System and method for chaining power and communications to multiple nodes

A system for transferring power and communication in a network comprising:

• a. a group of chained in series chainable Power over Ethernet nodes, said group comprising at least a first chainable Power over Ethernet node and a last chainable Power over Ethernet node, and wherein each chainable Power over Ethernet node comprises:
• i. a plurality of connection ports, each port having a connector for receiving a first end of a network cable having a plurality of wire pairs;
• ii. presentation means for presenting default detect and classification signature to an external power supplying device connected on any of said plurality of connection ports;
• iii. power receiving means for receiving power from the external power supplying device on any of said plurality of plurality of connection ports;
• iv. power storage means for storing electrical power sufficient for brief operation without power being supplied from the external power supplying device;
• v. disconnect means for electrically disconnecting the node from using power with the aim of causing the external power supplying device to stop providing power;
• vi. configuration means for presenting to the external power supplying device a selected type and class pattern during hardware reclassification;
• vii. monitoring means for monitoring the classification process to determine if the node requested power has been granted in full or if the node has been demoted to lesser power;
• viii. logic processing means for controlling the node behaviors;
• and
• ix. an ethernet switch coupled to the connection port for transmitting and receiving communication;
• x. wherein each port further comprises:
• 1. separation means for separating electrical power and communications on each of said plurality of wire pairs;
• 2. voltage measuring means for measuring the voltages on each of said plurality of wire pairs;
• 3. rectifying means for rectifying the electrical power on each of said plurality of wire pairs into positive and negative voltages;
• 4. imposition and measuring means for imposing a controlled voltage on each of said plurality of wire pairs and for measuring the current through each of said plurality of wire pairs for the purpose of detection and classification of the an attached node;
• 5. sending means for sending out electrical power onto each of said plurality of wire pairs by an electronic switch;
• and
• 6. current measuring means for measuring electrical current through the port;
• b. a first power supplying equipment device that provides both communication and electrical power to the system using industry standard Power over Ethernet, said first power supplying equipment device having a port having a connector for receiving a second end of a first network cable having a first end connected to a first one of the plurality of connection ports in the first chainable Power over Ethernet node;
• and
• c. a second network cable having a first end connected to a second one of the plurality of connection ports in the first chainable Power over Ethernet node, and a second end connected to a second one of the plurality of connection ports in the last chainable Power over Ethernet node.

A method for providing power and communication to one or more chained Power over Ethernet nodes in a network of chained nodes comprising the steps of:

• a. performing a detect and classify operation to determine whether a first chained Power over Ethernet node is a powered device, comprising the following steps:
• i. generating detect and classify voltages and classify currents at a power source equipment device;
• ii. transmitting said detect and classify voltages and classify currents over a network cable having a plurality of wire pairs;
• iii. receiving said detect and classify voltages and classify currents at a connection port of the first chained Power over Ethernet node;
• iv. separating electrical power and communications on each of said plurality of wire pairs;
• v. measuring the voltages on each of said plurality of wire pairs;
• vi. rectifying the electrical power on each of said plurality of wire pairs into positive and negative voltages;
• vii. presenting a default detect and classification signature through a powered device circuit in the first chainable Power over Ethernet node;
• viii. transmitting a request from the connection port to the power source equipment device for power sufficient to operate the first chainable Power over Ethernet node based on the default detect and classify signature;
• b. transmitting power from the power source equipment device to the first chainable Power over Ethernet node in an amount corresponding to the request;
• c. performing a reclassification of the first chainable Power over Ethernet node to request additional power from the power source equipment device;
• and
• d. transmitting power from the power source equipment device to the first chainable Power over Ethernet node in an amount corresponding to the reclassification request.