PoE++ PD controllers offer up to 90W delivered power

Linear Technology Corp. has announced its LTPoE++, PoE+ and PoE-compliant powered device (PD) interface controllers for applications requiring up to 90W of delivered power.

PoE+ limits the maximum PD power delivery to 25.5W, which is insufficient to power today's new class of power-hungry applications, such as picocells, base stations, signage and heated outdoor cameras. The LT4275A (LTPoE++), LT4275B (PoE+) and LT4275C (PoE) efficiently deliver power to PD loads using just one IC, indicated the company.

Linear Tech's LTPoE++ standard addresses this market by expanding the power budget to four different power levels (38.7W, 52.7W, 70W and 90W), enabling complete high power LTPoE++ systems. The LTPoE++ standard employs a classification scheme that simply enables LTPoE++ power sourcing equipment (PSE) controllers and LTPoE++ PD controllers to reliably communicate with one another while maintaining interoperability with IEEE standard equipment, the company added.

Unlike traditional PD controllers that integrate the power MOSFET, the LT4275 controls an external MOSFET to drastically cut overall PD heat dissipation and maximize power efficiency, especially important at higher power levels. This novel approach allows users to size the MOSFET to their application's specific heating and efficiency requirements, enabling the use of low RDS(ON) 30m? MOSFETs if necessary. The LT4275 recognizes a PSE as either Type 1 hardware complying with the IEEE 802.3af 13W power level, Type 2 hardware, complying with IEEE 802.3at 25.5W power level or LTPoE++ hardware complying with 38.7W to 90W power levels, and passes power accordingly. For efficient power allocation, PD users can configure a classification that represents the PD power usage. A 100V abs max rated input voltage means the LT4275 easily survives and protects PDs from the most common Ethernet line surges. A programmable auxiliary power pin with signature corrupt provides support down to 9V. The LT4275 also includes a power good output, onboard signature resistor, undervoltage lockout and comprehensive thermal protection.

The LT4275 is offered in industrial and automotive grades, supporting operating temperature ranges from -40°C to 85°C and -40°C to 125°C, respectively, and is available in small RoHS-compliant 10-pin MSOP or 3 x 3mm DFN packages. The LT4275 is priced starting at $1.45 each in 1,000-piece quantities and is available in production quantities. The LT4275 provides an upgrade path from Linear Technology's existing PD products, including the LTC4265 PoE+ PD controller, and seamlessly connects to any of Linear Tech's latest PSE controllers, including the single-port LTC4274, 4-port LTC4266 and 12-port LTC4270/71 chipset.