Zero-Crossing Signal Timing for Accurate Power Line Data Sync

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in power line communication systems is accurately determining zero crossing points of mains power to synchronize signal transmission, as existing methods suffer from errors in detection, leading to low communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that corrects zero crossing point detection errors by calculating an average sampling number from initial zero crossing point signals, adjusting the output interval based on subsequent signal differences, and ensuring the zero crossing point signals are within a predetermined range to improve synchronization and communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If zero-crossing transmission is used to avoid pulse interference from mains power, then communication reliability is improved, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to detection errors in zero crossing points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detected zero-crossing point information is continuously monitored and used to adjust the signal transmission timing. The system measures the actual zero-crossing points, compares them with expected values, and dynamically adjusts the transmission schedule to compensate for detection errors, thereby maintaining synchronization accuracy while using zero-crossing transmission to avoid pulse interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameters of signal transmission based on detected zero-crossing point deviations. By dynamically adjusting the transmission time offset according to measured zero-crossing errors, the system maintains accurate synchronization despite the inherent limitations of zero-crossing detection, thus resolving the contradiction between using zero-crossing transmission for reliability and maintaining synchronization precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If zero crossing point detection is performed to enable synchronized transmission, then data transmission accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for continuous monitoring and error correction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically performs zero-crossing point detection, error calculation, and transmission timing adjustment without external intervention. The detection circuit continuously monitors the mains power waveform, automatically calculates deviations from expected zero-crossing points, and dynamically adjusts the signal transmission schedule, thereby achieving accurate data transmission while minimizing the need for complex external control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3989449B1Zero crossing point signal output and power line data sending method and device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 TENDYRON CORP
  • EP3989449B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3989449B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3989449B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided are a zero crossing point signal output method and apparatus, and a power line data transmitting method and device. The zero-crossing signal output method includes: continuously receiving zero crossing point square wave signals, and periodically sampling zero crossing point square wave signals at a predetermined sampling frequency; acquiring sampling numbers of 1st to Mth zero crossing point square wave signals to obtain an average sampling number S, and calculating a first zero crossing point interval T1; setting a zero crossing point signal output interval as the first zero crossing point interval T1; continuously outputting zero crossing point signals with an interval being the zero crossing point signal output interval; obtaining sampling numbers of M+1th to M+Nth zero crossing point square wave signals, calculating a difference value between each of the sampling numbers and S, and obtaining an accumulated difference value Δs through calculation; when Δs is not within a predetermined change range, obtaining a second zero crossing point interval T2 and setting the zero crossing point signal output interval as T2; and when Δs is within the predetermined change range, keeping the zero crossing point signal output interval unchanged.