U.S. patent application number 17/203930 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-22 for powering co-packaged networking system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dell Products L.P.. Invention is credited to Neal Beard, Shree Rathinasamy.
Application Number | 20220300054 17/203930 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006575803 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220300054 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rathinasamy; Shree ; et
al. |
September 22, 2022 |
POWERING CO-PACKAGED NETWORKING SYSTEM
Abstract
A powering co-packaged networking system includes a powering
co-packaged networking device coupled via a power/data cable to a
powered device. The powering co-packaged networking device includes
a connector subsystem coupled to a power controller device and an
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system that
converts between optical signals and electrical signals. The
connector subsystem is connected to the powered device via a
power/data connector on the power/data cable, and includes an
optical signal sub-connector that receives optical signals from the
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system and
transmits the optical signals via the power/data connector on the
power/data cable and through the power/data cable to the powered
device, and a power sub-connector that receives power from the
power controller device and transmits the power via the power/data
connector on the power/data cable and through the power/data cable
to the powered device.
Inventors: |
Rathinasamy; Shree; (Round
Rock, TX) ; Beard; Neal; (Austin, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dell Products L.P. |
Round Rock |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006575803 |
Appl. No.: |
17/203930 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/266 20130101;
G05B 15/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/26 20060101
G06F001/26; G05B 15/02 20060101 G05B015/02 |
Claims
1. A powering co-packaged networking system, comprising: a powered
device; a power/data cable connected to the powered device; and a
powering co-packaged networking device including: networking
processor including an integrated optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system that is configured to enable the
powering co-packaged networking device to convert between optical
signals and electrical signals without the use of a connectable
transceiver device; a power controller device; and a connector
subsystem that is coupled to the integrated optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system and the power controller
device, wherein the connector subsystem is connected to the powered
device via a power/data connector on the power/data cable and
includes: an optical signal Multi-fiber Push-On (MPO) sub-connector
that is configured to receive first optical signals from the
integrated optical/electrical signal conversion processing system
and transmit the first optical signals via a direct connection to
the power/data connector on the power/data cable and through the
power/data cable to the powered device; and a power pin
sub-connector that is configured to receive power from the power
controller device and transmit the power via the power/data
connector on the power/data cable and through the power/data cable
to the powered device.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical signal MPO
sub-connector is configured to receive second optical signals
through the power/data cable from the powered device via the direct
connection to the power/data connector on the power/data cable, and
provide those second optical signals to the integrated
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system in the
networking processor.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the integrated optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system includes an integrated silicon
photonics engine that is configured to convert between electrical
signals and optical signals, an integrated laser subsystem that is
configured to generate optical pulses from the optical signals
generated by the integrated silicon photonics engine, and an
integrated optical subsystem that is configured to transmit optical
pulses generated by the integrated laser subsystem via the optical
signal MPO sub-connector, and provide optical signals received via
the optical signal MPO sub-connector directly to the integrated
silicon photonics engine.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connection of the connector
subsystem to the power/data connector on the power/data cable
aligns the optical signal MPO sub-connector on the connector
subsystem with a fiber optic coupling included on the power/data
connector, and aligns the power sub-connector on the connector
subsystem with a power coupling included on the power/data
connector.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the optical signal MPO
sub-connector transmitting the first optical signals via the direct
connection to the power/data connector on the power/data cable and
through the power/data cable includes transmitting the first
optical signals via the fiber optic coupling included on the
power/data connector and through a fiber optic medium included in
the power/data cable.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the power pin sub-connector
transmitting the power via the power/data connector on the
power/data cable and through the power/data cable includes
transmitting the power via the power coupling included on the
power/data connector and through a power conductive medium included
in the power/data cable.
7. An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising: a chassis; a
power controller device that is included in the chassis; networking
processor including an integrated optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system that is configured to enable the IHS
to convert between optical signals and electrical signals without
the use of a connectable transceiver device; and a connector
subsystem that is coupled to the integrated optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system and the power controller
device, wherein the connector subsystem is configured to be
connected to a powered device via a power/data connector on a
power/data cable and includes: an optical signal Multi-fiber
Push-On (MPO) sub-connector that is configured to receive first
optical signals from the integrated optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system and transmit the first optical signals
via a direct connection to the power/data connector on the
power/data cable and through the power/data cable to the powered
device; and a power pin sub-connector that is configured to receive
power from the power controller device and transmit the power via
the power/data connector on the power/data cable and through the
power/data cable to the powered device.
8. The IHS of claim 7, wherein the optical signal MPO sub-connector
is configured to receive second optical signals through the
power/data cable from the powered device via the direct connection
to the power/data connector on the power/data cable, and provide
those second optical signals to the integrated optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system in the networking
processor.
9. The IHS of claim 7, wherein the integrated optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system includes an integrated silicon
photonics engine that is configured to convert between electrical
signals and optical signals, an integrated laser subsystem that is
configured to generate optical pulses from the optical signals
generated by the integrated silicon photonics engine, and an
integrated optical subsystem that is configured to transmit optical
pulses generated by the integrated laser subsystem via the optical
signal MPO sub-connector, and provide optical signals received via
the optical signal MPO sub-connector directly to the integrated
silicon photonics engine.
10. The IHS of claim 7, wherein the connection of the connector
subsystem to the power/data connector on the power/data cable
aligns the optical signal MPO sub-connector on the connector
subsystem with a fiber optic coupling included on the power/data
connector, and aligns the power sub-connector on the connector
subsystem with a power coupling included on the power/data
connector.
