Coordinating power distribution line communications
First Claim
1. A method useful for coordinating communications between multiple endpoint devices and multiple collector devices, the communications occurring over power distribution lines that carry power using alternating current (AC), the method comprising:
- communicating data from the collector devices to the endpoint devices over the power distribution lines using a communication protocol that uses a first timing and a second timing, the first timing being a parameter that indicates when data frames are to be transmitted and the second timing being a parameter that indicates when symbols within the data frames are to be transmitted;
at each collector device,maintaining a collector network time using a locally generated time base;
determining the first timing and the second timing based on a frequency of the AC; and
providing the collector network time to the endpoint devices.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure are also directed towards a method that includes maintaining a transmission period which has a start time and an end time synchronized to metrological time. Further, this method, in response to the start time, begins transmission of a frame, which includes a plurality of symbols. This transmission occurs over power distribution lines that carry power using alternating current (AC). This method also includes synchronizing a transmission time for each symbol of the plurality of symbols according to a time-based parameter of the AC. In response to reaching an end of the frame, a synchronization symbol period is determined for a synchronization symbol, as a function of the transmission times, for the plurality of symbols and time from the end of the frame to the end time. The synchronization symbol is then transmitted on the power distribution lines.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method useful for coordinating communications between multiple endpoint devices and multiple collector devices, the communications occurring over power distribution lines that carry power using alternating current (AC), the method comprising:
-
communicating data from the collector devices to the endpoint devices over the power distribution lines using a communication protocol that uses a first timing and a second timing, the first timing being a parameter that indicates when data frames are to be transmitted and the second timing being a parameter that indicates when symbols within the data frames are to be transmitted; at each collector device, maintaining a collector network time using a locally generated time base; determining the first timing and the second timing based on a frequency of the AC; and providing the collector network time to the endpoint devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method comprising:
-
maintaining a transmission period having a start time and an end time that are each synchronized to network time; in response to the start time, transmitting a frame between circuitry of at least one collector device and circuitry of at least one endpoint device, over power distribution lines, that includes a plurality of data-carrying symbols, in response to a timing parameter derived from an alternating current (AC); in response to reaching an end of the frame, determining a synchronization symbol period for a synchronization symbol as a function of transmission times for the plurality of data-carrying symbols in the frame and time from the end of the frame to the end time; and transmitting the synchronization symbol on the power distribution lines. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An apparatus comprising:
-
a time clock circuit responsive to a frequency of an alternating current (AC) that is carried on power distribution lines; a processing circuit configured and arranged to determine a transmission period having a start time and an end time that are each determined using the time clock circuit; begin, in response to the start time, transmission of a frame that includes a plurality of symbols, the transmission occurring over the power distribution lines; synchronize a transmission time for each symbol of the plurality of symbols with the time clock circuit; and in response to reaching an end of the frame, determine a synchronization symbol period for a synchronization symbol as a function of time from the end of the frame to the end time and transmission times for the plurality of symbols; and transmit the synchronization symbol on the power distribution lines. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification