Solving Interoperability Challenges of Delivering up to 90 Watts of Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Since the ratification of the new IEEE 802.3bt standard, PoE can power a whole new range of applications and devices connected to the Ethernet network requiring up to 90W of power. With the emergence and exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), there are new opportunities for PoE technology in many applications. Several wireless technologies use PoE, such as Wireless Local-Area-Network (WLAN), LoRa®, backhaul and 5G. PoE is also emerging in smart building applications, including human-centric lighting.

As the industry adopts the latest generation of PoE technology for managing data and power over a single Ethernet cable, users face the challenge of making pre-standard powered devices (PDs) work alongside new IEEE 802.3bt-compliant PDs. Microchip has eased this transition with a unique power sourcing equipment (PSE) chipset solution that enables both pre-standard and IEEE-compliant PDs to receive up to 90W of power over the same Ethernet network infrastructure. Microchip’s PoE injectors/midspans and switches adopt this unique technology and allow quick and simple deployment of PoE in any network without changing switches or cabling.

Microchip is introducing a new multi-Power over Ethernet (mPoE) technology allowing you to power any wired network device seamlessly and efficiently -- making it the ideal solution for Ethernet-based applications. Leveraging a uniquely designed algorithm, this technology enables backward compatibility with pre-standard devices while supporting all IEEE PoE standards. It supports PoE 1, PoE 2, PoE+, IEEE 802.3af/at/bt, legacy af/at, 12.5K, UPoE, Class 4 60W and PoH, offering a truly versatile solution that enables flexible and quick network design/upgrade to address any business requirements. 

Microchip’s mPoE is the ideal power solution for a wide range of network devices such as IP phones, wireless access points (WAPs), IP surveillance cameras, Access Control terminals, 5G small cells, LoRa gateways and other IoT devices.

Primary applications benefiting from Microchip’s mPoE include:

• Switching – Enterprise, SMB and industrial Ethernet switches, gateways, routers and PD-PSE daisy chain applications
• IoT – Building automation, smart cities, transport and logistics, industrial, agriculture, utilities, education, healthcare and more
• Lighting –  Digital ceiling applications such as LED luminaires, sensors (light, motion, Co2 and others), Wi-Fi® access points, IP surveillance cameras and HVAC system controls
• Wireless – Wi-Fi access points, 5G small cells, LoRa gateways and backhaul radios

Microchip’s mPoE solves interoperability issues between different PoE standards and legacy solutions and eliminates the dependency on AC infrastructure and its variations, providing an international network power standard. Users can power any combination of pre-standard and IEEE 802.3bt-compliant devices by utilizing Microchip’s mPoE PSE chipsets or injector/midspan and switch systems. Microchip mPoE solutions are IEEE standards compliant, tested and approved by industry-leading vendors and have millions of ports installed worldwide. Microchip’s mPoE is the ultimate power solution for wired Ethernet networks.

Visit mPoE for more details about Microchip’s PoE products and solutions.