DC Power Line Data Transmission via Interrupt Window Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power distribution systems face challenges in safely and efficiently communicating power control signals over long distances, particularly in distributed communication systems, where high voltage and current regulations limit data transmission, and noise interference complicates data delivery through power conductors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves pulse width modulation of interrupt windows within the DC power signal to transmit data between a power source and remote subunits, using a switch to decouple the power conductor during interrupt windows and employing current sensors to detect and synchronize these windows, allowing for safe and reliable data transfer while maintaining safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If high voltage is used to deliver power to remote subunits, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but safety risks increase due to potential human contact with conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic interrupt windows where power delivery is temporarily suspended to allow safe data communication. During these periodic intervals, the power conductor is deactivated, enabling bidirectional communication while maintaining safety. This resolves the contradiction by using time-domain multiplexing rather than increasing voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameters of interrupt windows (width, position, repetition rate) to optimize both safety and communication effectiveness. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves reliable data transmission while ensuring adequate safety margins, avoiding the need for high voltage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is transmitted over DC power conductors, then communication capability is improved, but data integrity deteriorates due to noise interference and capacitor corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic interrupt windows to create dedicated communication intervals separated from power transmission. This periodic structure allows synchronization between transmitter and receiver, enabling reliable data extraction during quiet periods when capacitors are not actively charging or discharging, thus maintaining data integrity while providing communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs interrupt windows as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between power delivery and data communication functions. These windows act as temporal gateways that allow data to pass through the power conductor interface without being corrupted by the capacitive effects present during continuous power transmission.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If interrupt windows are used for safety in DC power signals, then safety is improved, but communication capability is limited without additional complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the interrupt windows serve dual functions: maintaining safety by allowing leakage current detection and enabling data communication through pulse width modulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate communication infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while preserving safety benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the parameters of existing interrupt windows (timing, duration, positioning) to encode data without requiring additional hardware or complex protocols. By changing these parameters within the existing safety framework, the system achieves communication capability while maintaining simplicity and preserving safety features.
4Adaptability or versatility
If pulse width modulation is applied to interrupt windows, then data transmission capability is improved, but synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiving end detects interrupt window parameters and communicates timing information back to the transmitter. This feedback loop enables automatic synchronization adjustment, allowing pulse width modulation to function reliably without complex manual synchronization procedures, thus improving data transmission while managing synchronization complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the communication system to self-synchronize by detecting and adapting to the interrupt window timing automatically. The system uses the inherent structure of the power delivery interruption to establish its own synchronization reference, eliminating the need for external synchronization signals or complex coordination protocols.
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 enables effective communication over long, noisy power lines with minimal additional circuitry, preserving safety features and allowing for synchronization of power transfer pulses, thus improving data integrity and reducing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
opening a switch to disconnect a load from a power conductor to form an interrupt window
Implementation Method 2
The timing of rising and falling edges of the interrupt window may be modified, thereby changing the duration, period, or position within a period of the interrupt window. In effect, interrupt windows within the DC power signal may be pulse width modulated to send data
Data Source
AI summary
Communication systems and methods over direct current (DC) power conductors to remote subunits may include interrupt windows in a power signal on a DC power conductor for safety reasons. The timing of rising and falling edges of the interrupt window may be modified, thereby changing the duration, period, or position within a period of the interrupt window. In effect, interrupt windows within the DC power signal may be pulse width modulated to send data between a power source and one or more subunits. Pulse width modulation (PWM) of the DC power signal preserves the safety features, but allows data and/or commands to be transferred between the power source and any subunits.