Abstract: A communications system is described providing the ability to intelligently deliver electrical power from a first power source or from a second power source to a branch circuit in a facility, such as a home. Communications between a Smart Load Center (SLC) controller and the appliances is provided via a combination of signals sent over the electrical wiring and signals sent over the air. In particular, the signals over the electrical wiring serve to identify to which branch circuit the appliance is connected. The signals over the air support the communications between the appliances and the SLC controller, and may be part of a larger Internet-of-Things ecosystem dedicated to facilities automation services.

Abstract: A communications system is described providing the ability to intelligently deliver electrical power from a first power source or from a second power source to a branch circuit in a facility, such as a home. Communications between a Smart Load Center (SLC) controller and the appliances is provided via a combination of signals sent over the electrical wiring and signals sent over the air. In particular, the signals over the electrical wiring serve to identify to which branch circuit the appliance is connected. The signals over the air support the communications between the appliances and the SLC controller, and may be part of a larger Internet-of-Things ecosystem dedicated to facilities automation services.

Abstract: An electronic comparator for selecting and outputting the larger of first and second electrical, binary-coded input values presented bit-serially, most-significant-bit first, has first and second input terminals; a logical exclusive-OR gate; a first resettable flip-flop; a second flip-flop; and a device for selecting one of the input values as an output of the comparator. In a second embodiment, the electronic comparator has first and second input terminals; a logical exclusive-OR gate; a first flip-flop synchronized with a train of bitclock pulses; a second resettable flip-flop; a third flip-flop; and a device for selecting one of the input values as an output of the comparator. Devices for generating traceback signals indicating which input values were selected and a signal indicating that the maximum value has been identified are also disclosed.