Enhanced classification for power over ethernet

A power over Ethernet system comprising:

• a power sourcing equipment, comprising a classification functionality operable to:
• provide a first classification voltage for a first classification cycle time, said provided first classification voltage being within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit;
• measure a first current flow responsive to said provided first classification voltage;
• subsequent to said first classification cycle time, provide a voltage outside of said classification voltage range for a classification indexing time;
• subsequent to said classification indexing time, provide a second classification voltage for a second classification cycle time, said provided second classification voltage being within said classification voltage range;
• measure a second current flow responsive to said provided second classification voltage;
• and
• determine a classification responsive to said measured first current flow and said measured second current flow.

A power over Ethernet system comprising:

• a powered device;
• a power sourcing equipment connected to said powered device over a communication cabling, said power sourcing equipment comprising a classification functionality and a current sensor and operable to:
• provide a first classification voltage for a first classification cycle time, said provided first classification voltage being within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit;
• measure, via said current sensor, a first current flow provided by said powered device responsive to said provided first classification voltage;
• provide, subsequent to said first classification cycle time, a voltage outside of said classification voltage range for a classification indexing time;
• provide, subsequent to said classification indexing time, a second classification voltage for a second classification cycle time, said provided second classification voltage being within said classification voltage range;
• measure, via said current sensor, a second current flow provided by said powered device responsive to said provided second classification voltage and said voltage outside of said classification voltage range;
• determine a classification responsive to said measured first current flow and said measured second current flow;
• and
• allocate power to said powered device responsive to said determined classification.

A powered device for a power over Ethernet system comprising:

• a control circuitry;
• a voltage sensor in communication with said control circuitry;
• and
• at least one current source responsive to said control circuitry, said control circuitry being operative to:
• detect, via said voltage sensor, a first classification voltage within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit;
• output, via said at least one current source and responsive to said detected first classification voltage, a first current flow greater than a default classification value limit;
• detect, via said voltage sensor, a voltage outside of said classification voltage range;
• subsequent to said detected voltage outside of said classification voltage range, detect, via said voltage sensor, a second classification voltage within said classification voltage range;
• and
• output, via said at least one current source and responsive to said detected second classification voltage, a second current flow greater than a default classification value limit, said second current flow exhibiting a value responsive to said detected voltage outside of said classification voltage range.

A method of classification of power requirements in a power over Ethernet system, said method comprising:

• providing a first classification voltage within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit;
• measuring a first current flow responsive to said provided first classification voltage;
• subsequent to said provided first classification voltage, providing a voltage outside of said classification voltage range;
• subsequent to said provided voltage outside of said classification voltage range, providing a second classification voltage within said classification voltage range;
• measuring a second current flow responsive to said provided second classification voltage;
• determining a classification responsive to said measured first current flow and said measured second current flow;
• and
• allocating power responsive to said determined classification.