1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a POE (power over Ethernet)-prioritized active splitter, and more particularly pertains to a POE-prioritized active splitter that uses an intelligent POE power supply with a prioritized back-up response, allowing a lower cost UPS (uninterruptible power supply) system to be used, and also providing a longer back-up time period by the UPS system for critical components of a prioritized network having different priorities such as a security system or any prioritized network such as an internet or intranet based network, a monitoring system network, communication system network, etc.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A recently released standard, IEEE 802-3af for POE (power over Ethernet), addresses the technical field of development wherein electrical power/current is provided to networking hardware devices over Ethernet category 5 or higher data electrical wiring/cables. No additional AC or DC power line is needed to supply electrical power at the product or hardware locations, thereby minimizing the amount of required electrical wiring/cables and/or the problem and expense of installing additional power lines and outlets.
In a residential or commercial security system, the security system control panel is frequently connected to various security system peripheral hardware devices using structured wiring/cables. POE devices use category 5 or higher structured wiring/cables, which generally include several twisted wire pairs, for providing both data transmission to and electrical power for the security system peripheral hardware devices.
A conventional security control panel uses a proprietary bus and separate wiring/cables within a building to communicate with zone-expansion modules, RF (radio frequency) receivers, internet alarm reporting devices, IP (internet protocol-allows a camera to connect to and communicate directly over an Ethernet network) cameras, etc., wherein the separate wiring/cables carry the data communications traffic as well as provide source electrical power to the security system peripheral devices.
In most new residential construction and commercial buildings, the building is prewired with category 5 wiring/cables for business communications, or for a home network, typically connected through a router to a cable modem or ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line) connection and then to an internetwork (the internet). While the use of the existing category 5 wiring/cables reduces the time and cost of wiring a security system, it has several associated disadvantages and problems:
Problem 1) Should the LAN (local area network) become disabled for any reason, then data messages between the various component devices of the security system may be interrupted and lost.
Problem 2) Should the local AC power supply become interrupted such as by a general power outage, then the security system component devices also lose power, and the security system becomes inoperative.
Problem 1) is typically addressed and mitigated by providing a second redundant communication system, such that if internet connectivity to a central security station is lost, or the LAN traffic is disrupted, then an independent trouble report message can be sent, perhaps by conventional POTS (plain old telephone service), or by using a long range RF network. This solution requires that the entire security system, including the back-up communication system, remains powered. This is really a poor solution since although a trouble report message may be sent, the security system still remains inoperative until the LAN becomes operative and functional again.
Problem 2) is typically addressed and mitigated by the use of various power supply back-up measures, for example by providing stand-by generators in the larger systems, or by providing a low cost battery powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) system in residential systems. However the cost and size of UPS systems, and the required maintenance on these UPS systems has not resulted in widespread use of UPS systems of sufficient capacity, particularly in low cost residential systems.