Bidirectional phase cut modulation over AC power conductors
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- (a) using phase cut modulation to communicate first information in a first direction through a terminal; and
(b) communicating second information in a second direction through the terminal, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction, and wherein a substantially sinusoidal AC power signal is present on the terminal during (a) and (b).
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Abstract
A system includes a controller and line units. The controller receives AC power from a power source and supplies an AC power signal via two conductors to the units. In one example, the controller is a dimmer switch and the units are intelligent LED lamps. The controller uses phase cut modulation to communicate information (for example, lighting control commands) to the units. The units receive the AC power signal, demodulate and recover the phase cut modulated information, and optionally communicate information back to the controller using load modulation. An addressed unit changes loading on the two conductors from phase cut time to phase cut time, thereby modulating information onto the AC power signal. The controller monitors the AC power signal, and demodulates and recovers the information. The overall bidirectional communication is referred to as bidirectional phase cut modulation over AC power conductors. Units can be controlled individually or in groups.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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(a) using phase cut modulation to communicate first information in a first direction through a terminal; and (b) communicating second information in a second direction through the terminal, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction, and wherein a substantially sinusoidal AC power signal is present on the terminal during (a) and (b). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device comprising:
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a first terminal; a second terminal; a TRIAC (triode for alternating current) that can be turned on to establish a current path through the device from the second terminal to the first terminal; a manual switch; and a control circuit that;
1) determines a position of the manual switch,
2) controls the TRIAC such that phase cut modulated information is output from the device via the first terminal during a first time period, and
3) demodulates information received onto the device via the first terminal during a second time period, and wherein a substantially sinusoidal AC power signal is present on the first terminal throughout the first and second time periods. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A device comprising:
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a white LED (Light Emitting Diode); a first terminal; a second terminal; and a circuit that;
1) receives an AC power signal via the first and second terminals,
2) controls the white LED,
3) receives phase cut modulated information via the first and second terminals during a first time period, and
4) outputs modulated information via the first and second terminals during a second time period, and wherein a substantially sinusoidal AC power signal is present between the first and second terminals throughout the first and second time periods. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An apparatus comprising:
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a terminal; and means for communicating first information in a first direction through the terminal, wherein the first information is phase cut modulated information, wherein the means is also for communicating second information in a second direction through the terminal, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction, and wherein a substantially sinusoidal AC power signal is present on the terminal during the communication of the first information and during the communication of the second information. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification