Lamp Power Line Communication Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lamps, especially LED lamps, lack an effective mechanism for digital data communication, leading to interference with lighting characteristics due to analog signal modulation, causing flickering and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for transmitting data over a power signal with alternating high-power and low-power sections, modulating the signal in interface regions to generate a modulated signal with minimal power variation, and using resistor coupling to achieve bi-directional data communication without affecting the lamp's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If analog signal modulation is used to exchange data between lamp and external device, then data communication capability is improved, but lighting quality deteriorates due to flickering and signal integrity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power signal into alternating high-power sections and low-power sections, with interface regions at the boundaries. Data modulation is applied only in these interface regions rather than continuously across the entire signal, thereby isolating the modulation effect to specific segments that do not interfere with the overall lighting output quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different signal characteristics to different regions: the high-power and low-power sections maintain stable power levels for lighting, while the interface regions between them are specifically designed for data modulation. This local differentiation allows data communication to occur without compromising the lighting quality in the main power sections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data signals are transmitted over power line, then communication mechanism is improved, but signal interference with lighting characteristics occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic alternating high-power and low-power sections in the power signal, creating regular interface regions where data modulation occurs. This periodic structure allows the system to maintain stable lighting during the high-power sections while periodically inserting data-modulated interface regions, thereby achieving communication without continuous interference with lighting characteristics.
3Loss of information
If modulated analog signal is used for data exchange, then data transmission capability is improved, but signal integrity deteriorates causing dropouts and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data modulation function from the main power signal and relocates it to the interface regions between high-power and low-power sections. By taking out the modulation operation from the continuous power signal and confining it to specific interface regions, the patent prevents modulation-induced dropouts and artifacts from affecting the lighting characteristics during the high-power sections.
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 reliable and flicker-free data transmission and reception between lamps and transformers, maintaining the integrity and quality of the lighting output while facilitating bi-directional communication.
Implementation Method 1
a modulator is provided which modulates the pulsed variable signal in one or more interface regions between the high-power and low-power sections based upon at least one data symbol to generate a modulated signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting data over a power signal to at least one lamp, said power signal comprising alternating high-power and low-power sections, said method comprising: modulating said power signal in one or more interface regions based upon at least one data symbol to generate a modulated signal having one or more modulated portions, each modulated portion having a first average power, each of said interface regions comprising adjacent portions of a high-power section and a low-power section, said adjacent portions having a second average portion; wherein said first average power is about the same as said second average power.