Distributed modem architectures for power line communication systems and other wired communication systems
First Claim
1. A method of communicating over a DC power line forming a wiring loop for DC current, the method operable with a distributed modem architecture that includes at least one active node and at least one passive node (collectively, nodes), comprising:
- AC coupling each active node and each passive node to the power line wiring loop through respective active and passive node couplers that are tuned to an AC carrier signal, and that enable substantially continuous DC current flow through the power line wiring loop,generating, at the active node, the AC carrier signal with an AC carrier frequency, coupled into the power line wiring loop through the active node coupler;
receiving, at the passive node, the AC carrier signal;
communicating data, from a transmitting passive node to at least one receiving node, at the AC carrier frequency within an AC carrier frequency band by;
changing at a transmitting passive node, the AC impedance of the associated passive node coupler, and thereby changing an AC impedance of the power line wiring loop within the AC carrier frequency band, wherein the AC impedance of the power line wiring loop is changed within the AC carrier frequency band based on data to be transmitted by the transmitting passive node so as to modulate the data onto the AC carrier signal within the AC carrier frequency band;
detecting, at the receiving node, the change in the AC impedance of the power line wiring loop, and thereby detecting the modulated data.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A master modem is configured to generate a carrier signal for transmission over a wired connection. A slave modem is configured to change an impedance of the wired connection to alter generation of the carrier signal by the master modem. The impedance of the wired connection is changed based on data to be provided by the slave modem. The master modem can demodulate its own carrier signal to obtain the data provided by the slave modem. The impedance of the wired connection could be changed by changing an impedance of a transformer winding or inductor of the slave modem, where the transformer winding or inductor is coupled to the wired connection. The impedance of the wired connection could also be changed by changing a reactance of a circuit coupled to the wired connection.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of communicating over a DC power line forming a wiring loop for DC current, the method operable with a distributed modem architecture that includes at least one active node and at least one passive node (collectively, nodes), comprising:
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AC coupling each active node and each passive node to the power line wiring loop through respective active and passive node couplers that are tuned to an AC carrier signal, and that enable substantially continuous DC current flow through the power line wiring loop, generating, at the active node, the AC carrier signal with an AC carrier frequency, coupled into the power line wiring loop through the active node coupler; receiving, at the passive node, the AC carrier signal; communicating data, from a transmitting passive node to at least one receiving node, at the AC carrier frequency within an AC carrier frequency band by; changing at a transmitting passive node, the AC impedance of the associated passive node coupler, and thereby changing an AC impedance of the power line wiring loop within the AC carrier frequency band, wherein the AC impedance of the power line wiring loop is changed within the AC carrier frequency band based on data to be transmitted by the transmitting passive node so as to modulate the data onto the AC carrier signal within the AC carrier frequency band; detecting, at the receiving node, the change in the AC impedance of the power line wiring loop, and thereby detecting the modulated data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for communicating over a DC power line forming a wiring loop for DC current, operable as a distributed modem architecture, comprising:
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at least one active node configured to generate an AC carrier signal with an AC carrier frequency, coupled into the power line wiring loop through the active node coupler; at least one passive node configured to communicate with the active node over the power line wiring loop, including; a passive node coupler including an inductive structure coupled to the power line wiring loop, and configured to receive the AC carrier signal over the power line wiring loop; and transmit circuitry configured to change an AC impedance of passive node coupler within an AC carrier frequency band, and thereby change the AC impedance of the power line wiring loop within the AC carrier frequency band, wherein the AC impedance of the power line wiring loop is changed within the AC carrier frequency band based on data to be transmitted by the passive node, so as to modulate the data onto the AC carrier signal within the AC carrier frequency band. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification