Power-line network with multi-scheme communication
First Claim
1. A power-line communication apparatus comprising:
- a signal-processing circuit configured and arranged to combine a plurality of different data streams, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes used for conveying data symbols to certain endpoint circuits of a power-line communication network, to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes;
a pulse-modulation circuit configured and arranged to convert the signal, as combined by the signal-processing circuit, to a pulse-width modulated (PWM) or a pulse-density modulated (PDM) signal, the pulse-modulation circuit configured and arranged to switch at a frequency of not less than 10 kilohertz (KHz); and
an output circuit configured and arranged to filter the switching frequency from the PWM or PDM signal and couple the filtered PWM or PDM signal to an injection transformer for presentation to the endpoint circuits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments, a power-line communication apparatus provides data over a power-line communication network by transmitting data symbols to endpoint circuits over a power line. The power-line communication apparatus includes a signal-processing circuit configured to combine a plurality of different data streams, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes, to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes. Further, the power-line communication apparatus includes a pulse-modulation circuit configured to convert the signals, as combined, as a pulse-width modulated or a pulse-density modulated signal, the pulse-modulation circuit configured to switch at a frequency higher than frequencies of the different communication schemes. An output circuit can be configured to filter the switching frequency and to couple the data symbols to an injector transformer for presentation to the endpoint circuits.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power-line communication apparatus comprising:
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a signal-processing circuit configured and arranged to combine a plurality of different data streams, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes used for conveying data symbols to certain endpoint circuits of a power-line communication network, to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes; a pulse-modulation circuit configured and arranged to convert the signal, as combined by the signal-processing circuit, to a pulse-width modulated (PWM) or a pulse-density modulated (PDM) signal, the pulse-modulation circuit configured and arranged to switch at a frequency of not less than 10 kilohertz (KHz); and an output circuit configured and arranged to filter the switching frequency from the PWM or PDM signal and couple the filtered PWM or PDM signal to an injection transformer for presentation to the endpoint circuits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system comprising:
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a signal-processing circuit configured and arranged to combine a plurality of different data streams, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes used for conveying data symbols to certain of endpoint circuits of a power-line communication network, to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes; a pulse-modulation circuit configured and arranged to convert the signal, as combined by the signal-processing circuit, as a pulse-width modulated (PWM) or a pulse-density modulated (PDM) signal, the pulse-modulation circuit configured and arranged to switch at a frequency of not less than 10 kilohertz (KHz) and more than a carrier frequency of each of the plurality of different data streams; an output circuit configured and arranged to filter the switching frequency from the PWM or the PDM signal and to couple the filtered PWM or PDM signal to an injection transformer for presentation to the endpoint circuits; and the injection transformer configured and arranged to couple the filtered PWM or PDM signal to power lines for delivery to the endpoint circuits. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing data over a power-line communication network by transmitting data symbols to endpoint circuits over power lines using a data communication channel, the method including:
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combining, by summing, a plurality of different data streams to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes used for conveying data symbols to certain of the endpoint circuits, and each of the plurality of different data streams respectively corresponding to different carrier frequencies; converting the signal, as combined, as a pulse-width modulated (PWM) or a pulse-density modulated (PDM) signal using a pulse-modulation circuit configured and arranged to switch at a frequency of not less than 10 kilohertz (KHz) and more than the different carrier frequencies; filtering the switching frequency from the PWM or the PDM signal using a band-pass filter; transmitting the filtered PWM or PDM signal to at least one of three phase lines via an injection transformer for presentation to the endpoint circuits; and transmitting, using the injection transformer, the filtered PWM or PDM signal to the endpoint circuits over power lines. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification