Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for low-power optical transceivers. In one embodiment, a low-power optical transceiver may include a microcontroller and an optical receiver and an optical transmitter in communication with and controlled by the microcontroller. The optical receiver may include a photodetector configured to receive a first optical representation of a first signal to be received and to generate an electrical representation of the first signal. An amplifier may amplify the electrical representation of the first signal, and an output in electrical communication with the amplifier may generate an electrical output. The optical transmitter may include a laser diode configured to generate a second optical representation of a second signal to be transmitted. The microcontroller may be configured to control an output power of the laser diode.

Abstract: A line-mounted device is used to provide power system signals to a device for detecting a fault and calculating a fault location using a traveling wave launched thereby. Current at the line-mounted device is used to separate incident and reflected traveling waves at a terminal. Times and polarities of traveling waves passing the line-mounted device and the terminal are compared to determine if the fault is located between the terminal and line-mounted device or at a location beyond the terminal or line-mounted device. Voltage of the traveling wave may be calculated using currents from the line-mounted device.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for reducing startup times of line-mounted fault detectors. A line-mounted fault detector may comprise a power harvesting subsystem and an energy storage subsystem configured to store electrical energy. A fast-start power coupling subsystem may receive power from the energy storage subsystem in a startup state and provide power to a subset of components. A DC-DC converter subsystem may start up after a voltage of the energy storage subsystem exceeds a threshold. A control subsystem may transition the line-mounted fault detector to an operating state once the DC-DC converter has started and may de-energize the fast-start power coupling subsystem. The control system may enable a flow of electrical energy from the DC-DC converter to the fast-start subsystem. A fault detection subsystem in electrical communication with the DC-DC converter subsystem may communicate an indication of a fault via an RF transmitter subsystem.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for reducing startup times of line-mounted fault detectors. A line-mounted fault detector may comprise a power harvesting subsystem and an energy storage subsystem configured to store electrical energy. A fast-start power coupling subsystem may receive power from the energy storage subsystem in a startup state and provide power to a subset of components. A DC-DC converter subsystem may start up after a voltage of the energy storage subsystem exceeds a threshold. A control subsystem may transition the line-mounted fault detector to an operating state once the DC-DC converter has started and may de-energize the fast-start power coupling subsystem. The control system may enable a flow of electrical energy from the DC-DC converter to the fast-start subsystem. A fault detection subsystem in electrical communication with the DC-DC converter subsystem may communicate an indication of a fault via an RF transmitter subsystem.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for one-way communications are disclosed. A system includes a transmitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. A transmitter transmits one or more messages on one or more channels according to a predetermined, pseudo-random channel hopping protocol. The receivers receive said transmissions according to the order of the pseudo-random channel hopping protocol. Methods for re-syncing the one-way system in the event of a power loss or other event causing desynchronization. Default waiting channels are established for the receivers once a certain number of channel detection periods according to the one-way communication protocol result in no detected signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for one-way communications are disclosed. A system includes a transmitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. A transmitter transmits one or more messages on one or more channels according to a predetermined, pseudo-random channel hopping protocol. The receivers receive said transmissions according to the order of the pseudo-random channel hopping protocol. Methods for re-syncing the one-way system in the event of a power loss or other event causing desynchronization. Default waiting channels are established for the receivers once a certain number of channel detection periods according to the one-way communication protocol result in no detected signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for low-power optical transceivers. In one embodiment, a low-power optical transceiver may include a microcontroller and an optical receiver and an optical transmitter in communication with and controlled by the microcontroller. The optical receiver may include a photodetector configured to receive a first optical representation of a first signal to be received and to generate an electrical representation of the first signal. An amplifier may amplify the electrical representation of the first signal, and an output in electrical communication with the amplifier may generate an electrical output. The optical transmitter may include a laser diode configured to generate a second optical representation of a second signal to be transmitted. The microcontroller may be configured to control an output power of the laser diode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of systems and methods for correcting for propagation delay in time signals used in connection with an electric power generation and delivery system. According to various embodiments, a device consistent with the present disclosure may determine an estimated propagation delay between an accurate time source and a receiving device. The propagation delay may be determined based on a variety of transmission parameters including, for example, communication channel type and/or length. A corrected time signal may be generated by advancing a reference incitation such as an “on-time” reference and/or “start-of-second” reference included in the time signal by an amount associated with the propagation delay. The corrected time signal may then be transmitted to the receiving device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of systems and methods for correcting for propagation delay in time signals used in connection with an electric power generation and delivery system. According to various embodiments, a device consistent with the present disclosure may determine an estimated propagation delay between an accurate time source and a receiving device. The propagation delay may be determined based on a variety of transmission parameters including, for example, communication channel type and/or length. A corrected time signal may be generated by advancing a reference incitation such as an “on-time” reference and/or “start-of-second” reference included in the time signal by an amount associated with the propagation delay. The corrected time signal may then be transmitted to the receiving device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for protecting a switch mode power supply (SMPS). An SMPS may include an input power connector, an input rectifier and filter, a transformer, an output rectifier and filter, and an output power connector. A control circuit may selectively generate a switching signal for driving the transformer based on a feedback signal and a protection signal generated by a protection circuit. The protection circuit may generate the protection signal with an asymmetric duty cycle oscillating between an enable state and an inhibit state. The protection signal may inhibit the control circuit from generating the switching signal when the protection signal is in the inhibit state. A detection circuit may receive the feedback signal and selectively force the protection signal to the enable state when the feedback signal indicates that an output voltage is too high.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for protecting a switch mode power supply (SMPS). An SMPS may include an input power connector, an input rectifier and filter, a transformer, an output rectifier and filter, and an output power connector. A control circuit may selectively generate a switching signal for driving the transformer based on a feedback signal and a protection signal generated by a protection circuit. The protection circuit may generate the protection signal with an asymmetric duty cycle oscillating between an enable state and an inhibit state. The protection signal may inhibit the control circuit from generating the switching signal when the protection signal is in the inhibit state. A detection circuit may receive the feedback signal and selectively force the protection signal to the enable state when the feedback signal indicates that an output voltage is too high.