Transient Power Communication via Voltage Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power line communication systems are costly and complex, often requiring dedicated communication lines or wireless networks, which are not feasible in space-constrained or hazardous environments, and are overkill for simple interactions, while also necessitating specialized communication circuits that increase complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A transient power communication system that uses a master module with a voltage change circuit and controller to generate normal or reduced supply voltages, allowing communication through a single wire without interrupting load operation, utilizing a front-end circuit, voltage change sensing circuit, filter circuit, slave controller, and output circuit to interpret logic level voltages and control load operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional power line communication systems are used, then communication between master and slave modules can be achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase due to requiring specialized communication circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The power line is made to serve dual purposes: delivering power and transmitting communication signals. The voltage change circuit modifies the power voltage to encode communication data, allowing the same conductor to function as both power delivery and communication medium, eliminating the need for separate communication circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The communication function is merged with the power delivery function by using voltage transitions on the power line itself to convey data. The slave module's voltage sensing circuit detects these voltage changes to interpret communication signals, combining what were previously separate functions into a unified system
2Reliability
If dedicated communication lines are used, then communication reliability is improved, but space requirements and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing power line infrastructure is utilized for both power delivery and communication purposes. By encoding communication signals through voltage changes on the power line, the system eliminates the need for additional dedicated communication wiring, reducing space requirements while maintaining communication functionality
3Loss of information
If conventional power line communication with modulated carrier signals is used, then communication can occur over power lines, but specialized communication circuits are required increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The communication capability is extracted from complex modulated carrier signal processing and simplified to basic voltage level detection. The slave module only needs to sense voltage changes and interpret them as logic levels, eliminating the need for expensive communication-specific circuitry while maintaining communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
Communication is achieved by changing the voltage parameter of the power line rather than using complex modulated signals. The master module varies the power voltage to encode data, and the slave module detects these voltage changes, using a simple parameter change approach that reduces circuit complexity and cost
4Loss of information
If power line communication interrupts load operation, then communication can be transmitted, but continuous load operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Communication is transmitted through periodic voltage transitions on the power line rather than interrupting power delivery. The voltage change circuit briefly modifies the power voltage to encode communication signals, then returns to normal power delivery levels, allowing continuous load operation while transmitting communication data through these periodic voltage changes
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system providing communication from a master module to at least one slave module via transients, to alter operation of a load, is provided. The master module output a supply voltage that is either a normal supply voltage or a reduced supply voltage. The outputted supply voltage depends on input corresponding to a communication to be sent to the slave module to alter operation of the load of the slave module. The slave module receives the supply voltage and interprets the received supply voltage, which may vary between the normal and reduced supply voltages, to determine what the communication from the master module is. The slave module then uses information from the communication to appropriately alter operation of its load.