating with the IC, the Ethernet power signal from the Ethernet signal, wherein the power signal is passed to the power management module; at least partially powering the Ethernet network PD from the power signal; passing the network signal through a protective circuit operable to; provide surge protection; and rectify the power signal in order to apply the rectified power signal to the IC. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An Ethernet network device operable to receive both a power signal and a data signal through a coupled Ethernet network, comprising:
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an Ethernet network connector operable to physically couple the Ethernet network device to the Ethernet network, wherein the Ethernet network connector receives a plurality of twisted pairs; a circuit coupled to the Ethernet network connector that further comprises a power feed circuit, wherein the power feed circuit is operable to; pass the received data signal to an Ethernet PHY module; and pass the received power signal to a power management module, wherein the power management module is operable to at least partially power the Ethernet network device from the received power signal, the circuit comprising a circuit ground that tracks an Ethernet line around wherein potential at the circuit varies up to approximately 1500 volts from chassis ground of the Ethernet network device; and a protection circuit coupled to the plurality of twisted pairs that protects against surge across the plurality of twisted pairs.
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25. A network device operable to receive both a power signal and a data signal through a coupled network, comprising:
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a network connector operable to physically couple the network device to the network, wherein the network connector receives a plurality of twisted pairs; a protection circuit, wherein the protection circuit is operable to; couple to the plurality of twisted pairs; and provide surge protection across the plurality of twisted pairs; a diode bridge, wherein the diode bridge is operable to rectify a power signal received from the plurality of twisted pairs; an integrated circuit (IC) that further comprises a power feed circuit conductively coupled to the surge protection circuit and diode bridge network, and wherein the power feed circuit is operable to; pass the received data signal to a network physical layer (PHY) module; and pass the received power signal to a power management module, wherein the power management module is operable to at least partially power the network device from the received power signal, the IC comprising an IC ground that tracks an Ethernet line ground wherein potential at the IC varies up to approximately 1500 volts from chassis ground of the network device.
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Specification