[0001] the application requires the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application number 60/646,509, and the applying date of this application is on January 25th, 2005, and denomination of invention is " system and method for supporting advanced Power over Ethernet system ".
Summary of the invention
[0009] the invention provides a kind of novel system and method, be used for by telecommunication cable, as Ethernet cable power supply, the electrification distributor circuit control lead in the telecommunication cable or lead between distributing electric power.
[0010] according to one aspect of the present invention, described distributing electric power circuit can control lead in the telecommunication cable or lead between electric current distribute.For example, can provide lead or lead between current balance type.
[0011] be in the control cable in the couple of conductor electric current between first and second leads distribute, the transformer coil that is used for power supply unit is connected to telecommunication cable can be divided into first coil of corresponding first lead and second coil of corresponding second lead.Can between first and second coils, insert capacity cell, in case the DC between first and second leads connects.
[0012] according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention, described distributing electric power circuit can comprise the reference circuit that is used to provide reference voltage, first and second inductive reactances that corresponding first and second leads or lead are right and first and second operational amplifiers of respectively first and second induced voltages at the reference voltage and the first and second inductive reactance two ends being made comparisons.
[0013] described distributing electric power circuit can also comprise first and second driving elements, is connected to the output of first and second operational amplifiers respectively, is used to control first and second leads or the right current value of lead.Each of first and second driving elements can comprise mosfet transistor.
[0014] according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, described distributing electric power circuit can comprise the reference circuit that is used to provide reference voltage, corresponding first lead or the first right inductive reactance of lead, with the limiting amplifier that is used for first induced voltage at the reference voltage and the first inductive reactance two ends is made comparisons, to limit the current value of first lead or lead centering according to reference voltage.
[0015] described distributing electric power circuit can also comprise corresponding second lead or the second right inductive reactance of lead, and balance amplifier, described balance amplifier is used for second induced voltage at the second inductive reactance two ends and first induced voltage are made comparisons, to provide balance between the right current value of first and second leads or lead.First and second driving elements can be connected to the output of limiting amplifier and balance amplifier respectively, are used to control the current value of first and second leads or lead centering.Each of first and second driving elements can comprise one or more mosfet transistors.
[0016] according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, described distributing electric power circuit can comprise a pair of current sensing elements and first differential amplifier, described differential amplifier is used to produce a signal, and expression is by the difference between the signal of current sensing elements generation.The a pair of second and the 3rd differential amplifier can have first input, is used to receive the output and second input of first differential amplifier, is used to receive corresponding reference value.The reference value that offers second differential amplifier may be different from the reference value that offers the 3rd differential amplifier.First and second driving elements can be connected to the output of the second and the 3rd differential amplifier respectively, are used for controlling the current value of respective wire.
[0017] according to another aspect of the present invention, local area network (LAN) can comprise at least one pair of network node, hub and have at least one pair of lead and be used for network node is connected to hub so that the telecommunication cable of data communication to be provided.Described hub has power supply unit, is used for powering to the load by telecommunication cable.Described network can comprise the distributing electric power circuit, be used for pilot or lead between distributing electric power.
[0018] by following detailed description, those skilled in the art can understand other advantages of the present invention and aspect more easily, wherein only implement the form of best mode of the present invention by explanation, illustrate and disclosed embodiments of the invention.As what will disclose, the present invention can implement with other and different embodiment, and its some details can improve in various conspicuous modes, and all such improvement do not depart from design of the present invention.Therefore, accompanying drawing and explanation are considered to be illustrative, rather than restrictive.
Embodiment
[0020] the present invention will utilize the example of distributing electric power circuit in the PoE system to describe.But, apparent, the disclosed design of this paper can be applicable to any system by cable power supply.For example, system of the present invention can be used on the Local Area Network, and described local area network (LAN) has a plurality of nodes, hub and node is connected to the telecommunication cable that hub is used to provide data communication.Described hub can comprise power supply unit, is used for powering to the load by telecommunication cable.Electric power distribution system of the present invention can be used to control lead in the telecommunication cable or lead between distributing electric power.
