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IEEE Forms High-Power PoE Group

MANHASSET, N.Y. — PowerDsine, a supplier of Power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions, announced Monday (Nov. 22) that the Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has formed a new 802.3 Study Group to discuss the enhancement of the IEEE PoE 802.3af standard.
The enhanced PoE standard, dubbed PoEplus, defines the delivery of higher power levels to devices requiring more than the 13 watts currently specified in the 802.3af standard, ratified in June 2003.
The main objectives of the new IEEE 802.3 Study Group are to ensure that all new modifications are compatible with the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard and backwards compatible with existing IEEE 802.3af PoE equipment. The group will address the broadening PoE market, distinguish between IEEE 802.3af devices and the new devices, and ensure economical and technical feasibility.
"We are seeing an increase in the types of Ethernet end-devices that could benefit from safe and reliable PoE powering, but many emerging devices require more power. In order to maintain the momentum in the deployment of PoE, we believe that the industry needs to broaden the 802.3af standard to meet the increasing power requirements of emerging devices," said Igal Rotem, chief executive of PowerDsine, in a statement.