Patent ID: 8572413
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A method for classifying power sourcing equipment coupled to a powered device, the powered device configured to receive inline power from the power sourcing equipment in a wired network having at least two pairs of conductors coupling the powered device and the power sourcing equipment, the method comprising: detecting a classification process on the at least two pairs of conductors of the powered device, the process comprising a detection phase, a classification phase, and a signature phase following the classification phase; a classification phase voltage being detected on the conductors during the classification phase, and wherein a current is drawn from the conductors while the classification voltage is detected; a signature phase voltage being detected on the conductors during the signature phase, and wherein a magnitude of the signature phase voltage has an upper bound below a lower bound of a magnitude of the classification voltage and a lower bound above a magnitude of a reset level of the powered device; and identifying a type of the power sourcing equipment based on the signature phase voltage.