Home Automation Actuator Power-Line Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication methods between power supply and communication entities and home automation actuators are limited by the need for dedicated interfaces and specific bit rates/data formats, restricting compatibility with a subset of actuators and being sensitive to varying operating conditions, such as temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation and transmission of calibration sequences by the actuator and power supply entity, using impedance variations to represent binary elements, allowing for flexible communication without additional hardware, and reinitializing communication upon changes in operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated wired interfaces (UART or USB) are used for communication between power supply entity and actuator, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply function and communication function into a single integrated system. The power supply entity simultaneously provides electrical power and carries out bidirectional communication with the actuator through the same electrical connection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated communication interfaces like UART or USB.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection between power supply entity and actuator is designed to serve multiple functions: it simultaneously provides power delivery and bidirectional communication capability. This multi-functional approach allows the same physical interface to handle both energy transfer and data exchange, reducing overall system complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If dedicated interfaces with fixed bit rates and data formats are used, then communication stability is improved, but adaptability to different actuators deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system employs dynamic parameter adjustment, where the bit rate and data format are not fixed but can be adapted based on the specific actuator being communicated with. The power supply entity can modify communication parameters in real-time to match the requirements of different actuators, maintaining stability through adaptive configuration rather than rigid fixed parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in communication parameters such as bit rate and data format depending on the actuator type and operating conditions. This parameter adaptability enables the same power supply entity to communicate with various actuator models without requiring dedicated interfaces for each device, thus improving versatility while maintaining communication stability through controlled parameter adjustment.
3Ease of manufacture
If communication parameters are fixed in advance, then programming simplicity is improved, but robustness to operating condition variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration sequences before normal communication begins. During this initial phase, the power supply entity and actuator exchange calibration data to establish appropriate communication parameters for the current operating conditions. This preliminary action prepares the system for robust communication by pre-configuring parameters based on actual device characteristics and environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor communication quality and operating conditions in real-time. When variations in temperature or other environmental factors affect communication reliability, the system uses feedback to detect these changes and adjust parameters accordingly, maintaining robustness without requiring complex pre-programming for all possible scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables robust and simplified communication with different actuators under variable conditions, eliminating the need for dedicated interfaces and ensuring compatibility across a range of actuators and operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing a power signal supplied by the power supply and communication entity
Implementation Method 2
setting the impedance of the actuator to a first value for a first duration; setting the impedance of the actuator to a second value for a second duration
Implementation Method 3
reception, by the supply and communication entity, of a sequence of time sequences of the response signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~3b
AI summary
A method of communication of a home-automation actuator comprising an electric motor for driving a movable element in a building and two electrical terminals for supplying power to the actuator from a power supply and communication entity and for communicating between the actuator and the communication entity, the method comprising the steps of: - analysing a power supply signal provided by the power supply and communication entity; - generating a first temporal sequence of a response signal, representative of a predetermined calibration binary element, referred to as the first calibration sequence; - transmitting a series of temporal sequences of the response signal, representative of a series of binary elements, each binary element of this series, equal to the calibration binary element, being represented by a temporal image sequence of the first calibration sequence.