Power Line Interface Circuit With End-Inductor Noise Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power line communication systems face challenges in effectively filtering high-frequency noise and harmonics from power supply voltages, which degrade communication quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a low-pass filter and coupler system in the interface circuit to superimpose and extract communication signals on and from power lines, utilizing inductors and capacitors to attenuate harmonic components and reduce high-frequency noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a low-pass filter is inserted into the power line to filter high-frequency noise and harmonics, then communication quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional inductors at both ends of the filter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The low-pass filter is divided into two separate inductor components positioned at both ends of the filter section, rather than using a single centralized inductor. This segmentation allows the filter to be integrated into existing power line structures more easily and reduces the complexity of any single component while maintaining the overall filtering effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If inductors are placed at both ends of the low-pass filter to attenuate harmonic components, then noise reduction is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-frequency noiseVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inductors at both ends of the low-pass filter serve multiple functions: they provide harmonic attenuation, contribute to the overall filtering effect, and can be integrated with existing power line infrastructure components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective noise reduction.

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

3Productivity

If the low-pass filter structure is enhanced with inductors at both ends to improve filtering performance, then communication efficiency is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inductors are positioned at both ends of the low-pass filter in a predetermined configuration that aligns with standard power line installation patterns. This preliminary design consideration allows installers to integrate the filter into existing power lines without requiring complex reconfiguration or additional mounting hardware, thereby maintaining ease of installation while achieving superior filtering performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances communication quality by reducing high-frequency noise and harmonics, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of power line communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

The first low-pass filter includes a first inductor at each of both ends of the first low-pass filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive reactance: Inductor

Implementation Method 2

The first coupler is configured to superimpose a first communication signal on a first power line transmitting a first power supply voltage, or extract a first communication signal from a first power line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4629516A1Interface circuit, communication apparatus, interface system, and communication system
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 MEGACHIPS
  • EP4629516A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4629516A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4629516A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An interface circuit includes a first coupler and a first low-pass filter. The first coupler is configured to superimpose a first communication signal on a first power line transmitting a first power supply voltage of a square wave, or extract a first communication signal from a first power line transmitting a first power supply voltage of a square wave on which the first communication signal is superimposed. The first low-pass filter is inserted into the first power line and is connected to the first coupler. The first low-pass filter includes a first inductor at each of both ends of the first low-pass filter.