JP6762032B2 - Power receiving device and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to redundancy of power supply in PoE (Power Over Ethernet®).

Recently, the number of LAN environments using PoE (Power over Ethernet (registered trademark)) power supply is rapidly increasing in offices and the like. PoE (registered trademark) is a technology that supplies not only data communication but also power via a LAN cable in Ethernet (registered trademark), and is a device installed mainly in a place where it is difficult to secure a power source (for example, Web). It is used to supply power to cameras, switching hubs, wireless LAN access points, etc.). Since power supply is essential for these devices, it is important to deal with power failure. Therefore, even if a power failure occurs, it is necessary to provide redundancy (duplication) to secure power from multiple routes so that the power supply is not interrupted, and to respond to unexpected situations due to the failure in the normal use route. (See Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2009-253307

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, two Ethernet (registered trademark) lines are used to supply power from the PoE (registered trademark) power supply side device to the power receiving side device, and one line has a power failure (power transfer). It is described that when a failure that cannot be performed) occurs, the power supply is interrupted by switching to the other line.

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a power failure occurs, the line is automatically switched, so that the user cannot know when the power failure occurred. Therefore, for example, if a power failure occurs in the other line before the network system administrator repairs the line with the power failure, the entire system may be affected. Specifically, it is conceivable that the data being communicated is lost, or the device connected to the power receiving side device is stopped.

Further, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can deal with a power failure on the power supply side, but does not mention a response when a power failure (particularly power reception) occurs on the power receiving side. ..

The present invention has been made to partially solve the above problems, and in a line using redundant PoE (registered trademark) power supply, a power failure occurrence is notified with a simple configuration, and the power receiving side. The purpose is to avoid a momentary interruption of power supply even if a power failure (especially power reception) occurs in the power supply.

In order to solve the above problems, the power receiving device according to one aspect of the present invention is connected to a plurality of paths that guide both power supply and data communication, and actually receives power supply from at least one path and performs data communication. It is a power receiving device that monitors the supply voltage in the power supply from the path being received, and stops receiving power from that path depending on whether the supply voltage is below a predetermined threshold. It includes a determination unit for determining, and a blocking unit for stopping response processing in data communication via the route when the determination unit determines to stop receiving power supply from the route.

According to this, the power receiving device can notify the occurrence of a power failure with a simple configuration in a line using redundant PoE power supply. It should be noted that the data communication includes communication using information such as headers and control commands.

Further, when the determination unit determines that the power supply from the path has stopped receiving power, the determination unit switches to the other path in which the supply voltage in the power supply is larger than the predetermined threshold value.

According to this, the power receiving device can avoid a momentary interruption of power supply even when a power failure (particularly power receiving) occurs in a normally used path on the power receiving side.

Further, the control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method that is connected to a plurality of paths that guide both power supply and data communication, and actually receives power supply from at least one path and performs data communication. , A power supply monitoring step that monitors the supply voltage in the power supply from the path being received, and a judgment step that determines whether the power supply from the path is stopped depending on whether the supply voltage is below a predetermined threshold. , When the determination unit determines to stop receiving power supply from the route, it includes a cutoff step of stopping the response processing in the data communication via the route.

According to this, the control method has the same effect as the power receiving device.

The power receiving device according to the present invention can identify the path where the failure has occurred by a simple mechanism in the dual system of the PoE power supply path, and notify the system administrator.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system including a power receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main hardware configuration of a power receiving circuit portion corresponding to the PoE standard of the power receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the power receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the power receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is another configuration diagram of a communication system including a power receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

Each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept of the present invention will be described as arbitrary components constituting the more preferable form. The same components may be designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system 100 including a power receiving device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a power receiving device 1, power feeding devices 2 and 3, a server PC (Personal Computer) 4, a communication terminal 10, and a peripheral device 11.

In the communication system 100, the server PC 4, the power supply device 2 and the power supply device 3 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 15, and the power supply device 2 and the power supply device 3 are further connected to the power reception device 1 by LAN 16 and LAN 17, respectively. Has been done. Here, LAN 16 and LAN 17 are PoE power supply paths. That is, the communication system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes two PoE power supply paths (paths that guide both power and data communication). One is a PoE power supply path (LAN16) that connects the power supply device 2 and the power reception device 1 (hereinafter referred to as a main path), and the other is a PoE power supply that connects the power supply device 3 and the power reception device 1. It is a route (LAN17) (hereinafter referred to as a sub-route). With this configuration, the power receiving device 1 has two paths for receiving power and performing data communication. Further, in the communication system 100, the power receiving device 1 is connected to the communication terminal 10 and the peripheral device 11 via a wireless communication link 19 and a wired cable 18, respectively.

As described above, in the communication system 100, by connecting the power supply device and the power receiving device using two different PoE power supply paths, a failure occurs in one path, so that power supply conforming to the PoE standard is performed. And even if data communication becomes impossible, it is a communication system that has been duplicated so that power supply and data communication conforming to the PoE standard from the other route can be performed.

In the communication system 100, in reality, power supply and data communication conforming to the PoE standard are performed on the main route, and when this main route cannot be used, the communication system 100 is switched to the sub route and continuously the PoE standard. Power supply and data communication are performed in accordance with. However, the communication system 100 according to the embodiment may always perform power supply and data communication conforming to the same PoE standard for the main route and the sub route. In such a communication system, the main route is normally performed. While in use, the power receiving device 1 may discard the power supply and data communication conforming to the PoE standard of the secondary path.

The power receiving device 1 is a wireless communication device having a wired interface and a wireless interface and corresponding to the PoE standard. For example, the power receiving device 1 is a wireless access point having at least two LAN ports compatible with the PoE standard, and further performs wireless communication with a communication terminal 10 via a wireless interface via a wireless communication link 19 and via a wired interface. allows peripherals 11 and a wired communication by a wired cable 18. Further, the power receiving device 1 may include only one type of interface, either a wired interface or a wireless interface. Here, the wired interface is specifically an interface conforming to the USB standard, the HDMI (registered trademark) standard, the IEEE 802.3 standard, and the like. Further, the wireless interface is specifically an interface conforming to the 802.11 standard.

The power supply device 2 includes at least one LAN port corresponding to the PoE standard. The power feeding device 2 is connected to the power receiving device 1 via LAN 16 and is also connected to the server PC 4 via LAN 15, and also acts as a relay device when the server PC 4 and the power receiving device 1 perform data communication with each other. Further, the power feeding device 2 is provided with a LAN port corresponding to the PoE standard, and can supply enough power to drive the power receiving device 1 through the LAN 16. The power supply device 2 is a hub device including at least one LAN port corresponding to the PoE standard.

The power feeding device 3 includes at least one LAN port corresponding to the PoE standard. The power feeding device 3 is connected to the power receiving device 1 by LAN 17, and is also connected to the server PC 4 via LAN 15, and also acts as a relay device when the server PC 4 and the power receiving device 1 perform data communication with each other. Further, the power feeding device 3 is provided with a LAN port corresponding to the PoE standard, and can supply enough power to drive the power receiving device 1 through the LAN 17. The power supply device 3 is a hub device including at least one LAN port corresponding to the PoE standard.

The server PC 4 is connected to the power feeding devices 2 and 3 via the LAN 15, and is further connected to the power receiving device 1 via the LANs 16 and 17. In this way, when the server PC 4 performs data communication between the power receiving device 1 and the communication terminal 10 or the peripheral device 11 further downstream thereof, the server PC 4 has a route for performing data communication via the LAN 15 and the LAN 16 and the LAN 15. Two routes for data communication via LAN 17 can be used. Specifically, the server PC 4 includes at least one wired LAN interface (for example, IEEE802.3 standard compliant).

The communication terminal 10 performs wireless communication with the power receiving device 1 by the wireless communication link 19. Specifically, the communication terminal 10 is a device including a wireless interface such as a smartphone or a tablet PC.

The peripheral device 11 performs wired communication with the power receiving device 1 by the wired cable 18. Specifically, the peripheral device 11 is a mouse, a keyboard, a monitor, or the like.

LAN15 is a communication network (local area network) conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard.

LAN16 and LAN17 are communication networks corresponding to the PoE standard (for example, conforming to the IEEE802.3af standard).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main hardware configuration of a power receiving circuit portion conforming to the PoE standard of the power receiving device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power receiving device 1 includes a first IF circuit 20, a first PoE_PD circuit 21, a first power supply monitoring circuit 22, a first PHY circuit 23, and a second IF circuit 30, a second PoE_PD circuit 31, and a second. A power supply monitoring circuit 32 and a second PHY circuit 33 are provided, and a control circuit 26 is further provided.

Further, although not shown, the power receiving device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device, a WNIC (Williless Network Interface Card), and a NIC (Wiress Network Information Card). It also has an internal bus that connects the components.

The power receiving device 1 can receive power supplied in accordance with the PoE standard from two paths (main path and sub path). Here, the power receiving circuit from the main path is composed of the first IF circuit 20, the first PoE_PD circuit 21, and the first power supply monitoring circuit 22. The power receiving circuit from the sub-path is composed of a second IF circuit 30, a second PoE_PD circuit 31, a second power supply monitoring circuit 32, and a second PHY circuit 33.

