EP0576482A1 - Signalling system and method - Google Patents
Signalling system and methodInfo
- Publication number
- EP0576482A1 EP0576482A1 EP19920906476 EP92906476A EP0576482A1 EP 0576482 A1 EP0576482 A1 EP 0576482A1 EP 19920906476 EP19920906476 EP 19920906476 EP 92906476 A EP92906476 A EP 92906476A EP 0576482 A1 EP0576482 A1 EP 0576482A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- conductors
- transformer
- power cable
- winding
- signal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B3/00—Line transmission systems
- H04B3/54—Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
- H04B3/56—Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
- G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
- G08B25/06—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using power transmission lines
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
- H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
- H04B2203/5404—Methods of transmitting or receiving signals via power distribution lines
- H04B2203/5425—Methods of transmitting or receiving signals via power distribution lines improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
- H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
- H04B2203/5429—Applications for powerline communications
- H04B2203/5441—Wireless systems or telephone
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
- H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
- H04B2203/5429—Applications for powerline communications
- H04B2203/5458—Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
- H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
- H04B2203/5462—Systems for power line communications
- H04B2203/5483—Systems for power line communications using coupling circuits
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a system and method for signalling through a power cable.
- a passive infra-red detector positioned so as to be sensitive to the entry of a person into that room and arranged to turn on lights positioned to illuminate that room.
- this requires positioning the infra-red sensor and the controlled lighting unit at spaced apart locations and introducing cabling to pick up power from an adjacent existing power cable and to link the sensor and the lighting unit.
- the structure of the premises is often such that it is very difficult to introduce the cabling linking the sensor and the lighting unit.
- intruder detector devices are plugged into the mains power distribution of a home and, when an intruder is detected, transmit a coded signal through the mains power network to a central alarm unit. That central alarm unit which is also connected to the power system then energises an alarm.
- noise on a power distribution network can corrupt the data represented by the transmitted codes.
- coded signals can be transmitted through the power network between adjacent premises causing a faulty system response in one of the premises as a result of an event occurring in the other premises.
- a method for signalling through a power cable wherein at least one capacitor is connected between first and second conductors of the power cable to define a closed loop incorporating portions of the first and second conductors, signals are injected into the closed loop via a first transformer a winding of which is connected in series with the closed loop, and signals are received from the power cable via a second transformer a winding of which is connected in series with the closed loop.
- the present Invention also provides a system for signalling through a power cable, comprising a signal transmitter, a signal receiver, at least one capacitor connected between first and second conductors of the cable to define a closed signal loop, a first transformer having a first winding in series with the signal loop and a second winding connected to the transmitter, and a second transformer having a first winding in series with the signal loop and a second winding connected to the receiver, whereby signals applied to the first transformer by the transmitter may be detected by the receiver connected to the second transformer after transmission through the closed signal loop defined by the first and second conductors and said at least one capacitor.
- capacitors will be connected between the first and second conductors at locations spaced apart along the length of the cable, each transformer being connected to the cable between the capacitors adjacent a respective one of the capacitors.
- two conductors in a power cable are connected at a power distribution point. This is the case in so called PME earthing systems in which neutral and earth conductor are directly connected. In such circumstances the required closed signal loop can be defined by a single capacitor connected between the neutral and earth conductors.
- Each transformer may be of any convenient type, for example a simple toroidal core threaded by one of the power cable conductors and by a wire representing the second winding which is looped a few times around the core.
- the toroidal cores may be single piece components, in which case it is necessary to disconnect the relevant conductor of the power cable and thread it physically through the core, but in an alternative arrangement each core may be split into two halves that can be positioned around a conductor of a power cable without in any way disconnecting that power cable.
- the present invention enables signals to be readily transmitted onto and received from a power cable. Furthermore, the signals transmitted onto the power cable are isolated within the closed loop defined either between the two capacitors or between a single capacitor and a direct electrical connection between the two conductors.
- the transformers provide whatever degree of mains voltage isolation is required. Thus the problems of noise, signals leaking between different sections of a power network, and inadequate power voltage isolation are easily overcome.
- Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention.
- a power cable comprises conductors 1, 2 and 3 which are connected as earth, live and neutral conductors in a conventional manner as indicated by letters E, L and X.
