# US 2021/0263545 A1 · Method and apparatus for transmitting power and data in a multi-drop architecture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0263545 A1 - Document ID: US20210263545A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/035,527 - Filed: 2020-09-28 - Published: 2021-08-26 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-25 - Assignees: Cisco Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Cisco Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen; Chad M. Jones; Emanuele Umberto Giacometti - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210263545A1 ## CPC - G05F 1/577: for plural loads - G06F 21/44: Program or device authentication - H04L 12/40176: {involving redundancy (error detection or correction of the data by redundancy in hardware using active fault-masking in interconnections G06F11/2002; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy in hardware using active fault-masking in storage systems using spares or by reconfiguring G06F11/2053)} - H04L 12/10: Current supply arrangements - G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract In one or more embodiments, a T-adapter includes an input for receiving power and data on a wire pair, a first output for transmitting the power and data to a first load, a second output for transmitting the power and data to a second load, and a controller operable to detect and authenticate the first load at the first output or the second load at the second output and enable power at the first output or the second output in response to load detection and authentication. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A T-adapter comprising: an input for receiving power and data on a wire pair; a first output for transmitting the power and data to a first load; a second output for transmitting the power and data to a second load; and a controller operable to detect and authenticate said first load at said first output or said second load at said second output and enable power at said first output or said second output in response to load detection and authentication. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 further comprising a load detection and current sense circuit operable to sense current after enabling the power. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The T-adapter of claim 2 wherein the power is disabled upon sensing an over current event or a load removal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 wherein the controller is operable to pull down a voltage on a wire to signal power is desired. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The T-adapter of claim 4 wherein the wire is pulled down in a defined pattern. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 further comprising at least two transistors for independently enabling the power at said first output or said second output. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 wherein said first load comprises a first powered device connected to said first output and said second load comprises another T-adapter connected to said second output. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 wherein said first load comprises a first powered device connected to said first output and said second load comprises a second powered device connected to said second output. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 wherein the T-adapter is integrated into a powered device comprising said first load. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 wherein high impedance voltage is provided at said first output or said second output for use in load detection prior to enabling the power at said first output or said second output. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to receive input from an online installation and removal device and disable current on at least one of said first output and said second output. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 further comprising a bypass circuit for providing communications without enabling the power. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The T-adapter of claim 1 further comprising a second power input for providing a redundant power source. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The T-adapter of claim 13 wherein said second power input provides a redundant power and data source. ### Claim 15 A method comprising: receiving power and data at an input of a T-adapter; detecting a first load at a first output at the T-adapter; transmitting the power and data at said first output; detecting a second load at a second output at the T-adapter; and transmitting the power and data at said second output; wherein at least one of said first load or said second load is authenticated at the T-adapter before transmitting power at said first output or said second output. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising sensing a current at each of said first output and said second output and removing the power at one of said first output or said second output upon identifying an over current event or a load removal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein transmitting the power comprises turning on a transistor and further comprising turning off the transistor and continuing to transmit communications. ### Claim 18 A system comprising: a plurality of powered devices; and a plurality of T-adapters each comprising an input for receiving power and data, a first output for transmitting the power and data to one of the powered devices, and a second output for transmitting the power and data to the input of a downstream T-adapter or another one of the powered devices; wherein each of the T-adapters comprises a controller for detecting the powered device at said first output and transmitting the power and data to the powered device, and detecting the downstream T-adapter or the powered device at said second output and transmitting the power and data to the downstream T-adapter or the powered device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18 wherein the controller is operable to monitor a current at each of said first output and said second output upon enabling transmittal of the power and data and disable power upon identifying an over current event or a load removal. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18 wherein the controller is operable to pull down a wire to verify the load to an upstream T-adapter.