11. The IHS of claim 10, wherein the optical signal MPO
sub-connector transmitting the first optical signals via the direct
connection to the power/data connector on the power/data cable and
through the power/data cable includes transmitting the first
optical signals via the fiber optic coupling included on the
power/data connector and through a fiber optic medium included in
the power/data cable.
12. The IHS of claim 10, wherein the power pin sub-connector
transmitting the power via the power/data connector on the
power/data cable and through the power/data cable includes
transmitting the power via the power coupling included on the
power/data connector and through a power conductive medium included
in the power/data cable.
13. The IHS of claim 7, wherein the integrated optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system includes: an Ethernet switch
chip that is configured to perform data processing operations.
14. A method for transmitting power and data via a co-packaged
networking device, comprising: transmitting, by a power controller
device in a co-packaged networking device, powered received from a
power supply system in the co-packaged networking device;
converting, by the co-packaged networking device using an
integrated optical/electrical signal conversion processing system
in a networking processor included in the co-packaged networking
device and without the use of a connectable transceiver device,
between optical signals and electrical signals; receiving, by an
optical signal sub-connector that is included in a connector
subsystem in the co-packaged networking device, first optical
signals from the integrated optical/electrical signal conversion
processing system; transmitting, by the optical signal Multi-fiber
Push-On (MPO) sub-connector that is included in the connector
subsystem in the co-packaged networking device, the first optical
signals via a direct connection to a power/data connector on a
power/data cable and through the power/data cable to a powered
device; receiving, by a power pin sub-connector that is included in
the connector subsystem in the co-packaged networking device, the
power transmitted by the power controller device; and transmitting,
by the power sub-connector that is included in the connector
subsystem in the co-packaged networking device, the power via the
power/data connector on the power/data cable and through the
power/data cable to the powered device.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving, by the
optical signal MPO sub-connector that is included in the connector
subsystem in the co-packaged networking device, second optical
signals through the power/data cable from the powered device via
the direct connection to the power/data connector on the power/data
cable; and providing, by the optical signal MPO sub-connector that
is included in the connector subsystem in the co-packaged
networking device, the second optical signals to the integrated
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the integrated
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system includes an
integrated silicon photonics engine that is configured to convert
between electrical signals and optical signals, an integrated laser
subsystem that is configured to generate optical pulses from the
optical signals generated by the integrated silicon photonics
engine, and an integrated optical subsystem that is configured to
transmit optical pulses generated by the integrated laser subsystem
via the optical signal MPO sub-connector, and provide optical
signals received via the optical signal MPO sub-connector directly
to the integrated silicon photonics engine.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: connecting the
connector subsystem to the power/data connector on the power/data
cable to align the optical signal MPO sub-connector on the
connector subsystem with a fiber optic coupling included on the
power/data connector, and align the power sub-connector on the
connector subsystem with a power coupling included on the
power/data connector.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the optical signal MPO
sub-connector transmitting the first optical signals via the
direction connection to the power/data connector on the power/data
cable and through the power/data cable includes transmitting the
first optical signals via the fiber optic coupling included on the
power/data connector and through a fiber optic medium included in
the power/data cable.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the power pin sub-connector
transmitting the power via the power/data connector on the
power/data cable and through the power/data cable includes
transmitting the power via the power coupling included on the
power/data connector and through a power conductive medium included
in the power/data cable.
20. The method of claim 14, further comprising: performing, by an
Ethernet switch chip included in the integrated optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system, data processing operations.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to information
handling systems, and more particularly to providing power along
with data via a co-packaged networking information handling
system.
[0002] As the value and use of information continues to increase,
individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and
store information. One option available to users is information
handling systems. An information handling system generally
processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or
data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing
users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because
technology and information handling needs and requirements vary
between different users or applications, information handling
systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how
the information is handled, how much information is processed,
stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the
information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The
variations in information handling systems allow for information
handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or
specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline
reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In
addition, information handling systems may include a variety of
hardware and software components that may be configured to process,
store, and communicate information and may include one or more
computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
[0003] Information handling systems such as, for example, switch
devices and/or other networking devices known in art, are sometimes
configured to utilize optical signals in order to, for example,
increase the speed of data transmissions and/or provide other
benefits known in the art. For example, some conventional switch
devices are configured to process electrical signals, and utilize
transceiver devices that are connected to ports on the switch
device and that operate to receive optical signals from a connected
fiber optic cable and convert those optical signals to electrical
signals that are then provided to the switch device for processing,
as well as receive electrical signals from the switch device and
convert those electrical signals to optical signals before
transmitting those optical signals via the connected fiber optic
cable. However, the transceiver devices and associated subsystems
discussed above are relatively expensive, can reduce data signal
integrity, and/or are subject to other issues known in the art.
[0004] In order to address the issues associated with the
transceiver devices discussed above, "co-packaged" switch devices
have been developed that include an optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system (e.g., a Network Processing Unit
(NPU), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.)
that is configured to convert between electrical signals and
optical signals within the switch device, thus allowing for fiber
optic cables to be directly connected to ports on the switch
device, eliminating the need for the transceiver devices discussed
above, improving signal integrity, and providing other benefits
known in the art. However, the utilization of the fiber optic
cables discussed above prevents co-packaged switch devices from
providing power along with data (e.g., as is done with Power over
Ethernet (PoE) switch devices via conventional conductive cabling
that can transmit electrical signals along with power), thus
increasing the amount of cabling (e.g., separate fiber optic
cabling and power cabling for each powered device) that is required
in networked systems that utilize co-packaged switch devices.