- Capacitors 4 and 5 are connected between conductors 2 and 3 so as to define a closed signal loop made up of the capacitors 4 and 5 and the lengths of the conductors 2 and 3 between the capacitors 4 and 5.
- a first transformer in the form of a toroidal magnetic core 6 is threaded by the conductor 3.
- the core 6 is located adjacent capacitor 4 and forms a component of a transmitter unit 7.
- the transmitter unit also comprises a transducer 8 and an oscillator 9.
- a second toroidal core 10 forms part of the receiver unit 11 which incorporates a signal processor 12 and a switching unit 13. The system is arranged to transmit signals from the transmitting unit 7 to the receiving unit 11.
- the transducer may be of any appropriate form, for example a passive infra-red detector or an ultra-sonic movement detector.
- the transducer receives an input indicated by arrow 14 and in dependence upon that input provides an output to the oscillator 9.
- the input for example may be the infra-red radiation given off by a human In the field of view of a passive infra-red detector.
- the oscillator applies a signal typically having a frequency between 100 khz and 1 MHz to a winding that threads the core 6. That signal is thus applied to the closed signal loop defined by the conductors 2 and 3 and the capacitors 4 and 5. The signal is thus induced in a winding formed on the core 10 and is applied to the signal processor 12.
- the signal processor may be a standard tone detector tuned to the frequency of the oscillator 9 which itself may be a standard tone generator.
- the output of the signal processor may cause the switching unit 13 to provide an appropriate output indicated by arrow 14. That output could for example represent the supply of power to a lighting unit (not shown).
- the transmitter and receiver units 7 and 11 could be powered from the same power cable as that which Is used for the signal transmission. Preferably connections would be made to that power cable outside the signal loop, that is to the lefthand side of capacitor 4 or the righthand side of capacitor 5 in Figure 1. Such an arrangement avoids main loads on the signal loop affecting the transmitted signal strength.
- the transmitter unit and / or the receiving unit may be battery operated.
- the capacitors 4 and 5 should have capacitances appropriate to the transmission cf the signal frequency generated by the oscillator 9. Typically the capacitors will have a value of 0.01 microfarads.
- the closed signal loop is formed between live and neutral conductors.
- the signal loop could however be formed between for example the earth and neutral conductors and if this is the case then in application where the earth and neutral cables are interconnected at a power distribution board it is only necessary to introduce one capacitor to close the signal loop.
- Such an arrangement Is shown in Figure 2.
- Receiving unit toroidal cores 10 are provided in each of the parallel circuits as are shunt capacitors 5 which are connected between the neutral wires 3 and the earth wires 1.
- shunt capacitors 5 which are connected between the neutral wires 3 and the earth wires 1.
- the two receiving units could be identical or could be tuned to different frequencies. If the receiving units are tuned to different frequencies it would be necessary for the transmitting unit to selectively apply either one of those of. different frequencies to the core 6.
- transformers of a different form from the simple toroidal core illustrated could be used.
- the toroidal core could be retained but in splitable form so that power conductors could be threaded therethrough without disconnecting the power conductors from the power circuit.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Cable Transmission Systems, Equalization Of Radio And Reduction Of Echo (AREA)
- Dc Digital Transmission (AREA)
Abstract
On décrit un système et une méthode de signalisation au moyen d'un câble de puissance. Au moins un condensateur est relié entre des premier et deuxième conducteurs du câble afin de définir une boucle fermée qui incorpore des parties des premier et second conducteurs. On injecte des signaux dans la boucle fermée via un premier transformateur, dont un enroulement est relié en série à la boucle fermée. On reçoit des signaux en provenance du câble de puissance via un deuxième transformateur dont un enroulement est relié en série à la boucle fermée. De cette manière, les signaux appliqués au premier transformateur peuvent être transmis au récepteur au moyen du câble de puissance.A signaling system and method is described using a power cable. At least one capacitor is connected between first and second conductors of the cable to define a closed loop which incorporates parts of the first and second conductors. Signals are injected into the closed loop via a first transformer, one winding of which is connected in series to the closed loop. We receive signals from the power cable via a second transformer, one winding of which is connected in series to the closed loop. In this way, the signals applied to the first transformer can be transmitted to the receiver by means of the power cable.
