Power Line Communication Apparatus Actuator Control Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power line communication systems using DC power sources face challenges in intermittently turning off power supply to actuators, especially those controlled via pulse width modulation, leading to difficulties in controlling desired driving currents and causing communication errors due to current fluctuations in the power line.
Innovation Solution
A power line communication apparatus with an actuator control circuit that generates control pulses and controls the transition timing of driving currents within a communication cycle, and a communication block that modulates currents in response to data transmission, allowing for continuous power supply and minimizing current fluctuations during signal transmission periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If power supplying is intermittently turned off to control actuator driving current, then actuator control precision is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to current fluctuations in the power line
Solution Approach 1:
The power line communication system divides the communication cycle into distinct operation periods and signal transmission periods. During signal transmission periods, the actuator control is suspended to prevent current fluctuations, while during operation periods, normal actuator control resumes. This temporal segmentation allows both precise actuator control and reliable communication to coexist without interference.
2Reliability
If power supplying is continuously maintained to ensure communication reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but actuator control precision deteriorates due to inability to intermittently turn off power
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic switching between operation periods and signal transmission periods. During signal transmission periods, power supplying to the actuator is temporarily suspended to eliminate current fluctuations that would interfere with communication. This periodic interruption of actuator control during communication phases ensures reliable data transmission while maintaining overall system functionality.
3Device complexity
If communication and power supplying share the same power line phases, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to current fluctuations affecting communication
Solution Approach 1:
The power line is segmented into distinct operation periods and signal transmission periods within each communication cycle. During signal transmission periods, actuator control is suspended to prevent current fluctuations, ensuring precise communication. During operation periods, normal actuator control is restored. This temporal segmentation allows simple shared infrastructure to achieve both functions with high precision.
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 communication over power lines even when power supply from a DC source cannot be intermittently turned off, preventing communication errors by synchronizing driving current transitions with operation periods and maintaining stable current flow during data exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a communication block that generates the communication clock, and modulates a current flowing through the power line in response to the data to be transmitted
Implementation Method 2
a drive circuit controls a driving current of the actuator supplied from a DC power source through a power line based on the control pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A power line communication apparatus includes a drive block including an actuator control circuit and a drive circuit and a communication block. The actuator control circuit generates a control pulse for controlling an actuator, and controls a transition timing of the control pulse during an operation period set within a communication cycle by a communication clock. The drive circuit controls a driving current of the actuator supplied from a DC power source through a power line based on the control pulse in which the transition timing is controlled. The communication block generates the communication clock, and modulates a current flowing through the power line in response to data to be transmitted during a signal transmission period different from the operation period, set within the communication cycle.