Abstract: A system for communicating data over power utility lines includes a plurality of endpoint devices. The endpoint devices can have modulation circuits configured and arranged to modulate data using multiple-orthogonal frequency sub-channels. The endpoint devices can also have a power line interface circuit configured and arranged to transmit the modulated data over a power utility line. A detection module can be configured and arranged to detect undesirable post modulation of a communication from one of the plurality of endpoint devices and to generate a signal responsive to the detected post modulation. The endpoint devices can then set a spacing between the multiple orthogonal frequency sub-channels in response to the signal responsive to the detected post modulation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward receiver devices and methods of using receiver devices. One such method can include converting, using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and an analog input signal from power distribution lines that carry power using alternating current (AC) to a digital form. This input digital signal can be an oversampled digital signal, where the digital signal is oversampled relative to downstream processing (e.g., FFT-based processing). A processing circuit(s) can then be used to decimate the input digital signal according to a decimation rate. A reference signal can be generated by the processing circuit that is responsive to the decimation rate. The processing circuit can also be used to detect a change in a phase difference between the AC and reference signal and to modify, in response to detecting a change in the phase difference, the decimation rate to counteract the detected change in the phase difference.

Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed towards communicating symbols over a power line carrying alternating current, based upon frequency variations in the alternating current. In accordance with some embodiments, a line driver couples data-carrying symbols over the power line, via a waveform. Variations in the alternating current are monitored and used for defining data useful for providing steps of the waveform. The accessed data entries are used to drive a line driver for modulating alternating current on the power line to account for the variations.

Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed towards communicating symbols over a power line carrying alternating current, based upon frequency variations in the alternating current. In accordance with some embodiments, a line driver couples data-carrying symbols over the power line, via a waveform. Variations in the alternating current are monitored and used for accessing a lookup table that stores data entries that define data useful for providing steps of the waveform. The accessed data entries are used to drive a line driver with stepped data, and therein modulating alternating current on the power line with the data-carrying symbols at a frequency that is tied to the frequency of the alternating current.

Abstract: Particular embodiments are directed towards a method for communicating time-based data in a power line communication system. The communication system utilized in the method includes: a command center; a collector device; and a plurality of endpoint devices. The method includes communicating, from the collector device, downstream data to the plurality of endpoint devices. This downstream communication utilizes a communication protocol that is relative to a collector network time, and is over a set of power distribution lines carrying alternating current (AC). The collector network time uses the local oscillator. The AC zero-crossing event can be used as a time base for other versions of the network time. Conceptually, the AC can be thought of as acting as a reference clock for maintaining these other network times, although the clocking function can be carried out in the digital realm, e.g., using a digital-signal processor (DSP).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transmitting data. In one aspect, a method obtains a baseline data rate for transmissions from a node that are received over a channel of a power line communications system and a set of available modulation techniques for the node. The set of available modulation techniques can include at least two modulation techniques with which the node is configured to encode data that are transmitted over the channel. Using the set of available modulation techniques, a modulation technique that is capable of providing at least the baseline data rate with at least a threshold confidence for the node is selected. In turn, data is provided to the node specifying the selected modulation technique.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a data processing apparatus is configured to receive data symbols transmitted from one or more endpoint devices. Each of the data symbols is transmitted in a respective temporal position assigned for communication by one of the plurality of endpoints. The data processing apparatus is configured to recover data from two or more transmission(s)/retransmission(s) (of the same data) that are received in error and have different temporal positions. The corresponding data symbols in error are phase-aligned per a common reference point and energy is accumulated therefrom. The data processing apparatus discerns correct data values from the accumulated energy.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a data processing apparatus is configured to receive data symbols transmitted from one or more endpoint devices. Each of the data symbols is transmitted in a respective temporal position assigned for communication by one of the plurality of endpoints. The data processing apparatus is configured to recover data from two or more transmission(s)/retransmission(s) (of the same data) that are received in error and have different temporal positions. The corresponding data symbols in error are phase-aligned per a common reference point and energy is accumulated therefrom. The data processing apparatus discerns correct data values from the accumulated energy.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward receiver devices and methods of using receiver devices. One such method can include converting, using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and an analog input signal from power distribution lines that carry power using alternating current (AC) to a digital form. This input digital signal can be an oversampled digital signal, where the digital signal is oversampled relative to downstream processing (e.g., FFT-based processing). A processing circuit(s) can then be used to decimate the input digital signal according to a decimation rate. A reference signal can be generated by the processing circuit that is responsive to the decimation rate. The processing circuit can also be used to detect a change in a phase difference between the AC and reference signal and to modify, in response to detecting a change in the phase difference, the decimation rate to counteract the detected change in the phase difference.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transmitting data. In one aspect, a method obtains a baseline data rate for transmissions from a node that are received over a channel of a power line communications system and a set of available modulation techniques for the node. The set of available modulation techniques can include at least two modulation techniques with which the node is configured to encode data that are transmitted over the channel. Using the set of available modulation techniques, a modulation technique that is capable of providing at least the baseline data rate with at least a threshold confidence for the node is selected. In turn, data is provided to the node specifying the selected modulation technique.

Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed towards communicating symbols over a power line carrying alternating current, based upon frequency variations in the alternating current. In accordance with some embodiments, a line driver couples data-carrying symbols over the power line, via a waveform. Variations in the alternating current are monitored and used for accessing a lookup table that stores data entries that define data useful for providing steps of the waveform. The accessed data entries are used to drive a line driver with stepped data, and therein modulating alternating current on the power line with the data-carrying symbols at a frequency that is tied to the frequency of the alternating current.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward receiver devices and methods of using receiver devices. One such method can include converting, using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and an analog input signal from power distribution lines that carry power using alternating current (AC) to a digital form. This input digital signal can be an oversampled digital signal, where the digital signal is oversampled relative to downstream processing (e.g., FFT-based processing). A processing circuit(s) can then be used to decimate the input digital signal according to a decimation rate. A reference signal can be generated by the processing circuit that is responsive to the decimation rate. The processing circuit can also be used to detect a change in a phase difference between the AC and reference signal and to modify, in response to detecting a change in the phase difference, the decimation rate to counteract the detected change in the phase difference.

Abstract: A system for communicating data over power utility lines includes a plurality of endpoint devices. The endpoint devices can have modulation circuits configured and arranged to modulate data using multiple-orthogonal frequency sub-channels. The endpoint devices can also have a power line interface circuit configured and arranged to transmit the modulated data over a power utility line. A detection module can be configured and arranged to detect undesirable post modulation of a communication from one of the plurality of endpoint devices and to generate a signal responsive to the detected post modulation. The endpoint devices can then set a spacing between the multiple orthogonal frequency sub-channels in response to the signal responsive to the detected post modulation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward receiver devices and methods of using receiver devices. One such method can include converting, using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and an analog input signal from power distribution lines that carry power using alternating current (AC) to a digital form. This input digital signal can be an oversampled digital signal, where the digital signal is oversampled relative to downstream processing (e.g., FFT-based processing). A processing circuit(s) can then be used to decimate the input digital signal according to a decimation rate. A reference signal can be generated by the processing circuit that is responsive to the decimation rate. The processing circuit can also be used to detect a change in a phase difference between the AC and reference signal and to modify, in response to detecting a change in the phase difference, the decimation rate to counteract the detected change in the phase difference.

Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.

Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.

Abstract: An endpoint processor includes a processor block, a timer block, a memory block, and analog-to-digital converter. The timer block is arranged to provide a time based signal to the processor block. The memory block cooperates with the processor block. The analog-to-digital converter is arranged to provide an interface between an analog signal and the processor block. The analog signal includes encoded data from a power signal. The processor block is arranged to control a sampling rate that is associated with the analog-to-digital converter such that the analog signal is down-converted as an under-sampled signal. The processor block is arranged to extract the encoded data from the down-converted signal by executing a digital signal processing algorithm that is stored in the memory block. The digital signal processing algorithm is arranged to reject fundamental and harmonic frequencies that are associated with a power-line frequency that is associated with the power signal.

Abstract: An endpoint in a power distribution system includes a transmitter. The transmitter includes a transformer, a half-bridge driver, a first and second driver, and a resonant circuit. A primary winding from the transformer is coupled to a power distribution line, while the secondary winding is coupled to the transmitter. The half-bridge drive circuit selectively asserts drive signals. The resonant circuit has a natural resonant frequency in an audio frequency range. The half-bridge driver is arranged to selectively activate the first and second drivers such that the power-line is modulated with a square-wave signal at a frequency that is associated with encoded data. The half-bridge driver circuit can also be arranged to provide power to the transmitter, and to the endpoint.

Abstract: An endpoint is configured for communication with a distribution substation. The endpoint includes a receiver conditioning block and a receiver processing block. The receiver conditioning block is positioned downstream from the distribution substation, and arranged to provide an analog signal that is responsive to the power signal from the distribution line. The receiver processing block is configured to extract encoded data from the power signal by under-sampling the analog signal, and processing the under-sampled analog signal such that fundamental and harmonic frequencies associated with the power signal are suppressed. Command signals from the distribution substation are extracted from the power-line. Each endpoint is addressable by an ID code, and is configurable via downstream command signals that are associated with the ID code. The endpoint collects data at demand based and schedule based intervals.