Digital narrow band power line communication system

• US 20040037311A1
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Phonex Broadband
• Original Assignee: Phonex Broadband
• Inventors: Simonsen, John, Mazahreh, Raied, Horne, Lyman, Kingston, Samuel C., Hoobler, Ryan, Willes, W. Paul, Leahy, Ronald S.
• Application Number:
  US10/215,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20040037311A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/465
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5416 by adding signals to the wave form of the power source
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines

Abstract

A method and system for providing low cost narrow band digital power line communication using OFDM-like protocols to promote spectral diversity, reduce data loss, and provide higher data throughput. This invention provides a specific design to accommodate the requirements of a wide variety of communication applications and is adapted to make use of an AC power line communication within a building or facility without requiring dedicated hard wiring and does so with the advantages of OFDM but without the high costs of OFDM.

Claims

1. A system for providing a narrow band communication data link, comprising:

(A) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(B) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(C) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(D) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(E) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager.

2. A system for providing a narrow band communication data link, as recited in claim 1, wherein said signal processor further comprises:

(1) a filter and downsampler;

(2) a phase shifter in electronic communication with said filter and downsampler;

(3) a symbol accumulator receiving a summed version of data from said phase shifter;

(4) a symbol rate processor in electronic communication with said symbol rate processor; and

(5) a phase processor receiving data from said symbol rate processor and communicating with said phase shifter.

3. An analog telephony communication system, comprising:

(A) a telephone device;

(B) a processor in communication with said telephone device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a central office in communication with said narrow band communication link.

4. A digital telephony communication system, comprising:

(A) a digital telephone device;

(B) a processor in communication with said digital telephone device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a central office in communication with said narrow band communication link.

5. A digital PBX communication system, comprising:

(A) a telephone device;

(B) a processor in communication with said telephone device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager;

(D) a central office in communication with said narrow band communication link; and

(E) a PBX system in communication with said central office and said narrow band communication link.

6. A home automation communication system, comprising:

(A) a controller device;

(B) a processor in communication with said controller device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) an activator in communication with said narrow band communication link.

7. An industrial control communication system, comprising:

(A) a controller device;

(B) a processor in communication with said controller device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) an activator in communication with said narrow band communication link.

8. A set top box return path digital communication system, comprising:

(A) a set top box device;

(B) a processor in communication with said set top box device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a central office in communication with said narrow band communication link.

9. A set top box analog communication system, comprising:

(A) a set top box device;

(B) a processor in communication with said set top box device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a central office in communication with said narrow band communication link.

10. A security communication system, comprising:

(A) a sensor device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) an activator in communication with said narrow band communication link.

11. A camera security communication system, comprising:

(A) a camera device;

(B) a processor in communication with said camera device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) an image device in communication with said narrow band communication link, wherein said image device is selected from the group consisting of a display and an image storage device.

12. A bridge to RF communication system, comprising:

(A) an RF network device;

(B) a processor in communication with said RF network device; and

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager.

13. A home theater communication system, comprising:

(A) a signal source device;

(B) a processor in communication with said signal source device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a signal presentation device, wherein said signal presentation device is selected from a display and an audio speaker in communication with said narrow band communication link.

14. An analog home audio communication system, comprising:

(A) an audio source;

(B) a processor in communication with said telephone device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) an audio speaker in communication with said narrow band communication link.

15. An intercom communication system, comprising:

(A) a first speaker device;

(B) a processor in communication with said first speaker device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a second speaker in communication with said narrow band communication link.

16. An Internet distribution communication system, comprising:

(A) an Internet access device;

(B) a processor in communication with said Internet access device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) an Internet device in communication with said narrow band communication link.

17. An embedded modem communication system, comprising:

(A) a modem device;

(B) a processor in communication with said modem device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) an Internet device in communication with said narrow band communication link.

18. An analog PBX telephony communication system, comprising:

(A) an analog central office device;

(B) a PBX in communication with said analog central office device

(C) a processor in communication with said PBX device;

(D) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a telephone communication device in communication with said narrow band communication link.

19. A home networking communication system, comprising:

(A) a first computer device;

(B) a processor in communication with said first computer device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a second computer device in communication with said narrow band communication link.

20. An automobile sensor communication system, comprising:

(A) a sensor device;

(B) a processor in communication with said sensor device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a master computer in communication with said narrow band communication link.