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB919105613A GB9105613D0 (en) | 1991-03-16 | 1991-03-16 | Signalling system and method |
GB91056135 | 1991-03-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0576482A1 true EP0576482A1 (en) | 1994-01-05 |
Family
ID=10691710
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19920906476 Withdrawn EP0576482A1 (en) | 1991-03-16 | 1992-03-13 | Signalling system and method |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0576482A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU1366392A (en) |
GB (2) | GB9105613D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1992016920A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6282405B1 (en) | 1992-10-22 | 2001-08-28 | Norweb Plc | Hybrid electricity and telecommunications distribution network |
US6144292A (en) * | 1992-10-22 | 2000-11-07 | Norweb Plc | Powerline communications network employing TDMA, FDMA and/or CDMA |
GB9222205D0 (en) | 1992-10-22 | 1992-12-02 | Norweb Plc | Low voltage filter |
GB9417359D0 (en) * | 1994-08-26 | 1994-10-19 | Norweb Plc | A power transmission network and filter therefor |
US6998962B2 (en) | 2000-04-14 | 2006-02-14 | Current Technologies, Llc | Power line communication apparatus and method of using the same |
FR2818824B1 (en) | 2000-12-21 | 2003-03-21 | St Microelectronics Sa | INTEGRATED SWITCHER CONTROLLED BY RF TRANSFORMER |
EA005560B1 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2005-04-28 | Эмбиент Корпорейшн | Coupling circuit for power line communication |
US7194528B1 (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2007-03-20 | Current Grid, Llc | Method and apparatus for processing inbound data within a powerline based communication system |
US7173938B1 (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2007-02-06 | Current Grid, Llc | Method and apparatus for processing outbound data within a powerline based communication system |
US7173935B2 (en) | 2002-06-07 | 2007-02-06 | Current Grid, Llc | Last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network having virtual local area network functionality |
WO2002101952A1 (en) * | 2001-06-12 | 2002-12-19 | Main.Net Communications Ltd. | Coupling circuits for power line communications |
US7098773B2 (en) | 2003-07-03 | 2006-08-29 | Current Technologies, Llc | Power line communication system and method of operating the same |
US7280033B2 (en) | 2003-10-15 | 2007-10-09 | Current Technologies, Llc | Surface wave power line communications system and method |
US7307510B2 (en) | 2005-09-02 | 2007-12-11 | Current Technologies, Llc | Power meter bypass device and method for a power line communications system |
US7937065B2 (en) | 2006-09-11 | 2011-05-03 | Main.Net Communications Ltd. | System and method for communicating over neutral power lines |
JP6073578B2 (en) * | 2012-06-07 | 2017-02-01 | Necマグナスコミュニケーションズ株式会社 | Power line carrier communication system |
US9785213B2 (en) * | 2015-01-29 | 2017-10-10 | Koolbridge Solar, Inc. | Addressable electrical outlets |
US9614588B2 (en) | 2015-01-29 | 2017-04-04 | Koolbridge Solar, Inc. | Smart appliances |
US10536039B2 (en) | 2017-12-12 | 2020-01-14 | Koolbridge Solar, Inc. | Hybrid wired-wireless communication system for delivery of power from two or more sources to smart appliances |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2498546A1 (en) * | 1981-01-29 | 1982-07-30 | Jeumont Schneider | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A RAILWAY VEHICLE IN AUTOMATIC DRIVING |
US4745391A (en) * | 1987-02-26 | 1988-05-17 | General Electric Company | Method of, and apparatus for, information communication via a power line conductor |
-
1991
- 1991-03-16 GB GB919105613A patent/GB9105613D0/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-03-13 AU AU13663/92A patent/AU1366392A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-03-13 WO PCT/GB1992/000456 patent/WO1992016920A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1992-03-13 EP EP19920906476 patent/EP0576482A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-03-13 GB GB9319118A patent/GB2269970B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9216920A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9319118D0 (en) | 1993-12-01 |
GB2269970B (en) | 1995-03-15 |
GB2269970A (en) | 1994-02-23 |
WO1992016920A1 (en) | 1992-10-01 |
AU1366392A (en) | 1992-10-21 |
GB9105613D0 (en) | 1991-05-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19930929 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE ES FR IT NL SE |
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GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19960524 |
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GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19970114 |