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Adaptive network routing for power line communications

  • US 5,032,833 A
  • Filed: 04/27/1989
  • Issued: 07/16/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of routing communications between a central control unit (CCU) and a plurality of remote units distributed on an electrical power line, said CCU and remote units being capable both of receiving and transmitting electrical signals, comprising the steps of(a) by said CCU, transmitting on the power line a first interrogation signal to be received by said plurality of remote units on said line;

  • (b) by each of said remote units that have received said first interrogation signal, transmitting on the power line a first acknowledgement signal that is capable of being discriminated from first acknowledgement signals of the other remote units;

    (c) by said CCU, receiving said first acknowledgement signals transmitted by said remote units that have received said first interrogation signal, associating said transmitted first acknowledgement signals with corresponding remote units and determining from which of said remote units, designated as being "mute", a first acknowledgement signal has not been received;

    (d) by said CCU, selecting a remote unit to operate as a first relay and controlling the first relay to transmit a second interrogation signal to the remote units designated as being mute;

    (e) by said remote units designated as being mute, upon receipt of said second interrogation signal, transmitting on the power line a second acknowledgement signal to be relayed by said first relay to said CCU; and

    (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) in sequence until one of said remote units are designated as being mute.

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