| United States Patent | 7,664,136 |
| Toebes , et al. | February 16, 2010 |
Inline power for multiple devices in a wired data telecommunications network
Abstract
A power sourcing equipment-powered device (PSE-PD) combination unit requests inline power from a connected PSE or other PSE-PD combination unit by having the PD portion of the PD-PSE combination unit adapt its electrical characteristics, if necessary, to obtain the maximum power available. The PD-PSE combination device keeps track of available power less power consumed locally with a summation unit. A PSE manager unit grants PD power requests from downstream devices based upon the available power left (e.g., original PSE power less losses less local consumption).
| Inventors: | Toebes; John Albert (Cary, NC), Li; Ping (Fremont, CA), Cham; Jack C. (San Leandro, CA) |
| Assignee: | Cisco Technology, Inc. (San Jose, CA) |
| Appl. No.: | 11/144,094 |
| Filed: | June 2, 2005 |