Patent Description:
In modem enterprise and consumer electronics, high speed peripheral devices such as high resolution cameras and IoT ("Internet of Things") appliances often rely on a standard Ethernet connection to connect to their host computers. For example, remote meeting rooms or other smart rooms, smart home, and smart city applications are equipped with intelligent peripherals or sensors including smart cameras, microphones, speakers. Fast connectivity is critical between these intelligent peripherals and a centralized host computer in the room or on a network. Stable and robust power supply options are also indispensable to operate these intelligent peripherals with their host computer, thereby supporting data integration and processing in the system or on the network. Ethernet is commonly used in local area networks and well suited to support intelligent peripherals in these settings. Ethernet has also been extended to supply power over Ethernet, for example by using a PoE ("Power over Ethernet") injector or PoE switch.

However, most host computers have only one - if at all - Ethernet connection, for connecting into local area networks. They do not have a secondary Ethernet port to connect to Ethernet peripherals, and if they do, this connection does not provide power over Ethernet. Instead, host computers often come equipped with one or more USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt connections. On the other hand, as real estate for the connectivity interfaces or ports on intelligent peripherals become increasingly scarce, it is advantageous if these peripheral devices can be powered through their standard Ethernet connection as they connect to their host computers.

There is therefore a need to support intelligent peripherals or IoT devices with their host computers in smart meeting rooms, smart homes, smart city or other application platforms without the need of adding complex or expensive infrastructure such as PoE switches, injectors, or installing additional cables. Specifically, there is a need for apparatuses and solutions that can supply an Ethernet connection from the host computer to a peripheral device and at the same time provide stable and robust power supply to the peripheral device over the same Ethernet connection.

<CIT> describes a USB type-C conversion module that has a USB type-C connector, an RJ-<NUM> connector, configuration passageway logic unit, and a signal translation unit.

<CIT>, describes an application connector which is coupled to a connector module and configured for coupling to an application processor. A power-over-Ethernet, PoE, circuit on the connector module is built either as power sourcing equipment, PSE, or powered device, PD, and is coupled between the network connector and the application connector.

<CIT> describes an electronic device for controlling power including a plurality of ports configured to input power into the electronic device; a power controller that includes a first power conversion unit configured to convert a first power supplied from a first external device connected to a first port, and a second power conversion unit configured to convert a second power supplied from a second external device connected to a second port; and a controller that controls the power controller to selectively supply power to a target device by summing the first power and the second power.

It is therefore an object of this disclosure to provide apparatuses and solutions for adapting USB and Thunderbolt connections to an Ethernet connection within device power over the Ethernet connection.

Particularly, in accordance with a first aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an apparatus adapting a USB connection to an Ethernet connection with dynamic multiplex power supply according to claim <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the power multiplexer is adapted to output one of the direct current and VBUS to the PoE PSE controller. In yet another embodiment, the power multiplexer is adapted to output both the direct current and VBUS to the PoE PSE controller. In a further embodiment, the direct current is prioritized in the power output.

In a further embodiment, the power supply circuitry further comprises a USB PD ("Power Delivery") controller downstream to the USB connector and adapted to output a voltage to the power multiplexer.

In another embodiment, the power supply circuitry further comprises a load protection circuitry upstream to the power multiplexer and downstream to the USB-PD controller. The load protection circuitry is adapted to provide USB load protection. In yet another embodiment, the load protection circuitry is an electronic fuse ("eFuse"). In another embodiment, the signal is a multi-colored LED light visible on the exterior of the apparatus. A predetermined color is designated to indicate a sufficient current level. In yet another embodiment, the signal is a notification displayed to the computer connected through the USB port.

In yet another embodiment, the power supply circuitry further comprises a reverse polarity protection circuitry downstream of the DC power jack and upstream of the power multiplexer. The reverse polarity protection circuitry is adapted to provide protection from reverse polarity and over voltage.

In accordance with a second aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an apparatus adapting a Thunderbolt connection to an Ethernet connection with dynamic multiplex power supply according to claim <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the power multiplexer is adapted to output one of the direct current and the voltage from the Thunderbolt connector. In yet another embodiment, the power multiplexer is adapted to output both the direct current and the voltage from the Thunderbolt connector.

In yet another embodiment, the signal is a multi-colored LED light visible on the exterior of the apparatus. A predetermined color is designated to indicate a sufficient current level. In a further embodiment, the signal is a notification displayed to the computer connected through the Thunderbolt port.

The apparatuses of this disclosure are adapted to combine USB/Thunderbolt to Ethernet controllers with PoE power injection based on dynamic multiplex power supply in various embodiments. The power supply is sourced from an external DC power input and/or from a host computer over USB or Thunderbolt connections.

Referring to <FIG>, an adapter apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of disclosure connects to a peripheral device <NUM> via its Ethernet port and a personal computer ("PC") <NUM> via its USB/Thunderbolt port. The peripheral device <NUM> is a smart camera and the PC is the host computer for the smart camera in this embodiment. The adapter apparatus <NUM> is connected to an auxiliary power source, which supplies direct current in one embodiment. The adapter apparatus <NUM> sources its power from the USB or Thunderbolt connection to the host PC <NUM> in various embodiments. Therefore, the smart camera <NUM> maintains a high speed data connection between its Ethernet port to the USB or Thunderbolt port of the host PC <NUM> through the adapter apparatus <NUM>. At the same time, the smart camera <NUM> is powered over the same Ethernet connection through the adapter apparatus <NUM>. In various embodiments of this disclosure, the peripheral device <NUM> may be any PoE enabled peripheral device and the host PC <NUM> may be any connected computer in the same space or on the network.

An exemplary apparatus of this disclosure includes a data flow circuitry and a power supply circuitry. Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the data flow circuitry supports data transfer between the USB-C connector <NUM> and the Ethernet connector <NUM>. In a sequential order, the data flow circuitry includes a USB PHY <NUM>, an Ethernet MAC <NUM>, an Ethernet PHY <NUM>, and a magnetics layer <NUM>. Data is sent and received on both ends of the data flow circuitry: at the USB-C connector <NUM> and the Ethernet connector <NUM>.

Similarly, referring to <FIG>, in another embodiment, the data flow circuitry supports data transfer between the Thunderbolt connector <NUM> and the Ethernet connector <NUM>. In a sequential order, the data flow circuitry in this embodiment includes a Thunderbolt PHY <NUM>, an Ethernet MAC <NUM>, an Ethernet PHY <NUM>, and a magnetics layer <NUM>. Data is sent and received on both ends of the data flow circuitry: at the Thunderbolt connector <NUM> and the Ethernet connector <NUM>.

The power supply circuitry supports dynamic multiplex power supply to the Ethernet connector from a multiplicity of power sources, including direct current power sources, USB-C, Thunderbolt and similar connections in various embodiments. Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the power supply circuitry includes a DC power jack <NUM>, which delivers direct current into the power supply circuitry, and a USB-C connector <NUM>, which delivers a VBUS voltage into the power supply circuitry. In this embodiment, the power supply circuitry includes a power multiplexer ("Power MUX") <NUM>, which receives the VBUS voltage and DC input from the USB-C connector <NUM> and the DC power jack <NUM>, respectively. Upstream of the power multiplexer <NUM> is a reverse polarity protection circuitry <NUM> connected to the DC power jack <NUM> and a load protection circuitry <NUM> connected to the USB-C connector <NUM>. The reverse polarity protection <NUM> provides protection from reverse polarity and over current/voltage that may be delivered from the DC power jack <NUM>. The load protection circuitry <NUM> provides protection from overload in the VBUS voltage delivered from the USB-C connector <NUM>. In one embodiment, the load protection circuitry <NUM> is an eFuse device. The eFuse device ensures compliance with the USB standard load specifications. In alternative embodiments, a USB-PD controller is included in the power supply circuitry downstream of the USB-C connector and upstream of the load protection circuitry <NUM>. USB PD and similar technologies provide increased power delivery over the USB interface in the power supply circuitry in these alternative embodiments.

Downstream of the power multiplexer <NUM> in a sequential order, the power supply circuitry includes a DC-DC voltage step-up converter <NUM>, a PoE PSE controller <NUM>, and the magnetics layer <NUM>. In some embodiments the DC-DC voltage step-up converter is an isolated DC-DC voltage step-up converter. The DC-DC voltage step-up converter receives VBUS and/or DC from the power multiplexer <NUM> and delivers an increased voltage (and current) to the PoE PSE controller <NUM>. The PoE PSE controller <NUM> outputs a PoE voltage to the magnetics layer <NUM>, which in turn delivers the PoE to the Ethernet connector <NUM> coupled with data carried and transferred between the magnetics layer <NUM> and the Ethernet connector <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in another embodiment, the power supply circuitry includes a DC power jack <NUM>, which delivers direct current into the power supply circuitry, and a Thunderbolt connector <NUM>, which delivers a Thunderbolt voltage ("T voltage") into the power supply circuitry. In this embodiment, the power supply circuitry includes a power multiplexer ("Power MUX") <NUM>, which receives the T voltage and DC input from the Thunderbolt connector <NUM> and the DC power jack <NUM>, respectively. Upstream of the power multiplexer <NUM> is a reverse polarity protection circuitry <NUM> connected to the DC power jack <NUM> and a load protection circuitry <NUM> connected to the Thunderbolt connector <NUM>. The reverse polarity protection <NUM> provides protection from reverse polarity and over current/voltage that may be delivered from the DC power jack <NUM>. The load protection circuitry <NUM> provides protection from overload in the T voltage delivered from the Thunderbolt connector <NUM> and ensures compliance with Thunderbolt standard load specifications.

Downstream of the power multiplexer <NUM> in a sequential order, the power supply circuitry includes a DC-DC voltage step-up converter <NUM>, a PoE PSE controller <NUM>, and the magnetics layer <NUM>. In some embodiments the DC-DC voltage step-up converter is an isolated DC-DC voltage step-up converter. The DC-DC voltage step-up converter receives the T voltage and/or DC from the power multiplexer <NUM> and delivers an increased voltage (and current) to the PoE PSE controller <NUM>. The PoE PSE controller <NUM> outputs a PoE voltage to the magnetics layer <NUM>, which in turn delivers the PoE to the Ethernet connector <NUM> coupled with data carried and transferred between the magnetics layer <NUM> and the Ethernet connector <NUM>.

As discussed above, a power multiplexer is utilized to select and regulate power supply between DC power and USB VBUS or Thunderbolt voltage in various embodiments. In one embodiment, both DC and USB/Thunderbolt power sources are connected simultaneously. The power multiplexer regulates power supply dynamically based on load changes in the power supply circuitry and is sensitive to input from the connected host computer <NUM> through its USB or Thunderbolt port. In another embodiment, the power multiplexer prioritizes the DC power jack <NUM> and <NUM> if the voltage supplied on the DC line is at a sufficient level to power the peripheral device <NUM>. In a further embodiment, the power multiplexer switches between the DC power and USB VBUS or Thunderbolt voltage if one of the power sources is terminated or removed from the power supply circuitry. Through dynamic multiplex power supply, therefore, the adapter apparatus <NUM> of this disclosure keeps the peripheral device <NUM> powered on its network and connected to its host computer <NUM>.

For an exemplary apparatus of this disclosure, the power supply circuitry including USB PD may carry a voltage of 5V, 9V, 12V, or 15V and a current of 3A or 5A maximum. The USB-C VBUS may carry a minimum of <NUM>. 75V and maximum of <NUM>. 25V voltage, and a maximum of 3A current pursuant to the USB standard. The PoE (<NUM>. 3af / <NUM>. 3at type <NUM>) on the power supply circuitry in one embodiment may be in the range of <NUM> to 57V with a current up to <NUM>. 35A maximum.

The adapter apparatus <NUM> of this disclosure includes a current detection circuitry <NUM> and <NUM> adapted to detect whether sufficient power is available to enable the DC-DC voltage step-up converter <NUM> and <NUM> and the PoE PSE controller <NUM> and <NUM>. If DC power is detected at a sufficient current/voltage level, the current detection circuitry provides a user notification that power is available to enable the PoE PSE circuitry. If USB VBUS or Thunderbolt voltage is supplied on the power supply circuitry, the current detection circuitry <NUM> or <NUM> reads the communicated current from the USB host or the Thunderbolt host. If the USB or Thunderbolt host current is detected at a sufficient level, a user notification is provided that the current power level is sufficient to enable the PoE PSE circuitry.

