PowerDsine has announced that the Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers has formed a new 802.3 Study Group, which will discuss the enhancement of the IEEE Power over Ethernet 802.3af standard.
The purpose of the enhanced PoE standard, dubbed "PoEplus," is to deliver higher power levels to devices that require more than the 13 Watts now specified in the 802.3af standard, ratified in June 2003.
During the Call for Interest at the IEEE 802 Plenary Meeting last week in San Antonio, TX, PowerDsine gave a presentation outlining market drivers for higher power PoE and how new enhancements are vital to the continued success of PoE technology.
The main objectives of the new IEEE 802.3 Study Group are to ensure that all new modifications are compatible with the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard and backwards compatible with existing IEEE 802.3af PoE equipment. The study group will address the broadening PoE market, distinguish between IEEE 802.3af devices and the new devices, and ensure economical and technical feasibility.
Twenty-two companies participated and voted for the creation of the study group, passing the Call for Interest by an overwhelming majority.
"We are seeing an increase in the types of Ethernet end-devices that could benefit from safe and reliable PoE powering, but many emerging devices require more power," says Igal Rotem, CEO of PowerDsine. "In order to maintain the momentum in the deployment of PoE, we believe that the industry needs to broaden the 802.3af standard to meet the increasing power requirements of emerging devices.
"With a PoE standard that supports higher power requirements, PoE will continue to offer a cost effective and reliable way to provide power to end devices connected to the Ethernet network," says Rotem.
The ratification of the 802.3af standard has accelerated the deployment of numerous network devices, such as WLAN access points, IP phones and network security cameras.
PowerDsine is based in Israel. For more information visit www.powerdsine.com.
