Patent ID: 8049484

Claim:
An inline powered device, comprising: a set of transformers, each transformer of the set of transformers (i) having a center tap for inline power delivery and (ii) being constructed for data exchange with power sourcing equipment; a load coupled to the set of transformers, the load being constructed and arranged to (i) obtain power from the power sourcing equipment through the set of transformers, and (ii) conduct communications data exchange with the power sourcing equipment through the set of transformers; and a controller coupled to the set of transformers, the controller including: first switch circuitry disposed between a center tap of the first transformer and a center tap of the third transformer, second switch circuitry disposed between a center tap of the second transformer and a center tap of the fourth transformer, and control circuitry coupled to the first switch circuitry and the second switch circuitry, the control circuitry being constructed and arranged to output a control signal to the first and second switch circuitry to electrically connect the center taps of the first and third transformers together and concurrently electrically connect the center taps of the second and fourth transformers together, the inline powered device being constructed and arranged to operate in 4-pair mode when (i) the center taps of the first and third transformers are connected together and (ii) the center taps of the second and fourth transformers are connected together.