IEEE publishes IEEE 802.3bu for provisioning Power over Data Lines (PoDL) of single balanced twisted-pair Ethernet

IEEE and the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) have announced the availability of IEEE 802.3bu-2016—Standard for Physical Layer and Management Parameters for Power over Data Lines (PoDL) of Single Balanced Twisted-Pair Ethernet.

According to IEEE, "single pair Ethernet was initially developed to support automotive manufacturer’s increasing demand for Ethernet connectivity in vehicles. IEEE 802.3bu-2016 defines specifications and parameters for adding standardized power to that cabling. The standard supports the latest single balanced twisted-pair Ethernet physical layers, 100BASE-T1 and 1000BASE-T1, using unshielded twisted-pair cable—a relatively low-cost cabling solution for the automotive industry resulting in reduced weight and cost, and increased reliability due to the need for fewer cables and connectors in automotive applications."

“The IEEE 802.3bu project was initiated due to the increased utilization of Ethernet in automobiles in a single pair configuration. It also holds a good deal of promise for further applicability across a wide range of industries and within a rapidly growing Internet of Things ecosystem,” said Dan Dove, chair, IEEE P802.3bu Task Force.

Dove added, “The standard defines a power delivery protocol that supports multiple voltages, and multiple classes of power delivery at each voltage, with assured fault protection and detection capabilities for identifying device signatures, as well as communicating directly with devices to determine accurate and safe power delivery.”