[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates simplified block diagram, Power over Ethernet (PoE) system 10 is shown comprises power supply unit (PSE) 12, have a plurality of port ones-4 and can be connected to power consumption equipment 14 (PD1-PD4) by corresponding link, each link can provide with 2 or 4 groups of twisted-pair feeders in the Ethernet cable 16.Although Fig. 1 shows four ports of PSE 12, those of skill in the art will recognize that the port that any amount can be provided.
[0022] according to IEEE 802.3af standard, PSE 12 can interact with each PD.Specifically, PSE 12 and PD participate in the PD trace routine, and during this period, PSE 12 detects link to detect PD.If detect PD, PSE 12 checks the PD detection signals, is effectively or invalid to determine it.Effective and invalid detection signal has definition in IEEE 802.3af standard.Effectively the PD detection signal represents that PD is in the state that can accept power supply, and invalid PD detection signal represents that PD is in the state that can not accept to power.
[0023] if described signal is effective, PD can select to present graded signal to PSE, can extract how many electric energy when powering on to be illustrated in.For example, PD can be divided into rank 0 to rank 4.According to the rank that PD determines, PSE provides required electric power to PD.
[0024] for more electric power is provided to PD, more lead may must be used in Ethernet cable 16.When using multiple conducting wires or lead group, it is extremely important that the distributing electric power between them just becomes.
[0025] specifically, distributing electric power makes that more effective Ethernet cable that utilizes becomes possibility.If cable is made up of n lead, the ultimate load of each is ζ, and when half lead is used to provide electric current and second half lead when being used to return current to PSE to PD, the maximum power Z that cable can be carried is Z=n ζ/2.Therefore, in order more effectively to use cable, the distributing electric power between the lead must make does not have the carrying of solid conductor greater than ζ.
[0026] even cable is not to transmit with its ultimate load Z, when the electric power that transmits by every lead equates (supposing that every lead has equal load capacity ζ), by the power loss minimizing of cable.Therefore, the electric power between the lead is useful in the balanced cable.Accordingly, if n is identical lead transmission power P, transmitting the effective and efficient manner of described power is balanced power, makes delivering power p on every lead, wherein, and p=P/n.When half lead is used to transmit electric current, and second half lead is when being used to return current, and this formula is p=P/2n.
[0027] in addition, when electric current flows through lead, because some power loss can appear in the resistance R of lead.If the input at lead applies voltage V
i, and electric current I flows through lead, at the voltage V of wire output end
0Be V
0=V
i-IR.Therefore, the power loss that causes owing to the lead transmission is P
Lost=I (V
i-V
0)=I
2R.Therefore, when electric current flows through the cable of being made up of the same wire with same resistance R, and the voltage that applies on every lead is when identical and since the power loss that electric power transfer causes at the electric current that flows through every lead for hour being minimum.When the identical electric current I of all n root wires carry/n, the electric current minimum in every lead.
[0028] when the lead of forming cable is identical, should balanced balanced current, so that identical electric current to be provided in every lead, so that realize economize on electricity.Lead in cable is preferably controlled the levels of current of every lead not simultaneously, to obtain maximal efficiency.
[0029] although the present invention utilizes the electric current between the equalizing contactor to illustrate with the example of current balance circuit that desirable distributing electric power is provided, those of skill in the art will recognize that other parameters that to control electric power system, with electrical power distribution between lead.For example, can realize distributing electric power by it to the resistance that every lead applies electric current by voltage or the control that control is applied on each lead.
[0030] in addition, according to exemplary embodiment of the present invention, distributing electric power control occurs in an end of cable power supply.But, those of skill in the art will recognize that distributing electric power of the present invention control can carry out at an end of cable power consumption.
[0031] in addition, one skilled in the art will realize that, the electric current in control or every lead of balance, distributing electric power control of the present invention can be by the output voltage of control or every lead of balance, the power loss of every lead, the resistance of every lead and power supply, the temperature of every lead waits and realizes.
[0032] in addition, those of skill in the art will recognize that distributing electric power control method of the present invention does not need the continuous measurement parameter, as conductor resistance or output voltage.For example, the conductor resistance of determining before power supply can be used for controlling the electric power transfer after powering.For example, can utilize time-domain reflectomer (TDR), apply high-frequency impulse, and measure the inverse signal of expression lead impedance variation, measure conductor resistance by guiding line.
[0033] referring to Fig. 2, exemplary power distribution of the present invention system comprises current balance circuit 102 and 104, is used for the electric power that balance is provided by PSE power supply 106 between 4 twisted-pair feeders of Ethernet cable 16.Specifically, in the PSE of Ethernet cable 16 side, transformer 108 and 110 is connected to 2 top twisted-pair feeders shown in Figure 2 with current balance circuit 102, and transformer 112 and 114 is connected to 2 following twisted-pair feeders shown in Figure 2 with current balance circuit 104.For example, 2 top twisted-pair feeders can be used for transmitting electric current from PSE 12 to PD 14, and 2 following twisted-pair feeders can provide return path for the electric current from PD 14 to PSE 12.
[0034] in the PD of cable 16 side, transformer 116 and 118 is by being connected to the PD circuit by diode 124,126 and 128,130 diode bridges of forming with 2 top twisted-pair feeders respectively.Transformer 120 and 122 is by being connected to the PD circuit by diode 132,134 and 136,138 diode bridges of forming with 2 following twisted-pair feeders respectively.Described diode bridge be configured to don't work which twisted-pair feeder transmits or return current, makes the PD circuit can both receive electric power.Transformer 108-122 can be the data transformers of Ethernet data transmission system.In order to keep the clear of accompanying drawing, Fig. 2 only shows a coil of each described transformer.Described as IEEE 802.3af standard, other coils of transformer are used to ethernet physical layer (PHY) equipment is connected to cable 16.
[0035] electric power that provided by PSE power supply 106 of current balance circuit 102 control is so that provide identical electric current in each that is used for from PSE12 transmits 2 twisted-pair feeders above the electric currents to PD 14.Current balance circuit 104 makes and is used for the identical electric current of each carrying from PD 14 2 twisted-pair feeders below PSE 12 return currents.Although device shown in Figure 2, those of skill in the art will recognize that described current balance type at PSE side processing current balance type and can implement in the PD side.
[0036] referring to Fig. 3, current balance circuit of the present invention is used in each interior lead of twisted-pair feeder identical electric current is provided.Each coil that is connected to the Ethernet data transformer of twisted-pair feeder in the cable 16 can be divided into two coils.In order to keep the clear of accompanying drawing, Fig. 3 only shows individual ethernet data transformers 202 and is connected to single twisted-pair feeder.But, those of skill in the art will recognize that all Ethernet data transformers shown in Figure 2 can be provided with in a similar fashion.Data transformers 202 can provide capacitor C between the coil that separates, connect the lead A and the B of corresponding twisted-pair feeder, so that the AC path of Ethernet data to be provided, but prevents that the DC electric current from flowing through coil.Therefore, the lead A in each twisted-pair feeder and B no longer each other DC be connected.
[0037] the corresponding coil by transformer 204, lead A in the twisted-pair feeder can be connected with current balance circuit 206 with B, the control of described current balance circuit is from the electric power of PSE power supply 208, provides identical DC electric current with in each of lead A in each twisted-pair feeder and B.If excessive direct current is by the coil of data transformers 202, its core can be saturated.As a result, data transformers 202 can operate as normal, and may hinder the Ethernet data transmission.The electric current of current balance circuit 206 between can the lead of balancing twisted-pair line causes too high direct current with the resistance that prevents joint contact, cable or other elements of distribution plant, and makes data transformers 202 saturated in one or another lead.
[0038] Fig. 4 illustrates exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and wherein, current balance circuit comprises operational amplifier 302 and 304, distinguishes the grid of driven MOS FET 306 and 308.Inductive reactance R
Sense1And R
Sense2Be connected to MOSFET 306 and 308 respectively.Reference voltage source 310 can pair amplifier 302 and 304 noninverting input apply reference voltage V
RefThe anti-phase input of amplifier 302 can be by inductive reactance R
Sense1The voltage V that two ends form
Sense1Provide, and the anti-phase input of amplifier 304 can be by inductive reactance R
Sense2The voltage V that two ends produce
Sense2Provide.Inductive reactance R
Sense1And R
Sense2Can have identical value, so that current balance circuit can be with induced voltage V
Sense1And V
Sense2Remain on the par of corresponding reference voltage level.
