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USB extender having POE on CAT-6

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(@propeller-head-nerd)
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Joined: 11 months ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

I've tried several approaches including purchased USB extender modules over CAT-6, but cannot find a compact means to provide power at the end opposite a computer.  I tried using AA cells, but I need this to be quite compact.  I wanted to add a POE module, but realized it might not be an implementation using standard I'net.  Adding a POE module and transformers might short out the original device.  (3+ layers on the PCB make it quite difficult to determine exactly what is happening, and some chips are not marked.)

An ideal answer seems to be an ESP-32 board having POE, or one that I can add POE to, that can handle the USB connections.  I understand that there was no USB stack written as of a year ago, but maybe there is a microcontroller that could effect this answer?


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 7728
 

@propeller-head-nerd Not sure what you are trying to do.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
My personal scorecard is now 1 PC hardware fix (circa 1982), 1 open source fix (at age 82), and 2 zero day bugs in a major OS.


   
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(@propeller-head-nerd)
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Joined: 11 months ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

@zander <==confused, I thought this was Ron.

Ultimate i want to use a USB endoscope for much more than normal USB length. (about 16 fft.).  I bought a USB extender that uses CAT-6, and that worked, even at 100 ft.  However, it needs +5 VDC at the far end(for the endoscope), and I am needing that to be quite compact.  I bought what I thought would add POE, but that exercise ended in frustration.  

Units sold for that length are QUITE expensive.  A stack of coin cells might not last very long, and would be expensive in the long run.

Add in my desire to work with the ESP-32 and this is where I land.  If this is impossible I need to grieve the time lost and move on.  Not my preference to do that.

Thanks!

P.s., It looks like there might be something on GITHUB that could be a key piece of the USB code.  


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 7728
 

@propeller-head-nerd I don't think you have told us your power requirements yet so it's pretty hard to make any recommendations. How small do the batteries have to be? There will likely be a chart on the net listing various battery chemistries and their watts per kg and/or per cc. Now with your power requirements known, we can calculate the mass and or volume and when you tell us what your mass/volume target is we can make a simple go/no go decision.

 

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
My personal scorecard is now 1 PC hardware fix (circa 1982), 1 open source fix (at age 82), and 2 zero day bugs in a major OS.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 7728
 

@propeller-head-nerd Here is my info

Screenshot 2024 02 07 at 20.27.24

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
My personal scorecard is now 1 PC hardware fix (circa 1982), 1 open source fix (at age 82), and 2 zero day bugs in a major OS.


   
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(@propeller-head-nerd)
Member
Joined: 11 months ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

Sorry for such a delayed response.  Life gets busy in many ways.

I couldn't find any specs for the endoscope unit's current needs. However, it is not likely to need much power.

The design I had evolved in such a way that a new approach would work better even just for physical reasons.  I now have Solidworks, so the redesign should be easier, as this is what I know best.  (And more fun for me)

I will try using AA or AAA batteries of a chemistry that gives approximately 5 VDC, and see how that works. That will at least be interesting, and hopefully successful!

However, either way, the idea of running a microprocessor at both ends of a CAT-6 cable, and being able to convert a USB signal at both ends remains interesting.  [think of a USB extender with POE between ends]  If anyone knows of projects I might extract ideas from, please let me know.  

Thanks

Mike


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 7728
 

@propeller-head-nerd It would help if you described what you want to accomplish as opposed to asking for help for your 'solution' that might be miles off track.

I have looked at your OP and see a couple things. If all you need is a power solution for a remote esp32 (like I do with game cameras) then that is just batteries, possibly an RTC, possibly a power down and wake up scenario.

You mention 'USB stack' and how it wasn't written a year ago. First stack is not a word we apply to USB, second USB is and has been working for many years. Until very recent, the USB connector and cable is a Ground, +5VDC, and 2 data pins. USB-C and PD are very different, but the vast majority of devices connected to USB-C still only use the original 4 wires.

Try to tell us what your problem is, and what solutions you think might work. If all you tell us is the solutions, then we have no idea if it is the best solution or even if it is doable.

Do you need a remote esp32? Why, what will it be doing, why an esp32 vs an esp86 or Arduino NANO?

Here is my requirements for a project I want to do:

I mentioned I want to build my own game camera. I don't need good pictures, I have pro camera gear for that, what I need is to know if game is in a certain area and how prevalent. One thing I will need is power for the camera (it uses a lot more than the esp32) I will find non-fake 18650 batteries and employ a power off, wake periodically to see if any game is about strategy so I get a few days life out of the batteries. The RTC is also battery operated but will last for over 5 years.

Get the idea?

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
My personal scorecard is now 1 PC hardware fix (circa 1982), 1 open source fix (at age 82), and 2 zero day bugs in a major OS.


   
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