Power Line Data Communication via Signal Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic systems require significant hardware resources for data communication between circuit devices, which can be reduced by leveraging power supply lines as a communication channel, minimizing the need for communication bus interfaces and controllers.
Innovation Solution
Circuit devices convert digital data into analog signals, modulate them, and inject these signals into DC power supply lines shared between devices, allowing reception and decoding of data by other devices through filtering and demodulation, thereby reducing reliance on communication buses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication bus interfaces and controllers are used for data communication between circuit devices, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but hardware resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply line is made to serve dual functions: delivering power to circuit devices and simultaneously serving as a communication channel for data transmission. This eliminates the need for separate communication bus interfaces and controllers, reducing hardware resources while maintaining communication reliability through the shared power-communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power delivery function and data communication function into a single physical medium (the power supply line). By combining these two previously separate functions into one channel, the system reduces the number of required hardware components including communication bus interfaces and controllers
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication bus interfaces are implemented for data transmission, then data communication capability is provided, but the number of hardware components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply line performs multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers electrical power to circuit devices and acts as a communication medium for data transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate communication bus hardware components while maintaining full data communication capability between devices
Solution Approach 2:
The existing power supply infrastructure is made to serve itself by enabling communication functionality through the same physical medium. The power line automatically carries both power and communication signals without requiring additional dedicated communication hardware, allowing the system to communicate using its existing power delivery structure
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 reduces hardware resource usage by enabling data communication through power supply lines, potentially eliminating the need for communication buses and improving bandwidth efficiency for low-bandwidth data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
modulate the analog signal to generate a modulated signal
Implementation Method 2
filtering the power supply signal in the DC power supply line to generate a filtered power supply signal
Implementation Method 3
demodulate the filtered power supply signal to generate a demodulated signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for communicating information between various electronic components. A local device may comprise a transmitter to convert communication signals into modulated signals. Modulated signals are injected into a shared power supply line. The remote device may comprise a receiver for identifying the injected signal, demodulating the injected signal, and processing the demodulated signal.