[0005] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a co-packaged
networking device that addresses the issues discussed above.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to one embodiment, an Information Handling System
(IHS) includes a power controller device; an optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system that is configured to convert
between optical signals and electrical signals; and a connector
subsystem that is coupled to the optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system and the power controller device,
wherein the connector subsystem is configured to be connected to a
powered device via a power/data connector on a power/data cable and
includes: an optical signal sub-connector that is configured to
receive first optical signals from the optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system and transmit the first optical signals
via the power/data connector on the power/data cable and through
the power/data cable to the powered device; and a power
sub-connector that is configured to receive power from the power
controller device and transmit the power via the power/data
connector on the power/data cable and through the power/data cable
to the powered device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an
Information Handling System (IHS).
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a
networked system that may utilize the powering co-packaged
networking device system of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 3A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a
powered device that may be provided in the networked system of FIG.
2.
[0010] FIG. 3B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the powered device of FIG. 3A.
[0011] FIG. 4A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a
powering co-packaged networking device that is provided according
to the teachings of the present disclosure and that may be included
in the networked system of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the powering co-packaged networking device of FIG. 4A.
[0013] FIG. 5A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a
power/data cable that may be provided in the networked system of
FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 5B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the power/data cable of FIG. 5A.
[0015] FIG. 5C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the power/data cable of FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a
method for transmitting power and data via a co-packaged networking
device.
[0017] FIG. 7A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the operation of the networked system of FIG. 2 during the method
of FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 7B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the operation of the powering co-packaged networking device of
FIGS. 4A and 4B during the method of FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 7C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the operation of the powering co-packaged networking device of
FIGS. 4A and 4B during the method of FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 7D is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the operation of the powered device of FIGS. 3A and 3B during the
method of FIG. 6.
[0021] FIG. 7E is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the operation of the powered device of FIGS. 3A and 3B during the
method of FIG. 6.
[0022] FIG. 8A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the operation of the networked system of FIG. 2 during the method
of FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 8B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the operation of the powered device of FIGS. 3A and 3B during the
method of FIG. 6.
[0024] FIG. 8C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of
the operation of the powering co-packaged networking device of
FIGS. 4A and 4B during the method of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling
system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of
instrumentalities operable to compute, calculate, determine,
classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch,
store, display, communicate, manifest, detect, record, reproduce,
handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data
for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example,
an information handling system may be a personal computer (e.g.,
desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., personal
digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server
or rack server), a network storage device, or any other suitable
device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and
price. The information handling system may include random access
memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central
processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM,
and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of
the information handling system may include one or more disk
drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external
devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as
a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen and/or a video display. The
information handling system may also include one or more buses
operable to transmit communications between the various hardware
components.
[0026] In one embodiment, IHS 100, FIG. 1, includes a processor
102, which is connected to a bus 104. Bus 104 serves as a
connection between processor 102 and other components of IHS 100.
An input device 106 is coupled to processor 102 to provide input to
processor 102. Examples of input devices may include keyboards,
touchscreens, pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs, and
trackpads, and/or a variety of other input devices known in the
art. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device 108,
which is coupled to processor 102. Examples of mass storage devices
may include hard discs, optical disks, magneto-optical discs,
solid-state storage devices, and/or a variety of other mass storage
devices known in the art. IHS 100 further includes a display 110,
which is coupled to processor 102 by a video controller 112. A
system memory 114 is coupled to processor 102 to provide the
processor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer
programs by processor 102. Examples of system memory may include
random access memory (RAM) devices such as dynamic RAM (DRAM),
synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), solid state memory devices, and/or a
variety of other memory devices known in the art. In an embodiment,
a chassis 116 houses some or all of the components of IHS 100. It
should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuits can
be deployed between the components described above and processor
102 to facilitate interconnection between the components and the
processor 102.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a networked system
200 is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the networked
system 200 includes a powering co-packaged networking device 202.
In an embodiment, the powering co-packaged networking device 202
may be provided by the IHS 100 discussed above with reference to
FIG. 1, and/or may include some or all of the components of the IHS
100, and in specific examples may be provided by a co-packaged
switch device that, as discussed below, includes a processing
system (e.g., a Network Processing Unit (NPU), Application Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.) that is configured to perform
optical/electrical signals conversions (e.g., via the integration
of a silicon photonics engine with a switching subsystem and an
optical subsystem in the examples below), with that co-packaged
switch device also including the ability to power devices via the
same cable and connection subsystems that are utilized to transmit
optical signals. However, while illustrated and described as a
co-packaged switch device utilizing particular optical/electrical
conversion technology, one of skill in the art in possession of the
present disclosure will recognize that powering co-packaged
networking functionality provided in the networked system 200 may
be included in other devices that may be configured to operate
similarly as the powering co-packaged networking device 202
discussed below. While not illustrated, one of skill in the art in
possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the
powering co-packaged networking device 202 may be coupled via a
network to any of a variety of other devices while remaining within
the scope of the present disclosure as well.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of powered
devices 204a, 204b, and up to 204c may be coupled to the powering
co-packaged networking device 202 via, for example, respective
power/data cables 206a, 206b, and up to 206c, respectively,
discussed in further detail below. In an embodiment, the powered
devices 204a, 204b, and up to 204c may be provided by the IHS 100
discussed above with reference to FIG. 1, and/or may include some
or all of the components of the IHS 100, and in specific examples
may be provided by powered networking access point devices, powered
camera devices, and/or any other powered devices that would be
apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present
disclosure. However, while a specific networked system 200 has been
illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of
the present disclosure will recognize that the networked system of
the present disclosure may include a variety of components and
component configurations while remaining within the scope of the
present disclosure as well.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an embodiment of a powered
device 300 is illustrated that may provide any or all of the
powered devices 204a, 204b, and up to 204c discussed above with
reference to FIG. 2. As such, the powered device 300 may be
provided by the IHS 100 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1
and/or may include some or all of the components of the IHS 100,
and in specific examples may be provided by powered networking
access point devices, powered camera devices, and/or any other
powered devices that would be apparent to one of skill in the art
in possession of the present disclosure. In the illustrated
embodiment, the powered device 300 includes a chassis 302 that
houses the components of the powered device 300, only some of which
are illustrated below. For example, the chassis 302 may house one
or more components 304 that, as discussed in further detail below,
may include any of a variety of data utilizing components, power
utilizing components, combinations thereof, and/or other components
that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of
the present disclosure.
