US20140183976A1 - Method and System for a Connection System Operable to Sink and Source Supply Power - Google Patents

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for a connection system operable to sink and source supply power are provided. In this regard, one or more circuits within a connector that resides in a networking enabled device may be operable to determine whether the networking enabled device is to operate as a powered device or as a power supplying device. Based on a result of the determination, the one or more circuits may be operable to couple power pins of the connector to either a first power rail of the networking enabled device or a second power rail of the networking enabled device. The determination of whether the networking enabled device is to operate as a powered device or as a power supplying device may be based on a voltage on a sense pin of the connector and/or based on mechanical characteristics of the connector.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/828,484, filed Jul. 1, 2010, now allowed, and this patent application makes reference to:
• U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/309,686 filed on Mar. 2, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/752,065 filed on Mar. 31, 2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/298,076 filed on Jan. 25, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/702,173 filed on Feb. 8, 2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/321,333 filed on Apr. 6, 2010; U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/785,102 filed on May 21, 2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/298,082 filed on Jan. 25, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/701,381 filed on Feb. 5, 2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/307,246 filed on Feb. 23, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/731,908 filed on Mar. 25, 2010; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/309,603 filed on Mar. 2, 2010; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/731,933 filed on Mar. 25, 2010; all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
• Certain embodiments of the invention relate to electronic devices. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for a connection system operable to sink and source supply power.
BACKGROUND
• Communication devices may incorporate a plurality of features, for example, a mobile phone, a digital camera, an Internet browser, a gaming device, a Bluetooth headphone interface and/or a location device. In this regard, the communication devices may be operable to communicate via a plurality of wire-line and/or wireless networks such as local area networks, wide area networks, wireless local area networks, cellular networks and wireless personal area networks, for example. In this regard, endpoint devices may communicate via various wireless and/or wire-line switches, routers, hubs, access points and/or base stations.
• Many communication devices may communicate via twisted pair cables which may comprise pairs of copper wire that are twisted together. Various numbers of twists or turns in the wire pairs may enable mitigation of common mode electromagnetic interference. Twisted pair cabling may be shielded and/or unshielded. Shielding may comprise a conductive material that may enable grounding of the cable. A grounding wire may be also be utilized for grounding twisted pair cabling. The shielding may enclose a single pair of twisted wires and/or may enclose a plurality of pairs. The shielding may comprise foil and/or a braided sheath, for example. In this regard, the shielding may mitigate cross talk between twisted pairs and/or between a plurality of cables.
• Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY
• A system and/or method is provided for a connection system operable to sink and source supply power, substantially as illustrated by and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
• These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network device comprising a connector via which supply power may be sourced and sinked, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating connectors which comprise electrical characteristics to indicate whether power is to be sourced or sinked, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating connectors which comprise electro-mechanical characteristics to indicate whether power is to be sourced or sinked, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary connector that is configurable to source and sink supply power, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a power subsystem operable to interface with one or more connectors configurable to source and sink supply power, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network device comprising a plurality of connectors via which supply power may be sourced and sinked, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams that illustrate exemplary configurations of a networking enabled device which comprises a plurality of connectors, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary connector configurable to source and sink supply power and which may be ganged to other connectors such that supply power may be sourced or sinked via the other connectors, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 6A-6C are block diagrams that illustrate exemplary configurations of a networking enabledsystem102 comprising a plurality of the connectors502.
• FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for sourcing and/or sinking supply power via a configurable connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Certain embodiments of the invention may be found m a method and system for a connection system operable to sink and source supply power. In various embodiments of the invention, one or more circuits within a connector that resides in a networking enabled device may be operable to determine whether the networking enabled device is to operate as a powered device or as a power supplying device. Based on a result of the determination, the one or more circuits may be operable to couple power pins of the connector to either a first power rail of the networking enabled device or a second power rail of the networking enabled device. The determination of whether the networking enabled device is to operate as a powered device or as a power supplying device may be based on a voltage on a sense pin of the connector. The determination of whether the networking enabled device is to operate as a powered device or as a power supplying device may be based on mechanical characteristics of the connector. The connector may comprise one or more first interfaces that enable electrically coupling the connector to the cable, one or more second interfaces that enable electrically coupling the connector to the networking enabled device, and one or more third interfaces that enable electrically coupling the connector to another connector that is mounted on or within the device. The one or more circuits may be positioned so that they may reside on the connector. In this regard, the one or more circuits are part of the connector and are not part of an external device.
• The networking enabled device may comprise a plurality of the connectors and each one of the connectors may be configured independent of a configuration of remaining ones of the connectors. The networking enabled device may be operable to receive power via a plurality of the connectors concurrently. The networking enabled device may be operable to sink power via one or more of the plurality of connectors while concurrently sourcing power via one or more of the plurality of connectors. The networking enabled device may be operable to communicate in adherence with Ethernet protocols via the connector. The networking enabled device may be operable to determine a power available via the connector. The networking enabled device may comprise a battery that may be charged utilizing supply power received via the connector.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network device comprising a connector via which supply power may be sourced and sinked, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A device that sources supply power may output supply power to other devices. A device that sinks supply power may receive power from another device. Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a networking enableddevice102 and aconnection system134. The networking enableddevice102 may comprise ahost subsystem104, anetworking subsystem106, and aconnector110. Theconnection system134 may comprise theconnector110, acable133, and another connector (not shown) or termination on a link partner (not shown). Thecable133 may comprise theconnector120, one or more conductors126, and one or more connectors or other terminations (not shown) on the opposite end of thecable133. Notwithstanding, a cable need not be limited to such an embodiment. For example, a cable may be as simple as a single conductor, such as a copper wire.
• The term “connector” is used generically herein to encompass both receptacles and plugs. In this regard, whether a connector is a receptacle that accepts a plug or whether a connector is a plug that inserts into a receptacle may be implementation dependent and unimportant in various embodiments of the invention. Also, as used herein, “supply power” is distinguished from “signal power,” where the former refers to power from which an electronic device operates and the latter is power delivered as part of a signaling operation.
• The networking enableddevice102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to perform computing and/or networking functions. An exemplary networking enableddevice102 may comprise a router, a switch, a patch panel, a laptop, a portable phone, a media player, a location device, a television, a set-top-box, a camera and/or a gaming device. The networking enableddevice102 may be operable to communicate via theconnection system134 based on a plurality of different standardized and/or non-standardized communication protocols and/or communication technologies, for example, based on various Ethernet protocols.
• Thehost subsystem104 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to perform computations and/or execute instructions in the networking enableddevice102. For example thehost subsystem104 may comprise one or more state machines and/or may run an operating system. Thehost subsystem104 may perform computations and/or execute instructions to generate messages for transmission via thenetworking subsystem106. Thehost subsystem104 may perform computations and/or execute instructions to process messages received via thenetworking subsystem106. Thehost subsystem104 may interface with thenetworking subsystem106 via adata bus105 which may be, for example, a PCI-X bus.
• Thenetworking subsystem106 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to handle functionality ofOSI layer 1 and higher OSI layers in the networking enableddevice102, respectively. Thenetworking subsystem106 may be operable to implement switching, routing, and/or network interface card (NIC) functions. Thenetworking subsystem106 may be operable to implement Ethernet protocols, such as those based on the IEEE 802.3 standard, for example, but is not limited in this regard. Thenetworking subsystem106 may comprise, for example, a media access control (MAC) controller and an Ethernet enabled PHY.
• Thepower subsystem108 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable receive, generate, condition, and/or otherwise process supply power. Thepower subsystem108 may output supply power to thehost subsystem104 via one ormore power rails109a, to thenetworking subsystem106 via one ormore power rails109b, and to theconnector110 via one ormore power rails109c. Thepower subsystem108 may be operable to receive supply power from theconnector110 via thepower rail109d. Supply power supplied by thepower subsystem108 to another device, via theconnector110, may be sourced from thelocal power source116. Thelocal power source116 may comprise, for example, a battery or a connection to a power outlet. In instances that thelocal power source116 is a battery, thepower subsystem108 may be operable charge the battery with supply power drawn from a remote device via theconnector110.
• Thepower subsystem108 may be configured utilizing one or more parameters. Exemplary configurable parameters for thepower subsystem108 comprise one or more resistances, capacitances, and/or inductances; a switching frequency of a DC-DC converter in thepower subsystem108; an output current and/or a voltage of one or more of the power rails109a,109b, and/or109c, and a current drawn via the power rails109dand/or109e. In various embodiments of the invention, thepower subsystem108 may be operable to measure supply power provided and/or drawn and such measurements may be utilized to manage the supply power.
• Theconnection system134 may be operable to support communication based on a plurality of standardized and/or non-standardized communication protocols and/or technologies. Theconnector110 may be operable to couple to cables comprising various features. For example, cables of various lengths, cables with or without shielding132, and/or cables comprising various categories of cabling, such as cat3,5,5e,6,6a,7, or ?a, may be coupled to theconnector110. Moreover, various components of theconnection system134 may comply with one or more structured cabling standards, for example, ISO/IEC and/or TIA standards. When theconnector120 is coupled to theconnector110, the networking enableddevice102 may be operable to determine characteristics of theconnection system134, including, but not limited to, whether shielding132 is present. In this regard, one or more of theconnector120, thenetwork subsystem106, and/or thehost subsystem104 may, autonomously or cooperatively, determine the characteristics of theconnector120, theconnector110, the conductor(s)126, and/or shielding132. The characteristics of theconnection system134 may be utilized to determine a data rate at which to communicate via theconnection system134 and/or determine how to allocate or otherwise manage supply power provided via theconnection system134.
• Theconnection system134 may comply with standardized and/or non-standard specifications. For example, theconnector110 and theconnector120 may be compatible with Ethernet standards. Also, theconnector110 may be small enough to fit into a handheld device and/or small enough to enable greater than 48 receptacles and/or plugs to fit into a one-rack-unit face plate of a 19-rack rack. Furthermore, in various embodiments of the invention, theconnection system134 may comprise a plurality of connectors such as theconnector110 that may be coupled or “ganged” together.
• Theconnector110 may comprise aninternal interface114 comprising one or more contacts or pins via which theconnector110 may be electrically coupled to thelocal device102. Theconnector110 may comprise anexternal interface118 comprising one or more contacts or pins via which theconnector110 may be electrically coupled to thecable133. Theconnector110 may comprise amodule112 that may be operable to configure theconnector110 based on whether thedevice102 sources or sinks supply power via theconnector110. Although not shown for simplicity of illustration, theconnector110 may also comprise magnetics, a non-volatile memory (NVM), one or more light emitting diodes (LEOs), and/or a physical layer transceiver (PHY). In this regard, theconnector110 may be of a modular design and whether various elements are populated in it may depend on, for example, whether thenetworking device102 will only source supply power via theconnector110 or will only sink supply power via theconnector110. In this manner, by populating or not populating various elements within and/or on theconnector110, different variants of theconnector110 may be manufactured for different use cases.
• Theconnector110 may be coupled to theconnector120 for communication of data and/or delivery of supply power over thecable133. For example, theconnector120 may be inserted into theconnector110 and may be held in place via either friction retention and/or via a positive retention mechanism such as a latch or screw. Theconnector110 may be configurable or may be dedicated for a specific function. For example, theconnector110 may be a service port that may enable management of thecommunication device102. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, theconnector110 may be utilized for data communication. Furthermore, theconnector110 may be configurable for wireless communication, for example, theconnector110 may function as an antenna port. Theconnector110 may be multifunctional where a plurality of types of communication may operate concurrently. In various embodiments of the invention, the connector may be keyed or comprise some other mechanical means for ensuring theconnector120 is inserted correctly, to ensure that only compatible connectors may be inserted into theconnector110, and/or to identify whether an attached devices sources or sinks supply power.
• In various embodiments of the invention, the networking enableddevice102 may be operable to implement one or more energy efficient networking techniques, which may be referred to as energy efficient networking (EEN) or, in the specific case of Ethernet, energy efficient Ethernet (EEE). For example, the networking enableddevice102 may be operable to support low power idle (LPI) and/or sub-rating, also referred to as subset PHY, techniques. Low power idle may generally refer a family of techniques where, instead of transmitting conventional IDLE symbols during periods of inactivity, devices may remain silent and/or communicate signals other than conventional IDLE symbols. Sub-rating, or sub-set PHY, may generally refer to a family of techniques where the PHYs are reconfigurable, in real-time or near real-time, to communicate at different data rates.
• Utilizing one or more EEN techniques such as sub-rating and LPI, the networking enableddevice102 may be configured to operate in various modes of operation, where power consumption of the networking enableddevice102 may vary based on the mode of operation. In this regard, an EEN control policy may determine how to configure and/or reconfigure various portions of the networking enableddevice102 to optimize the tradeoff between energy consumption and performance. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thedevice102 may be configured based on whether and/or how much supply power is being received or supplied via theconnector110, and an amount of supply power available from thelocal power source116. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a lower power configuration may be selected in instances that thelocal power source116 is a battery versus instances that thelocal power source116 is a connection to a power outlet. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a lower power configuration may be selected in instances that the supply power is being received via theconnector110 versus instances that supply power is being supplied to another device via theconnector110.
• Configuring the mode of operation of thedevice102 may comprise variety of decisions. For LPI, for example, the EEN control policy may determine what variant of LPI to utilize, when to go into an LPI mode, and when to come out of an LPI mode. For subset PHY, for example, the EEN control policy may determine how to achieve a desired data rate and when to transition between data rates. The energy efficient techniques and/or the EEN control policy may be implemented via logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be implemented in thehost subsystem104, thenetworking subsystem106, thepower subsystem108, or a combination thereof.
• Theconnector120 may be coupled to theconnector110 and/or theoptional shield132. Upon mating of theconnector120 to theconnector110, pins of theinterface118 may be in conductive contact with pins of theinterface130.
• The conductor(s)126 may comprise, for example, aluminum or copper wire and may form one or more twisted pairs. In various embodiments of the invention, some of the conductors126 may carry data and some may carry supply power. Characteristics of thecable133, such as number of twisted pairs within thecable133, number of conductors126 that carry supply power, presence of shielding132, length of thecable133, and/or wire gauge used for the conductors126 may determine which protocols and/or which data rates may be supported by thecable133. Theoptional shield132 may comprise, for example, foil and/or a braided sheath around and/or along a length of one or more twisted pairs. For example, one or more individual twisted pairs may be shielded via one or morecorresponding shields132, and/or a plurality of twisted pairs may be encased in asingle shield132. Theoptional shield132 may be grounded by the networking enableddevice102 via theconnector110, for example.
• In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, themodule112 may be configured based on, for example, the presence of one or more pins, a voltage on one or more pins, and/or mechanical characteristics of theconnector120 that is mated with theconnector110. The type of pins may refer to the function of the pins. For example, in some instances theconnector110 and/or theconnector120 may comprise sense pins or other pins that indicate a configuration of theconnector110 and/or theconnector120. Also, a first set of electrical and/or mechanical features on aconnector120 may indicate that supply power is to be sourced by thedevice102 and a second set of electrical or mechanical features on aconnector120 may indicate that power is to be sinked by thedevice102. In this regard,FIG. 18 illustrates a an exemplary embodiment of the invention in whichconnector120A comprises aconductor150 which ties the sense pin to V+ to indicate that power is to be sourced, and a connector1208 comprises aconductor152 which ties the sense pin to V− to indicate that power is to be sinked. In another embodiment of the invention, shown inFIG. 1C, theconnector110 comprisescontacts160A and1608, which, when shorted together, may indicate power is to be sourced and when not electrically shorted may indicate power is to be sinked. Accordingly, theconnector120 may comprise a knock-out162 which may electrically short thecontacts160A and1608 when present and may leave thecontacts160A and1608 open circuited when absent. Accordingly, theconnector120A may indicate power is to be sourced and the connector1208 may indicate that power is to be sinked.
• In instances that the networking enableddevice102 provides supply power via theconnector110, thepower subsystem108 may be operable to condition, regulate, and/or otherwise manage or control supply power available via theconnector110. In this regard, supply power available from thepower subsystem108 may be conditioned, regulated, or otherwise managed or controlled based on various indications and/or conditions. In some embodiments of the invention, a value of a sense resistor in a link partner may be detected to determine how to control condition, regulate, and/or otherwise manage or control supply power available and/or provided via theconnector110. In some embodiments of the invention, power classification techniques similar to or the same as those being developed by the IEEE 802.3at task force—2-Event classification and/or Layer 2 Classification, for example—may be utilized to determine how to control condition, regulate, and/or otherwise manage or control supply power available and/or provided via theconnector110. In some embodiments of the invention, characteristics of theconnection system134 may be utilized to determine how to condition, regulate, or otherwise manage or control supply power available and/or provided via theconnector110. For example, the number of twisted pairs in thecable133, the presence of the shielding132, and/or the length of thecable133 may determine how much current may be delivered via theconnector110. Characteristics of theconnection system134 may, in some instances, be determined utilizing time domain reflectometry and/or other techniques. Additionally or alternatively, the determination of how to condition, regulate, and/or otherwise manage or control the supply power available and/or provided via theconnector110 may be based on an energy management policy implemented in the networking enableddevice102.
