Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward detection of leakage from an enclosed component using an apparatus. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board (PCB) including a first conductive trace, a second conductive trace, and sets of terminals electrically connected to the first and second conductive traces configured and arranged to indicate changes in impedance caused by leaked liquid. The respective portions of the first and second conductive traces are interleaved, and configured and arranged to suspend flow of the leaked liquid from an enclosed component, thereby causing a change in impedance between at least one of the sets of terminals.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward detection of leakage from an enclosed component using an apparatus. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board (PCB) including a first conductive trace, a second conductive trace, and sets of terminals electrically connected to the first and second conductive traces configured and arranged to indicate changes in impedance caused by leaked liquid. The respective portions of the first and second conductive traces are interleaved, and configured and arranged to suspend flow of the leaked liquid from an enclosed component, thereby causing a change in impedance between at least one of the sets of terminals.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a power-line communication apparatus provides data over a power-line communication network by transmitting data symbols to endpoint circuits over a power line. The power-line communication apparatus includes a signal-processing circuit configured to combine a plurality of different data streams, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes, to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes. Further, the power-line communication apparatus includes a pulse-modulation circuit configured to convert the signals, as combined, as a pulse-width modulated or a pulse-density modulated signal, the pulse-modulation circuit configured to switch at a frequency higher than frequencies of the different communication schemes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a power-line communication apparatus provides data over a power-line communication network by transmitting data symbols to endpoint circuits over a power line. The power-line communication apparatus includes a signal-processing circuit configured to combine a plurality of different data streams, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes, to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes. Further, the power-line communication apparatus includes a pulse-modulation circuit configured to convert the signals, as combined, as a pulse-width modulated or a pulse-density modulated signal, the pulse-modulation circuit configured to switch at a frequency higher than frequencies of the different communication schemes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a power-line communication apparatus provides data over a power-line communication network by transmitting data symbols to endpoint circuits over a power line. The power-line communication apparatus includes a signal-processing circuit configured to combine a plurality of different data streams, each of the plurality of different data streams respectively formatted according to different communication schemes, to form a signal that represents a combination of the different data streams and corresponding communication schemes. Further, the power-line communication apparatus includes a pulse-modulation circuit configured to convert the signals, as combined, as a pulse-width modulated or a pulse-density modulated signal, the pulse-modulation circuit configured to switch at a frequency higher than frequencies of the different communication schemes.

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: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a data retrieving engine that is designed to retrieve interval data from the endpoint devices that is communicated for indicating utility usage readings. The interval data is provided at least once for each interval period (used by each of the endpoint devices). The data retrieving engine is additionally designed for retrieving, from the endpoint devices, other different type of data, which is transmitted over a time period that overlaps multiple interval periods. In certain implementations, the system allows a dynamic adjustment to a ratio of the respective amounts for each type of data.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for dividing workload in a digital signal processing system. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one analog-to-digital converter configured to receive a three phase analog waveform and a digital waveform. The system can also include a first DSP configured to interface with an external computer and a second DSP configured to receive the digital waveform and isolate a specified frequency range. The system can also include a plurality of DSP's configured to extract specified channels from the specified frequency range and output the extracted channel data.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for outage detection. In one embodiment, an outage detection system includes a signal sampler configured to sample a signal on a communications link and to determine a noise level and a signal level of the sample. An outage detection system also includes a comparator configured to compare a critical value with a sum of signal and noise of the sample. An outage detection system further includes a binomial probability analyzer configured to calculate a binomial probability of false outage of the sample and the previous N samples.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for arbitration of memory transfers in a digital signal processing system. In one embodiment, a digital signal processing system includes a plurality of DSP's having an external memory. The DSP's are further configurable to act as a master processor and a slave processor relative to another DSP. The system also includes an arbiter configured to maintain DSP status data and arbitrate requests between master processors and slave processors in the system.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for dividing workload in a digital signal processing system. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one analog-to-digital converter configured to receive a three phase analog waveform and a digital waveform. The system can also include a first DSP configured to interface with an external computer and a second DSP configured to receive the digital waveform and isolate a specified frequency range. The system can also include a plurality of DSP's configured to extract specified channels from the specified frequency range and output the extracted channel data.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for arbitration of memory transfers in a digital signal processing system. In one embodiment, a digital signal processing system includes a plurality of DSP's having an external memory. The DSP's are further configurable to act as a master processor and a slave processor relative to another DSP. The system also includes an arbiter configured to maintain DSP status data and arbitrate requests between master processors and slave processors in the system.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for outage detection. In one embodiment, an outage detection system includes a signal sampler configured to sample a signal on a communications link and to determine a noise level and a signal level of the sample. An outage detection system also includes a comparator configured to compare a critical value with a sum of signal and noise of the sample. An outage detection system further includes a binomial probability analyzer configured to calculate a binomial probability of false outage of the sample and the previous N samples.

Abstract: A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional power distribution line communication. The system is configured for data communication with an endpoint transceiver located at a customer premise. The system comprises a time server in electrical communication with the transceiver, the time server configured to retrieve the time. A substation controller is in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The substation controller includes a transceiver and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a substation clock. The programmable circuit is programmed to periodically retrieve the time from the time server to calibrate the substation clock to the retrieved time, and to control the transceiver to transmit the time to the endpoint transceiver.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional communication within a power distribution system. The system is configured to find an endpoint, the endpoint having an endpoint transceiver in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The power distribution line is within the power distribution system, and the endpoint is identified by a unique I.D. The system comprises a substation transceiver electrically coupled to a power distribution line within the power distribution system. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is programmed to map the unique I.D. for the endpoint to a base frequency within a bandwidth and to control the endpoint to transmit a find endpoint data packet onto the power distribution network. The find endpoint data packet includes the unique I.D. and the base frequency.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional power distribution line communication. The system is configured for data communication with an endpoint transceiver located at a customer premise. The system comprises a time server in electrical communication with the transceiver, the time server configured to retrieve the time. A substation controller is in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The substation controller includes a transceiver and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a substation clock. The programmable circuit is programmed to periodically retrieve the time from the time server to calibrate the substation clock to the retrieved time, and to control the transceiver to transmit the time to the endpoint transceiver.

Abstract: A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.