Data Power Line Modulation for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial and vehicular systems, the need for dedicated data cabling to transmit control signals adds weight and cost, as existing solutions require significant electrical cable infrastructure for data communication alongside power transmission.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses electrical power lines to transmit data by modulating carrier signals with data signals, allowing bidirectional communication while maintaining electrical isolation between lines, utilizing modulators, demodulators, and bus guardians to ensure reliability and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated wired data connections are used to transmit control signals from sensors to central data network and from central data network to actuators, then data transmission reliability is improved, but system weight and cost increase due to significant electrical cable requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data transmission and power transmission into a single electrical power line infrastructure. The power lines that already exist for supplying electrical power to actuators and sensors are used to carry both power and data signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated data cabling. This merging approach reduces system weight and cost while maintaining data transmission capability through the existing power line network.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical power lines are given multiple functions: they continue to supply electrical power to devices while simultaneously serving as transmission media for data communication. This multi-functionality allows the same infrastructure to perform both power delivery and data transmission, reducing the overall cable requirements and system weight without compromising either function.
2Weight of moving object
If electrical power lines are used to transmit data signals, then system weight and cost are reduced by eliminating dedicated data cabling, but electrical isolation between power lines must be maintained to ensure system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isolators as intermediary components between different power lines. These isolators allow data signals to be transmitted across power lines while maintaining electrical isolation between them. The isolators act as mediators that enable communication without creating direct electrical pathways, thus preserving the electrical isolation necessary for system reliability while allowing the weight and cost benefits of using power lines for data transmission.
3Reliability
If fault isolation mechanisms are implemented between data distribution node and remote data nodes, then system reliability is improved by isolating faults, but device complexity increases due to additional bus guardians and isolation components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data communication network into isolated sections using bus guardians and isolators. Each segment can be independently controlled and isolated from others, allowing faults to be contained within specific sections rather than propagating throughout the entire system. This segmentation approach improves reliability by limiting the impact of faults while managing complexity through modular, discrete isolation points rather than requiring complete system redesign.
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
This approach eliminates the need for dedicated data cabling, reducing weight and cost by utilizing existing power lines for data transmission, while maintaining system reliability through fault isolation and redundancy mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a modulator configured to modulate a carrier signal with a data signal received at an input of the modulator so as to generate a modulated carrier signal at an output thereof
Implementation Method 2
the output of the modulator is coupled to each of the plurality of electrical power lines by a respective coupler, to permit transmission of the modulated carrier signal over the plurality of electrical power lines
Implementation Method 3
the bus guardians are operative to isolate the remote data node that is served by that bus guardian from the data distribution node in the event of a fault at the remote data node or at the data distribution node
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for transmission of data and electrical power comprising: a plurality of independent power sources (12), each one of the plurality of independent power sources (12) being connected to a respective one of a plurality of electrical power lines (16); and a modulator (44) configured to modulate a carrier signal with a data signal received at an input of the modulator (44) so as to generate a modulated carrier signal at an output thereof, wherein the output of the modulator (44) is coupled to each of the plurality of electrical power lines (16), to permit transmission of the modulated carrier signal over the plurality of electrical power lines (16), such that the plurality of electrical power lines (16) form a data network whilst maintaining electrical isolation between each of the plurality of electrical power lines (16).