In one embodiment, the user notification is a LED light visible on the exterior of the adapter apparatus <NUM>. If a sufficient current level is detected, the light is enabled and turned on. In another embodiment, the LED light is multi-colored, and if a sufficient current level is detected, a predetermined color, such as green, is displayed. A different color, such as red, may be designated to signal that no sufficient current level is detected. In an alternative embodiment, the notification signal is a message communicated to a driver or an application on the connected host computer <NUM> through its USB or Thunderbolt port and displayed to a user of the host computer <NUM>.

The power supply circuitry includes a PoE enable logic block <NUM> and <NUM> downstream of the current detection circuitry <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, whereby the DC-DC voltage step-up converter <NUM> and <NUM> are activated and the PoE PSE controller <NUM> and <NUM> enabled when a sufficient current level is detected. In one embodiment, the DC-DC voltage step-up converter <NUM> and <NUM> is an isolated DC-DC voltage step-up converter.

If no sufficient current level is detected from the DC power, USB VBUS or Thunderbolt voltage, the current detection circuitry <NUM> and <NUM> display a user notification that insufficient power is available, and the PoE enable logic block <NUM> and <NUM> deactivate the DC-DC voltage step-up converter <NUM> and <NUM> and disable the PoE PSE controller <NUM> and <NUM>. The Ethernet connector <NUM> and <NUM> are adapted to send or receive data decoupled from power in this embodiment.

According to certain embodiments, the current detection circuitry and the PoE enable logic block are implemented using integrated circuits as hardware in the adapter apparatus <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, the current detection circuitry and the PoE enable logic block are substantiated in software, using a microcontroller, a processor, a FPGA ("field-programmable gate array") or CPLD ("complex programmable logic device"). The input signals may be read by the microcontroller in this embodiment, and the combinatory logic is implemented in software, with a hardware signal from the microcontroller enabling the PoE. According to this embodiment, using the microcontroller, further monitoring and notification may be enabled for the adapter apparatus <NUM>. For example, temperature measurements, PoE output power consumption, PoE output voltage levels, amount of time the PoE has been enabled, the speed of the Ethernet connection linked to the peripheral device <NUM>, are among the status parameters that may be tracked and passed back to the USB or Thunderbolt host computer <NUM>. These parameters may be used in an application on the host computer <NUM> in this embodiment, to enable notification to the user and further management and regulation of the power supply circuitry in the adapter apparatus <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) adapting a USB connection to an Ethernet connection with dynamic multiplex power supply, comprising:
a USB-C connector (<NUM>) capable of connecting to a USB port of a computer (<NUM>);
an Ethernet connector (<NUM>) capable of connecting to an Ethernet port of a peripheral device (<NUM>);
a data flow circuitry adapted to transmit data between the USB-C connector and the Ethernet connector, said data flow circuitry comprising a USB PHY (<NUM>) connecting to an Ethernet MAC (<NUM>), which is connected to an Ethernet PHY (<NUM>), the Ethernet PHY in turn being connected to a magnetics layer (<NUM>); and
a power supply circuitry adapted to provide dynamic multiplex power supply to the Ethernet connector from a multiplicity of power sources, said multiplicity comprising a direct current power jack (<NUM>) and a VBUS from the USB-C connector, wherein said power supply circuitry comprises a power multiplexer (<NUM>) adapted to receive power from the multiplicity and send power to a power over Ethernet power sourcing equipment, PoE PSE, controller (<NUM>), wherein the PoE PSE controller is connected to the magnetics layer thereby transmitting power to the magnetics layer, and
wherein the magnetics layer is adapted to deliver PoE to the Ethernet connector coupled with data;
wherein the power supply circuitry further comprises:
a direct current - direct current, DC-DC, voltage step-up converter (<NUM>) downstream to the power multiplexer, the DC-DC voltage step-up converter being adapted to increase voltage in the power supply circuitry before outputting to the PoE PSE controller;
a current detection circuitry (<NUM>), the current detection circuitry being adapted to detect the current level upstream the DC-DC voltage step-up converter and provide a signal indicating if a sufficient current level exists; and
a PoE enable logic block (<NUM>) downstream of the current detection circuitry, the PoE enable logic block being adapted to activate the DC-DC voltage step-up converter and enable the PoE PSE controller when a sufficient current level is detected, and deactivate the DC-DC voltage step-up converter and disable the PoE PSE controller when no sufficient current level is detected, wherein the Ethernet connector is adapted to transmit data decoupled from power when the DC-DC voltage step-up converter is deactivated.