[0030] The chassis 302 may also house a communication system 306
that is coupled to the to one or more of the component(s) 304 via a
data subsystem 312 and a power subsystem 314, and the communication
system 306 may be provided by a Network Interface Controller (NIC),
wireless communication systems (e.g., BLUETOOTH.RTM., Near Field
Communication (NFC) components, WiFi components, etc.), and/or any
other communication components that would be apparent to one of
skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. For
example, in the illustrated embodiment, the communication system
306 includes a connector subsystem 306a having a data sub-connector
308 and a power sub-connector 310. While not explicitly illustrated
in FIGS. 4A and 4B, one of skill in the art in possession of the
present disclosure will appreciate that the connector subsystem
306a may include power/data connector securing features that are
configured to secure to a power/data connector on a power/data
cable, discussed in further detail below. In the specific examples
provided below, the data sub-connector 308 is provided by a
Multi-fiber Push-On (MPO) sub-connector, while the power
sub-connector 310 is provided by one or more power pins. However,
while specific data sub-connectors and power sub-connectors are
illustrated and described herein, one of skill in the art in
possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that other
data connectors and power connectors may be utilized on the powered
device 300 while remaining within the scope of the present
disclosure as well. Furthermore, while a specific powered device
300 has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in
possession of the present disclosure will recognize that powered
devices (or other devices operating according to the teachings of
the present disclosure in a manner similar to that described below
for the powered device 300) may include a variety of components
and/or component configurations for providing conventional powered
device functionality, as well as the functionality discussed below,
while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as
well.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an embodiment of a
powering co-packaged networking device 400 is illustrated that may
provide the powering co-packaged networking device 202 discussed
above with reference to FIG. 2. As such, the powering co-packaged
networking device 400 may be provided by the IHS 100 discussed
above with reference to FIG. 1 and/or may include some or all of
the components of the IHS 100, and in specific examples may be
provided by powering co-packaged switch device. In the illustrated
embodiment, the powered device 300 includes a chassis 302 that
houses the components of the powered device 300, only some of which
are illustrated below. For example, the chassis 302 may house an
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system 404 that is
configured to covert between electrical signals and optical signals
using engines and/or subsystems that are integrated into the
processing system optical/electrical signal conversion processing
system 404 (e.g., integrated as part of an NPU, ASIC, or other
networking processor(s) included in the powering co-packaged
networking device 400).
[0032] In the specific example provided herein, the
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system 404 includes
an integrated switching subsystem 404a that is configured to
generate electrical signals (e.g., electrical switching signals),
an integrated silicon photonics engine 404b that is coupled to the
switching subsystem 404a and that is configured to convert
electrical signals generated by the switching subsystem 404b to
optical signals and convert received optical signals to electrical
signals, an integrated laser subsystem 404c that is coupled to the
silicon photonics engine 404b and that is configured to generate
optical pulses from optical signals received from the silicon
photonics engine 404b, and an integrated optical subsystem 404d
that is coupled to both the laser subsystem 404c and the silicon
photonics engine 404b and that is configured to transmit the
optical pulses provided by the laser subsystem 404c from optical
signals converted by the silicon photonics engine 404b out of the
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system 404, and
provide received optical signals directly to the silicon photonics
engine 404b.
[0033] Furthermore, one of skill in the art in possession of the
present disclosure will appreciate how the switching subsystem 404a
may be provided by an Ethernet switch chip and/or other processor
that is configured to perform any of a variety of electrical
signal/data processing operations known in the art. Further still,
one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure
will appreciate how the silicon photonics engine 404b may include
photo-detectors, software, and/or other electrical/optical signal
conversion components known in the art. Yet further still, while
the laser subsystem 404c and the optical subsystem 404d are
illustrated and described as integrated with the optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system 404, one of skill in the art in
possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that the laser
subsystem 404c and the optical subsystem 404d may be external to
the optical/electrical signal conversion processing system 404
while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
However, while a specific example of an optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system 404 is provided herein, one of skill
in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate
that other techniques for converting between electrical signals and
optical signals in a processing system included in a co-packaged
networking device will fall within the scope of the present
disclosure as well.
[0034] The chassis 402 may also house a communication system 406
that is coupled to the optical/electrical signal conversion
processing system 404, and that may be provided by a Network
Interface Controller (NIC), wireless communication systems (e.g.,
BLUETOOTH.RTM., Near Field Communication (NFC) components, WiFi
components, etc.), and/or any other communication components that
would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the
present disclosure. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the
communication system 406 includes a plurality of connector
subsystems 406a, 406b, 406c, and up to 406d, each having a data
sub-connector 408 and a power sub-connector 410, and that are each
coupled to the optical subsystem 404d in the optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system 404. While not explicitly
illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, one of skill in the art in
possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that each of
the connector subsystems 406a, 406b, 406c, and up to 406d may
include power/data connector securing features that are configured
to secure to a power/data connector on a power/data cable,
discussed in further detail below. In the specific examples
provided below, the data sub-connector 408 is provided by a
Multi-fiber Push-On (MPO) sub-connector, while the power
sub-connector 410 is provided by one or more power pins. However,
while specific data sub-connectors and power sub-connectors are
illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of
the present disclosure will appreciate that other data connectors
and power connectors may be utilized on the powering co-packaged
networking device 400 while remaining within the scope of the
present disclosure as well.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the chassis 402 also houses a
powering supply system 412 that may be provided by a Power Supply
Unit (PSU) and/or other power components known in the art, and that
one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure
will recognize may be coupled to a power source (not illustrated)
such as an Alternating Current (AC) wall outlet and/or other power
sources known in the art. A power controller device 414 is coupled
to the powering supply system 412, to each of the connector
subsystems 406a-406d in the communication system 406, and to the
switching subsystem 404a in the optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system 404, and is configured to control
power received from the powering supply system 412 to the connector
subsystems 406a-406d in the communication system 406. While not
discussed in detail below, one of skill in the art in possession of
the present disclosure will appreciate how the connection between
the power controller device 414 and the switching subsystem 404a in
the optical/electrical signal conversion processing system 404 may
allow the switching subsystem 404a to process data and/or perform
other functionality known in the art for the power controller
device 414. However, while a specific powering co-packaged
networking device 400 has been illustrated and described, one of
skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will
recognize that powering co-packaged networking device (or other
devices operating according to the teachings of the present
disclosure in a manner similar to that described below for the
powering co-packaged networking device 400) may include a variety
of components and/or component configurations for providing
conventional co-packaged networking functionality, as well as the
functionality discussed below, while remaining within the scope of
the present disclosure as well.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, an embodiment of a
power/data cable 500 is illustrated that may provide any or all of
the power/data cables 206a-206c of FIG. 2, and thus be utilized to
connect any of the powered devices 204a-204c/300 to the powering
co-packaged networking device 202/400. In the illustrated
embodiment, the power/data cable 500 includes a cabling base 502
having a first end 502a and a second end 502b, and including a
fiber optic medium 502c (e.g., one or more fiber optic wires,
visible with dashed lines in FIG. 5B) extending through the cabling
base 502 from the first end 502a and the second end 502b, and power
conductive medium 502d (e.g., copper-based wiring, visible with
dashed lines in FIG. 5B) extending through the cabling base 502
from the first end 502a and the second end 502b. A first power/data
connector 504 is included on the first end 502a of the cabling base
502 and coupled to each of the fiber optic medium 502c and the
power conductive medium 502d in the cabling base 502, and a second
power/data connector 506 is included on the second end 502b of the
cabling base 502 and coupled to the first power/data connector 504
via each of the fiber optic medium 502c and the power conductive
medium 502d in the cabling base 502.
[0037] FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate how the first power/data
connector 504 on the power/data cable 500 includes a data
sub-connector 504a and a power sub-connector 504b, and one of skill
in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate
how the second power/data connector 504 may include a substantially
similar data sub-connector and power sub-connector as well. In the
specific examples provided herein, the data sub-connector 504a is
provided by a Multi-fiber Push-On (MPO) sub-connector, while the
power sub-connector 504b is provided by one or more power pins
(e.g., two power pins in the embodiments illustrated and described
herein). While not illustrated, one of skill in the art in
possession of the present disclosure will recognize how the first
power/data connector 504 and the second power/data connector 506
may also include securing features for securing to connector
subsystems on the powered devices 204a-204c/300 and powering
co-packaged networking devices 202/400 discussed above. However,
while specific power/data cable 500 is illustrated and described,
one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure
will appreciate that the powering co-packaged networking device
system of the present disclosure may utilize power/data cables with
other components and/or component configurations while remaining
within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of a method 600 for
transmitting power and data via a co-packaged networking device is
illustrated. As discussed below, the systems and methods of the
present disclosure provide a co-packaged networking device that is
configured to transmit optical signals to a powered device without
the need for a transceiver device, along with power, via a single
power/data cable. For example, the powering co-packaged networking
system of the present disclosure may include a powering co-packaged
networking device coupled via a power/data cable to a powered
device. The powering co-packaged networking device includes a
connector subsystem coupled to a power controller device and an
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system that
converts between optical signals and electrical signals. The
connector subsystem is connected to the powered device via a
power/data connector on the power/data cable, and includes an
optical signal sub-connector that receives optical signals from the
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system and
transmits the optical signals via the power/data connector on the
power/data cable and through the power/data cable to the powered
device, and a power sub-connector that receives power from the
power controller device and transmits the power via the power/data
connector on the power/data cable and through the power/data cable
to the powered device. As such, the co-packaged networking device
of the present disclosure eliminates the need for transceiver
devices in the transmission of optical signals to increase data
transmission speeds and improve signal integrity, while also
providing power via the same power/data cable that transmits those
optical signals, reducing the amount of cabling needed for the
powered device.
[0039] The method 600 begins at block 602 where a power controller
device in a co-packaged networking device transmits power to a
connector subsystem. With reference to FIG. 7A, in an embodiment of
block 602, the powering co-packaged networking device 202 may
perform power/data transmission operations 700 that, in the
illustrated embodiment, includes transmitting power via the
power/data cable 206a to the powered device 204a. While the
powering co-packaged networking device 202 is only discussed herein
as transmitting power to the powered device 204a in the examples
below, one of skill in the art in possession of the present
disclosure will recognize that the powering co-packaged networking
device 202 may perform similar power/data transmission operations
to transmit power via the power/data cables 206b and up to 206c to
the powered device 204b and up to 204c, respectively, while
remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
[0040] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in
possession of the present disclosure, prior to the power/data
transmission operations 700, the powered device 204a/300 may have
been connected to the powering co-packaged networking device
202/400 via the power/data cable 206a/500 by connecting the first
power/data connector 504 on the power/data cable 206a/500 to the
connector subsystem 406a on the powering co-packaged networking
device 202/400, and connecting the second power/data connector 506
on the power/data cable 206a/500 to the connector subsystem 306a on
the powered device 204a/300. With reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and
5C, the connection of the first power/data connector 504 on the
power/data cable 206a/500 to the connector subsystem 406a on the
powering co-packaged networking device 202/400 may include engaging
the first power/data connector 504 with the connector subsystem
406a such that the data sub-connector 504a on the first power/data
connector 504 engages the data sub-connector 408 on the connector
subsystem 406a (e.g., engaging male and female MPO connectors), and
such that the power sub-connector 504b on the first power/data
connector 504 engages the power sub-connector 410 on the connector
subsystem 406a (e.g., engaging power pins with power sockets). As
will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the
present disclosure, the connection of the first power/data
connector 504 on the power/data cable 206a/500 to the connector
subsystem 406a on the powering co-packaged networking device
202/400 may include the engagement of securing features on the
first power/data connector 504 and the connector subsystem 406a in
order to secure the engagement of the data sub-connector 504a and
power sub-connector 506b on the first power/data connector 504 with
the data sub-connector 408 and power sub-connector 410 on the
connector subsystem 406a, respectively.
[0041] Similarly, the connection of the second power/data connector
506 on the power/data cable 206a/500 to the connector subsystem
306a on the powered device 204a/300 may include engaging the second
power/data connector 506 with the connector subsystem 306a such
that the data sub-connector 504a on the second power/data connector
506 engages the data sub-connector 308 on the connector subsystem
306a (e.g., engaging male and female MPO connectors), and such that
the power sub-connector 504b on the second power/data connector 506
engages the power sub-connector 310 on the connector subsystem 306a
(e.g., engaging power pins with power sockets). As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present
disclosure, the connection of the second power/data connector 506
on the power/data cable 206a/500 to the connector subsystem 306a on
the powered device 204a/300 may include the engagement of securing
features on the second power/data connector 506 and the connector
subsystem 306a in order to secure the engagement of the data
sub-connector 504a and power sub-connector 504b on the second
power/data connector 506 with the data sub-connector 308 and power
sub-connector 310 on the connector subsystem 306a.
[0042] Furthermore, following the connection of the powered device
204a/300 to the powering co-packaged networking device 202/400, the
power controller device 414 may have performed power classification
operations to determine an amount of power to supply to the powered
device 204a/300 via the connector subsystem 406a at block 602, and
one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure
will recognize that a variety of power classification techniques
(e.g., based on a resistance detected via the connector subsystem
406a, based on power negotiation communications with the powered
device 204a/300, etc.) may be performed to determine the amount of
power to provide to the powered device 204a/300 at block 602. For
example, current powered devices may be configured to consume
different power amounts/ranges up to 99 watts, although future
higher power amounts are envisioned as falling within the scope of
the present disclosure as well.
[0043] As such, with reference to FIG. 7B, at block 602 the
powering supply system 412 in the powering co-packaged networking
device 202/400 may perform power supply operations 702 that include
transmitting power received from a power source (not illustrated,
but which may be provided by an AC wall outlet or other power
source known in the art, and which may be subject to power
conversion and/or other power operations by the powering supply
system 412) to the power controller device 414 in the powering
co-packaged networking device 202/400. The power controller device
414 may then perform power transmission operations 704 in order to
transmit an amount of the power received from the power supply
system 412 to the connector subsystem 406a (e.g., based on the
power classification operations performed for the powered device
204a/300 as discussed above).
[0044] The method 600 then proceeds to block 604 where an
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system in the
co-packaged networking device transmits optical signals to the
connector subsystem. With reference to FIG. 7C, in an embodiment of
block 604 and as part of power/data transmission operations 700
discussed above, the switching subsystem 404a in the
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system 404 included
in the powering co-packaged networking device 400 may perform
electrical signal transmission operations 706 that include
transmitting electrical signals to the silicon photonics engine
404b. In some examples, the switching subsystem 404a may generate
the electrical signals that are transmitted to the silicon
photonics engine 404b at block 604, while in other examples the
switching subsystem 404a may receive (e.g., via a network) and
forward the electrical signals that are transmitted to the silicon
photonics engine 404b at block 604. However, while a few specific
examples of electrical signals are provided, one of skill in the
art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that
the electrical signals may be provided by the switching subsystem
404a at block 604 in a variety of manners known in the art.
