Adaptive power supply for telecommunications networks

A span power and protection module for span powering a plurality of DS1 network interface units and an “n” number of DS3 network interface units, comprising:

• a plurality of DS1 power supplies that each provide power to a respective DS1 network interface unit;
• an “n” number of adaptive power supplies for span powering one of either a DS1 network interface unit or a DS3 network interface unit, each adaptive power supply comprising:
• a power circuit;
• and
• a control circuit connected to the power circuit that receives power, an output voltage sense signal, and an output current sense signal from the power circuit, said control circuit configured to generate a control signal to the power circuit and said control circuit configured to distinguish between a first network interface unit load having a constant voltage input power requirement and a second network interface unit load having a constant current input power requirement that is less than the maximum input current required of the first network interface unit so the power circuit selectively delivers a constant voltage output power for a first network interface unit load and a constant current output at a level below the maximum output current limit for a second network interface unit load.

A method of span powering either a first network interface unit load having a constant voltage input power requirement or a second network interface unit load having a constant current input power requirement less than the maximum required input current of a first network interface unit, which comprises:

• providing a power circuit and providing a control circuit connected to the power circuit that receives power therefrom and includes a voltage control circuit and current control circuit interconnected together and connected to said power circuit;
• sensing a current output by the power circuit;
• comparing the current output with a current threshold value;
• configuring the power circuit and voltage control circuit and current control circuit to operate in a current limiting mode when a current threshold value is exceeded for threshold time for powering a second network interface unit;
• and
• otherwise, maintaining a voltage mode of operation for the power supply when the current remains less than the threshold value for powering a first network interface unit having a constant voltage input power requirement.