• In instances that the networking enableddevice102 operates as a powered device (PO), logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code of thepower subsystem108 may be operable to draw supply power from a link partner via theconnector110. In this manner, at least a portion of the networking enableddevice102 may operate using supply power drawn via theconnector110. In some embodiments of the invention, thepower subsystem108 may be enabled to indicate a supply power desired and/or required via a variable sense resistor. In some embodiments of the invention, power classification techniques similar to or the same as those being developed by the IEEE 802.3at task force—2-Event classification and/or Layer 2 Classification, for example—may be utilized to indicate supply power desired and/or required. In some embodiments of the invention, characteristics of theconnection system134 may be utilized to determine how much supply power is desired and/or required. Also, in instances that the networking enabled device102bis operating as a powered device, thepower subsystem108 may be operable to condition, regulate, or otherwise manage or control supply power drawn via theconnector110.
• In various embodiments of the invention, thepower subsystem108 may be configured based on the EEN control policy. In this regard, the supply power available and/or drawn via theconnector110 may determine a mode of operation of the networking enableddevice102. For example, in instances that less supply power is available via theconnector110, the networking enableddevice102 may be configured to operate in a low power mode. Additionally or alternatively, a mode of operation of the networking enableddevice102 may determine supply power drawn and/or supplied via theconnector110. For example, in instances that the networking enableddevice102 is configured to operate in a low power mode, thepower subsystem108 may be configured to draw less supply power from a link partner that is operating as power supplying equipment.
• FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary connector that is configurable to source and sink supply power, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2A, there is shown aconnector110 comprising theinterface114, theinterface118, and themodule112.
• Theinterface114 may comprise a plurality of pins or contacts for coupling to a local system on and/or within which theconnector110 is mounted. In this regard, theinterface114 may be an internal interface of thedevice102. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, theinterface202 may comprise eight data pins2081-2088 for interfacing with traces of thedevice102 that carry data signals, and may comprise four power pins2141-2144 for interfacing with thepower rail109cand thepower rail109d.
• Theinterface118 may comprise a plurality of pins or contacts for coupling to thecable133. In this regard, theinterface118 may be an external interface of thedevice102. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, theinterface118 may comprise eight data pins2101-210sfor interfacing with four twisted pairs, two power pins2121-2122 for interfacing with conductors126 in thecable133 that carry power, and onesense pin216 which may enable detection of whether power is to be sinked or sourced by thedevice102 on and/or within which theconnector110 resides.
• Themodule112 may comprise a plurality ofdiodes204 and aswitching element206. Thediodes204 may ensure that there is not a conflict on one or more power rails. For example, thediodes204 may protect against supply current from one power source being fed back into an output of another power source. The switchingelement206 may be configured based on the voltage on thesense pin216.
• In operation, in instances that thedevice102 is to source supply power over thecable133, thecable133 may, for example, tie thesense pin216 to ground. As a result, the switchingelement206 may couple the pins2141 to thepin2121 and the pin2142 to thepin2122. Conversely, in instances that thedevice102 is to sink supply power from link partner on the other end of thecable133, thecable133 may, for example, tie thesense pin216 to a positive voltage. As a result, the switchingelement206 may couple the pins2143 to thepin2121 and the pin2144 to thepin2122.
• FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a power subsystem operable to interface with one or more connectors configurable to source and sink supply power, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2B thepower subsystem108 comprises a power-outmodule254, a power-inmodule256, acharger258, and aswitching element260.
• The power-inmodule256 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to receive supply power from theconnector110 via thepower rail109dand/or from thelocal power source116 via thepower rail109e. The power-inmodule256 may be operable to regulate, filter, and/or otherwise condition voltage and/or current input via thepower rail109dand/or thepower rail109e. Also, the power-inmodule256 may be operable to detect a voltage on thepower rail109dand/or measure supply power available via thepower rail109dThe power-inmodule254 may also be operable to indicate, to a link partner, an amount of supply power desired and/or needed for operation of thedevice102.
