Power Line Communication Coupling System Impedance Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing coupling systems struggle to accurately distinguish and transmit data from a signal that also carries an electrical power supply, leading to corrupted data transmission due to impedance mismatch between the system's input impedance and the characteristic impedance of the line.

Innovation Solution

The coupling system includes an energy recovery device and a data transmission device with specific components like rectifiers, current generators, attenuators, and filters, which adapt the input impedance to match the characteristic line impedance, ensuring efficient power supply recovery and data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the coupling system recovers electrical power supply from the signal, then power supply delivery to control unit is enabled, but input impedance mismatch with line characteristic impedance occurs causing data corruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply recovery efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is divided into separate functional modules: a power recovery module that extracts electrical power from the signal, and a data transmission module that handles data signals. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, with the power recovery module designed to efficiently extract power while the data module maintains proper impedance matching to prevent corruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An impedance matching network is introduced as an intermediary component between the coupling system and the communication line. This mediator adjusts the input impedance to match the line's characteristic impedance, preventing signal reflections and data corruption while allowing the power recovery function to operate independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the coupling system attempts to distinguish and separate data from power supply signal, then data transmission is enabled, but data corruption occurs due to impedance mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission integrityVSAvoiddata corruption rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system separates power recovery and data reception into distinct functional paths. The data reception path includes dedicated impedance matching components that ensure proper signal integrity, while the power recovery path handles electrical power extraction independently, preventing interference between the two functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the coupling system have different impedance characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The data input section is designed with impedance matching to the line's characteristic impedance for optimal data reception, while the power recovery section has different characteristics optimized for efficient power extraction, allowing each part to perform its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the coupling system is designed to handle both power supply and data simultaneously, then dual functionality is achieved, but impedance matching becomes difficult causing signal corruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual functionality for power and dataVSAvoidimpedance matching precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-functional coupling system is segmented into separate power recovery and data communication subsystems, each with its own impedance matching network. This allows precise impedance control for data transmission while maintaining power recovery capability, achieving both functions with high precision without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling system is designed as a universal interface that can simultaneously handle power supply and data transmission functions. By incorporating multiple specialized modules within a single device, the system achieves multi-functionality while maintaining high impedance matching precision for data signals through dedicated matching circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 adaptation significantly reduces data corruption, allowing for reliable data transmission to the control unit while maintaining efficient power supply delivery, with an input impedance matching the line impedance within a predetermined frequency range.

Implementation Method 1

a rectifier 32, a current generator 34 and a variable load 36

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2415179B1Apparatus and system for power line communication
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP2415179B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2415179B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2415179B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This system (8) for coupling between a wire communication link (10) exhibits a characteristic line impedance suitable for transporting a single signal simultaneously comprising an electrical power supply and data, and a control unit (6) comprising an electrical power supply terminal (12) and a data terminal (14), said system (8) exhibiting an input impedance. This system (8) comprises means (34, 36, 42) for adapting the input impedance so as to match the characteristic line impedance.