The first IF circuit 20 is an IEEE 802. It is a circuit provided with an RJ45 module connector compliant with the af standard, and enables communication compliant with the IEEE802.3 standard between the power feeding device 2 and the first PHY circuit 23. Further, the first IF circuit 20 includes a LAN port that receives electric power sufficient to drive the power receiving device 1 from the power feeding device 2 via the LAN 16.

The first PoE_PD circuit 21 is a circuit that receives electric power sufficient to drive the power receiving device 1 from the power feeding device 2 in the main path via the LAN 16. Specifically, the first PoE_PD circuit 21 is composed of a passive circuit for performing current control and the like, centering on an IC chip having a built-in DC / DC converter.

The first power supply monitoring circuit 22 monitors the output voltage when the first PoE_PD circuit 21 outputs. If the voltage output from the first PoE_PD circuit 21 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the first power supply monitoring circuit 22 determines to switch the connection from the main path to the sub path, and transmits a signal to that effect to the control circuit 26. To do. This determination can be made by the hardware of the first power supply monitoring circuit 22 or by software by the CPU provided in the power receiving device.

The first PHY circuit 23 is composed of a circuit including a LAN controller suitable for a communication standard (for example, 1000BASE-T) conforming to the IEEE802.3 standard. The first PHY circuit 23 performs communication processing with the control circuit 26 for data (including, for example, a header, a control command, etc.) transmitted / received from the power feeding device 2 via the LAN 16. Further, the first PHY circuit 23 suspends data communication based on the notification from the control circuit 26.

The control circuit 26 controls the main path and the sub path based on the signals from the first power supply monitoring circuit 22 and the second power supply monitoring circuit 32. Specifically, the connection is switched between the main path and the sub path based on the signals from the first power supply monitoring circuit 22 and the second power supply monitoring circuit 32. Further, the control circuit 26 transmits a signal to the first PHY circuit 23 and the second PHY circuit 33 to suspend data communication based on the signals from the first power supply monitoring circuit 22 and the second power supply monitoring circuit 32. To do.

The second IF circuit 30 is an IEEE 802. This circuit is provided with an RJ45 module connector compliant with the af standard, and communicates between the power feeding device 3 and the second PHY circuit 33 in accordance with the IEEE802.3 standard. Further, the second IF circuit 30 includes a LAN port that receives electric power sufficient to drive the power receiving device 1 from the power feeding device 3 via the LAN 17.

The second PoE_PD circuit 31 is a circuit that receives electric power sufficient to drive the power receiving device 1 from the power feeding device 3 in the sub-path via the LAN 17. Specifically, the second PoE_PD circuit 31 is composed of a passive circuit for performing current control and the like, centering on an IC chip having a built-in DC / DC converter.

The second power supply monitoring circuit 32 monitors the output voltage when the second PoE_PD circuit 31 outputs. If the voltage output from the second PoE_PD circuit 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the second power supply monitoring circuit 32 determines to switch the connection from the sub-path to the main path, and transmits a signal to that effect to the control circuit 26. To do. In addition to making this determination by the hardware of the first power supply monitoring circuit 32, this determination can also be made by software by the CPU provided in the power receiving device.

The second PHY circuit 33 is composed of a circuit including a LAN controller suitable for a communication standard (for example, 1000BASE-T) conforming to the IEEE802.3 standard. The second PHY circuit 33 performs communication processing with the control circuit 26 for data (including, for example, a header, a control command, etc.) transmitted / received from the power feeding device 3 via the LAN 17. Further, the second PHY circuit 33 suspends data communication based on the notification from the control circuit 26.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the power receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the power receiving device 1 includes a first power supply monitoring unit 301, a second power supply monitoring unit 302, a determination unit 303, a control unit 304, and a cutoff unit 305.

The first power supply monitoring unit 301 acquires the voltage output by the first PoE_PD circuit 21 based on the electric power received from the power supply device 2. The first power supply monitoring unit 301 is realized by the first PoE_PD circuit 21 and the first power supply monitoring circuit 22.

The second power supply monitoring unit 302 acquires the voltage output by the first PoE_PD circuit 21 based on the electric power received from the power supply device 2. The second power supply monitoring unit 302 is realized by the second PoE_PD circuit 31 and the second power supply monitoring circuit 32.

When the determination unit 303 receives power via the main path, it is based on the voltage value (voltage value output from the main path) of the power supply device 2 notified from the first power supply monitoring unit 301. It is determined whether or not it is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Further, when the determination unit 303 receives power via the sub-path, the determination unit 303 is based on the voltage value (voltage value output from the sub-path) of the power supply device 3 notified from the second power supply monitoring unit 302. Determine if it is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. When the power receiving voltage corresponding to the power receiving path becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the determination unit 303 determines whether or not to switch the power receiving path, and notifies the control unit 304 to that effect. As described above, the determination unit 303 may be realized by either hardware or software. The predetermined threshold value is the minimum voltage to be supplied to the power receiving device. Specifically, the predetermined threshold value is a voltage that can drive each circuit unit in the power receiving device. For example, when each circuit unit in the power receiving device is configured to be driven by 5V, it is set with a value (5.5V to 4.5V, etc.) in consideration of an acceptable fluctuation value, and in this case, the threshold value is 4.5V. is there. The determination unit 303 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, a control circuit 26, and the like.

The control unit 304 controls data communication between the power supply device 2 and the communication terminal 10 and the peripheral device 11. Further, the control unit 304 notifies the cutoff unit 305 that the voltage generated from the main path to the sub path has been switched to the first PHY circuit 23 based on the notification of the determination unit 303. The control unit 304 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, a control circuit 26, and the like.

Based on the notification from the control unit 304, the cutoff unit 305 notifies the first PHY circuit 23 to stop the data communication (response) for a certain period of time. The blocking unit 305 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the power receiving device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an operation in which a failure occurs when the power receiving device receives power via the main route and the route is switched to the sub route.

In step S41, the determination unit 303 has a voltage equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value based on the notification of the voltage value (voltage value output from the main path) received from the power supply device 2 from the first power supply monitoring unit 301. Judge whether or not. When the voltage is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the determination unit 303 transitions to step S42 (Yes in step S41). On the other hand, if the voltage is not equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, step S41 is repeated (No in step S41).

In step S42, the determination unit 303 has a voltage larger than a predetermined threshold value based on the notification of the voltage value (voltage value output from the sub-path) received from the power supply device 3 from the second power supply monitoring unit 302. Determine if it exists. When the voltage is larger than a predetermined threshold value, the determination unit 303 stops receiving power from the main path, determines that the power receiving path is switched from the main path to the sub path, and notifies the control unit 304 to that effect. The transition to step S43 (Yes in step S42). On the other hand, if the voltage is not equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the process ends (No in step S42).

In step S43, the control unit 304 receives the notification of switching the power receiving route from the determination unit 303, notifies the first power supply monitoring unit 301 to stop receiving power on the main route, and notifies the second power supply monitoring unit 301. Notify 302 that power will be received via the secondary route. According to this notification, the control circuit 26 switches the path of the voltage required for driving each circuit of the power receiving device from the voltage generated by the main path to the voltage generated by the sub path. Further, the control unit 304 notifies the cutoff unit 305 that the voltage generated from the main path to the sub path has been switched to be used.

At step S44, the blocking unit 305, based on the notification of step S4 3, fixed time data communication to the 1PHY circuit 23 notifies to stop. The first PHY circuit 23 stops data communication for a certain period of time based on the notification. As shown below, this stoppage of data communication is for notifying the upstream power supply device and the server PC of the switching of the main route by not returning a response.

Since there is no response from the power receiving device 1 in step S44, the power feeding device 2 determines that the data communication with the power receiving device 1 via the main path is cut off. This situation becomes known to the server PC 4 via the LAN 15. Then, in the server PC 4, a failure occurs in any one of the first IF circuit 20, the first PoE_PD circuit 21, the first power supply monitoring circuit 22, and the first PHY circuit 23 that constitute a circuit that receives power from the main path of the power receiving device 1. It is possible to make the system administrator or the user (system administrator, etc.) aware of the fact.

After that, when the determination unit 304 starts receiving power by the sub route instead of the main route, the second PHY circuit 33 starts the operation in place of the first PHY circuit 23 for data communication, so that the second PHY circuit 33 starts operating via the sub route thereafter. Data communication becomes possible (step S46).

(Modified Example of Embodiment of the Present Invention)
The communication system 100 including the power receiving device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described with the example of including one server PC, but the present invention includes two or more server PCs and communicates the same data. Therefore, it can be applied to the communication system 101 (see FIG. 5) having a backup function for preparing for an unexpected situation by setting the same data to be recorded in each of the two or more server PCs. The same components and the same reference numerals described in the embodiments of the present invention may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the communication system 101 includes a power receiving device 1, power feeding devices 2 and 3, servers PCs 4 and 5, a communication terminal 10, and a peripheral device 11.

