Abstract: The electricity distribution network comprises a plurality of interconnection lines for the distribution of electricity among a plurality of interconnection boxes. At least some of said interconnection boxes are combined with a control unit for detection of stray voltage, comprising a transmitter to transmit to a receiver of at least one collecting unit a signal relating to any dispersion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transmitting messages between a transmitter and a receiver on a channel on which noise may be present. The messages are constituted by a sequence of data and comprise an initial portion (header) containing data to allow recognition of the message, a central portion (body) containing the valid message to transmit and an end portion (tail) containing information to verify the completeness of the message. The method consists in inserting in the message header a signature obtained from the combination of a first fixed part and of a second validation part; and recognizing a valid message received by verifying whether the fixed part of the message received generates the same validation part.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting (200), aggregating (201), and analyzing data (202, 203) associated with the installation and deployment of systems. Energy systems, specifically renewable energy generating systems, are used as examples. The aggregated data (201) serve as the basis for a variety of services that improve the system performance metrics (209), improve the installation metrics, lower the cost, and provide monitoring and service to improve performance. Finally, services are provided that facilitate the improvement of the performance metrics of various Supply Chain Entities in the supply chain as well as overall system performance metrics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting, aggregating, and analyzing data associated with the installation and deployment of systems. Energy systems, (500) specifically renewable energy generation systems, are used as examples. The aggregated data serve as the basis for a variety of services that improve the system performance, improve the installation, lower the cost, and provide monitoring and service to maintain optimum performance. Finally, services are provided that improve the start-up, calibration, and configuration of systems.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a lighting unit comprising a plurality of lighting elements and a dimmable power supply unit with an output for adjusting the brightness of at least some of the lighting elements. The method provides that for at least one dimmer setting at least one real electrical parameter is measured, as a function of the absorption of the lighting elements and that the measured electrical parameter is compared with at least one previously-stored theoretical value.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for generating electric power, comprising: an electric-power source (1) having a preferential point of operation; a double-stage inverter (3A, 3B), which transfers the energy from said source to an external a.c.-voltage electrical network (9); a block (5) for identification of the preferential point of operation, which supplies a reference signal according to the conditions of operation of the electric-power source and to the preferential point of operation of said source; a corrector block (10), provided for setting the parameter for control of the boost converter (3A) of the double-stage inverter (3A, 3B) as a function of the reference signal and of a signal of actual operation of said electric-power source, and for maintaining the source in the proximity of the preferential point of operation.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of POL regulators, at least one serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a system controller connected to the serial data bus and adapted to send and receive digital data to and from the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus further comprises a first data bus carrying programming and control information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus may also include a second data bus carrying fault management information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The power control may also include a front-end regulator providing an intermediate voltage to the plurality of POL regulators on an intermediate voltage bus.

Abstract: A current sensor is provided that employs a primary winding that carries the current to be measured, and a secondary winding that controls the flux inside the magnetic core, provides a sample of the primary current, and also helps to control the flux at small primary currents and to saturate the transformer. An auxiliary winding is optionally used to control the flux in order to simplify control of the sensor. By periodically applying a certain voltage at the secondary winding, the transformer core is forced out of saturation, and a sample of the primary current is taken by a sensing circuit that may include a sample-and-hold circuit and an analog-to-digital converter. A control circuit is employed to control the currents flowing in the secondary winding and optional auxiliary winding and to manage the sensing circuit.

Abstract: A power control system comprises at least one programmable voltage regulator, at least one non-programmable auxiliary voltage regulator, and a system controller operatively connected to the at least one programmable voltage regulator and to said at least one auxiliary voltage regulator via a common serial data bus. The at least one programmable voltage regulator is adapted to provide a corresponding output voltage having characteristics defined by received programming data and to provide monitoring data reflecting operational status of the at least one programmable voltage regulator. The at least one non-programmable auxiliary voltage regulator is adapted to provide a corresponding output voltage in response to an enable signal. The system controller is adapted to send the programming data and receive the monitoring data via the serial data bus.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of POL regulators, at least one serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a system controller connected to the serial data bus and adapted to send and receive digital data to and from the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus further comprises a first data bus carrying programming and control information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus may also include a second data bus carrying fault management information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The power control may also include a front-end regulator providing an intermediate voltage to the plurality of POL regulators on an intermediate voltage bus.