[0039] specifically, the corresponding reference voltage V of the voltage of the output of amplifier 302 generation
RefWith induced voltage V
Sense1Between poor, and the corresponding V of the voltage that the output of amplifier 304 produces
RefAnd V
Sense2Between poor.For example, as corresponding induced voltage V
SenseAlong with the increase of the output current of corresponding MOSFET and be increased near V
RefThe time, corresponding amplifier 302 or 304 output respond by the grid voltage that reduces corresponding MOSFET 306 or 308.The grid voltage that reduces MOSFET can cause the increase of MOSFET resistance, and this can reduce the output current of MOSFET again.
[0040] correspondingly, current balance circuit can provide identical electric current with 308 output at MOSFET 306 among Fig. 4.As shown in Figure 2, coil that can be by the Ethernet data transformer provides the output current of current balance circuit to the corresponding twisted-pair feeder of Ethernet cable 16, to keep identical electric current in each twisted-pair feeder.In addition, as shown in Figure 3, can be in twisted-pair feeder corresponding lead provides the output current of current balance circuit, so that the electric current in the every lead is remained on par.
[0041] in the PoE system,, may regulate reference voltage V continuously if do not know total current in the Ethernet cable in advance
Ref, so that PD to be provided required electric current.There is not described adjustment, reference voltage V
RefMay be set at too high level, make the output signal of MOSFET 306 and 308 be increased to too high value.As a result, may destroy the respective feedback loop of facilitating current balance type.
[0042] for example, can utilize from the 3rd inductive reactance of two balance inductive reactance supplying electric currents and regulate reference voltage V
RefAll 3 inductive reactances can have identical value, so that the reference voltage V that provides
RefHalf of voltage levvl at corresponding the 3rd inductive reactance two ends of level.
[0043] Fig. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and wherein, current balance circuit uses fixing or adjustable reference voltage.Specifically, current balance circuit shown in Figure 5 comprises limiting amplifier 402 and balance amplifier 404, distinguishes the grid of driven MOS FET 406 and 408.The first and second inductive reactance R
Sense1And R
Sense2Be connected respectively to MOSFET 406 and 408.Inductive reactance R
Sense1And R
Sense2Can have identical value, remain on par with the electric current that will flow through these resistance.
[0044] reference voltage source 410 applies reference voltage V to the noninverting input of limiting amplifier 402
RefFor example, reference voltage can be set at V
Ref=I
LIM* R
Sense1, wherein, I
LIMIt is the cut-off current of being scheduled to.The anti-phase input of limiting amplifier 402 is by the first inductive reactance R
Sense1The voltage V that two ends form
Sense1Provide.
[0045] therefore, the corresponding reference voltage V of the voltage of the output of limiting amplifier 402 generation
RefWith induced voltage V
Sense1Between pressure reduction.As induced voltage V
Sense1Along with the increase of the output current of MOSFET 406 and be increased near V
RefThe time, the output of amplifier 402 responds by the grid voltage that reduces MOSFET 406.The grid voltage that reduces MOSFET 406 can cause the increase of MOSFET resistance, and the latter can reduce the output current of MOSFET 406 again, so that this electric current is remained on I
LIMLevel.
[0046] balance amplifier 404 is with induced voltage V
Sense1With at inductive reactance R
Sense2The induced voltage V that two ends form
Sense2Make comparisons, with induced voltage V
Sense2Remain on induced voltage V
Sense1Level.As a result, the output current of MOSFET 408 remains on the level of the output current of MOSFET 406.
[0047] correspondingly, the current balance circuit among Fig. 5 can provide identical electric current in its each output.As shown in Figure 2, coil that can be by the Ethernet data transformer provides the output current of current balance circuit to the corresponding twisted-pair feeder of Ethernet cable 16, to keep identical electric current in each twisted-pair feeder.In addition, as shown in Figure 3, can be in twisted-pair feeder corresponding lead provides the output current of current balance circuit, so that the electric current in each lead is remained on par.
