Patent ID: 7989976
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A power over Ethernet system that allocates individual power budgets for each of a plurality of powered devices that are coupled to a power source equipment via a corresponding plurality of power source equipment ports, comprising: a first cable detection component that measures one or more electrical characteristics of a first Ethernet cable that couples a first of said plurality of powered devices to a first of said plurality of power source equipment ports, said first Ethernet cable having a length that is less than 100 meters; a second cable detection component that measures one or more electrical characteristics of a second Ethernet cable that couples a second of said plurality of powered devices to a second of said plurality of power source equipment ports, said second Ethernet cable having a length that is between 300 and 500 meters; and a power controller that controls an allocation of a total power budget amongst said plurality of power source equipment ports by an assignment of an individual power budget to each of said plurality of power source equipment ports, said allocation of said total power budget being based on a first individual power budget that accounts for a first power loss determined for said first Ethernet cable having a length less than 100 meters using said one or more measured electrical characteristics of said first Ethernet cables, and on a second individual power budget that accounts for a second power loss determined for said second Ethernet cable having a length between 300 and 500 meters using said one or more measured electrical characteristics of said second Ethernet cable.