Abstract: A method of controlling an inverter to includes determining the components of a phasor representing the output current from the inverter in a fixed reference system; determining the components of the current phasor in a reference system rotating at a velocity equal to the velocity of rotation of the phasor representing the grid voltage; and comparing the components of the current phasor in the rotating reference system with a reference, again expressed in the rotating reference system, to determine an error signal, by means of which the inverter is controlled.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for optimizing the digital filter compensation coefficients of a digitally controlled switched mode power supply within a distributed power system. A power control system comprises at least one point-of-load (POL) regulator having a power conversion circuit adapted to convey power to a load and a digital controller coupled to the power conversion circuit though a feedback loop. The digital controller is adapted to provide a pulse width modulated control signal to the power switch responsive to a feedback measurement of an output of the power conversion circuit. The digital controller further comprises a digital filter having a transfer function defined by plural filter coefficients. The digital controller periodically stores a successive one of a plurality of samples of the feedback measurement. A serial data bus operatively connects the POL regulator to a system controller.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of POL regulators, at least one serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a system controller connected to the serial data bus and adapted to send and receive digital data to and from the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus further comprises a first data bus carrying programming and control information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus may also include a second data bus carrying fault management information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The power control may also include a front-end regulator providing an intermediate voltage to the plurality of POL regulators on an intermediate voltage bus.

Abstract: A self-tracking analog-to-digital converter includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) adapted to provide a variable reference voltage, a windowed flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC) adapted to provide an error signal ek corresponding to a difference between an input voltage Vi and the variable reference voltage, and digital circuitry adapted to generate suitable control signals for the DAC based on the error signal ek. More particularly, the digital circuitry includes a first digital circuit adapted to provide a first function value f(ek) in response to the error signal ek, the first function value f(ek) representing an amount of correction to be applied to the variable reference voltage. A second digital circuit is adapted to provide a counter that combines the first function value f(ek) with a previous counter state Nk to provide a next counter state Nk+1, the next counter state Nk+1 being applied as an input to the digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: A power control system comprises at least one point-of-load (POL) regulator adapted to provide an output voltage to a corresponding load and a system controller operatively connected to the at least one POL regulator via a data bus and adapted to send a first data message in a first format to the at least one POL regulator via the data bus. A bus translator is interposed along the data bus between the at least one POL regulator and the system controller. The bus translator converts the first data message from the first format to a second format that is compatible with the at least one POL regulator. The bus translator is adapted for bi-directional operation to convert a second data message communicated from the at least one POL regulator in the second format to the first format compatible with the system controller. The first and second data formats may comprise either a digital data format or an analog data format.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of point-of-load (POL) regulators each adapted to convey regulated power to a load, a serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a digital power manager connected to the data bus. The digital power manager includes a controller adapted to execute stored instructions to program operational parameters of the plurality of POL regulators via the serial data bus and receive monitoring data from the plurality of POL regulators via the serial data bus. The digital power manager further comprises a user interface, such as an I2C interface, adapted to receive programming data therefrom and send monitoring data thereto.

Abstract: An electronic circuit breaker includes an input for connection to a power-supply and an output for connection to a load. Connected in circuit between the input and the output are a switch, a relay, and a limitation block, which controls the switch to cause at least partial inhibition thereof in the event of an over-current condition. Also provided is a microprocessor which is connected to the limitation block to inhibit power supply to the load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switch-mode power converter including a bias circuit. A power converter power transformer includes a magnetic core. The switch-mode power converter power transformer also includes an initial bias primary winding and an initial bias secondary winding, both wound on the magnetic core, wherein the initial bias secondary winding shares at least one magnetic path in common with the initial bias primary winding. A driver is configured to drive the initial bias primary winding with high frequency pulses when enabled by an enable signal. A rectifier and capacitor are configured to provide a voltage to power a control circuit during a power converter start-up. A method provides an initial bias power for a power converter output side referenced controller, powering the output side referenced controller from the initial bias windings.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of power control groups, with each group comprising a plurality of individual point-of-load regulators each adapted to provide respective regulated voltage outputs. The point-of-load regulators may be selected for inclusion in a power control groups based on characteristics of loads supplied by the point-of-load regulators. An intermediate bus controller is coupled to each of said power control groups through a serial data bus interface common to each group and an OK status line for each respective group. A front end regulator provides an intermediate bus voltage to each of the plurality of power control groups and to the intermediate bus controller. The plurality of point-of-load regulators of each group each further comprises a respective fault manager adapted to detect fault conditions and selectively communicate notifications of the fault conditions to other ones of the plurality of point-of-load regulators of the group and to the intermediate bus controller.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for programming the digital filter compensation coefficients of a digitally controlled switched mode power supply within a distributed power system. The distributed power system comprises a plurality of point-of-load (POL) regulators each comprising at least one power switch adapted to convey power to a load and a digital controller adapted to control operation of the power switch responsive to a feedback measurement. The digital controller further comprises a digital filter having a transfer function defined by plural filter coefficients. A serial data bus operatively connects each of the plurality of POL regulators. A system controller is connected to the serial data bus and is adapted to communicate digital data to the plurality of POL regulators via the serial data bus. The digital data includes programming data for programming the plural filter coefficients. The system controller further comprises a user interface adapted to receive the programming data therefrom.