This week's new product recommendation: ADI PoE++ PSE digital controller

Power over Ethernet (PoE) has long been a popular technology due to its ability to simultaneously provide power for high-speed data transmission. In the third edition of the PoE standard, IEEE 802.3bt (PoE++), released in September 2018, the maximum PoE power rating has been increased to 90W, leveraging the power-carrying capacity of network cables.

As power levels increase, users are increasingly demanding power supply equipment (PSE) controllers that comply with new standards. To address this, ADI recently launched the LTC4292/LTC4291 chipset, a 4-port PSE controller that is compatible with and powers PDs that meet standards such as 802.3af, 802.3at, and 802.3bt.

A prominent feature of the LTC4292/LTC4291 chipset is its ability to achieve lower heat dissipation by utilizing low RDS(ON) external MOSFETs and providing a 0.15Ω sense resistor per power channel. Furthermore, the use of a transformer-isolated communication protocol replaces expensive optocouplers and complex 3.3V power supplies, significantly reducing BOM costs.

The LTC4292/LTC4291's advanced power management features include: 14-bit current monitoring per port; programmable current limit and universal fast shutdown for preselected ports; license-free advanced power management host software; a proprietary multi-point PD detection mechanism with excellent noise immunity; support for automatic classification and 5-event physical classification. The LTC4292/LTC4291 can increase the power delivered by the PD to a maximum of 71.3W via programming pins or the included I2C interface.

For a quick overview of ADI’s PoE++ PSE digital controllers , click on the video below: