Impedance-Transparent Coupler for Powerline Sensor Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powerline communication systems for low and medium-voltage grids require complex devices with external power supplies, are costly to maintain, and lack robustness in case of mains voltage failure, especially for simple sensor applications.
Innovation Solution
The method employs impedance-transparent couplers for nodes connected to the power grid, enabling load modulation for data transmission without external power, using series resonant circuits to maintain impedance ratios and protect from mains voltage, allowing nodes to operate maintenance-free and robustly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If complex modulation standards (FSK, spread spectrum, OFDM) are used for data transmission over power lines, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the communication device by using the power line itself to provide energy through rectification of the carrier signal. This separates the power supply requirement from the communication functionality, allowing simple sensor nodes without external power supplies to be used, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor node performs self-powering by rectifying the carrier signal transmitted over the power line. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external power supplies or batteries, reducing maintenance requirements and device complexity while preserving the ability to transmit sensor data
2Ease of operation
If external power supplies (batteries) are used for sensor nodes on medium-voltage lines, then data transmission is enabled, but maintenance costs increase due to limited service life
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor node generates its own operating energy by rectifying the carrier signal transmitted over the power line. This eliminates batteries and external power supplies, making the system maintenance-free and suitable for long-term deployment in hard-to-reach locations without increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 2:
The power line serves dual functions: transmitting both energy (for powering the sensor node) and data (for communication). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power supply infrastructure, reducing maintenance requirements while enabling continuous operation
3Reliability
If standard transceivers with own power supply are used, then communication robustness is reduced in case of mains voltage failure, but device functionality is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor node derives its operating energy directly from the carrier signal transmitted over the power line through rectification. This self-powering mechanism ensures that the node remains operational as long as the power line is active, significantly improving communication robustness during mains voltage failures without requiring additional power supply components
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier signal acts as an intermediary that simultaneously serves as both the communication carrier and the energy source for the sensor node. This dual role ensures that the node can communicate even when the mains voltage fails, as long as the carrier signal is present, thereby improving reliability
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 allows for low-complexity, cost-effective data transmission and sensor applications that are robust and maintenance-free, even during mains voltage failures, using components like RFID chips and inductive couplers, enabling efficient communication over power grids without active energy feeding.
Implementation Method 1
such a coupler must be impedance-transparent, i.e. a change in impedance on one side, for example on the side of the second node, must correspond to the same change correspond to the impedance on the other side, for example on the side of the first node, in the ratio 1:N/M. This is possible, for example, by using series resonant circuits.
Implementation Method 2
This is possible, for example, by using series resonant circuits.
Implementation Method 3
The coupling is effected by a coupler or a coupling device... The coupling is effected in a potential-free manner by the respective impedance-transparent coupling device on the electrical conductor. This is done, for example, by using inductive couplers.
Implementation Method 4
rectifying the transmitted carrier signal at the second node to power the second node
Implementation Method 5
modulating the transmitted carrier signal by the second node using load modulation to transmit response data to the first node
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for transmitting data via an electric conductor of a current network. At least one first node and at least one second node are coupled to the electric conductor by means of a respective impedance-transparent coupling device. The method has the steps of transmitting a carrier signal by means of the first node via the electric conductor; rectifying the transmitted carrier signal at the second node in order to supply energy to the second node; and modulating the transmitted carrier signal by means of the second node using a load modulation in order to transmit response data to the first node. The method is suitable in particular for low-maintenance and inexpensive sensor applications in current networks. The invention further relates to an arrangement for transmitting data via an electric conductor of a current network.