Microchip simplifies deployment of WiFi 6 access points

22nd June 2021

Alex Lynn

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Organisations can only deploy today’s WiFi 6 access points (APs) and 5G small cell access nodes where AC power is available or if their switch can deliver both power and data to them as required. Microchip Technology has created a more flexible and cost-effective alternative with the first multiport Power over Ethernet (PoE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) injector, also known as a midspan, that enables any multigigabit switch to support these devices’ high powering needs and data rates, with no network configuration or downtime necessary.

“Our new family of multiport, multigigabit PoE PSE injectors offers the easiest and most cost-effective way to install WiFi 6 devices and small cell equipment,” said Iris Shuker, director of Microchip's PoE business unit. “Patented technology from Microchip solves the challenge of powering these devices while also supporting their ten gigabit-per-second data rates. This greatly simplifies deployment of WiFi 6 APs while enabling service providers, for the first time, to quickly and inexpensively install 5G picocells and femtocells wherever they are needed, which is rarely near an AC outlet.”

Multigigabit PoE-enabled switches with sufficient power for WiFi 6 devices and small cell equipment are expensive and not widely adopted. A more cost-effective way to inject power into the network for these high-speed devices is to install one of Microchip’s new multiport, multigigabit midspans between them and any standard multigigabit switch.

Available in 6-, 12- and 24-port configurations, each midspan supports WiFi 6 devices’ high IEEE 802.11ax data rates and delivers up to 60W of output power per port in compliance with the IEEE’s 802.3bt PoE and 10GBASE-T specifications. The midspans can be securely monitored and controlled remotely using Microchip’s web-based PowerView Pro platform.

Microchip’s PD-9506-10GC, PD-9512-10GC and PD-9524-10GC midspans are available now.