Microsemi Corporation, a leading manufacturer of high performance analog mixed signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, has announced the industry’s first pre-standard IEEE802.3at power over Ethernet integrated solution family, delivering 36 watts of power for devices ranging from video screen phones and WiMAX transmitters to pan-tilt-zoom cameras, thin-clients and laptop computers.

The new product family includes the PD64012GH 12-port PSE PoE Manager and the PD64004AH 4-port PSE PoE Manager. Both feature integrated power FETs, enabling switch manufacturers to build switches that can drive 36W for every 2-pairs and interface to devices consuming up to 30 watts. Customers requiring up to 60 watts can use the same Microsemi integrated circuits in a 4-pair configuration. The ICs support Layer-2 Classification.

"Our customers can have peace of mind building Ethernet switches with these new circuits-- knowing that they are ready for the forthcoming IEEE802.3at standard," said Daniel Feldman, PoE Product Line Manager at Microsemi. "The IEEE802.3at, with its 30W and 60W configurations, enables the deployment of infrastructure applications such as IEEE802.11n WLAN, IEEE802.16d WiMAX, fiber-to-the-home, as well as powering computing devices such as thin clients and portable computers."

Both the PD64012GH and PD64004AH include all of the features found in lower power PD64012G and PD64004A circuits, including detection of pre-standard devices, dynamic power management and emergency power management. In addition, the new devices also add support for power management based on Layer-2 classification.

With increases in the maximum theoretical power per port, advanced power management features become critical for the design of PoE switches, saving integrators an average of 50% of the cost of adding PoE to a switch.

The PD64004AH enables us to power our next generation Access Points in a cost effective, safe and reliable manner” said Nozar Azarakhsh, Director of Hardware Design Engineering, at Trapeze Networks. “Our partnership with Microsemi enables us to use the most advanced PoE IC’s in our WLAN Switches and Midspans, enabling our customers to have full flexibility to choose the best way to power their Access Points.
“Working with PowerDsine in the past and now Microsemi has enabled us to be an innovator in the PoE switch market since 2002,” said Peter Doggart, Director of Product Management, 3Com. “Microsemi’s modular solutions will enable us to move from pre-standard IEEE802.3af to IEEE802.3af-compliant into the new High PoE equipment in a swift and efficient manner.”

The PD64012GH and PD64004AH not only operate in pre-standard IEEE802.3at mode, but also are 100% IEEE802.3af compliant when detecting IEEE802.3af PD’s. The PD64012GH and PD64004AH are managed by the PD63000G PoE MCU using Firmware Release 6 or above.
"The upcoming IEEE802.3at standard transforms the RJ45 connector into a truly universal power socket, capable of delivering power to applications in the enterprise, SME, SOHO and residential markets," said Derek Brown, VP Marketing of Microsemi’s Analog Mixed-Signal Group. "The PD64012GH and PD64004AH were designed having in mind that customers will need a solution that is flexible enough to deliver 720mA on 2-pairs, but at the same time can be implemented in a cost effective manner to support up to 571mA in the period before the IEEE802.3at standard is ratified," he said.

Product Availability
The PD64012GH and PD64004AH are sampling now and will be in volume production later in March 2007.

Irvine, Calif 23rd March 2007