Power Over Ethernet

The IEEE recently ratified 802.3at, a new Power over Ethernet Plus standard. The IEEE 802.3at-2009 Power over Ethernet (PoE) Plus standard defies the technology for powering a wide range of powered devices at up to 25W over existing CAT5e and above cables.

"IEEE 802.3at uses the Link Layer Discover Protocol (LLPD) from IEEE Std 802.1AB, which allows dynamic power allocation and negotiation down to 1/10th of a Watt, and associated technology including Type, Length, Values (TLVs) from IEEE 802.3bc, which was also recently approved. This will allow equipment manufactures to manage their power supply costs and efficiencies at levels not possible with previous standards, and to cut their costs in the process," Mike McCormack, Chair of the IEEE P802.3at Task Force said.

Mike McCormack also stated,  "In addition, we have increased available power up to 25W. This will allow Power over Ethernet (PoE) to address applications such as high power Wireless APs, gimbal mounted cameras, and even some netbooks, as well as newer emerging applications."

We should start seeing low-power and high-power IEEE802.3at-2009-compliant VoIP phones, WLAN access points, network cameras, WiMAX subscriber stations and more.