Owner manual
IEEE 802.3af/at-Compliant, Powered Device Interface 
Controllers with Integrated Power MOSFET
MAX5969A/MAX5969B
10     _____________________________________________________________________________________
                  Detailed Description
Operating Modes
Depending on  the input voltage (V
IN 
= V
DD
 -  V
SS
), the 
MAX5969A/MAX5969B operate in four  different modes: 
PD detection,  PD classification,  mark event,  and PD 
power. The devices enter PD detection mode when the 
input  voltage  is  between  1.4V  and  10.1V.  The  device 
enters PD classification mode when the input voltage is 
between  12.6V  and  20V.  The  device  enters  PD  power 
mode once the input voltage exceeds V
ON
.
Detection Mode (1.4V ≤ V
IN
 ≤ 10.1V)
In detection mode, the PSE applies two voltages on V
IN
in  the  range  of  1.4V  to  10.1V  (1V  step  minimum)  and 
then records the current measurements at the two points. 
The  PSE  then  computes  DV/DI  to  ensure  the  presence 
of  the  24.9kω  signature  resistor.  Connect  the  signature 
resistor (R
DET
) from V
DD
 to  DET for proper  signature 
detection. The MAX5969A/MAX5969B pull  DET  low  in 
detection mode.  DET  goes high impedance  when the 
input voltage exceeds 12.5V. In detection mode, most of 
the MAX5969A/MAX5969B internal circuitry is off and the 
offset current is less than 10µA.
If the voltage applied to the PD is reversed, install pro-
tection  diodes  at  the  input  terminal  to  prevent  internal 
damage  to the MAX5969A/MAX5969B (see the  Typical 
Application  Circuit).  Since  the  PSE  uses  a  slope  tech-
nique  (DV/DI)  to  calculate  the  signature  resistance,  the 
DC offset due to the protection diodes is subtracted and 
does not affect the detection process.
Classification Mode (12.6V ≤ V
IN
 ≤ 20V)
In the  classification mode, the  PSE  classifies  the PD 
based on the power consumption required by the PD. This 
allows  the  PSE  to  efficiently  manage  power  distribution. 
Class  0 to  5  is  defined  as  shown  in Table 1.  (The  IEEE 
802.3af/at standard defines only Class 0 to 4 and Class 5 
for any special requirement.) An external resistor (R
CLS
) 
connected from CLS to V
SS
 sets the classification current.
The PSE determines the class of a PD by applying a volt-
age at the PD input and measuring the current sourced 
out of the PSE. When the PSE applies a voltage between 
12.6V and 20V, the MAX5969A/MAX5969B exhibit a cur-
rent  characteristic  with  a  value  shown  in  Table  1.  The 
PSE uses the classification current information to classify 
the power requirement of the PD. The classification cur-
rent includes the current drawn by R
CLS
 and the supply 
current of the MAX5969A/MAX5969B so the total current 
drawn by the PD is within the IEEE 802.3af/at standard 
figures. The classification current is turned off whenever 
the device is in power mode.
2-Event Classification and Detection
During 2-event classification,  a Type 2  PSE probes PD 
for  classification  twice.  In  the  first  classification  event, 
the  PSE  presents  an  input  voltage  between  12.6V  and 
20.5V  and  the  MAX5969A/MAX5969B  present  the  pro-
grammed load I
CLASS
. The PSE then drops the probing 
voltage  below  the  mark  event  threshold  of  10.1V  and 
the  MAX5969A/MAX5969B  present  the  mark  current 
(I
MARK
). This sequence is repeated one more time.
Table 1. Setting Classification Current
*V
IN
 is measured across the MAX5969A/MAX5969B input V
DD
 to V
SS
. 
CLASS
MAXIMUM 
POWER USED 
BY PD
(W)
R
CLS
(I)
V
IN
*
(V)
CLASS CURRENT SEEN AT 
V
IN
 (mA)
IEEE 802.3at PSE 
CLASSIFICATION CURRENT 
SPECIFICATION (mA)
MIN MAX MIN MAX
0 0.44 to 12.95 615 12.6 to 20 0 4 0 5
1 0.44 to 3.94 117 12.6 to 20 9 12 8 13
2 3.84 to 6.49 66.5 12.6 to 20 17 20 16 21
3 6.49 to 12.95 43.7 12.6 to 20 26 30 25 31
4 12.95 to 25.5 30.9 12.6 to 20 36 44 35 45
5 > 25.5 21.3 12.6 to 20 54 64 — —










