Technical professional organisation IEEE, US, has announced the formation of a new study group to consider initiating a formal project to standardise 4-pair Power over Ethernet (PoE). The IEEE 802.3 4-pair PoE study group will consider a 4-pair solution’s capability to enhance energy efficiency and provide greater than 25.5 W of power in improving PoE, which has reportedly become the preferred method to power networked devices, such as IP phones and access points.
According to David Law, chair of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group and distinguished engineer with HP Networking, the formation of this study group would allow collaboration on a proposal for the development of a 4-pair PoE standard. This standard would allow support of new PoE applications in the areas of IPTV and industrial Ethernet. A 4-pair approach would result in increased efficiency, since the use of additional pairs results in lower channel resistance.
According to Chad Jones, chair of the IEEE 802.3 4-pair PoE study group, PoE has become the dominant powering method in many Ethernet-based products—access points and IP phones. Enabling applications beyond 25.5 W will extend this convenience to other products. An additional benefit is the reduction of power lost in the delivery channel by at least half. This benefit can be extended to existing powered products by moving from a 2-pair powering system to a new 4-pair powering system.
The group’s main purpose is to continue the success of the PoE family of standards, which started with IEEE P802.3af DTE Power via MDI Task Force and the IEEE P802.3at DTE Power Enhancements Task Force. Both resulting standards are part of the Ethernet family of interfaces and are part of the recent revision of IEEE 802.3-2012 'Standard for Ethernet.'
Individuals interested in the future of PoE standards are invited to contribute to the IEEE 802.3 4-pair Power over Ethernet study group, which is scheduled to meet during the IEEE 802.3 Interim Meeting, May 14-17, 2013 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
