In one or more embodiments, a system includes a plurality of network devices comprising a plurality of ports, a power bus connecting the network devices, wherein power is shared between the network devices over the power bus, and a controller for identifying available power and allocating power to the ports. The ports include a plurality of PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports each operable to transmit power to a device connected to one of the PSE PoE ports, a plurality of PD (Powered Device) PoE ports each operable to receive power from a device connected to one of the PD PoE ports, and a plurality of bi-directional PoE ports each configurable to operate as a PSE PoE port to transmit power to a device connected to one of the bi-directional PoE ports or as a PD PoE port to receive power from the connected device.

In one or more embodiments, a system includes a plurality of network devices comprising a plurality of ports, a power bus connecting the network devices, wherein power is shared between the network devices over the power bus, and a controller for identifying available power and allocating power to the ports. The ports include a plurality of PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports each operable to transmit power to a device connected to one of the PSE PoE ports, a plurality of PD (Powered Device) PoE ports each operable to receive power from a device connected to one of the PD PoE ports, and a plurality of bi-directional PoE ports each configurable to operate as a PSE PoE port to transmit power to a device connected to one of the bi-directional PoE ports or as a PD PoE port to receive power from the connected device.

One embodiment is directed a powered device that comprises a connector to connect a multi-conductor cable to the powered device and device circuits partitioned into a first partition and a second partition. The powered device is configured to receive power from a first cable circuit and a second cable circuit provided over the multi-conductor cable. The powered device is configured to separately power the first partition using power received from the first cable circuit and power the second partition using power received from the second cable circuit and to power isolate the first cable circuit from the second cable circuit. The powered device further comprises at least one isolation device coupled to the first partition and the second partition and configured to enable information to be communicated between the first partition and the second partition. Other embodiments are disclosed.

One embodiment is directed a powered device that comprises a connector to connect a multi-conductor cable to the powered device and device circuits partitioned into a first partition and a second partition. The powered device is configured to receive power from a first cable circuit and a second cable circuit provided over the multi-conductor cable. The powered device is configured to separately power the first partition using power received from the first cable circuit and power the second partition using power received from the second cable circuit and to power isolate the first cable circuit from the second cable circuit. The powered device further comprises at least one isolation device coupled to the first partition and the second partition and configured to enable information to be communicated between the first partition and the second partition. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Provided is an electronic apparatus comprising a main body and a kit connected to the main body, wherein the main body comprises a battery, a first motor, an electric wire connected to the battery and a first controller connected to the electric wire, wherein the kit comprises a second motor supplied with power through the electric wire and a second controller connected to the electric wire, wherein the first controller comprises a first signal generator configured to generate a signal to be transmitted to the kit and a first modulator configured to modulate the signal generated by the first signal generator, and wherein the signal modulated by the first modulator is transmitted to the second controller through the electric wire.

Provided is an electronic apparatus comprising a main body and a kit connected to the main body, wherein the main body comprises a battery, a first motor, an electric wire connected to the battery and a first controller connected to the electric wire, wherein the kit comprises a second motor supplied with power through the electric wire and a second controller connected to the electric wire, wherein the first controller comprises a first signal generator configured to generate a signal to be transmitted to the kit and a first modulator configured to modulate the signal generated by the first signal generator, and wherein the signal modulated by the first modulator is transmitted to the second controller through the electric wire.

Techniques are disclosed relating to limiting power in Power over Data Line (PoDL) networks. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a voltage terminal including a first pole and a second pole, a first line for connecting the first pole to a first terminal of a physical layer of a microelectronic component, and a second line for connecting the second pole to a second terminal of the physical layer. The apparatus may further include a switch element in each of the first and second line, where each switch element is connected to and controllable by a control unit and the control unit includes a microprocessor. The apparatus may further include a voltage measurement unit configured to measure a voltage drop over each switch element and supply the voltage drop to the microprocessor.

Techniques are disclosed relating to limiting power in Power over Data Line (PoDL) networks. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a voltage terminal including a first pole and a second pole, a first line for connecting the first pole to a first terminal of a physical layer of a microelectronic component, and a second line for connecting the second pole to a second terminal of the physical layer. The apparatus may further include a switch element in each of the first and second line, where each switch element is connected to and controllable by a control unit and the control unit includes a microprocessor. The apparatus may further include a voltage measurement unit configured to measure a voltage drop over each switch element and supply the voltage drop to the microprocessor.

A system is provided that includes a power transmitter configured to provide power to a current loop, a power receiver configured to receive the power from the current loop. The power receiver is configured to, on a periodic basis, disconnect from the current loop to stop pulling power from the current loop for a period of time to enable a safety check to be performed by the power transmitter. The power transmitter is configured to: monitor current on the current loop; determine whether a current level on the current loop passes the safety check within a predetermined time interval since a determination that the current level was not within a safe range; and control connectivity of the power to the current loop depending on whether the safety check has or has not passed within the predetermined time interval.

A system is provided that includes a power transmitter configured to provide power to a current loop, a power receiver configured to receive the power from the current loop. The power receiver is configured to, on a periodic basis, disconnect from the current loop to stop pulling power from the current loop for a period of time to enable a safety check to be performed by the power transmitter. The power transmitter is configured to: monitor current on the current loop; determine whether a current level on the current loop passes the safety check within a predetermined time interval since a determination that the current level was not within a safe range; and control connectivity of the power to the current loop depending on whether the safety check has or has not passed within the predetermined time interval.