System, method and apparatus for one-pair power over ethernet in an automotive application

Abstract

System, method and apparatus for one-pair power over Ethernet in an automotive application. In one embodiment, a power sourcing equipment transmits a forward path current to a powered device via a single conductor pair and receives a return path current from the powered device via a chassis of an automotive vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a first device configured to deliver power to a load; and   a second device configured to transmit a forward path current to the first device via a single conductor pair, a first portion of the forward path current carried over a first conductor of the single conductor pair, a second portion of the forward path current carried over a second conductor of the single conductor pair, and a return path current carried by a body of a vehicle,   wherein the second device is coupled to a battery of the vehicle, the battery coupled to the body of the vehicle, and the body of the vehicle coupled to the first device, and   wherein a difference between a resistance of the body of the vehicle and a resistance of the single conductor pair provides a predetermined power loss attributable to a predetermined length of the single conductor pair.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first device is a powered device, and wherein the second device is a power sourcing equipment. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the battery is a 12V battery. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second device is coupled to a positive terminal of the battery. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second device is coupled to the single conductor pair via a transformer. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second device is coupled to the single conductor pair via an inductor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the single conductor pair is a single twisted wire pair. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first port configured for coupling to a battery of a vehicle, wherein the battery is coupled to a body of the vehicle, and the body of the vehicle is coupled to a powered device;   a second port configured for coupling to a single conductor pair; and   control logic configured to control a delivery of power to the powered device via the single conductor pair, a first portion of a forward path current carried over a first conductor of the single conductor pair, a second portion of the forward path current carried over a second conductor of the single conductor pair, and a return path current carried by the body of the vehicle,   wherein a difference between a resistance of the body and a resistance of the single conductor pair provides a predetermined power loss attributable to a predetermined length of the single conductor pair.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the battery is a 12V battery. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first port is coupled to a positive terminal of the battery. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second port is coupled to the single conductor pair via a transformer. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second port is coupled to the single conductor pair via an inductor. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the single conductor pair is a single twisted wire pair. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a power transistor configured to deliver power to a load, via a single conductor pair, a first portion of a forward path current from a power sourcing equipment carried over a first conductor of the single conductor pair, a second portion of the forward path current from the power sourcing equipment carried over a second conductor of the single conductor pair, and a return path current carried by a body of a vehicle,   wherein the power sourcing equipment is coupled to a battery of the vehicle, the battery coupled to the body of the vehicle, and the body of the vehicle coupled to the apparatus, and   wherein a difference between a resistance of the body and a resistance of the single conductor pair provides a predetermined power loss attributable to a predetermined length of the single conductor pair.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprises a controller configured to control the power transistor. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the battery is a 12V battery. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus is coupled to the single conductor pair via a transformer. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus is coupled to the single conductor pair via an inductor. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the single conductor pair is a single twisted wire pair.