In the communication system 101, the server PC 4 communicates with the power feeding device 2 and the server PC 5 communicates with the power feeding device 3 via the LAN 15. Further, as in the communication system 100 of FIG. 1, the power feeding device 2 and the power receiving device 1 are connected by the PoE power feeding path LAN 16, and the power feeding device 3 and the power receiving device 1 are connected by the PoE power feeding path LAN 17. Further, the power receiving device 1 is connected to the communication terminal 10 and the peripheral device 11 via a wired cable 18 and a wireless communication link 19, respectively.

Here, if the present invention is applied to the communication system 101, the route from the server PC 4 to the power receiving device 1 can be considered as the main route, and the route from the server PC 5 to the power receiving device 1 can be considered as the sub route. In this case, the data signal flows through both the main path and the sub-path. This is to allow the servers PCs 4 and 5 to process data independently. On the other hand, only the main route is sufficient for the power supply.

In this way, even in the case of the communication system 101, power supply and data communication conforming to the PoE standard are normally performed on the main route, but if this main route cannot be used, the sub route is used. It is switched and power supply and data communication conforming to the PoE standard are continuously performed. Further, when the main route is switched to the sub route, the communication response through the main route is stopped, and the system administrator or the like can recognize the failure of the main route.

Further, in the communication system 101, since the two server PCs communicate the same data using different routes (main route and sub route), even if any one of the server PCs fails, the backup is backed up. Since the other server PC that has been operating for the purpose is operating, the communication system 101 has an effect that it can be continuously operated.

(Summary)
In the conventional dual system of power supply and data communication by PoE power reception, even if a power failure (failure that cannot transfer power) occurs in one line while power is being supplied from the power supply device to the power receiving device by PoE, even if a power failure occurs. The power supply route was secured by the system automatically (autonomously) switching to the other route appropriately. However, in the system, when a power failure occurs, the line is automatically switched, so it is not possible to know when the power failure occurred, and the system administrator etc. can continue the system without noticing the failure. As a result of using the system, if a new power failure occurs on the other route, the entire system will be affected. Also in the conventional system, the system administrator or the like can confirm the failure notification via the server PC, when a failure until the feeding device connected has occurred, although it can be confirmed easily disorders, feeding device If a failure occurs in the power receiving device connected to, the failure cannot be known unless the power receiving device notifies that the failure has occurred.

In response to such a problem, the present invention described above causes a power failure by a simple method of stopping the response, in particular, when a failure occurs in a normally used PoE power receiving circuit portion in the power receiving device. feeding device is recognized, the notification based on the feed device or the server PC located upstream can detect that some failure occurs in the route being normal use of the power receiving device, for example, connected to that effect It is possible to notify the terminal used by the system administrator or the like. In this way, the system administrator or the like can recognize the failure in the power receiving device of the power supply and data communication duplex system due to PoE power reception at an early stage, and can perform maintenance, which contributes to the improvement of system reliability.

In a redundant system of power supply and data communication by PoE power reception, it is useful for notifying a system administrator or the like of a failure of a PoE circuit portion on a main path at an early stage.

1 Power receiving device 2, 3 Power supply device 4, 5 Server PC
10 Communication terminal 11 Peripheral devices 15, 16, 17 LAN
18 Wired cable 19 Wireless communication link 100, 101 Communication system 20 1st IF circuit 21 1st PoE_PD circuit 22 1st power supply monitoring circuit 23 1st PHY circuit 26 Control circuit 30 2nd IF circuit 31 2nd PoE_PD circuit 32 2nd power supply monitoring circuit 33 2nd PHY circuit 301 1st power supply monitoring unit 302 2nd power supply monitoring unit 303 Judgment unit 304 Control unit 305 Blocking unit

Claims (3)

A power receiving device that is connected to a plurality of paths that guide both power supply and data communication, and actually receives power from at least one path and performs data communication.
A power supply monitoring unit that monitors the supply voltage in the power supply from the path, a determination unit that determines whether or not the supply voltage falls below a predetermined threshold, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the power supply from the path is stopped.
A power receiving device including a blocking unit that stops response processing in data communication via the path when the determination unit determines to stop receiving power supply from the path.
The power receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the power supply from the path has stopped receiving power, the determination unit switches to a path in which the supply voltage in the power supply is larger than the predetermined threshold value among other paths. apparatus.
It is a control method that is connected to a plurality of paths that guide both power supply and data communication, and actually receives power supply from at least one path and performs data communication.
A power supply monitoring step for monitoring the supply voltage in the power supply from the path, a determination step for determining whether to stop receiving the power supply from the path according to whether or not the supply voltage falls below a predetermined threshold value, and
A control method including a cutoff step of stopping response processing in data communication via the path when the determination unit determines to stop receiving power supply from the path.