Harmonic Data Transmission Over Power Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data communication methods in power line networks require significant bandwidth and processing resources due to the need for error detection and correction techniques, which reduce the available bandwidth for payload data transmission.
Innovation Solution
Transmitting harmonic tones over power line communication systems to represent data, allowing receivers to directly identify the data without decoding or error correction, using tone-event-keys and tone offsets for security and efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If modulation techniques and error detection/correction techniques are used to transmit data, then data reliability is improved, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates due to overhead data insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the error detection and correction overhead from the data transmission process. By using harmonic tones that are inherently resistant to noise and distortion, the system eliminates the need for separate error detection codes and retransmission protocols, thereby freeing up bandwidth for payload data while maintaining reliability through the physical properties of harmonic signals
Solution Approach 2:
The harmonic tones used in this patent are self-correcting in nature. The harmonic structure inherently provides noise immunity and signal integrity without requiring external error correction mechanisms. The receiver can directly identify data from the harmonic tones without needing additional overhead for error detection or correction, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining data reliability
2Productivity
If modulation techniques are used to encode multiple bits of data, then data transmission capacity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic modulation and demodulation systems with a simpler harmonic tone-based approach. Instead of using Quadrature Phase Shift Keying or 16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation that require sophisticated signal processing, the system uses fundamental harmonic tones that can be generated and detected with simpler circuitry, reducing device complexity while maintaining data transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of data encoding from modulation depth or phase to harmonic frequency content. By representing data words as specific harmonic tones rather than modulated signals, the system achieves data transmission with simpler hardware that does not require complex modulation/demodulation circuits, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving transmission capacity
3Measurement precision
If error detection codes and retransmission protocols are implemented, then data accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates error resistance directly into the transmission medium by using harmonic tones that are inherently protected against noise and distortion. This preliminary embedding of error protection in the physical signal structure eliminates the need for time-consuming error detection and retransmission protocols, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining data accuracy through the inherent robustness of harmonic signals
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for communicating using harmonic tones. In one aspect, a method includes receiving harmonic tones that represent data being reported by a node that generated the harmonic tones; selecting data that are represented by each of the harmonic tones; and providing the data that are represented by the harmonic tones.