Patent · US Active

Bidirectional phase cut modulation over AC power conductors

US8441213B2 · kind B2 · utility

13Cited by
9References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 29, 2010
Grant dateMay 14, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B20/40
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system includes a controller and line units. The controller receives AC power from a power source and supplies an AC power signal via two conductors to the units. In one example, the controller is a dimmer switch and the units are intelligent LED lamps. The controller uses phase cut modulation to communicate information (for example, lighting control commands) to the units. The units receive the AC power signal, demodulate and recover the phase cut modulated information, and optionally communicate information back to the controller using load modulation. An addressed unit changes loading on the two conductors from phase cut time to phase cut time, thereby modulating information onto the AC power signal. The controller monitors the AC power signal, and demodulates and recovers the information. The overall bidirectional communication is referred to as bidirectional phase cut modulation over AC power conductors. Units can be controlled individually or in groups.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.