Abstract: An inductor, in particular for magnetically coupled energy transfer, includes a coil carrier on which a first coil and a second coil are arranged. The second coil has an outer diameter D2 that is greater than an outer diameter D1 of the first coil. A magnetic core surrounds a longitudinal center axis of the first coil. The first coil is operated with a first operating frequency in a first power range, whereas the second coil is operated independently of the first coil with a second operating frequency in a second power range. As a result applications can be run in a simple and flexible manner in a low-power range and in a high-power range.

Abstract: A bicycle electrical system is provided with a first electric component, a second electric component, and a third electric component. The first electric component includes a first electric power line communication section. The second electric component includes a second electric power line communication section. The third electric component includes a third electric power line communication section. The first and second electric power line communication sections are connected with a first electric power line such that the first and second electric power line communication sections conduct communications via the first electric power line. The second and third electric power line communication sections are connected with a second electric power line such that the second and third electric power line communication sections conduct communications via the second electric power line.

Abstract: A digital communication system comprising a host and a client, the host calls the client via two transmission lines. The host includes a processor, a first control unit, a second control unit, a high frequency transformer and an interface unit. The digital communication system utilizes the first control unit and the high frequency transformer to modulate outgoing signals. The digital communication system utilizes the second unit and the high frequency transformer to demodulate incoming signals.

Abstract: A device for enabling a local area network wiring structure to simultaneously carry digital data and analog telephone signals on the same transmission medium. It is particularly applicable to a network in star topology, in which remote data units (e.g. personal computers) are each connected to a hub through a cable comprising at least two pairs of conductors, providing a data communication path in each direction. Modules at each end of the cable provide a phantom path for telephony (voice band) signals between a telephone near the data set and a PBX, through both conductor pairs in a phantom circuit arrangement. All such communication paths function simultaneously and without mutual interference. The modules comprise simple and inexpensive passive circuit components.

Abstract: Coupling circuit for coupling a power line communication device to a power line network, including a first network port coupled between a network phase line and a first network line, a second network port coupled between a network neutral line and a second network line, a third network port coupled between a network ground line and a third network line, a first differential modem port including a first terminal and a second terminal, a second differential modem port including a third terminal and a fourth terminal, a first transformer including a first network side winding and a first modem side winding, a second transformer including a second network side winding and a second modem side winding, the transformers including respective terminals, a center tap extending from the midpoint of the first network side winding to a terminal of the second network side winding and a plurality of capacitors.

Abstract: A reception circuit according to the present invention is a reception circuit (6) that operates based on a first power supply GND1 belonging to a first power supply system and receives, through an AC coupling element (10), a transmission signal V1 output by a transmission circuit (5) that operates based on a second power supply GND2 belonging to a second power supply system, the reception circuit including: a noise rejection unit (21) that generates a transmission-use signal V2a by reducing a signal level of noise between the power supplies generated in the AC coupling element (10) due to a potential difference between the first power supply GND1 and the second power supply GND2; and a reception buffer (22) that reproduces a data signal based on the transmission-use signal. This prevents a malfunction from occurring due to noise between the power supplies caused by a relative potential variation between the power supply of the transmission circuit and the power supply of the reception circuit.

Abstract: A circuit (C1-C4) is employed in a TWACS transponder (T) installed in an electric meter (M). The transponder generates inbound signals (IB) transmitted from the location of the electric meter to a central location (R). Firmware (F) within the transponder controls the flow of current for each pulse through the circuit by triggering a semi-conductor device such as a SCR (X1) or TRIAC (X2). The resulting current flow through the inductor for a subsequent pulse, regardless of the pulse's polarity, will be in the opposite direction to that of the previous pulse. The result is to maintain a constant level of magnetization of the inductor core which does not have to be overcome by energy in the subsequent pulse resulting in amplitude of all the pulses imposed on an AC waveform being substantially the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling lighting fixtures over a wireless network that includes connecting a junction box to a power source, connecting a lighting fixture to the junction box, establishing a connection over a wireless network between the junction box and a controller, and controlling a function of the lighting fixture by transmitting a signal from the controller to the junction box over the wireless network.

Abstract: A PLC cable modem is provided which includes an analog electromagnetic field transducer for generating an electromagnetic field based on an analog electrical signal and also for generating an analog electrical signal based on an electromagnetic field. The PLC cable modem also includes an analog signal processing unit operatively coupled to the analog electromagnetic field transducer and a digital signal processing unit for processing signals received from (or to be sent to) the analog signal processing unit. An interface port is provided for communicating digital signals to and from a data transmission or receiving device.

Abstract: A signal transmission system (STS) comprises a transmitter (T) with a first LC circuit comprising a first coil (C1) intended to be fed with signals having a chosen carrier frequency, and a receiver (R) with a second LC circuit comprising a second coil (C2) and coupled to a circuit front-end (FE). The first coil (C1) is arranged to transfer energy to the second coil (C2) by magnetic induction in a near-field propagation mode. The first LC circuit (C1) has an increased quality factor and is tuned to a first frequency which is shifted in a first direction from the carrier frequency by a first value, and the second LC circuit (C2) has an increased quality factor and is tuned to a second frequency which is shifted in a second direction, opposite to the first one, from the carrier frequency by a second value.

Abstract: A NFC communicator or NFC communications enabled device (1 or 2 or 100a) has a data store (108) to store data, a coupler (17 or 32 or 102) to couple inductively with the magnetic field of a radio frequency signal and a signal generator (109) to supply a radio frequency signal to the coupler. A modulator (110) is provided to modulate a radio frequency signal in accordance with data and a demodulator (114) is provided to extract data from a modulated radio frequency signal inductively coupled to the coupler. A controller (107) enables the NFC communicator or NFC communications enabled device both to initiate near field radio frequency communication with another near field RF communicator and to respond to near field radio frequency communication initiated by another near field RF communicator. The NFC communicator or NFC communications enabled device also has a power deliver (19 or 34 or 103) that derives power from a radio frequency signal inductively coupled to the coupler to charge a chargeable power supply.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for providing reliable redundant data communications. The mechanism issues a request for data to a set of powered elements using a set of secondary communication channels in response to a reduction in a level of communications being detected. The set of secondary communication channels comprises one or more alternating current power lines and the request is sent as data injected onto the alternating current power lines to the set of powered elements. The mechanism receives the data using the set of secondary communication channels from the set of powered elements, analyzes the data to determine a set of recovery actions to restore the level of communications, and issues the set of recovery actions to the set of powered elements using the set of secondary communication channels.

Abstract: In a signal shaper circuit provided between a VICS antenna, which receives a VICS signal and outputs reception input data signal, and a navigation CPU for signal processing, a low pass filter of a resistor and a capacitor is provided. The cutoff frequency of the low pass filter is set to pass light modulation noise included in the input data signal but cut off the input data signal, which is higher in frequency than the light modulation noise. The input data signal is compared with the filter-processed signal used as a reference signal by a comparator. As a result, a final output data signal is outputted in a waveform-shaped form and without loss of data.

Abstract: A return communication system and method for an Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) System allows a pick-up device (3) to receive an instruction and supply a load (36) in such a way that a predetermined variation occurs in current in the primary conductive path (2) of the system The variation may be detected and decoded to determine a response from the pick-up to the instruction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching device for generating a switch signal, a reading device with the switching device and a method for the communication between a reading device and a transponder (T). The switching device includes an antenna (4), which with the help of an adapter circuit (AN) is adapted to a given resistance, and a measuring bridge (1), which includes two voltage dividers connected in parallel. The resistance acts in one of the voltage dividers and in the case of a change of the resistance the measuring bridge (1) generates the switch signal. This means when a transponder reaches the detection range of a reading device having the switching device, an additional impedance is coupled in, which acts on the measuring bridge (1). This change is recognized and leads to the generation of the switch signal.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for communicating to a powered element in a rack system. A controller injects communication data onto power lines that provides power to a plurality of powered elements. The powered elements determine if the communication data transmitted via the power lines should be used for configuration using an address embedded within the communication data. The powered elements compare an embedded target address within the communication data to the address of the particular element. If there is a match between the addresses, the corresponding powered element processes the communication data to configure the powered element. As a result, data may be communicated over the power lines thereby eliminating the need for separate communication lines. Thus, the amount of cables required to interconnect the powered elements of the distributed data processing system may be reduced by eliminating the communication lines from the system configuration.

Abstract: A system for independent control of electric motors and electric lights includes a plurality of two-wire wallstations coupled in series via power wires between an alternating-current (AC) source and a light/motor control unit. The light/motor control unit is preferably located in the same enclosure as an electric motor and an electric light and has two outputs for independent control of the motor and the light. The light/motor control unit and the wallstations each include a controller and a communication circuit that is coupled to the power wiring via a communication transformer and communicate with each other using a loop current carrier technique. The light/motor control unit and the wallstations utilize pseudo random orthogonal codes and a median filter in the communication process.

Abstract: A power line communication apparatus transmits a signal to a first power line communication apparatus through a power line connecting to a second power line communication apparatus. The power line communication apparatus includes an information retriever for retrieving transmission rate information indicating both a first transmission rate and second transmission rate. The first transmission rate correspond to a first path of the power line along which the signal is directly transmitted to the first power line communication apparatus, and the second transmission rate corresponds to a second path of the power line along which the signal is transmitted through the second power line communication apparatus to the first power line communication apparatus. A selector selects, based on the transmission rate information, a path corresponding to a higher transmission rate among the first and second paths. A transmitter transmits the signal through the selected path.

Abstract: A PLC cable modem is provided which includes an analog electromagnetic field transducer for generating an electromagnetic field based on an analog electrical signal and also for generating an analog electrical signal based on an electromagnetic field. The PLC cable modem also includes an analog signal processing unit operatively coupled to the analog electromagnetic field transducer and a digital signal processing unit for processing signals received from (or to be sent to) the analog signal processing unit. An interface port is provided for communicating digital signals to and from a data transmission or receiving device.