[0045] With continued reference to FIG. 7C, in an embodiment of
block 604 and as part of power/data transmission operations 700
discussed above, the silicon photonics engine 404b in the
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system 404 included
in the powering co-packaged networking device 400 may receive the
electrical signals from the switching subsystem 404a and, in
response, perform electrical/optical conversion operations 708 that
include converting those electrical signals to optical signals and
providing the optical signals to the laser subsystem 404c. As will
be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the
present disclosure, the silicon photonics engine 404b may perform a
variety of silicon photonics functionality in order to convert the
electrical signals to optical signals at block 604. Furthermore,
while silicon photonic electrical/optical conversion techniques are
described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present
disclosure will recognize that other electrical/optical conversion
techniques will fall within the scope of the present disclosure as
well.
[0046] With continued reference to FIG. 7C, in an embodiment of
block 604 and as part of power/data transmission operations 700
discussed above, the laser subsystem 404c in the optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system 404 included in the powering
co-packaged networking device 400 may receive the optical signals
from the silicon photonics engine 404b and, in response, perform
optical signal transmission operations 710 that include generating
optical signal pulses (e.g., laser pulses) that transmit the
optical signals received from the silicon photonics engine 404b via
the optical subsystem 404d to the connector subsystem 406a. As will
be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the
present disclosure, the optical subsystem 404d and the couplings
between the optical subsystem 404d and the connector subsystem 406a
may include a variety of optical mediums (e.g., fiber optic
cabling, fiber optic couplings, etc.) that allow the transmission
of the optical signals converted from the electrical signals by the
silicon photonics engine 404b and provided via the optical signal
pulses by the laser subsystem 404c at block 604.
[0047] The method 600 then proceeds to block 606 where a power
sub-connector in the connector subsystem receives the power from
the power controller device and transmits the power via a
power/data connector on a power/data cable and through the
power/data cable to a powered device. In an embodiment, at block
606, the power sub-connector 410 on the connector subsystem 406a
included on the powering co-packaged networking device 202/400 may
receive the power transmitted by the power controller device 414,
and provide that power via the power sub-connector 504b on the
first power/data connector 504 included on the power/data cable
206a/500 and to the power conductive medium 502d in the cabling
base 502. That power will then be transmitted along the length of
the cabling base 502 via the power conductive medium 502d and to
the power sub-connector 504b on the second power/data connector 506
included on the power/data cable 206a/500, with the power
sub-connector 504b on the second power/data connector 506 providing
that power to the power sub-connector 310 on the connector
subsystem 306a on the powered device 204a/300. As such, with
reference to FIG. 7D, at block 606 the power sub-connector 310 on
the connector subsystem 306a on the powered device 204a/300 may
perform power transmission operations 716 to transmit the power
received from the power/data cable 206a/500 via the power subsystem
310 to the component(s) 304. Thus, power may be transmitted by the
powering co-packaged networking device 202/400 to the powered
device 204a/300 via the power/data cable 206a/500, and may be used
to power one or more components 300 in the powered device
204a/300.
[0048] The method 600 then proceeds to block 608 where an optical
signal sub-connector in the connector subsystem receives optical
signals from the optical/electrical signal conversion processing
system and transmits the optical signals via the power/data
connector on the power/data cable and through the power/data cable
to the powered device. In an embodiment, at block 608, the data
sub-connector 408 on the connector subsystem 406a included on the
powering co-packaged networking device 202/400 may receive the
optical signals transmitted by the optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system 404, and provide those optical signals
via the data sub-connector 504a on the first power/data connector
504 included on the power/data cable 206a/500 and to the fiber
optic medium 502c in the cabling base 502. Those optical signals
will then be transmitted along the length of the cabling base 502
via the fiber optic medium 502c and to the data sub-connector 504a
on the second power/data connector 506 included on the power/data
cable 206a/500, with the data sub-connector 504a on the second
power/data connector 506 providing those optical signals to the
data sub-connector 308 on the connector subsystem 306a on the
powered device 204a/300.
[0049] As such, with reference to FIG. 7E, at block 606 the data
sub-connector 308 on the connector subsystem 306a on the powered
device 204a/300 may perform optical signal transmission operations
718 to transmit the optical signals received from the power/data
cable 206a/500 via the data subsystem 310 to the component(s) 304.
Thus, optical signals may be transmitted by the powering
co-packaged networking device 202/400 to the powered device
204a/300 via the power/data cable 206a/500, and may be provided to
one or more components 300 in the powered device 204a/300. While
not illustrated or described herein, one of skill in the art in
possession of the present disclosure will appreciated that some
components in a powered device may be configured to utilize
electrical signals and, as such, in some embodiments the data
subsystem 312 may include optical/electrical data conversion
subsystems that are configured to convert the optical signals
received via the data sub-connector 308 on the connector subsystem
306a to electrical signals, and provide those electrical signals to
the component(s) 304.
