Testing PoDL on SPEBlox Long (10BASE-T1L with Power Over Data Line)

We finally got around to testing whether we can achieve PoDL on SPEBlox Long using the onboard inductor injection footprints on the board.

We tested using 28AWG CAT5 cable, and were able to achieve 610 meters with a 30V supply all while still being able to transmit and receive at 10Mbps on both sides.


Our testing method was a bit limited, we just relied on using a 305m CAT5e reel, looped back on itself, meaning we could only test distances of 305 meters, 610 meters and 915 meters.

The link worked at 610 meters but not at 915 emters. Of course, the actual maximum length is probably somewhere between 610 and 915m, but our primitive testing method makes that difficult to figure out.

For now, we will release a product variant of SPEBlox Long with the power injection circuitry added, part number BB-SPL-A-2-PODL.