Importance

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Abstract

A computerized monitoring system which incorporates the power lines that provide electrical power to the remote devices as the physical communications medium of a serial data bus for the computer system. The system comprises a central computer and a plurality of computerized sensor modules within the individual remote devices. The central computer and each of the sensor modules has associated with it a respective data link for coupling respective signal generating and receiving means to the power distribution lines and for manipulating the signals to and from a form suitable for transmission on the power distribution lines. Phase shift keying is used wherein binary bits of data are represented as 180.degree. phase shifts of the pulses in a carrier pulse train. A data transmission rate of approximately 15,000 baud with a carrier frequency of 120 kHz is typical. A polling signal includes a preamble of pure carrier frequency, followed by the serial number of the device being polled, followed by the data (or instructions) defining the message content. Each data link has its own clock for generating a pulse train at a frequency very close to the common carrier frequency, and includes means for bringing its own carrier frequency pulse train approximately into a predetermined phase relationship with the carrier train that is appearing on the power lines.

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First Claim