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Integrated power-over-Ethernet drivers target IoT

Integrated power-over-Ethernet drivers target IoT

New Products |
By Nick Flaherty



The Si3406x and Si3404 families include all necessary high-voltage discrete components on a single PD chip. These support IEEE 802.3 at PoE+ power capabilities, flexible power conversion options exceeding 90 percent efficiency, robust sleep/wake/LED support modes and superior EMI immunity. These capabilities help developers reduce system cost and time to market for high-power, high-efficiency PoE PD applications

The rapid expansion of the IoT is boosting demand for PoE+ connectivity in IP cameras, smart lighting luminaires, feature-rich video IP phones, advanced 802.11 wireless access points and smart home appliances. These applications require higher wattage driving increased demand for PD devices that support the PoE+ standard. For example, the latest motor-positioned IP cameras with pan/tilt/zoom and heater elements create heavy loads on power supplies. PoE+ provides 30W for these applications and the Si3406x family is aimed at PoE+-enabled IoT products in residential, commercial and industrial environments.

“Silicon Labs’ PoE solutions deliver a wide range of power levels up to 30 watts to meet our customers’ demanding power supply needs,” said Ross Sabolcik, Vice President of power products at Silicon Labs. “Our PD portfolio brings industry-leading integration and advanced features to help developers simplify their designs while meeting their power and cost budgets. Addressing both ends of the Ethernet cable, Silicon Labs’ one-stop- shop PoE portfolio includes our new PD devices as well as PSE controllers and PSE power management ICs.”

The Si3406x devices integrate all power management and control functions required for a PoE+ PD application, converting the high voltage supplied over a 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet connection to a regulated, low-voltage output supply. The architecture minimises the printed circuit board (PCB) footprint and external BOM cost by enabling the use of cost effective external components.

Complementing the Si3406x family, the Si3404 offers cost-effective, 802.3 Type 1 compliant support for lower power 15 W PoE PD applications. The Si3404 includes all interface and control functions required for low-power PD applications in a very small footprint and integrates diode bridges and a transient surge suppressor, enabling direct connection to an Ethernet RJ-45 connector. The regulator’s switching frequency is tunable with a simple external resistor value to avoid unwanted harmonics.

An integrated synchronous driver can control a secondary side field effect transistor (FET) to improve power conversion efficiency. Connection to a PSE switch is maintained during sleep mode by an automated
maintain-power- signature (MPS) feature.

The Si3406x family’s current-mode- controlled switching regulator supports multiple isolated and non-isolated power supply topologies. The regulator is complemented by an integrated power switching FET. This flexibility, along with Silicon Labs’ comprehensive PoE PD reference designs, makes it easier for developers to deploy critical power supply subsystems.

Samples and production quantities of the Si3406x devices are available now in low-profile, 5 mm x 5 mm QFN packages, and the Si3404 device is available now in a low-profile, 4 mm x 4 mm QFN package. The Si3406x product pricing in 10,000-unit quantities begins at $1.34 (USD), and the Si3404 is priced at $1.02 (USD) in 10,000-unit quantities.

To help developers reduce development time and cost, Silicon Labs offers a range of isolated and non-isolated Class 2-4 evaluation kits for Si3406x and Si3404 devices with prices starting at $79.

www.silabs.com/poe-pd.

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