US5452344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communication over power lines
Assignee: Datran Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1993-11-16
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Granted: 1995-09-19
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Expires: 2013-11-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention describes an FSK carrier communication systems for transmitting and receiving data on a electric utility line even in the presence of extreme noise. The present invention uses a unique FSK transmit and receive protocol to distinguish between noise and actual data. By careful selection of the space and mark frequencies transmitted on the power line and by using a unique variable width data-bit protocol, the receiver can distinguish between actual data and corrupted information due to noise spikes with nearly error free communication.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney L. Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:25
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/002; G; G07; G07F; G07F9/00; G07F9/02; G07F9/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A power line carder telecommunication apparatus, comprising: tuned interface means for connection to a power line for transmission and reception of messages and having a timed resonant frequency; tramsmission means connected to the tuned interface means for transmitting a first frequency selected to be below the tuned resonant frequency for a first data clock period to indicate the transmission of a data separator; and the transmission means further for transmitting a second frequency selected to be above the tuned resonant frequency having a second data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ZERO andh having a third data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ONE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A power line carder telecommunication apparatus, comprising: tuned interface means for connection to a power line for transmission and reception of messages and having a timed resonant frequency; tramsmission means connected to the tuned interface means for transmitting a first frequency selected to be below the tuned resonant frequency for a first data clock period to indicate the transmission of a data separator; and the transmission means further for transmitting a second frequency selected to be above the tuned resonant frequency having a second data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ZERO andh having a third data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ONE.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of communicating information over a power line, comprising the steps of: placing a polling message on the power line; receiving the polling message from the power line and transmitting the information in response thereto, comprising the substeps of: transmitting a first frequency for a first data clock period to indicate the transmission of a data separator; transmitting a second frequency for a second data clock period following the first data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ONE; and transmitting the second frequency for a third data clock period following the first data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ONE.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of communicating information over a power line, comprising the steps of: placing a polling message on the power line; receiving the polling message from the power line and transmitting the information in response thereto, comprising the substeps of: transmitting a first frequency for a first data clock period to indicate the transmission of a data separator; transmitting a second frequency for a second data clock period following the first data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ONE; and transmitting the second frequency for a third data clock period following the first data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ONE.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
224 words
A method of encoding data for serial communication of information over a power line, the power line having an alternating current frequency, comprising the steps of: assigning a tuned resonant frequency selected to be higher than the alternating current frequency on the power line; assigning a data clock period having a duration selected to be in excess of the time period of noise spikes on the power line; assigning a first frequency to correspond to a local ZERO which is selected to be lower than the tuned resonant frequency; assigning a second frequency to correspond to a logical ONE which is selected to be higher than the tuned resonant frequency; assigning a decision frequency to discriminate between a logical ONE and logical ZERO such that a received frequency below the decision frequency is decoded as a logical zero and such that a received frequency above the decision frequency is decoded as a logical ONE, the decision frequency selected to be between the tuned resonant frequency and the first frequency; transmitting the first frequency for one data clock period followed by no signal in the next data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ZERO; and transmitting the second frequency for two data dock periods followed by no signal for the next data dock period to indicate the transmission of the logical ONE.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
224 words
A method of encoding data for serial communication of information over a power line, the power line having an alternating current frequency, comprising the steps of: assigning a tuned resonant frequency selected to be higher than the alternating current frequency on the power line; assigning a data clock period having a duration selected to be in excess of the time period of noise spikes on the power line; assigning a first frequency to correspond to a local ZERO which is selected to be lower than the tuned resonant frequency; assigning a second frequency to correspond to a logical ONE which is selected to be higher than the tuned resonant frequency; assigning a decision frequency to discriminate between a logical ONE and logical ZERO such that a received frequency below the decision frequency is decoded as a logical zero and such that a received frequency above the decision frequency is decoded as a logical ONE, the decision frequency selected to be between the tuned resonant frequency and the first frequency; transmitting the first frequency for one data clock period followed by no signal in the next data clock period to indicate the transmission of a logical ZERO; and transmitting the second frequency for two data dock periods followed by no signal for the next data dock period to indicate the transmission of the logical ONE.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the step of assigning a decision frequency further includes assigning the decision frequency such that noise received on the power line is interpreted as a logical ONE.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-18 | 1999-03-20 | 1999-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-18 | 2003-03-20 | 2003-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-03-20 | 2007-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |