Power sourcing equipment having bipolar junction transistor for controlling power supply and supporting AC disconnect-detection function

1. A system for supplying power to a powered device over a communication link, comprising:

a power supply device having a controller and an output port coupled to the communication link,

a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) controlled by the controller to provide power to the output port,

the BJT being controlled to increase impedance of the BJT so as to enable the controller to detect an AC impedance at the output port, wherein

the power supply device further comprises an AC disconnect-detection pin for detecting the AC impedance at the output port,

the BJT is configured to turn off to support detection of the AC impedance at the output port, and

sensing capacitance is coupled to the AC disconnect-detection pin for supporting detection of the AC impedance at the output port, the sensing capacitor further being coupled to a first electrode of the BJT to turn the BJT off in response to a probing signal supplied to the sensing capacitance.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein a base of the BJT is controlled by the controller to provide power to the output port when the BJT is on.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein a sense resistor is connected to a second electrode of the BJT to monitor output current of the power supply device.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power supply device further comprises a detection input for monitoring a prescribed parameter of the powered device.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the power supply device is configured to monitor voltage on the output port via the detection input when the BJT is on.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the power supply device is configured to monitor signals involved in detecting the powered device when the BJT is off.

7. A method of supplying power from a power supply port to a powered device over a communication link, comprising the steps of:

driving a base of a BJT having an electrode coupled to the power supply port, to control application of power to the power supply port, and

increasing impedance of the BJT to enable detection of an AC impedance at the power supply port, wherein

the BJT is turned off in response to a probing signal produced to detect the AC impedance at the power supply port.

8. The method of claim 7 , the AC impedance indicates a state of the powered device coupled to the power supply port over an Ethernet link.