Akros Silicon supports PoE 60-W deployments following interoperability collaboration with Broadcom

Broadcom, a global innovator and leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, has a family of PoE PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) controllers (model BCM59111) that supports the rapidly emerging 60 W application re-quirements.

Akros۪ GreenEdge technology, integrated into a family of PoE system-on-a-chip (SoC) energy management ICs, allows high-speed digital communication across an integrated isolation barrier. The technology provides necessary hand-shaking and telemetry information with the power source to allow for safe and con-trolled power transfer, while eliminating optocouplers and their associated complex compensation networks.  The result is improvement in reliability, reduced real estate, unmatched efficiency in power conversion and more accurate output-voltage sensing. Additionally, this technology enables system-level cost reduction.

Broadcom۪s PoE solutions claim to be the most flexible and scalable solutions on the market.  The BCM59111 is a highly integrated PSE solution offering world-class thermal performance.  The adoption of PoE in the market continues to grow as more devices are connected to the network.  Expanding to 60W will allow even more devices to be connected.

“The AS18xx family of GreenEdge energy management SoCs, introduced in 2009, has established itself as a leading solution in PoE applications adopted by major OEMs worldwide,” said Parviz Ghaffaripour, Akros Silicon۪s President & CEO. “The AS1860 is in full production and offers field-proven technology designed to immediately support the 60 W requirements. Our flagship digital isolation technology, GreenEdge, allows digital communication, power control and health monitoring across the isolation barrier. These features accommodate flexibility within systems to create robust power management, while eliminating long-term reliability concerns related to optocouplers.”

PoE technology provides DC power from Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) over twisted pair Ethernet cables to Powered Devices (PDs) within enterprise, small business or home networks. The PoE standard has evolved from 13 W (IEEE 802.3af) to 30 W (IEEE 802.3at) and now the industry is rapidly moving to 60 W of power per switch port. The 60 W requirement is driven by the need to support applications such as thin clients, monitors, industrial Ethernet, IPTV, building management and lighting control systems, nurse call systems in hospitals, point-of-sale terminals and other higher power applications. The move to 60W PoE will allow deployment of PoE-enabled PDs into new markets while facilitating easier, more energy-efficient power management across the entire enterprise.