Methods, apparatus, and techniques for communication network operation, and particularly mesh networks.

Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing beacon-enabled communications for variable payload transfers are described. In various embodiments, these systems and methods may be applicable to power line communications (PLC). For example, a method may include implementing a superframe having a plurality of beacon slots, a plurality of intermediate slots following the beacon slots, and a poll-based Contention Free Period (CFP) slot following the intermediate slots. Each of the beacon slots and each of the intermediate slots may correspond to a respective one of a plurality of frequency subbands, and the poll-based CFP slot may correspond to a combination of the plurality of frequency subbands. The method may also include receiving a poll request over a first of the plurality of frequency subbands during the poll-based CFP slot, and then transmitting a data packet over a second of the plurality of frequency subbands during the poll-based CFP slot.

There is provided a system for assigning power to a plurality of smart appliances. The system includes a plurality of smart outlet assemblies. Each of the smart outlet assemblies is paired to and in electrical communication with a respective one of the smart appliances. The system includes at least one smart breaker assembly in electrical communication with the smart outlet assemblies. The system includes a master server in communication with the smart breaker assembly. The system includes distributed databases used to exchange data among the smart outlet assemblies, the smart breaker assembly, and the master server. The master server selectively assign power to respective ones of the smart appliances via the smart breaker assembly based on the data. If the master server is unreachable, the smart breaker assembly is configured to selectively assign power to the smart appliances based on the data records.

A power line communication system (200) comprising a first node (202) and a second node (204). The first node (202) comprises a second-node-connection-terminal (206); a first-node-transmission-module (208) that provides a first-node-output-signal (210) to the second-node-connection-terminal (206); and modulates the voltage level of the first-node-output-signal based on first-node-transmission-data. The second node (204) comprises a second-node-input-voltage-terminal (214) that is connected to the second-node-connection-terminal (206) of the first node (202) in order to receive the first-node-output-voltage-signal (210). The second node (204) is configured to use the first-node-output-voltage-signal (218) as a supply voltage. The second node (204) also includes a second-node-transmission-module (216) that: provides a second-node-current-signal (218) to the second-node-input-voltage-terminal (214) for transmission to the second-node-connection-terminal (206) of the first node (202); and modulates the current level of the second-node-current-signal (218) based on second-node-transmission-data. The second node (204) also includes a second-node-reception-module (222) that is configured to process the voltage level of the received first-node-output-signal (210) in order to demodulate the first-node-transmission-data. The first node (202) further comprises a first-node-reception-module (226) that processes the current level of the second-node-current-signal (218) received from the second node (204) at the second-node-connection-terminal (206) in order to demodulate the second-node-transmission-data.

An interface circuit, a string, and a system that are applied to power line communication, to lower device specifications, includes: an inverter, an optimizer group, a capacitor, a magnetic ring, power lines, and a signal line. An optimizer in the optimizer group is configured to adjust a size of a direct current output by a photovoltaic module connected to the optimizer. Two ends of the signal line passing through the magnetic ring are connected to the inverter. Two ends of a power line passing through the magnetic ring are respectively connected to the capacitor and the optimizer group. By using the foregoing interface circuit, a high voltage of a direct current output by the optimizer group is prevented from being introduced into the inverter, thereby reducing a specification requirement of a device such as a capacitor.

A vehicle and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The vehicle may include a plurality of charging ports electrically coupled to a first connector and a second connector, each of the first and second connectors configured to receive power from at least one charger; and a controller configured to receive a charging start command and, upon receiving the charging start command, to control operation of the vehicle to be sequentially paired with the first connector and the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are electrically coupled to the plurality of charging ports.

A method for transmitting data by using a power line. The method includes: setting i=1 and j=1; receiving an i-th zero crossing signal at a time point ti, and determining, based on the i-th zero crossing signal, a start time when synchronization signals of a j-th data packet are transmitted, the start time when the synchronization signals of the j-th data packet are transmitted being t.sub.i+t; transmitting the synchronization signals of the j-th data packet at the start time when the synchronization signals of the j-th data packet are transmitted; transmitting data signals of the j-th data packet in sequence; and determining whether j is equal to M; when j is not equal to M, continuing a data transmission; and when j is equal to M, ending the data transmission, M being a number of data packets into which data to be transmitted is divided.

The vehicle condition monitoring and diagnosis method includes the steps of preparing a wired communication path between a gateway and the charger of a vehicle, initiating first communication to charge a battery supplying power to a driving motor between the gateway and the charger through the wired communication path, initiating charging according to a result of the first communication, receiving, by the gateway, a vehicle condition monitoring and diagnosis request from the charger through the first communication, and connecting the gateway to the charger through second communication to transmit vehicle condition monitoring and diagnostic information separately from the charging through the wired communication path, if the gateway is capable of performing vehicle condition monitoring and diagnosis according to the vehicle condition monitoring and diagnosis request.

An algorithm for the promotion of terminal nodes to switch nodes in a PLC network reduces overall network overhead and collisions, while ensuring the appropriate selection of a switch node and minimizing the number of levels in a PLC network. It also ensures that the terminal nodes with appropriate signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are promoted. It is desirable to have a network with fewer levels. The disclosed approach favors the nodes that are closer to the DC to promote them as switch nodes. This is achieved by waiting for a smaller number of PNPDUs for a node that is closer to the DC in comparison to a node that is farther away from the DC.

A reporting device for association with an article having power requirements is provided, where the reporting device is capable of performing communications operations, for example to specify the article's power requirements, and power supply using a single pair of conductors. Communications are performed at a lower voltage than the voltage intended for power supply operations. Optionally the communications interface of the reporting device may be disconnected at higher voltages, and the operational circuits of the reporting device may be disconnected at lower voltages, and circuits preventing inversion of voltages across the conductors, or reverse currents when the operational circuits are connected to the conductors may be provided. The reporting device may be used in connection with charging surfaces providing a matrix of conductive surfaces, and supports operation with a corresponding coupling manager.