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Powering Methods with SPE
Three methods exist for powering devices with SPE:
separate power and data cords, PoDL, and hybrid
powering solutions. Each of these options (Figure 1)
transmits data from SPE to the module and power
from the Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to the
Powered Device (PD).
Separate power and data cords require two cables,
offering simplicity but less efficiency.
PoDL transmits power over data lines with a single,
thin cable. It is efficient but limited to 50W over
40m (according to the IEEE802.3bp standard, or
52W according to the IEEE802.3cg standard). It
lacks support for multidrop topologies and requires
extra electronics.
Figure 1: Powering methods. (Source: TE Connectivity)
A hybrid powering solution combines one data
pair with power pairs in connectors, using cable
space more efficiently than separate cords and
allowing higher power levels than PoDL. It supports
multidrop topologies without special circuitry,
thanks to galvanic isolation between data and
power, enhancing noise resilience.
Hybrid Connectors
As its name implies, an M8 hybrid connector (Figure
2) fits within an M8 form factor. The mating interface
consists of two signal pins and two power pins. The
power pins are larger in diameter than the signal
pins to allow for higher currents. In between, there
is a shield to minimize the crosstalk between power
and data.
Figure 2: M8 hybrid connector. (Source: TE Connectivity)
