Latin America. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is one of the most "worrisome" applications for IT administrators today, and so CommScope's new research and development lab hopes to prove that this technology doesn't have to be, at least as far as cabling is concerned.
At this new research and development laboratory located in Greensboro, North Carolina, CommScope will test next-generation PoE applications to verify the operation and safety of the structured cabling systems that support them, especially with regard to their thermal performance under different real-world installation conditions. The lab will also host demonstrations of next-generation PoE applications, such as high-definition security cameras, in-house wireless systems, and digital signage, in collaboration with partners involved in this ecosystem.
PoE is an enabling technology to deliver direct current (DC) power along with data signals, through common copper cabling, such as Category 6A. Users in an office environment know PoE in applications such as VoIP, through IP phones, which were among the first devices to use this technology.
"In addition to data transmission itself, PoE is the most important enabler of devices using structured cabling in today's corporate buildings, which is critical as IT administrators seek to derive greater value from their installed copper cabling infrastructure and be able to connect more devices," as mentioned by Ernie Pickens, Senior VP, for CommScope Enterprise Solutions. "CommScope remains committed to ensuring the security, reliability and superior performance of its cabling and connectivity solutions for PoE devices, now and as they evolve in the future."
Along with other parameters, CommScope will test the heat generated in cable packets like this Category 6A in its new Power over Ethernet lab. In real-world office/business setup, wiring is typically installed in such packages. CommScope will test how cables are affected by applications running the soon-to-be-approved four-pair PoE standard.
The new CommScope lab will open as soon as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers approves the new four-pair PoE (4PPoE) standard, known as IEEE 802.3bt, which allows connections of devices that consume higher powers, up to approximately 90 watts in the power source equipment. The more power PoE Switches can deliver, the more research will be needed to verify their impact on structured cabling in a variety of installation conditions.
Some of the new PoE applications to be approved include:
- • High-tech security cameras with advanced features like zoom and facial recognition
- • PoE computers, thin client devices and digital signage.
- • Wireless systems in buildings.
- • LED lighting systems
- • Building management systems incorporating security, lighting, HVAC climate control, internal wireless systems and access control.
- • IoT networks.
Throughout the development of the new IEEE standard, CommScope has shared with the corresponding committees the result of its tests on the theoretical challenges encountered in the management of higher power. For its initial research in the new lab, CommScope is testing equipment from Cisco, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) and Thinlabs to demonstrate a smart office building scenario with lighting, security cameras, and LAN switches connected with 4PPoE via SYSTIMAX cabling. CommScope engineers will analyze heat emissions from the cable in a real-world environment, with cables installed on ceilings and across walls, while transmitting high-power applications.
Grand View Research predicts that the global PoE market will reach $3.77 billion by 2025, as the 4PPoE standard promotes more applications and devices to use this technology.
