Light Trunking Rail Data Transmission via Modulated Power Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems face challenges in transmitting control signals and data due to interference from walls and fixtures, making radio transmission quality and range unreliable, and the use of repeaters or separate cables complicated and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A light trunking system that uses electrical lines within the trunking rail to transmit data and control signals via modulation methods, allowing flexible positioning of transmitting and receiving devices without the need for additional lines, and integrating adapters to shield data transmission from interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radio transmission is used for control signals, then wireless flexibility is achieved, but transmission quality and range are impaired by walls and fixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electrical lines as an intermediary medium for data transmission. Instead of relying on radio waves that are blocked by walls and fixtures, the system uses the existing electrical wiring infrastructure as a conduit for modulated data signals, thereby achieving reliable transmission while maintaining flexibility through adapter-based connections
2Reliability
If separate cables or repeaters are used for data transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing electrical lines serve multiple functions: power supply and data transmission. By modulating data signals onto the electrical lines using adapters, the system eliminates the need for separate data cables while utilizing the already-installed electrical infrastructure for both power and communication purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges power transmission and data transmission into a single infrastructure. The electrical lines simultaneously carry electrical power to components and modulated data signals, combining two previously separate functions into one unified system that reduces complexity and installation requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If electrical lines are used for data transmission, then additional cable laying is eliminated, but interference from power supply network may affect data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The adapters serve as intermediary devices that interface between the data terminal and the electrical lines. These adapters modulate data signals onto the electrical lines and demodulate received signals, providing electrical isolation and signal conditioning that protects against interference while enabling data transmission through the power distribution infrastructure
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
Enables reliable and flexible data transmission within the lighting system, reducing complexity and cost by utilizing existing power lines, while maintaining a separate network from the building's power supply and minimizing interference.
Implementation Method 1
The data terminal is designed to transmit data, received by the data terminal, by means of a modulation method via the electrical lines to a second adapter
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a light trunking system, comprising: at least one trunking rail (6) for fastening components (7 . . . 13) of the light trunking system (1) to the trunking rail (6); electrical lines (L3, L4), which run in the trunking rail (6) and can be contacted by the components (7 . . . 13) in order to supply power to the components (7 . . . 13); a data terminal (D1, D2) for receiving data; and a first adapter (16), which is connected to the electrical lines (L3, L4) and to the data terminal and is designed to transmit data received by the data terminal (D1, D2) to a second adapter (17) via the electrical lines (L3, L4) by means of a modulation method.