Single Pair Ethernet is becoming increasingly popular in industrial networking due to the simplified cabling with just one twisted pair of wires. If power is also supplied via this, the SPE transmission standard with Power over Data Lines is unbeatable simple, but the implementation not trivial.
The reference design for Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) with Power over Data Lines (PoDL) from Würth Elektronik (WE) is a system, that can transmit data between two points via a two-wire line. The main unit supplies the peripheral unit with power via the same two-wire line over which the data is transmitted.
Single Pair Ethernet is an emerging standard for Ethernet communication that utilizes only one pair of wires for data transmission, unlike traditional Ethernet which typically uses four pairs. This makes SPE suitable for applications where space and weight are constrained, such as in automotive, industrial, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that allows electrical power to be transmitted alongside data over Ethernet cables. This eliminates the need for separate power cables, simplifying installation and reducing costs, especially in applications like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points.
Power over Data Lines (PoDL) extends the concept of PoE to Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) by enabling power delivery over the single twisted pair used for data transmission in SPE systems. This allows devices connected via SPE to be powered over the same cable used for data communication, further simplifying cabling infrastructure and reducing complexity in deployments. In some literature Single pair with PoE is referred to as SPoE, which will be used in the description of the reference design.
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Download: RD041 & Design Data
