Silicon Labs intros ‘Green’ PoE/PoE+ quad PSE controller

AUSTIN, USA: Silicon Laboratories Inc., a leader in high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, has introduced the Si345x family, the industry’s most integrated, energy-efficient quad Power over Ethernet (PoE) Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controllers.

Able to support four independent PoE (IEEE 802.3af) and PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) PSE ports, the Si345x controllers offer real-time power measurement capabilities, energy-efficient powered device (PD) detection and disconnect algorithms, and the industry’s lowest on-resistance power field-effect transistors (FETs) and sense resistors.

These features enable smaller, highly energy-efficient and lower-cost PoE/PoE+ Ethernet switches and midspans designed to power multi-radio wireless access points, industrial automation systems, VoIP phones, and building security and surveillance systems.

The recently ratified IEEE 802.3at PoE+ standard supports up to 30 W per port, enabling PoE to be deployed across more power-hungry applications. However, there is a growing need to make these applications “greener” through increased power efficiencies. Network administrators increasingly demand per-port power measurement and dynamic power allocation to maximize their network’s overall power efficiency and minimize power supply costs.

“Minimizing power consumption is an analog-intensive design issue, and Silicon Labs has developed an IP portfolio that enables us to tackle these tough challenges in innovative, cost-effective ways,” said Dave Bresemann, vice president of Silicon Laboratories.

“Silicon Labs designed the Si345x PoE/PoE+ controllers with a system approach, leveraging our proprietary analog, high-voltage and process technology expertise to deliver a solution that allows designers to maximize energy efficiency and reduce BOM costs and PCB area.”

Fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3at standard, the environmentally friendly Si3452/3 controllers are available in RoHS-compliant, 6 x 6 mm QFN packaging. Samples and production quantities are available now. Pricing for the Si3452/3 controllers is $3.40 in 10k quantities. Industrial temperature range devices are also available now. The Si3452MS8-KIT is available now and priced at $345.