21. An automobile control communication system, comprising:

(A) an automobile control panel device;

(B) a processor in communication with said automobile control panel device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) an activator in communication with said narrow band communication link.

22. An automobile navigation communication system, comprising:

(A) an automobile navigation receiver device;

(B) a processor in communication with said automobile navigation receiver device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a display device in communication with said narrow band communication link.

23. A trucking sensor communication system, comprising:

(A) a trucking sensor device;

(B) a processor in communication with said trucking sensor device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a display device in communication with said narrow band communication link.

24. A trucking sensor communication system, comprising:

(A) a trucking sensor device;

(B) a processor in communication with said trucking sensor device;

(C) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager; and

(D) a master computer in communication with said narrow band communication link.

25. A shop communication system, comprising:

(A) an engineering master file;

(B) a materials planning system in communication with said engineering master file;

(C) an engineering design system in communication with said engineering master file;

(D) a tooling engineering design system in communication with said engineering master file; and

(E) a narrow band communication link in communication with said processor, wherein said narrow band communication link further comprises;

(1) a low speed converter for communicating with one or more standard communication devices;

(2) a data flow manager in electronic communication with said low speed converter;

(3) a signal processor in electronic communication with said data flow manager to provide a digital power line communication protocol;

(4) a high speed converter for communicating with a power line channel front end, said high speed converter in electronic communication with said signal processor; and

(5) a controller, to control the operation of the data line, said controller in electronic communication with said signal processor and said data flow manager.

26. A phase shifter for use with a communication system, comprising a digital phase rotator, having an input, an output, and said communication system having a Digital Fast Fourier Transform in communication with said digital phase rotator.

29. A phase shifter for use in a communication system, as recited in claim 26, further comprising a first sense inverter, having an input and an output, said input of said first sense inverter being electrically connected to said output of said digital phase rotator.

30. A phase shifter for use in a communication system, as recited in claim 29, further comprising a first real shifter, having an input and an output, said input of said first real shifter being electrically connected to said output of said first sense inverter.

31. A phase shifter for use in a communication system, as recited in claim 30, further comprising a second sense inverter, having an input and an output, said input of said second sense inverter being electrically connected to said output of said first real shifter.

32. A phase shifter for use in a communication system, as recited in claim 31, further comprising a second real shifter, having an input and an output, said input of said second real shifter being electrically connected to said output of said second sense inverter.

27. A phase shifter for use with a communication system, comprising a digital phase rotator, having an input, an output and said communication system being an OFDM communication system in communication with said digital phase rotator.

28. A phase shifter for use with a communication system, comprising a digital phase rotator, having an input, an output and wherein said communication system further comprises a digital multi-tone frequency modulator in communication with said digital phase rotator.

33. A phase shifter for use with a communication system, comprising an equalizer, having an input, an output, and said communication system having a Digital Fast Fourier Transform in communication with said equalizer.

34. A phase shifter for use with a communication system, comprising an equalizer, having an input, an output and said communication system being an OFDM communication system in communication with said equalizer.

35. A phase shifter for use with a communication system, comprising an equalizer, having an input, an output and wherein said communication system further comprises a digital multi-tone frequency modulator in communication with said equalizer.

36. A phase shifter for use with a communication system, comprising an equalizer, having an input, an output and wherein said equalizer further comprises a forward error corrector in communication with said equalizer.

37. A communication system, comprising

(A) a digital phase rotator, having an input and an output separating a plurality of tones;

and

(B) said communication system being a digital multi-tone modulated system.

38. A communication system, as recited in claim 37, wherein said communication system further comprises an AC power line communication channel.

39. A communication system, as recited in claim 37, further comprising an OFDM modulator.

40. A communication system, comprising:

(A) a sync processor, having an input and an output; and

(B) an ATC controller.

41. A communication system, as recited in claim 40, wherein said communication system further comprises an AC power line communication channel.

42. A communication system, as recited in claim 40, further comprising an OFDM modulator.

43. A communication system, comprising:

(A) an OFDM demodulator;

(B) a filter; and

(C) a receive phase generator.

44. A communication system, as recited in claim 43, wherein said communication system further comprises an AC power line communication channel.

45. A communication system, as recited in claim 43, further comprising an OFDM modulator.

46. A communication signal, comprising a frame further comprising a plurality of slots over a plurality of OFDM tones transmitted over the range of about 2 MHz to 3.5 MHz and having about 87.5 kHz separation.