Method and System for Detecting Transformer Saturation in a Communication Interface

Abstract

A method and system for detecting transformer saturation in a communication interface is provided. The method may include detecting a change in impedance resulting from transformer saturation of at least one isolation transformer utilized in a network path of a network. The network may conform to an IEEE 802.3af specification where power may be delivered through the network. The method may further comprise generating a pulse at a one end of the network and measuring a reflection at that end to detect the transformer saturation. In response to the impedance change, a transmitter signal may be pre-distorted in order to compensate for the detected transformer saturation, or the power delivered over the network may be disabled.

1 . A method for processing signals in a communication system, the method comprising: detecting a change in impedance resulting from transformer saturation of at least one transformer utilized in a network path of a network. 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising generating at least one pulse at a first end of said network path and measuring at least one reflection at said first end. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising pre-distorting a signal in response to said detecting. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising delivering power through said network path via said at least one transformer. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , comprising disabling said delivered power in response to said detecting. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one transformer is an isolation transformer. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said impedance change is related to a saturation level of said transformer. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said network conforms to an IEEE 802.3af specification. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising generating a signal to compensate for said transformer saturation upon said detecting. 
   
   
       10 . A machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for processing signals in a communication system, the at least one code section being executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform steps comprising: detecting a change in impedance resulting from transformer saturation of at least one transformer utilized in a network path of a network. 
   
   
       11 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one code section comprises code that enables generating at least one pulse at a first end of said network path and measuring at least one reflection at said first end. 
   
   
       12 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one code section comprises code that enables pre-distorting a signal in response to said detecting. 
   
   
       13 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one code section comprises code that enables delivering power through said network path via said at least one transformer. 
   
   
       14 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one code section comprises code that enables disabling said delivered power in response to said detecting. 
   
   
       15 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one transformer is an isolation transformer. 
   
   
       16 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 10 , wherein said impedance change is related to a saturation level of said transformer. 
   
   
       17 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 10 , wherein said network conforms to an IEEE 802.3af specification. 
   
   
       18 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one code section comprises code that enables generating a signal to compensate for said transformer saturation upon said detecting. 
   
   
       19 . A system for processing signals in a communication system, the system comprising: one or more circuits that enables detecting a change in impedance resulting from transformer saturation of at least one transformer utilized in a network path of a network. 
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said one or more circuits enables generating at least one pulse at a first end of said network path and measuring at least one reflection at said first end. 
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said one or more circuits enables pre-distorting a signal in response to said detecting. 
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said one or more circuits enables delivering power through said network path via said at least one transformer. 
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein said one or more circuits enables disabling said delivered power in response to said detecting. 
   
   
       24 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said at least one transformer is an isolation transformer. 
   
   
       25 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said impedance change is related to a saturation level of said transformer. 
   
   
       26 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said network conforms to an IEEE 802.3af specification. 
   
   
       27 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said one or more circuits enables generating a signal to compensate for said transformer saturation upon said detecting.