• The power-outmodule254 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to output supply power on the power rails109a,109b, and109c. The power-outmodule254 may be operable filter, regulate, and/or otherwise condition voltage and/or current output via the power rails190a,109b, and109c.
• Thecharger258 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to regulate, filter, and/or otherwise condition supply power from the power-outmodule254 to charge thebattery116 via thepower rail109e. In this regard, supply power received from a link partner via theconnector110 may be utilized to charge the battery.
• The switchingelement260 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configurable such that thepower rail109emay be coupled to the power-inmodule256 in a first configuration, coupled to thecharger258 in a second configuration, and disconnected from thepower subsystem108 in a third configuration.
• In operation, in instances that thedevice102 receives supply power via theconnector110, the received supply power may be conditioned by the power-inmodule256 and conveyed to the power-outmodule256. The power-outmodule254 may regulate and/or otherwise condition the supply power from the power-inmodule256 and output the conditioned supply power to thehost subsystem104 via thepower rail109aand to thenetworking subsystem106 via thepower rail109b. In instances that thedevice102 is operating as a powered device, thepower rail109cmay be placed in a high-impedance mode.
• In instances that more supply power than is necessary for operation of thedevice102 is received via theconnector110, the excess supply power may be utilized to charge thebattery116. In this regard, theswitch260 may be configured to couple thecharger258 to thepower rail109e. In instances that less supply power than is necessary for operation of thedevice102 to is received via thepower rail102d, additional supply power may be drawn from thelocal power source116. In this regard, theswitch260 may be configured to couple the power-in module to thepower rail109eand the power-inmodule256 may be operable to combine the supply power from multiple sources.
• In instances when thedevice102 supplies power to a remote device to which it is coupled via theconnector110, supply power from thepower rail109emay be conditioned by the power-inmodule256 and conveyed to the power-outmodule256. The power-outmodule254 may be operable to regulate and/or otherwise condition the supply power from the power-inmodule256 and output the conditioned supply power to thehost subsystem104 via thepower rail109a, to thenetworking subsystem106 via thepower rail109b, and to theconnector110 via thepower rail109d.
• In some instances thelocal power source116 may be insufficient to power both thedevice102 and the remote device coupled via theconnector110. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the invention, thelocal device102 may be configured into a low-power mode such that sufficient supply power for the remote device may be provided via theconnector110. For example, portions of thehost subsystem104 and/or thenetworking subsystem106 may be powered down.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network device comprising a plurality of connectors via which supply power may be sourced and sinked, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3, the networking enableddevice302 may be similar to the networking enableddevice102, which is described with respect toFIG. 1 but may comprise threeconnectors110, as opposed to just one. Thepower subsystem108 and thelocal power source116 may be as described with respect toFIGS. 1,2A, and28.
• In operation, each of the connectors1101-1103 may be configured for sourcing or sinking supply power independently of the configuration of the other ones of the connectors1101-1103. As a result, any combination of sourcing and sinking supply power via one or more of the connectors1101-1103 may be achieved. In this regard,FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary configuration in which supply power is sunk concurrently via each of the connectors1101-1103.FIG. 48 illustrates an exemplary configuration in which supply power is concurrently sourced via each of the connectors1101-1103.FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary configuration in which supply power is concurrently sinked via connectors11Oz and1103 and sourced viaconnector1101.
• In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in a configuration such as the one inFIG. 4C, where one or more of the connectors1101-1103 sink power and one or more of the connectors1101-1103 source supply power, various aspects of the invention may enable a pass-through mode where thepower subsystem108 couples the one or more connectors that sink power to the one or more connectors that source power. Such a pass-through mode may enable powering down most of the networking enableddevice102 while still enabling thedevice102 to source supply power to one or more link partners.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary connector configurable to source and sink supply power and which may be ganged to other connectors such that supply power may be sourced or sinked via the other connectors, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 5 there is shown aconnector502A similar to theconnectors110 described with respect toFIGS. 1-4C, but additionally comprisinginterfaces504 and506. Theinterfaces504 and506 may each enable coupling theconnector502A toconnectors5028 and502C. In this manner, supply power from thepower rail109cmay be routed to theconnectors5028 and502C via theinterfaces504 and506, and supply power received from link partners by theconnectors5028 and502C may be routed to thepower rail109dvia theinterfaces504 and506. In this regard, the connector502 may be modular in that additional connectors502 may be added or removed to thedevice102 in which thedevice502A resides, with little or no changes and/or reconfiguration of thenetworking subsystem106 and/orhost subsystem104.
• One advantage of coupling connectors502 together in this way is that board real estate beneath the connectors may not be needed for traces that run to the connectors and may thus be used for routing other traces. In combination with the integration of components such as magnetics and a PHY, such a modularized connector system may free up a large amount of board real-estate near where the connectors are mounted.
• FIGS. 6A-6C are block diagrams that illustrate exemplary configurations of a networking enabledsystem102 comprising a plurality of the connectors502. InFIG. 6A, supply power is sunk via theconnectors5021 and5023 and concurrently sourced via theconnector5022. InFIG. 68, supply power is concurrently sinked via each of the connectors5021-5023. InFIG. 6C, supply power is concurrently sourced via each of the connectors1101-1103.
• In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in a configuration such as the one inFIG. 4C, where one or more of the connectors1101-1103 sink supply power and one or more of the connectors1101-1103 source supply power, aspects of the invention may enable a pass-through mode where thepower subsystem108 couples the one or more connectors that sink supply power to the one or more connectors that source supply power. Such a pass-through mode may enable powering down most of the networking enableddevice102 while still enabling thedevice102 to source supply power to one or more link partners.
• FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for sourcing and/or sinking supply power via a configurable connector, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 7, the exemplary steps begin withstep702 when a link partner is attached to thedevice102 via aconnector110. Instep706, whether the attached device sources or sinks supply power may be determined and theconnector110 or502 may be configured accordingly. For example, one or more mechanical features and/or a voltage on a sense pin may configure theswitching element206. In instances that the attached device is operable to sink supply power, the exemplary steps may advance to step716 in which thedevice102 may determine how much supply power it can provide to the attached device and/or how much supply power the attached device requires. Instep718, thenetwork device102 may output the determined amount of supply power to the attached device via theconnector110.
• Returning to step706, in instances that the attached device is a power source, the exemplary steps may advance to step708. Instep708, thedevice102 may determine how much power is available from the attached device. This may be determined, for example, via communications with the attached device and/or by measuring a voltage drop over a change in load presented by thepower subsystem108. Instep710, in instances that the attached device cannot provide enough power for operation of thenetwork device102, then the exemplary steps may advance to step720 and thedevice102 may draw additional power from thebattery116.
• Returning to step710, in instances that the attached device provides more power than is required for operation of thedevice102, then the exemplary steps may advance to step722 and the excess or additional power available from the attached device may be utilized to charge thebattery116.
• Various aspects of a method and system for a connection system operable to sink and source supply power are provided. In this regard, one ormore circuits112 within and/or on aconnector110 or502 that resides in a networking enableddevice102 may be operable to determine whether the networking enableddevice102 is to operate as a powered device or as a power supplying device. Based on a result of the determination, the one ormore circuits112 may be operable to couple power pins2121-2122 of theconnector110 or502 to either afirst power rail109cof the networking enableddevice102 or asecond power rail109dof the networking enableddevice102. The determination of whether the networking enableddevice102 is to operate as a powered device or as a power supplying device may be based on a voltage on a sense pin of the connector. The determination of whether the networking enabled device is to operate as a powered device or as a power supplying device may be based on a mechanical characteristics of the connector. The connector502 may comprise one or morefirst interfaces118 that enable electrically coupling theconnector110 to thecable133, one or moresecond interfaces114 that enable electrically coupling the connector502 to the networking enableddevice102, and one or morethird interfaces504 and/or506 that enable electrically coupling the connector502 to another connector502 that is mounted on or within thedevice102.
• The networking enableddevice102 may comprise a plurality of theconnectors110 and/or502 and each one of theconnectors110 and/or502 may be configured independent of a configuration of remaining ones of theconnectors110 and/or502. The networking enableddevice102 may be operable to receive power via a plurality of theconnectors110 and/or502 concurrently. The networking enableddevice102 may be operable to sink power via one or more of the plurality ofconnectors110 and/or502 while concurrently sourcing power via one or more of the plurality ofconnectors110 and/or502. The networking enableddevice102 may be operable to communicate in adherence with Ethernet protocols via theconnector110 and/or502. The networking enableddevice102 may be operable to determine a power available via theconnector110 and/or502. The networking enableddevice102 may comprise a battery that may be charged utilizing supply power received via theconnector110 and/or502.
• Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for a connection system operable to sink and source supply power.
• Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
• The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
• While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (12)

