A correct commutation is realized even if a communication error occurs due to a change in an actuator drive current. An electronic control unit that includes a communication section outputting a control signal and that can transmit the control signal to an actuator connected to the electronic control unit via a power line, includes an actuator operation detection section. When the actuator operation detection section detects an actuator operation, the communication section retransmits the control signal at timing of detecting the actuator operation.

Methods, systems, and products bridge wireless data transmissions with power-line communications. Should a failure occur in alternating current power, a backup battery maintains the power-line communications. Direct current battery power is used to power a wireless transceiver, thus maintaining both wireless data transmissions and communication during power failures.

An electrical power cord includes intelligent switching capability. An electrical power input receives electrical power from a power source, and selectively conveys that power to an electrical power output only when certain occupancy or power usage criteria are met. The electrical power output conveys electrical power to an electrical consumer when a switch disposed along the power cord is closed. The switch is actuated in response to a signal received from a sensor, such as an occupancy sensor or a power consumption sensor, and breaks continuity along the power cord when signals received from the sensor indicate that the occupancy or power usage criteria are not being met, which criteria may be customized for a particular application. The electrical power cord is operable to automatically reduce or substantially eliminate power consumption at its power output end.

A power line communication apparatus includes a drive block including an actuator control circuit and a drive circuit and a communication block. The actuator control circuit generates a control pulse for controlling an actuator, and controls a transition timing of the control pulse during an operation period set within a communication cycle by a communication clock. The drive circuit controls a driving current of the actuator supplied from a DC power source through a power line based on the control pulse in which the transition timing is controlled. The communication block generates the communication clock, and modulates a current flowing through the power line in response to data to be transmitted during a signal transmission period different from the operation period, set within the communication cycle.

The present disclosure concerns a system for driving a Venetian blind comprising a blind assembly which comprises a Venetian blind, an electric motor for actuating the movement of said Venetian blind and first electronic means configured to generate a drive signal for driving said electric motor; a control unit having drive means for driving the movement of said Venetian blind, a power source for generating a current signal to power said electric motor and second electronic means that are in signal communication with said drive means and with said power source for controlling said electric motor; a two-wire power line disposed between said control unit and said blind assembly to power said electric motor with said current signal and the first electronic means are in signal communication with said second electronic means via said two-wire power line. The system is characterized in that the first electronic means are configured to generate a first data signal identifying the state of said electric motor and to detect a current signal in said two-wire power line identifying the current value absorbed by said electric motor; said second electronic means are configured to receive said first data signal and to detect said current signal, said second electronic means are configured to condition said first data signal and said current signal to thereby generate a second data signal; said first electronic means are configured to receive said second data signal and to condition said second data signal and said current signal, said drive signal being generated as a function of said second data signal.

Provided are a communication system and a harness configured to detect a connection of an unauthorized apparatus to a communication line. In a communication system in which a plurality of communication apparatuses perform communication via communication lines, a communication line includes conductive wires for transferring signals and a cover portion that covers the conductive wires. The communication system includes a detection unit for detecting whether or not the cover portion has been removed. If removal of the cover portion of the communication line is detected by the detection unit, it can be determined that an unauthorized apparatus is connected to the communication line.

In one embodiment, a welding system having a welding power supply configured to provide welding power is provided. The welding system additionally includes a weld cable coupled to the power supply and configured to transmit the welding power, and a welding torch coupled to the weld cable and configured to apply the welding power to produce a welding arc. The welding system also includes a magnetic field sensor disposed on the weld cable proximate to the welding torch, wherein the welding power supply comprises control circuitry configured to adjust the welding power based at least in part on a signal received from the magnetic field sensor.

A system comprising: a host device comprising at least, an electrical interface configured for connection to a powerline; a first releasable interface; a powerline communication module for transmitting and receiving information over the powerline; an intelligent module comprising at least, a second releasable interface interconnected to the first releasable interface; a digital processor; memory operatively connected to the processor and configured with instructions for causing the processor to receive and transmit information over the powerline through the powerline communication module.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a guided wave repeater system operable to receive via a guided wave transceiver a first plurality of electromagnetic waves that includes a first communication signal. A second plurality of electromagnetic waves that includes a second communication signal is transmitted via the guided wave transceiver. The first plurality of electromagnetic waves and the second plurality of electromagnetic waves are guided by a power line of a utility pole. A third communication signal is received from a smart grid device. A fourth communication signal is transmitted to the smart grid device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A system comprising: a host device comprising at least, an electrical interface configured for connection to a powerline; a first releasable interface; a powerline communication module for transmitting and receiving information over the powerline; an intelligent module comprising at least, a second releasable interface interconnected to the first releasable interface; a digital processor; memory operatively connected to the processor and configured with instructions for causing the processor to receive and transmit information over the powerline through the powerline communication module.