Getting Started

This guide walks you through installing the Interceptor PoE Board and configuring it for use with your Interceptor Carrier Board.

What You’ll Need

• Interceptor PoE Board
• Interceptor Carrier Board v2.0 (already set up)
• 40-pin FFC cable (included with PoE board)
• VOITA 48Vdc Power Converter
• ATX PSU with adequate 12V capacity

Pre-Installation Checklist

Before starting:

• Carrier board is working correctly
• OS is updated to 2025-05-01 or newer
• PSU has sufficient 12V capacity (see power requirements)
• System is powered off

Step 1: Connect the FFC Cable

The PoE board connects to the carrier board via a 40-pin Flat Flexible Cable (FFC).

On the Carrier Board

1. Locate connector J9 (for first PoE board) or J10 (for second PoE board)
2. Pull the brown locking clips outward gently - they pivot open
3. Note the orientation - the cable contacts face down toward the PCB

On the PoE Board

1. Locate connector J2 on the PoE board
2. Open the locking clips

Making the Connection

1. Insert one end of the FFC cable into the carrier board connector (J9 or J10)
   • Blue reinforcement tape faces up (toward the locking clips)
   • Contacts face down (toward the PCB)
2. Push the locking clips inward to secure
3. Repeat for the PoE board end (J2)

Step 2: Install the Power Converter

The PoE board requires 48V DC, which is generated from your ATX PSU’s 12V rail.

VOITA 48Vdc Power Converter

1. Input Connection: Connect the VOITA converter to your ATX PSU’s CPU power connector (4+4 pin or 8-pin EPS connector)
2. Output Connection: Route the 48V output to the PoE board’s power terminal block (J1)
3. Polarity: Ensure correct polarity - check markings on the terminal block

Terminal Block (J1) Pinout

Step 3: Verify Physical Installation

Before powering on, verify:

• FFC cable is securely locked at both ends
• Power converter input is connected to PSU
• Power converter output is connected to PoE board J1
• Polarity is correct
• No cables are pinched or stressed

Step 4: Power On and Verify

1. Power on the system
2. Wait for the OS to boot
3. Verify the PoE board is detected:

# Check if /proc/pse interface exists
cat /proc/pse

You should see output listing the PoE ports and their status.

Step 5: Test a PoE Device

1. Connect a PoE device (e.g., IP camera) to port 0
2. Check port status:

cat /proc/pse

3. The port should show “power on” status if the device is drawing power

Power Requirements

Plan your power budget based on connected devices:

Dual PoE Board Setup

To install a second PoE board:

1. Connect second board to carrier J10 (first board uses J9)
2. Install a second VOITA power converter, or use a single higher-capacity converter
3. Route 48V power to the second board’s J1 terminal

Port numbering with dual boards:

• J9 board: Ports 0-7 (poe0)
• J10 board: Ports 8-15 (poe1)

Software Configuration

The PoE board is managed via the /proc/pse interface. See PoE Control for complete command reference.

Basic commands:

# View all port status
cat /proc/pse

# Enable port 0 on board 0
echo "enable-port 0 0" > /proc/pse

# Disable port 0 on board 0
echo "disable-port 0 0" > /proc/pse

Troubleshooting First Boot

PoE board not detected

• Check FFC cable connections
• Verify 48V power is connected
• Ensure OS is 2025-05-01 or newer

Port not powering device

• Verify device is PoE capable (802.3af or 802.3at)
• Check port status in /proc/pse
• Try a different port
• Check power budget

See Troubleshooting for more solutions.

Next Steps

• Specifications - Detailed technical specs
• PoE Control - Software commands
• FAQ - Common questions

Last modified December 30, 2025