Single Wire Communication Interface for Utility Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems for remote utility applications are complex, prone to noise and interference, and require multiple transmission lines, making them costly and inefficient, especially for applications like remotely placed electric tools where wireless signals are attenuated.
Innovation Solution
A unidirectional or bidirectional communication system using a single wire communication interface that transmits encoded signals via a single wire communication protocol, utilizing start and stop symbols, payload, and load modulation to ensure reliable data transmission over a single dedicated supply cable, reducing infrastructure and complexity while minimizing signal loss and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for remote utility applications, then communication convenience is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to noise, interference, and signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless communication with wired optical communication using a single dedicated fiber optic cable. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues of wireless communication (noise, interference, signal loss) while maintaining communication convenience through direct point-to-point connection. The fiber optic cable provides a stable, interference-free transmission medium for both power and data signals.
2Reliability
If optical communication is used for reliable transmission, then reliability is improved, but cost increases due to considerable infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power transmission and data communication into a single fiber optic cable infrastructure. Instead of requiring separate wiring systems for power and communication, the invention combines both functions into one unified optical communication cable, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity and cost while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fiber optic cable serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits power signals, carries data communications, and provides grounding references. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate infrastructure systems, reducing overall complexity and cost while ensuring reliable operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transmission lines are used for communication, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication functions (power transmission, data communication, grounding) into a single transmission line infrastructure. The fiber optic cable serves as a universal medium that can carry multiple types of signals simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate transmission lines for each function and thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fiber optic cable provides universal functionality for power delivery, data transmission, and electrical referencing. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain full communication capability while using only one transmission line, thereby reducing complexity and cost.
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
The system provides a simple, efficient, and reliable communication method that is less susceptible to interference and signal attenuation, reducing hardware requirements and costs, and can be easily integrated into existing products, maintaining power grid quality and supporting smart communication.
Implementation Method 1
The first signal is generated by a voltage modulator, that modulates a AC power signal from an AC source by selectively interrupting the AC power signal during a predetermined phase time
Implementation Method 2
The second signal is generated in response to the received first signal based on a load modulation of the received payload from the first signal, to generate the load modulated current signal
Implementation Method 3
The second terminal, using a detector, detects a missing phase package (or a missing half wave) in the first signal to retrieve an information from the received first signal
Implementation Method 4
The first terminal includes a current detection circuit, to determine a load modulated current in the received second signal to retrieve an information from the received second signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A communication system (100, 200) includes a first terminal (102, 202) transmitting a first signal and receiving a second signal. A second terminal (108, 204) transmits a second signal and receives the first signal. The system (100, 200) is characterized in that a single wire communication interface (116) connects both the first, second terminals (102, 202), (108, 204) for a uni-directional or a bi-directional communication, using a single wire communication protocol. The communication protocol includes one or more of a start symbol, and a payload. The second terminal (108, 204), using a detector (110), detects a missing phase package or a missing half AC wave in the first signal to retrieve an information from the received first signal. The first terminal (102, 202) includes one or more of a current detection circuit, determine a load modulated current in the received second signal to retrieve information.