The NCP1095 interface controller has been qualified as part of the Ethernet Alliance Power over Ethernet (PoE) Certification Program, making it one of the first devices to be fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3bt 90 Watt standard.

Recently announced by the Ethernet Alliance, the Gen 2 PoE Certification Program was designed to allow interoperable products to be designed quickly and easily in accordance with the IEEE 802.3bt standard. The main goal of the program is to enhance the user experience by minimizing confusion between IEEE standard-based PoE and proprietary solutions. To this end, the program introduces new end user equipment logos, indicating the type of product and the power class supported. Power Source Equipment (PSE) is indicated by an arrow flowing out of the icon, while an arrow flowing into the icon is used to represent a Powered Device. The power class is designated by the second box of the logo.

Certification Logos Provided by the Ethernet Alliance

As part of the Gen 2 Certification Program, onsemi has been working with the Ethernet Alliance to actively define the new PoE Gen 2 certification tests, and is a key contributor to including active bridges in the certification protocols.

The new 802.3bt standard allows up to 90 Watts of power to be delivered. This has opened the door for a variety of applications such as connected lighting and closed-circuit security cameras that required higher amounts of power than were supported by previous standards. Since higher power transfer can often mean higher power loss in the interface, we always strive to maximize the overall system efficiency at onsemi. In a PoE Powered Device, this can be achieved with an active polarity bridge and an efficient PD interface IC. The PoE application engineering team has been instrumental to include active bridge topologies into the EA certification test protocols. Measurements on the NCP1096 evaluation board show that power transfer efficiencies in excess of 99% are achievable.

IEEE 802.3bt Power Over Ethernet (PoE) System Block Diagram

The NCP1095 and NCP1096 are our latest additions to the PoE PD family of devices. They are capable of handling up to 100 Watts of power, so there is ample headroom in the system design for IEEE802.3bt compliant 90W applications, increasing robustness of the interface. The NCP1095 employs an external pass FET, where the NCP1096 has a low Rds_on FET integrated. The industry leading Rds_on of 70mΩ for the NCP1096 pass FET enables very high efficiencies. Combined with the GreenBridge™ 2 series active polarity bridges (FDMQ8025A), power pass through efficiency of >99% in the PoE interface is feasible.

To reduce standby power, a short Maintain Power Signature is employed in the NCP1095 and NCP1096, making it possible to stay comfortably below the latest standby power standards for the overall system.

For manufacturers, system integrators and end consumers, PoE systems designed around certified interfaces offer guaranteed interoperability with other equipment and compliance with all surge immunity regulations (line-to-line / line-to-ground), noise immunity and electromagnetic interference (EMI).