Abstract: Field devices are commonly used in unprotected environments, which means that these field devices and the conductor pairs connecting the field devices to the input modules/output modules of an automation installation are exposed to significant climatic and environmental factors. These factors have a detrimental effect on the transmission quality of the signals to be transferred between field devices and modules, which may result in erroneous measurements and dangerous operating states during control of a technical process. Measures to simplify monitoring of the transmission medium are proposed.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an output dependent upon the impedance or at least one component of the impedance of a device includes a load component having a known impedance or component thereof for connection in series with the device; a measurement channel for measuring voltages; a switch arrangement connected to the measurement channel for switching the measurement channel to sequentially measure a first voltage on a first side of the load component and a second voltage on a second side of the load component or a voltage difference across the load component; a processing arrangement connected to the measurement channel for processing the sequentially measured voltages to generate an output dependent upon the impedance or at least one component of the impedance of the device; and a signal generating arrangement for generating an electrical signal for application to the series connected load component and device.

Abstract: An automated meter reading power line communications system is provided, which may include, in one embodiment, measuring the utility usage of a first customer premises to provide first utility usage data, storing the first utility usage data in memory of a first device, wirelessly transmitting the first utility usage data from the first device, receiving the wirelessly transmitted first utility usage data at a second device coupled to a medium voltage power line, and transmitting the first utility usage data over the medium voltage power line.

Abstract: In a fire alarm system, a message is sent on a pair of power lines to a notification appliance. The notification appliance responds to the message by activating one or more of its notification devices. In a standby mode, only enough power is supplied to the plural notification appliances, at a first voltage level, to support two-way communications between a system controller and the notification appliances. In an active mode, power is supplied at a second voltage sufficient to operate audible and visible alarms of the notification appliance. The notification appliance may include an addressable speaker. The addressable speaker connects to and receives messages over the pair of power lines, has plural taps for selecting audio power. In response to a command, a selector in an addressed smart speaker selects a tap to select a particular audio power.

Abstract: A system for operating a power line communications system is provided. One embodiment is comprised of a plurality of network elements, which may take the form of repeaters, bypass devices, backhaul devices, wireless backhaul devices, enhanced bypass device, communication interface devices and others. In one embodiment, two groups of network elements in the same electrical distribution system are isolated except selected communication link.

Abstract: Described is a reader device for contactless reading of transponder data via an electromagnetic field having a read antenna connected to a receiving circuit for demodulation and preparation of transponder data. The reader device includes a digital signal processor that is connected to or forms part of the receiving circuit for generating a display signal showing an amplitude-time curve and/or a frequency spectrum of the received signals. The display signal travels via a display signal output of the digital signal processor to an optical display device integrated in the reader device or via an integrated interface to an external optical display device.

Abstract: A communication system associated with premises power distribution lines can be used to transmit audio data via the distribution lines. First and second transceivers can communicate bi-directionally over the distribution lines to transmit the audio data. The audio data can be provided by a computer coupled to one of the transceivers. One or more portions of the premises power distribution lines can be used as radiators to wirelessly transmit the audio data to one or more devices.

Abstract: A powerline network device includes both power suppression and networking functions, and passes through power and data signals. The networking functions can include one or more of hub, router, and/or switch function, and therefore can form a subnet of devices plugged into the outlets of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a low voltage alternating current (AC) wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The apparatus provides low voltage AC power to a data device and couples data signals between the data device and the AC power line via the converted low voltage AC wiring circuit. An example is provided for retrofitting a door chime system to a high speed data link such as a video camera system.

Abstract: A communications system for an alarm panel including: an alarm panel adaptor in operable communication with the alarm panel generating analog alarm signals; a first powerline communications device in operable communication with a the alarm panel adaptor converting the analog alarm signals to powerline alarm signals; a second powerline communications device receiving the powerline alarm signals over an electrical grid and converting the powerline alarm signals to internet protocol alarm signals; and a broadband connection in operable communication with the second powerline communications device for transmitting the internet protocol alarm signals to a remote central control station.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for performing discovery between devices in a network. Using event-driven discovery, devices conserve energy resources and more rapidly join a given network. The event-driven discovery detects a common-event associated with a first device preparing to communicate with a second device. The first device then discovers the second device in response to detection of the common-event. For example, this common-event could be a handshake with another person. During discovery, the first and second devices exchange respective information and optionally may establish a communication session to exchange further information if desired.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting and receiving data between a power supply and a remotely located load, by use of standard data communication cable has functional data transmitted via the power line of such data communication cable in order to decrease the number of required conductors. This auxiliary data is encoded by altering the current balance between two conductors, conducting a current I from the receiver to the transmitter or vice versa in two branches.

Abstract: A signal processing section 11 decodes an in-vehicle device signal S3 supplied to signal input terminals 141 to 14n and generates a decoded signal S2. An output terminal 13 is connected with a terminal device 30 and receives the decoded signal S2 generated by the signal processing section 11.

Abstract: Capacitive couplers and methods for communicating data over an electrical power delivery system are disclosed. A device for coupling a signal onto a conductor of an electrical power delivery system includes a conductive member having a length of at least six inches but less than 200 feet and a data signal generator connected to the conductive member for supplying a data signal to the conductive member. The conductive member is adapted to capacitively couple the data signal onto the conductor. The conductive member may comprise an outer layer of a coaxial cable wherein an inner conductor of the coaxial cable is adapted to be connected to the conductor of the electrical power delivery system. The conductor may comprise a grounding wire of a surge arrester wherein the conductive member comprises a conductive medium adapted to be wrapped around the grounding wire. A method of installing a device for capacitively coupling a signal onto a conductor of an electrical power delivery system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated meter reading power line communications system is provided, which may include measuring the utility usage of a first customer premises to provide first utility usage data, storing the first utility usage data in memory of a first device, wirelessly transmitting the first utility usage data from the first device, receiving the wirelessly transmitted first utility usage data at a second device coupled to a medium voltage power line, and transmitting the first utility usage data over the medium voltage power line.

Abstract: In a TEDS system, a data transmitting and receiving apparatus is provided and a signal transmitted from a TEDS memory to an apparatus side is logically inverted without using a transformer, and further a sneak signal is prevented. Inverters 28, 30 and zener diodes 32, 34 connected in parallel between the TEDS memory and a data driver of the apparatus are provided. Data transmitted from the TEDS memory to an apparatus 18 side is logically inverted by the inverter 28, and the logical voltage attenuates by a predetermined amount at the zener diode 32 to be supplied to the data driver. Since a sneak signal 100 whose logical voltage attenuates by a predetermined amount again by the zener diode 34 is supplied to the inverter 30, the transmission of a logic value is prevented by setting the threshold of the inverter 30 appropriately.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel technique for transferring power and signals between two electrical devices over a single wire pair. In particular, a remote sensor is connected to a host device. Power to the remote sensor is supplied through a voltage reference and control loop circuit that holds the voltage component of the power signal present on the wire pair constant during remote current sensing. The remote sensor itself can transmit measurements or information by driving a load on the sensor and thereby modulating the loop current. The current signal in the sensor-to-host loop can be a precision AC analog signal or a serial digital bit stream. Both types of signals can coexist using a multiplexing scheme.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a power source delivers power to a networked device over network cabling (e.g., Ethernet cabling) in one of two modes: a low power mode and a high power mode. The power source begins delivering power at a low power level in the low power mode, and switches to a high power level in the high power mode after a communication exchange between the networked device and the power source. A power source delivery system includes circuitry on both the power source and the powered device for communicating information between the devices.

Abstract: A wireless network for remotely controlling at least one lamp includes a first radio transceiver associated with the at least one lamp and a second radio transceiver. The first radio transceiver further includes a circuit for controlling the at least one lamp as a function of a message repeated by a second radio transceiver.

Abstract: In a fire alarm system, a message is sent on a pair of power lines to a notification appliance. The notification appliance responds to the message by activating one or more of its notification devices. In a standby mode, only enough power is supplied to the plural notification appliances, at a first voltage level, to support two-way communications between a system controller and the notification appliances. In an active mode, power is supplied at a second voltage sufficient to operate audible and visible alarms of the notification appliance.

Abstract: A multi-resolution object location system and method for locating objects is provided. The multi-resolution system and method uses a long-range object locator together with a more precise RFID locator to efficiently and accurately determine the location of objects that include an RFID tag. The long-range object locator has a relatively longer range and can cover a relatively large area to determine the general location of the object within the large area. The RFID locator has a relatively shorter range, but is able to locate the object more precisely. The object location system uses the long-range locator to first determine the general location of the object, and then the RFID locator is used to determine a more accurate location of the object. Thus, the multi-resolution object location system is able to provide both a long range location of objects over a large area and a precise location of objects.

Abstract: A method and system for bidirectional data and power transmission are shown and described. An exemplary embodiment comprises a current receiver, including a microprocessor and a driver, and a plurality of nodes connected to the current receiver through a plurality of wires that allow both power supply and bidirectional data transfer between the current receiver and the plurality of nodes. The use of the plurality of wires for both power and data transmission offers significant advantages over the prior art in terms of weight reduction and system modularity.