Power Line Carrier Message Protocol With Echo Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for data transmission between a collecting unit and control devices via power line carrier transmission face challenges in ensuring reliable message delivery and preventing infinite repetition of messages due to interruptions or malfunctions, particularly in systems with multiple remote units connected through intermediate units.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing power line carrier transmission where messages include a progressive number, sender and addressee identification, informative content or commands, and a counter to manage echoes, ensuring messages are addressed correctly and regenerated only a limited number of times, with each control device transmitting echoes with unique delays to prevent infinite repetition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If messages are transmitted via power line carrier transmission along the power supply line, then data exchange between control devices and collecting unit is enabled, but message delivery reliability deteriorates due to interruptions or malfunctions in the power supply line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping messages with a progressive number and counter before transmission. The progressive number allows the receiving device to identify and process messages in the correct sequence, while the counter enables the receiving device to determine when all messages have been delivered. This preliminary preparation ensures reliable message delivery even when interruptions occur, as the receiving device can detect missing messages and request retransmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiving device sends acknowledgments back to the transmitting device. When a message is received successfully, the receiving device increments the counter and sends an acknowledgment. If the transmitting device does not receive an acknowledgment within a predetermined time, it retransmits the message. This feedback loop ensures reliable message delivery despite interruptions or malfunctions in the power supply line.
2Length of stationary object
If control devices regenerate messages to overcome transmission distance limitations, then message delivery range is improved, but infinite repetition of messages occurs due to interruptions or malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by including a counter in each message before transmission. The counter is set to a predetermined value that limits the number of times a message can be regenerated. Each time a control device regenerates a message, it decrements the counter. When the counter reaches zero, the message is no longer regenerated. This preliminary limitation prevents infinite repetition of messages even when interruptions or malfunctions occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having receiving devices send acknowledgments to confirm successful message receipt. When a device receives a message, it checks the counter value, regenerates the message if needed (decrementing the counter), and sends an acknowledgment. The transmitting device uses this feedback to determine whether to continue or stop message transmission, preventing infinite repetition while ensuring complete message delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control devices are connected through intermediate units, then system scalability is improved, but message routing complexity increases due to multiple possible paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the message into distinct components: progressive number, counter, and data payload. The progressive number segments the message identification function, allowing each message to be uniquely tracked regardless of the transmission path. This segmentation simplifies routing complexity in scalable systems with multiple intermediate units, as each device can independently process messages based on their progressive number without needing complex routing logic.
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 method enables reliable data exchange between control devices and a collecting unit over long power lines, ensuring messages reach their intended destination even with interruptions, and prevents infinite repetition of messages, enhancing system reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission of data takes place via power line carrier transmission along the power supply line of the various electrical devices
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method between a collecting unit (5) and a plurality of control devices (7i), each of which is associated with at least an electrical device 1(i) via the power line. Messages are exchanged between the collecting unit (5) and the control devices (7i), each of which contains at least: a progressive message number (Pr_N); an addressee identification number assigned to each control device and to the collecting unit. The messages are therefore addressable selectively to a specific control device via said addressee identification number.