PowerDsine Ltd. (Farmingdale, NY), a leading provider of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology, announced that the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has formed a new 802.3 study group to discuss the enhancement of IEEE 802.3af, the PoE standard. The purpose of the enhanced PoE standard, dubbed "PoEplus," is to deliver higher power levels to devices that require more than the 13 W currently specified in the 802.3af standard, which was 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 study group will address the broadening PoE market, distinguish between IEEE 802.3af devices and the new devices, and ensure economical and technical feasibility.