What is claimed is:

1. A networking enabled device, comprising:

a connector configured to couple the networking enabled device to another networking enabled device, and to control a direction of power transfer between the networking enabled device and the another networking enabled device, based on a voltage state of a pin coupled to the connector; and

a power subsystem, coupled to the connector, configured to control power transfer between the connector, a local power source, and a network subsystem.

2. The networking enabled device ofclaim 1, wherein the network subsystem is coupled to the networking enabled device.

3. The networking enabled device ofclaim 1, wherein the voltage state varies between a first voltage and a second voltage based on a hardware configuration of a cable connecting the networking enabled device to the another networking enabled device.

4. The networking enabled device ofclaim 3, further comprising:

a source power rail and a sink power rail coupled between the connector and the power subsystem.

5. The networking enabled device ofclaim 4, wherein the connector further comprises:

a power routing module configured to couple the source power rail or the sink power rail from the power subsystem to the another networking enabled device based on the voltage state of the pin.

6. The networking enabled device ofclaim 4, wherein the power subsystem is further configured to provide power to a network subsystem, and wherein the power subsystem further comprises:

a switching element configured to supplement power received on the sink power rail with local power source power when power requirements of the network subsystem exceed power delivered by the sink power rail.

7. The networking enabled device ofclaim 4, wherein the local power source is a battery, wherein the power subsystem is further configured to provide power to a network subsystem, and wherein the power subsystem further comprises:

a switching element configured to charge the battery with power received on the sink power rail when power requirements of the network subsystem are less than power delivered by the sink power rail.

8. In a first networking enabled device, a method comprising:

identifying whether a second networking enabled device, coupled to the first networking enabled device, is a power sourcing or a power sinking device; and

if the second networking enabled device is a power sourcing device:

determining the power requirements of the first networking enabled device;

determining whether the second networking enabled device meets the power requirements;

drawing power from a battery, if the second networking enabled device does not meet the power requirements; and

charging the battery, if the second networking enabled device exceeds the power requirements.

9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the identifying through the determining whether the second networking enabled device meets the power requirements are performed utilizing an Ethernet protocol.

10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the identifying further comprises:

identifying the power sourcing or the power sinking device utilizing a hardware connection between the first networking enabled device and the second networking enabled device.

11. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising:

if the second networking enabled device is a power sinking device:

determining power requirements of the second networking enabled device; and

sourcing power to the second networking enabled device based on the power requirements of the second networking enabled device.

12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the determining power requirements of the second networking enabled device is performed utilizing an Ethernet protocol.

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