[0050] The method 600 then proceeds to block 610 where the optical
signal sub-connector in the connector subsystem receives optical
signals through the power/data cable from the powered device via
the power/data connector on the power/data cable and provides the
optical signals to the optical/electrical signal conversation
processing system. With reference to FIG. 8A, in an embodiment of
block 610, the powered device 204a may perform data transmission
operations 800 that, in the illustrated embodiment, includes
transmitting optical signals via the power/data cable 206a to the
powering co-packaged networking device 202. While only the powered
device 204a is discussed herein as transmitting optical signals to
the powering co-packaged networking device 202 in the examples
below, one of skill in the art in possession of the present
disclosure will recognize that the powered device 204b and up to
204c may perform similar data transmission operations to transmit
optical signals via the power/data cables 206b and up to 206c,
respectively, to the powering co-packaged networking device 202
while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as
well.
[0051] For example, with reference to FIG. 8B, at block 610 and as
part of the data transmission operations 800 discussed above, the
component(s) 304 included in the powered device 204a/300 may
perform optical signal transmission operations 802 to transmit
optical signals via the data subsystem 310 to the connector
subsystem 306a in the communication system 306 included in the
powered device 204a/300. While not illustrated or described herein,
one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure
will appreciated that some components in a powered device may be
configured to utilize electrical signals and, as such, in some
embodiments the data subsystem 312 may include optical/electrical
data conversion subsystems that are configured to convert the
electrical signals received from the component(s) 304 to optical
signals, and provide those optical signals to the connector
subsystem 306a.
[0052] In an embodiment, at block 610 and as part of the data
transmission operations 800 discussed above, the data sub-connector
308 on the connector subsystem 306a included on the powered device
204a/300 may receive the optical signals transmitted by the
component(s) 304, and provide those optical signals via the data
sub-connector 504a on the second power/data connector 506 included
on the power/data cable 206a/500 and to the fiber optic medium 502c
in the cabling base 502. Those optical signals will then be
transmitted along the length of the cabling base 502 via the fiber
optic medium 502c and to the data sub-connector 504a on the first
power/data connector 504 included on the power/data cable 206a/500,
with the data sub-connector 504a on the first power/data connector
504 providing those optical signals to the data sub-connector 408
on the connector subsystem 406a on the powering co-packaged
networking device 202/400.
[0053] With reference to FIG. 8C, in an embodiment of block 610 and
as part of data transmission operations 800 discussed above, the
data sub-connector 408 on the connector subsystem 406a on the
powering co-packaged networking device 202/400 may receive the
optical signals from power/data cable 206a/500 and, in response,
perform optical signal transmission operations 804 that include
transmitting those optical signals to the optical subsystem 404d.
As discussed above, the optical subsystem 404d and the couplings
between the optical subsystem 404d and the connector subsystem 406a
may include a variety of optical mediums (e.g., fiber optic
cabling, fiber optic couplings, etc.) that allow the transmission
of the optical signals received from the power/data cable 206a/500
at block 610.
[0054] With continued reference to FIG. 8C, in an embodiment of
block 610 and as part of data transmission operations 800 discussed
above, the optical subsystem 404d in the optical/electrical signal
conversion processing system 404 may perform optical signal
transmission operations 806 to provide the optical signals received
from the connector subsystem 406a to the silicon photonics engine
404b. The silicon photonics engine 404b in the optical/electrical
signal conversion processing system 404 included in the powering
co-packaged networking device 400 may then receive the optical
signals from the optical subsystem 404d and, in response, perform
optical/electrical conversion operations 808 that include
converting those optical signals to electrical signals and
providing the electrical signals to the switching subsystem 404a.
However, while silicon photonic optical/electrical conversion
techniques are described, one of skill in the art in possession of
the present disclosure will recognize that other optical/electrical
conversion techniques will fall within the scope of the present
disclosure as well. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the
art in possession of the present disclosure, the switching
subsystem 404a in the optical/electrical signal conversion
processing system 404 may then receive those electrical signals
and, in response, perform a variety of switching functionality
known in the art at block 604. As such, optical signals may be
transmitted by the powered device 204a/300 to the powering
co-packaged networking device 202/400 via the power/data cable
206a/500. The method 600 then returns to block 602, with the method
600 looping such that the powering co-packaged networking device
202 transmits both optical signals and power via the power/data
cable 206a to the powered device 204a, and the powered device 204a
transmits optical signals via the power/data cable 206a to the
powering co-packaged networking device 202.
[0055] Thus, systems and methods have been described that provide a
co-packaged networking device that is configured to transmit
optical signals to a powered device without the need for a
transceiver device, along with power, via a single power/data
cable. For example, the powering co-packaged networking system of
the present disclosure may include a powering co-packaged
networking device coupled via a power/data cable to a powered
device. The powering co-packaged networking device includes a
connector subsystem coupled to a power controller device and an
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system that
converts between optical signals and electrical signals. The
connector subsystem is connected to the powered device via a
power/data connector on the power/data cable, and includes an
optical signal sub-connector that receives optical signals from the
optical/electrical signal conversion processing system and
transmits the optical signals via the power/data connector on the
power/data cable and through the power/data cable to the powered
device, and a power sub-connector that receives power from the
power controller device and transmits the power via the power/data
connector on the power/data cable and through the power/data cable
to the powered device. As such, the co-packaged networking device
of the present disclosure eliminates the need for transceiver
devices in the transmission of optical signals to increase data
transmission speeds and improve signal integrity, while also
providing power via the same power/data cable that transmits those
optical signals, reducing the amount of cabling needed for the
powered device.
[0056] Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and
described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is
contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances,
some features of the embodiments may be employed without a
corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate
that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner
consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.
* * * * *