Power Integrations introduced a reference design kit for Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) Powered Devices (PDs). The reference design combines a multi-class PoE interface and DC-DC switching circuit built around the company's monolithic DPA-Switch family of ICs. It supports the design of all current classes of PoE PDs (Class 0 to Class 3) and a power range up to 12.95 W. A designer can change the class of a design by replacing a single resistor. The design carries out PoE signature and classification functions, while the integrated DPA-Switch device manages the primary DC-DC switching and control functions.

The complete circuit requires 16 components. The PI circuit design was tested by the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Consortium (UNH-IOC) using a comprehensive suite of power sending equipment (PSE), and was shown to meet IEEE 802.3af requirements in all cases. The PoE Class 2 PD Reference Design Kit is available. Pricing is USD 100. The design kit contains a 3.3 V, 2 A Class 2 power supply, samples of the DPA-Switch family and design software plus a comprehensive engineering report including a circuit description and schematic, test results and transformer design information.