[0048] Fig. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and it is the enhanced form of current balance circuit shown in Figure 4.In the circuit of Fig. 6, switch element 501 and 502 Control current flow to magnetic element and PoE port. Current sensing elements 503 and 504 provides and the proportional output of electric current of flowing through them.Differential amplifier 510 amplifier elements 503 and 504 output, produce a signal and the difference that flows through between the electric current of corresponding current sensing elements proportional.Therefore, this signal indication flows through the imbalance of the electric current of element 501 and 502. Differential amplifier 505 and 506 will be made comparisons by the unbalanced signal of amplifier 510 generations and by reference voltage source 507 and 508 reference voltages that produce. Amplifier 505 and 506 output is control switch element 501 and 502 respectively, and therefore control flows is crossed their electric current.
[0049] if the electric current that flows through element 503 greater than the electric current that flows through element 504, element 503 can produce stronger signal.This has caused the output voltage of amplifier 510 to increase.When the output voltage of amplifier 510 was higher than the reference voltage that is generated by reference voltage source 507, amplifier 505 reduced its output voltage, weakens the control signal to switch element 501, and therefore reduces the electric current that flows through element 501 and 503.This has desirable effect to making the electric current that flows through current sensing elements 503 and 504 return to balance.
[0050] in opposite situation, the electric current by element 504 can cause the output of amplifier 510 to reduce greater than the electric current by element 503.When output drops to when being lower than the reference voltage that is produced by reference voltage source 508, amplifier 506 can reduce its output, weaken to the control signal of switch 502, reduced the electric current that flows through element 502 and 504 thus, this makes the electric current in current sensing elements 503 and 504 return to balance.
[0051] provides the PD of electric current by circuit among Fig. 6, the load that expression is unknown.The current draw of PD can change rapidly, and impedance characteristic can appear in PD, and as inductance and negative resistance, this may cause the circuit of Fig. 6 to vibrate easily.Careful selection can be avoided vibration by power supply 507 and 508 reference voltages that generate.Make have only of the feedback loop work of an amplifier 505,506 at every turn that by power supply 507 and 508 reference voltages that produce they just can all not participate in the small-signal vibration if select in closure.This is in case realization just can compensate described circuit by traditional approach.
[0052] in order to make amplifier 505 be in closed feedback loop, the output of amplifier 510 must be higher than the output of reference voltage source 507.Amplifier 506 only just can be in closed feedback loop when the output of amplifier 510 is lower than the output of reference voltage source 508.Therefore, if select the output of reference voltage source 507 to be higher than the output of reference voltage source 508, can only there be one to be in closed feedback loop in each amplifier 505,506.
[0053] for a pair of comparator, use the method for different reference values to be disclosed in as amplifier 505 and 506 and transfer Linear Technology Corporation (Linear Tech), the application's assignee's United States Patent (USP) 6,166, in 527, and the document is incorporated into this paper at this.As United States Patent (USP) 6,166, shown in Fig. 7 of 527 and Fig. 8 A, by as shown in Figure 6 of this application, use two independent reference signals to come driving amplifier 505 and 506, perhaps use identical reference value and in feeding back to both signals, introduce deviation, may obtain identical effect.
[0054] above interpretation and disclosed various aspects of the present invention.In addition, content shown and that disclose only is a preferred embodiment, but it is just as mentioned above, should be appreciated that the present invention can use various other combinations, improve, and environment, and can in the inventive concept scope that this paper explained, change or improve, with above-mentioned instruction, and/or the skills or knowledge of association area coupling.
[0055] the foregoing description also can be used for explaining and becomes known for implementing best mode of the present invention, and make that those skilled in the art can be with the form utilization of above-mentioned or other embodiment, and carry out various improvement according to the requirement of concrete application of the present invention or purposes.
[0056] therefore, this specification does not attempt to limit the invention to the disclosed form of this paper.In addition, wish appended claims is understood to include optional embodiment.