Abstract: A voltage booster powered by a primary electrical source for providing an adjustable voltage across the load, while a current regulator in series with the load maintains the desired current. When the voltage drop across the current regulator exceeds an upper threshold, the voltage booster's output voltage is reduced to a lower level to reduce the power dissipated by the current regulator, to improve efficiency. When the voltage drop across the current regulator is less than a lower threshold, the voltage booster output is increased to a higher level. In burst mode operation, the voltage booster output alternates between a full voltage and zero voltage, and an optional capacitor provides voltage across the resistive load during discharge. An optional diode can ensure that the capacitor discharges through the load in cases where the voltage booster output is not floating.

Abstract: A voltage booster powered by a primary electrical source for providing an adjustable voltage across the load, while a current regulator in series with the load maintains the desired current. When the voltage drop across the current regulator exceeds an upper threshold, the voltage booster's output voltage is reduced to a lower level to reduce the power dissipated by the current regulator, to improve efficiency. When the voltage drop across the current regulator is less than a lower threshold, the voltage booster output is increased to a higher level. In burst mode operation, the voltage booster output alternates between a full voltage and zero voltage, and an optional capacitor provides voltage across the resistive load during discharge. An optional diode can ensure that the capacitor discharges through the load in cases where the voltage booster output is not floating.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) detecting a partial discharge on a power line that carries a power signal, (b) measuring a characteristic of the partial discharge, thus yielding a measured characteristic, (c) determining that the measured characteristic satisfies a measurement criterion, thus yielding a qualified partial discharge, (d) incrementing a count of cycles of the power signal that contain qualified partial discharges, (e) calculating, for a plurality of cycles of the power signal, based on the count, a percentage of the plurality of cycles that contain qualified partial discharges, and (f) utilizing the percentage in a subsequent operation. There is also provided a system that performs the method, and a storage device that contains instructions for a processor to perform the method.

Abstract: Several techniques are described herein for evaluating parameters relating to noise and excess current on a power line. More specifically, the techniques described herein are particularly well-suited for characterizing partial discharge, and for identifying a location of a source of the noise or the excess current on the power line.

Abstract: There is provided a system that includes a charger and a portable device. The portable device is coupled to the charger via a coupling capacitance. The charger provides a relatively constant current to the portable device, even for a relatively large variation in the coupling capacitance.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) detecting a partial discharge on a power line that carries a power signal, (b) measuring a characteristic of the partial discharge, thus yielding a measured characteristic, (c) determining that the measured characteristic satisfies a measurement criterion, thus yielding a qualified partial discharge, (d) incrementing a count of cycles of the power signal that contain qualified partial discharges, (e) calculating, for a plurality of cycles of the power signal, based on the count, a percentage of the plurality of cycles that contain qualified partial discharges, and (f) utilizing the percentage in a subsequent operation. There is also provided a system that performs the method, and a storage device that contains instructions for a processor to perform the method.

Abstract: There is provided a system that includes a charger and a portable device. The portable device is coupled to the charger via a coupling capacitance. The charger provides a relatively constant current to the portable device, even for a relatively large variation in the coupling capacitance.

Abstract: The present document discloses several techniques of evaluating parameters relating to noise and excess current on a power line. The techniques are particularly well-suited for characterizing partial discharge, and for identifying a location of a source of the noise or excess current.

Abstract: There is provided a method for measuring a parameter of a power frequency current being carried by a power line. The method that includes (a) transducing a power frequency current flowing through a power line, into a power frequency voltage, via an inductive coupler that couples a communications signal from the power line, (b) separating the power frequency voltage from the communications signal, and (c) determining a value of a parameter of the power frequency current from the power frequency voltage. There is also provided a system and an apparatus for measuring the parameter.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a conductor. The inductive coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having an aperture through which the conductor is routed, (b) a winding wound around a portion of the magnetic core, where the signal is coupled between the winding and the conductor via the magnetic core, and (c) a member that maintains an electrical connection between the magnetic core and the conductor.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) acquiring a first spectral component of a single noise pulse on a power line, and a second spectral component of the single noise pulse, (b) determining that the single noise pulse is synchronous with a power voltage on the power line, (c) determining a first magnitude of the first spectral component, (d) determining a second magnitude of the second spectral component, and (e) determining a condition of the power line from the first and second magnitudes. There is also provided a system that employs the method.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a conductor. The inductive coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having an aperture through which the conductor is routed, (b) a winding wound around a portion of the magnetic core, where the signal is coupled between the winding and the conductor via the magnetic core, and (c) a member that maintains an electrical connection between the magnetic core and the conductor.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) acquiring a first spectral component of a single noise pulse on a power line, and a second spectral component of the single noise pulse, (b) determining that the single noise pulse is synchronous with a power voltage on the power line, (c) determining a first magnitude of the first spectral component, (d) determining a second magnitude of the second spectral component, and (e) determining a condition of the power line from the first and second magnitudes. There is also provided a system that employs the method.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) determining a characteristic of a fundamental spectral component of a spectrum of a power spectrum of noise on a power line, and (b) determining a condition of the power line based on the characteristic.

Abstract: There is provided a method for protecting loads associated with power distribution system inductive signal couplers. The method includes (a) providing an inductive signal coupler having a first winding in series with a line conductor of a power distribution system, and a second winding having first and second connection terminals, (b) connecting a first terminal of a first fuse to the first connection terminal, and a first terminal of a second fuse to the second connection terminal, a second terminal of each fuse being connected to a communication device, and (c) connecting a first terminal of a first choke to the second terminal of the first fuse, and a first terminal of a second choke to the second of the second fuse, a second terminal of each choke being connected to an electrical ground.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of components for use in a power line communication system. The arrangement includes a modem for providing an output to a power line, a sensor for sensing a parameter of the output; and a controller for adjusting a power of the output based on a value of the parameter.

Abstract: A system for communications on a bi-directional medium includes a first repeater, a second repeater, a third repeater and a fourth repeater, each of which is coupled to the medium. The first repeater and the second repeater communicate with each other on a first band for transmission from the first repeater to the second repeater, and on a second band for transmission from the second repeater to the first repeater. The second repeater and the third repeater communicate with each other on a third band for transmission from the second repeater to the third repeater, and on a fourth band for transmission from the third repeater to the second repeater. The third repeater and the fourth repeater communicate with each other on the second band for transmission from the third repeater to the fourth repeater, and on the first band for transmission from the fourth repeater to the third repeater.

Abstract: There is provided a system that includes an AC power input port for connection to an AC power line, an AC power output port for providing power from the AC power line, an AC power surge suppression circuit for limiting voltage at the AC power output port, a data port, a capacitive data coupler for coupling a data signal between the AC power input port and the data port, and a data port surge suppression circuit for limiting voltage at the data port.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) determining a characteristic of a fundamental spectral component of a spectrum of a power spectrum of noise on a power line, and (b) determining a condition of the power line based on the characteristic.

Abstract: There is provided a method for measuring a parameter of a power frequency current being carried by a power line. The method that includes (a) transducing a power frequency current flowing through a power line, into a power frequency voltage, via an inductive coupler that couples a communications signal from the power line, (b) separating the power frequency voltage from the communications signal, and (c) determining a value of a parameter of the power frequency current from the power frequency voltage. There is also provided a system and an apparatus for measuring the parameter.