TE Connectivity (TE) today announced the Power over Ethernet (PoE) extender, a new component of the company's powered fiber cable system that extends the range PoE up to 3000 meters. This represents an order-of-magnitude improvement in PoE's reach from its nominal 100 meters, and opens up a new range of applications for PoE equipment such as CATV cameras, Wi-Fi access points, small cells and digital signage. Because the PoE extender drives PoE over long distances, PoE deployments are no longer dependent on the availability of power nearby. This allows significant network optimizations and, in the case of Wi-Fi access points, minimizes the number of cells that must be deployed to cover an entire area.
The PoE extender is a device that incorporates electrical power management, circuit protection electronics, and an optical to electrical media converter in an environmentally sealed enclosure. When used with TE's powered fiber cable system, it supports a broad range of applications, from CATV cameras with both data and power connections from a central point within a city, airport or shopping mall, to Wi-Fi hotspots along a city's riverside walkway. Featuring plug-and-play installation, the PoE extender is a simple, unobtrusive way to deploy PoE devices in large buildings or urban or suburban areas.
Providing the full range of required electrical protection, the PoE extender handles simple spike protection, electromagnetic interference and lightning protection. It meets NEC Class II and SELV standards and includes dc-dc conversion electronics, which automatically condition electrical voltage to the correct level needed for PoE input to the device under load.
"The PoE extender takes Ethernet-powered devices where they've never been before, making it possible for network architects to build massive deployments within a PoE infrastructure," said Mark Hesling, global vice president of product management at TE Connectivity. "Our Powered Fiber Cable System is all about connecting things simply and cost effectively, and the PoE extender enhances this value proposition." The PoE extender will be available in June, 2015.
