Infrared Receiver Carrier Current Communication System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional schemes for powering residential gateways located outside a house, such as at a Network Interface Device (NID), require additional wiring, which is costly and labor-intensive, and existing carrier current communications systems have complex proprietary designs that are expensive to implement.
Innovation Solution
A carrier current communication system using an infrared receiver configured to receive modulated carrier signals over existing DC power transmission lines, allowing for cost-effective communication between a power supply unit and a residential gateway without the need for additional wiring, utilizing a prefabricated integrated circuit IR receiver coupled to copper wires for signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional separate wiring is installed between the outside device and power supply unit for communication, then communication signals can be transmitted, but installation cost and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power transmission and communication signal transmission into a single DC power transmission line. The carrier current communication system modulates communication signals onto the power line, allowing both power and data to travel through the same wire, thereby eliminating the need for separate communication wiring and reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The DC power transmission line is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both electrical power to the outside device and carries communication signals between the power supply unit and the device. This multi-functional use of the existing power line eliminates the need for additional dedicated communication infrastructure
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional carrier current communications systems are used, then communication signals can be transmitted over existing power lines, but the receivers and transmitters have complex proprietary designs making them expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an infrared receiver, which is a prefabricated integrated circuit originally designed for optical signal reception, and adapts it to receive electrical carrier signals through a transformer coupling. This approach copies the functionality of a dedicated carrier current receiver using a different, simpler component architecture, thereby avoiding complex proprietary designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical carrier current reception mechanism with an infrared receiver that uses electromagnetic induction through a transformer. The infrared receiver's photodetector is coupled to the transformer secondary, allowing it to detect carrier signals through electromagnetic field coupling rather than direct electrical contact, simplifying the overall system design
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 solution provides an inexpensive alternative to complex proprietary circuits, enabling efficient communication between the power supply unit and the residential gateway, reducing installation costs and labor by using existing DC power lines for both power and data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
A carrier current communication system uses an infrared receiver configured to receive modulated carrier signals over existing DC power transmission lines
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a method and apparatus are described to transmit a data signal from a power supply unit, over existing direct current (DC) power transmission lines, to a residential gateway which includes an infrared (IR) receiver designed to receive optical signals. In one embodiment, the IR receiver is configured to receive a carrier current communication signal from the power supply unit over a pair of copper wires coupled to the IR receiver. The carrier current communication signals may be encoded by a transmission encoding logic circuit using pulse position modulation techniques. The received carrier current communication signals may be demodulated and decoded to reproduce an input data stream.