Data communications via power line
First Claim
1. A method for communicating data over power distribution lines carrying alternating current using a communication protocol for communicating data between endpoint devices and an upstream data-collecting device, the method comprising:
- for each of a multitude of first symbols having a plurality of bits, generating at least two second symbols respectively including different subsets of the bits in the first symbol, wherein generating at least two second symbols includes, at each of at least two different endpoints, generating at least two second symbols having a number of bits that is different for the at least two endpoints, based upon communication capabilities of the endpoint for which the second symbols are generated;
based at least in part on an encoding operation that operates on entire symbols having a predefined bit size that is smaller than the bit size of the first symbols, constructing encoded symbols by splitting each first symbol into second symbols having the predefined bit size, by encoding the second symbols, and by combining each of the encoded second symbols according to the communication protocol; and
communicating the encoded symbols over the power distribution lines based on timing indicated at least in part by the alternating current.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects are directed to communicating data over power distribution lines carrying alternating current, using a communication protocol for communicating data between endpoint devices and an upstream data-collecting device. From first symbols having a plurality of bits, at least two second symbols are generated, the second symbols respectively including different subsets of the bits in the first symbol. Each first symbol is split into second symbols having a predefined bit size for an encoding operation that operates on entire symbols having the predefined bit size (e.g., smaller than the bit size of the first symbols). The second symbols are encoded and combined according to the communication protocol. The encoded symbols are communicated over the power distribution lines based on timing indicated at least in part by the alternating current.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for communicating data over power distribution lines carrying alternating current using a communication protocol for communicating data between endpoint devices and an upstream data-collecting device, the method comprising:
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for each of a multitude of first symbols having a plurality of bits, generating at least two second symbols respectively including different subsets of the bits in the first symbol, wherein generating at least two second symbols includes, at each of at least two different endpoints, generating at least two second symbols having a number of bits that is different for the at least two endpoints, based upon communication capabilities of the endpoint for which the second symbols are generated; based at least in part on an encoding operation that operates on entire symbols having a predefined bit size that is smaller than the bit size of the first symbols, constructing encoded symbols by splitting each first symbol into second symbols having the predefined bit size, by encoding the second symbols, and by combining each of the encoded second symbols according to the communication protocol; and communicating the encoded symbols over the power distribution lines based on timing indicated at least in part by the alternating current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for communicating data over power distribution lines carrying alternating current using a communication protocol for communicating data between endpoint devices and an upstream data-collecting device, based on timing indicated at least in part by the alternating current, the apparatus comprising:
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an encoding circuit configured and arranged to, for each of a multitude of first symbols having a plurality of bits, generate at least two second symbols respectively including different subsets of the bits in the first symbol, and construct encoded symbols by, using an encoding operation that operates on entire symbols having a predefined bit size that is smaller than the bit size of the first symbols, encoding and combining each of the second symbols according to the communication protocol, wherein the encoding circuit includes a buffer circuit configured and arranged to buffer the first symbols, a bitwise AND/shift circuit connected to receive an output of the first symbols from the buffer circuit and configured and arranged to generate the at least two second symbols, an encoder circuit connected to receive the second symbols from the bitwise AND/shift circuit and configured and arranged to encode the second symbols, a bitwise OR/shift circuit connected to receive the encoded second symbols from the encoder circuit and configured and arranged to combine the encoded second symbols, and a buffer circuit connected to the bitwise OR/shift circuit and configured and arranged to provide the combined encoded second symbols for communication on the power distribution lines; and a communication circuit configured and arranged to communicate the encoded symbols over the power distribution lines. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for communicating data over power distribution lines carrying alternating current using a communication protocol for communicating data between endpoint devices and an upstream data-collecting device, based on timing indicated at least in part by the alternating current, the apparatus comprising:
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an encoding circuit configured and arranged to, for each of a multitude of first symbols having a plurality of bits, generate at least two second symbols respectively including different subsets of the bits in the first symbol, and construct encoded symbols by, using an encoding operation that operates on entire symbols having a predefined bit size that is smaller than the bit size of the first symbols, encoding and combining each of the second symbols according to the communication protocol, wherein the encoding circuit includes a first circuit including a buffer circuit and an AND circuit, the first circuit being configured and arranged to generate the at least two second symbols, an encoder circuit connected to receive the second symbols from the first circuit and configured and arranged to encode the second symbols, and a second circuit including a bitwise OR/shift circuit and a buffer circuit, the second circuit being connected to receive the encoded second symbols from the encoder circuit, and configured and arranged to combine the encoded second symbols to generate the encoded symbols, and to provide the encoded symbols for communication on the power distribution lines, an extraction circuit configured and arranged to extract second symbols from the communicated encoded symbols, decode the extracted second symbols and combine the extracted second symbols to regenerate the first symbols, wherein the extraction circuit includes a third circuit including a buffer circuit and an AND circuit, the third circuit being connected to receive the encoded symbols via the power distribution lines, and configured and arranged to regenerate the at least two second symbols, a decoder circuit connected to receive the regenerated encoded second symbols from the third circuit and configured and arranged to decode the regenerated encoded second symbols, and a fourth circuit including a bitwise OR/shift circuit and a buffer circuit, the fourth circuit being connected to receive the decoded second symbols from the decoder circuit, and configured and arranged to combine the decoded second symbols and provide the combined decoded second symbols for access; and a communication circuit configured and arranged to communicate the encoded symbols over the power distribution lines.
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Specification