Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Power-over-Ethernet: IEEE 802.3af Draft

Posted by Hemos on from the like-ma-no-extra-wires dept.

SkewlD00d writes "Want power (~10W) and your fat 10/100Mbps pipe (1Gbps maybe) on the SAME jack. Surf the web and recharge your handheld w/o finding its clunky base/transformer, home automation, and control systems are just some of the possibilities. Using suitable hubs/switches or dongle, power can be provided over unused pairs, or possibly raise the signal offset above DC, X10-style (no link, u know why). See IEEE 802.3af DTE Power via MDI Task Force. Maxim (not that one :o) already has some goodies. They have schematics for 8.25W/12.5W single-output and 14.2W triple-output 802.3af PSU. Try FindChips if you're looking for them; they're in production and are NOT vapor-ware!"

5 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Big deal let me know when power of wireless by mrnick · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Power of wireless ethernet now that would be awesome! Then people would really have to secure their access points or people could borrow power from their neibors! *lol*

    Nick

    --

    Encryption: I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to encrypt it...
    1. Re:Big deal let me know when power of wireless by fitten · · Score: 0, Redundant

      You'd be able to borrow power anyway since the AP would broadcast power every time it transmitted (or constantly or whatever). You don't have to have a username/password to tap that power.... you just leach it off. If you broadcast it, someone can leach it. It's not like you have to decrypt power.

      Plus remember that broadcasting power through space is an inverse cubed relationship. Where an ethernet cable could power something 100m away relatively easy with little loss, using wireless power would require lots more power from the source to give equivalent power at that distance. Many current wireless power devices are usually limited to very close range (in the low 1s of meters at the max) and very low power (mW at the max).

  2. Let me know when it's... by ppc970 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Power over 802.11x... Oh, and remind me to buy lead pajamas then too...

  3. 802.11 by TooTechy · · Score: 0, Redundant

    No, I want my power delivered by 802.11x
    _____
    \ /
    \ /
    ____O____
    \ / \ /
    .\/ \/

    :-)

  4. wireless by gumbi+west · · Score: 1, Redundant

    I can't wait until they update 802.11b to include this.