"The Edge"

AMX Shifts to Ethernet and Powers Up with PoE

By Robert Noble, AMX Vice President of Product Management

In this and in future editions of InsideAMX, we will discuss the initiatives AMX is undertaking that keep us on top of the competition and in an industry-leading position.

Standard vs. Proprietary Technology

AMX has chosen standards-based technology for its products to enable them to interoperate with other companies' products, giving consumers more choices and allowing the industry to flourish.

An example of standards-based technology would be the mini headphone jack, which was adopted as a standard for both the personal music player and headphone industries. From the "Walkman" to the iPod, the personal music industry has enjoyed huge success by agreeing on a standard by which players and headphones can interoperate, regardless of manufacturer.

Proprietary technology, on the other hand, is "owned", not "shared". The technology is unique to that company and usually only products made by the same manufacturer and using the same technology can interoperate. Companies that solely utilize proprietary technology when standards are available often become obsolete because market growth is stifled.

Ethernet and Power over Ethernet:
AMX Standards for Wired Transmission of Networked Data and Power

The control industry and AMX have shifted to Ethernet as the standard for wired transmission of data. Besides carrying data, Ethernet can also carry power through the same port and cable to devices consuming 15 watts of power or less. This capability is called Power over Ethernet, or PoE.

Besides being a great convenience, PoE also lowers device costs by reducing the need for a separate power cable. Here are some other benefits of using Ethernet:

• Lower product cost - As Ethernet grows in popularity and more manufacturers incorporate it, the cost of manufacturing materials (chipsets, terminals, wiring, etc) drops, which ultimately passes on lower product costs to the end-user.
• Smart Chipsets = Longer Product Life - Ethernet chipsets have smart technology that immediately "tests the device" being plugged into the network to see if it is capable of being powered via PoE. If it is, power will be sent to the device. But if not, power will not be sent to the device, which practically fool proofs wire termination mishaps and the opportunity to "fry" a device or controller.
• Interoperability - Incorporating plug and play functionality allows devices to begin operating faster - as soon as the plug enters the port.
• Future advances - As more manufacturers standardize with Ethernet, technology naturally advances as research is shared. The industry is already in the process of finalizing PoE plus, which will offer the capability to carry 30 watts of power over the network. With over twice the power, PoE plus will provide the ability to power more devices, again further reducing device costs.

Ethernet and PoE Replacing ICSNet and Bringing Down Costs

Previously, the sole option for networking data and power in AMX control systems was the Internet Control System Network or ICSNet. With the widespread availability of Ethernet and PoE, AMX is transitioning away from ICSNet, which offers fewer features and is more expensive to manufacture.

The latest products from AMX all come pre-built with Ethernet ports and PoE is being used whenever possible. These are the latest AMX products to be powered via PoE:

• Mio Modero DMS and DMS Pinnacle Keypads
• 802.11g Wireless Access Point
• Managed Ethernet Switches

Many more PoE-enabled products are being developed and scheduled for release. As other standards-based technologies become available and can be incorporated into AMX products, we will make every effort to adopt those standards to foster and facilitate advancements for our products, the company and the industry.