Microsemi has acquired PowerDsine.
Microsemi is a world leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog, mixed signal and high reliability semiconductor solutions.

PowerDsine is a leader of the fast-growing Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology that allows power to be transmitted over the same network cable as data. PowerDsine has been a pioneer in the development of the Power over Ethernet market place from its inception.

The company first developed the Power over Ethernet technology in 1998 and has subsequently been the major market shaper, delivering its solutions through communications giants such as Avaya, 3Com, Nortel, Siemens and Ericsson, as well as marketing its own PowerDsine PoE midspan (PoE injector) solutions to Power over Ethernet- enable legacy networks.

• The company was a driving force behind the IEEE 802.3af standard for sending power over Ethernet cabling.
• It dominates the market through both own branded and embedded Power over Ethernet solutions.

Market Overview

Power over Ethernet has been dubbed the 'universal power supply' with the omnipresent RJ45 network connector being the de facto standard in every network around the world.

The main benefits of the technology are:

• Quick, cost-effective installation that uses existing data network cables without the need for additional power sockets or wiring
• Easy, plug-and-play installation with no configuration required
• Centralized power management for improved energy efficiency, reduced electrical costs and enhanced troubleshooting capabilities
• Intelligent device detection that checks attached devices to ensure that they can accommodate power signals
• Enhanced availability for continuous, high-quality data communications
• Cost-saving backup protects against overloads and shorted circuits
• Investment protection for legacy systems

The key market segments highlighted by analyst group Giga Information for PoE are:

• Voice over IP (VoIP)
• Wireless LAN (WLAN)
• IP Security (Network Cameras, Access Control)

Market Leadership

PowerDsine's technology is marketed in private labelled midspans (PoE injectors) offered by more than 16 vendors, in addition to its own midspan (PoE injector) solutions that are marketed under the PowerDsine brand in Europe and North America. Its success has been underpinned by the Power over Ethernet technology embedded in over 25 different Ethernet switches including switches from Avaya, Nortel, HP, Alcatel, Fujitsu and 3Com.

As well as working with over 70 vendors, PowerDsine has independently tested and certified more than 100 Power over Ethernet compliant network devices to ensure conformance with the IEEE 802.3af standard.

A few examples of compatible devices are:

IP Phones - Cisco, 3Com, Avaya, Nortel, Mitel, Siemens, NEC, LG, Congruency, Ericsson, Toshiba, Philips, Alcatel, Ascom, Tenovis, Pingtel

WLAN Access Points - 3Com, Agere, Proxim, Cisco, HP, Intermec, Apple, Symbol, Enterasys, Toshiba, Nokia, Intel

Bluetooth Access Points - Red-M, Axis, Siemens, Bluesocket, Artem, Tadlys, Access1, Commil

Network Cameras - Axis, Bosch, Panasonic, Sony, Baxall

Data Collection, Time & Attendance Control - Synel, MECS

Ethernet-Based MP3 Players - iObjects

Awards

1^st Place for "Most Innovative Product"
Networking Industry Awards 2003:
PowerDsine was presented with the award for the PowerDsine 6000 Midspan series in conjunction with the Networking for Business industry event.
PowerDsine was nominated in two categories and up against competition from Hewlett Packard, Cisco Systems, Cellglide and Mutiny. The Most Innovative Product award was presented to PowerDsine based on the functionality, features, innovation, performance, configuration, resilience, ease of use, price, fitness for purpose and market position of the PowerDsine Midspan series.

Top Emerging European Hi-Tech Company
Tornado Insider of 2002:
PowerDsine was chosen as the most outstanding emerging hi-tech company of 2002.
The company was selected from thousands of other private tech companies at Tornado Insider's annual gathering of investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, venture capitalists and investment bankers to the technology industry.

Standards Development

PowerDsine represented the key catalyst in the drive for an industry standard for Power over Ethernet. In March 1999, it issued a call for interest and founded the 802.3af taskforce under the auspices of the IEEE 802.3, the body responsible for formulating the original Ethernet standard specification. Since then the taskforce has been joined by most of the industry giants.

The IEEE 802.3af standard was ratified in June 2003. PowerDsine's current technology fully supports the 802.3af standart.