Communication over power lines
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- generating a first PWM waveform signal, wherein a duty cycle of the first PWM waveform signal is proportional to an amplitude of a first signal;
generating a first sinusoidal waveform signal having a first frequency;
modulating the first sinusoidal waveform signal in relation to the first PWM waveform signal;
transmitting the modulated first sinusoidal waveform signal to a circuit via a power conductor that couples a power source to the circuit;
the circuit generating a demodulated signal by demodulating the modulated first sinusoidal waveform signal;
generating a second PWM waveform signal, wherein a duty cycle of the second PWM waveform signal is proportional to an amplitude of a second signal;
generating a second sinusoidal waveform signal at a second frequency;
modulating the second sinusoidal waveform signal in relation to the second PWM waveform signal;
transmitting the modulated second sinusoidal waveform signal to the circuit and to a second circuit via the power conductor that couples the power source to the second circuit;
the second circuit generating a second demodulated signal by demodulating the modulated second sinusoidal waveform signal.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for communicating over a power line. In one embodiment of the method, a first PWM waveform signal is generated, wherein a duty cycle of the first PWM waveform signal is proportional to an amplitude of a first analog signal. A first sinusoidal waveform signal is also generated, which has a first frequency. The first sinusoidal waveform signal is modulated in relation to the first PWM waveform signal. The modulated first sinusoidal waveform signal is transmitted to a circuit via a power conductor that couples a power source to the circuit. The circuit in turn generates a demodulated signal by demodulating the modulated first sinusoidal waveform signal.
11 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating a first PWM waveform signal, wherein a duty cycle of the first PWM waveform signal is proportional to an amplitude of a first signal; generating a first sinusoidal waveform signal having a first frequency; modulating the first sinusoidal waveform signal in relation to the first PWM waveform signal; transmitting the modulated first sinusoidal waveform signal to a circuit via a power conductor that couples a power source to the circuit; the circuit generating a demodulated signal by demodulating the modulated first sinusoidal waveform signal; generating a second PWM waveform signal, wherein a duty cycle of the second PWM waveform signal is proportional to an amplitude of a second signal; generating a second sinusoidal waveform signal at a second frequency; modulating the second sinusoidal waveform signal in relation to the second PWM waveform signal; transmitting the modulated second sinusoidal waveform signal to the circuit and to a second circuit via the power conductor that couples the power source to the second circuit; the second circuit generating a second demodulated signal by demodulating the modulated second sinusoidal waveform signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus comprising:
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a first PWM circuit for generating a first PWM waveform signal, wherein a duty cycle of the first PWM waveform signal is proportional to an amplitude of a first signal; a first circuit for generating a first sinusoidal waveform signal having a first frequency; a first modulator circuit for modulating the first sinusoidal waveform signal in relation to the first PWM waveform signal; a power source; a conductor coupled to an output of the power source and an output of the first modulator circuit; a second PWM circuit for generating a second PWM waveform signal, wherein a duty cycle of the second PWM waveform signal is proportional to an amplitude of a second signal; a second circuit for generating a second sinusoidal waveform signal having a second frequency that is distinct from the first frequency; a second modulator circuit for modulating the second sinusoidal waveform signal in relation to the second PWM waveform signal; wherein the conductor is coupled to an output of the second modulator circuit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus comprising:
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a power source; a conductor coupled to the power source and configured to transmit electrical power; a first demodulator circuit coupled to the conductor and configured to receive a first modulated signal via the conductor; wherein the first demodulator circuit is configured to generate a first PWM signal in response to demodulating the first modulated signal; a second demodulator circuit coupled to the conductor and configured to receive a second modulated signal via the conductor; wherein the second demodulator circuit is configured to generate a second PWM signal in response to demodulating the second modulated signal; wherein the second demodulator circuit is configured to receive the second modulated signal while the first demodulator receives the first modulated signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification