System and method for power line communications over a standard tractor-trailer electrical connection

A communications hub for transmitting and receiving communications formed using a plurality of different communication protocols between first and second members of a tractor-trailer over an electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, the electrical connection configured to comply with electrical requirements of the SAE J560 standard as it exists on the filing date of this application, comprising:

• a first housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a first communication interface supported on the first housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a second communication interface supported on the first housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a first intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a first communication protocol;
• a first power converter supported within the first housing;
• a first power line communication codec supported within the first housing;
• and,
• a first controller supported within the first housing and configured to
• establish a first inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over first and second conductors of the electrical connection;
• control the first power converter to convert a first power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network between a first direct current waveform and a first alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control the first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network
• further comprising a third communication interface supported on the housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a second intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol;
• a second power converter supported within the first housing;
• and
• a second power line communication codec supported within the first housing;
• wherein the first controller is further configured to:
• establish a second inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over a third conductor and one of the second conductor and a fourth conductor of the electrical connection;
• control the second power converter to convert a second power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the second inter-member communication network between a second direct current waveform and a second alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control the second power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the second alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the third communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the second inter-member communication network.

A communications hub for transmitting and receiving communications formed using a plurality of different communication protocols between first and second members of a tractor-trailer over an electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, the electrical connection configured to comply with electrical requirements of the SAE J560 standard as it exists on the filing date of this application, comprising:

• a first housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a first communication interface supported on the first housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a second communication interface supported on the first housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a first intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a first communication protocol;
• a first power converter supported within the first housing;
• a first power line communication codec supported within the first housing;
• and,
• a first controller supported within the first housing and configured to
• establish a first inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over first and second conductors of the electrical connection;
• control the first power converter to convert a first power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network between a first direct current waveform and a first alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control the first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network
• wherein the first controller only establishes the first inter-member communication network when the first controller either receives a first connection request from the second member of the tractor-trailer over the electrical connection or receives a connection acknowledgment from the second member of the tractor-trailer over the electrical connection in response to a second connection request generated by the first controller
• wherein at least one of the first connection request, the second connection request and the connection acknowledgment is transmitted over the electrical connection using a different communication protocol than the communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network.

A communications hub for transmitting and receiving communications formed using a plurality of different communication protocols between first and second members of a tractor-trailer over an electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, the electrical connection configured to comply with electrical requirements of the SAE J560 standard as it exists on the filing date of this application, comprising:

• a first housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a first communication interface supported on the first housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a second communication interface supported on the first housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a first intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a first communication protocol;
• a first power converter supported within the first housing;
• a first power line communication codec supported within the first housing;
• and,
• a first controller supported within the first housing and configured to
• establish a first inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over first and second conductors of the electrical connection;
• control the first power converter to convert a first power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network between a first direct current waveform and a first alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control the first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network
• wherein the first controller only establishes the first inter-member communication network when the first controller either receives a first connection request from the second member of the tractor-trailer over the electrical connection or receives a connection acknowledgment from the second member of the tractor-trailer over the electrical connection in response to a second connection request generated by the first controller
• further comprising a second power line communication codec supported within the first housing and wherein the first controller is further configured to control the second power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform to exchange the first connection request, second connection request, and connection acknowledgement over the electrical connection.

A communications hub for transmitting and receiving communications formed using a plurality of different communication protocols between first and second members of a tractor-trailer over an electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, the electrical connection configured to comply with electrical requirements of the SAE J560 standard as it exists on the filing date of this application, comprising:

• a first housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a first communication interface supported on the first housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a second communication interface supported on the first housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a first intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a first communication protocol;
• a first power converter supported within the first housing;
• a first power line communication codec supported within the first housing;
• and,
• a first controller supported within the first housing and configured to
• establish a first inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over first and second conductors of the electrical connection;
• control the first power converter to convert a first power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network between a first direct current waveform and a first alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control the first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network
• further comprising
• a second housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a third communication interface supported on the second housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a fourth communication interface supported on the second housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a second intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with one of the first communication protocol and a second communication protocol;
• a fifth communication interface supported on the second housing and configured for communication with the first communication interface and the third communication interface;
• a second power converter supported within the second housing;
• a second power line communication codec supported within the second housing;
• and,
• a second controller supported within the second housing and configured to
• establish a second inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over a third conductor of the electrical connection and one of the second conductor and a fourth conductor of the electrical connection;
• control the second power converter to convert a second power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the second inter-member communication network between a second direct current waveform and a second alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control the second power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the second alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the fourth communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the second inter-member communication network.

A communications hub for transmitting and receiving communications formed using a plurality of different communication protocols between first and second members of a tractor-trailer over an electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, the electrical connection configured to comply with electrical requirements of the SAE J560 standard as it exists on the filing date of this application, comprising:

• a first housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a first communication interface supported on the first housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a second communication interface supported on the first housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a first intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a first communication protocol;
• a first power converter supported within the first housing;
• a first power line communication codec supported within the first housing;
• and,
• a first controller supported within the first housing and configured to
• establish a first inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over first and second conductors of the electrical connection;
• control the first power converter to convert a first power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network between a first direct current waveform and a first alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control the first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network
• further comprising
• a second housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a third communication interface supported on the second housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a fourth communication interface supported on the second housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a second intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with one of the first communication protocol and a second communication protocol;
• a fifth communication interface supported on the second housing and configured for communication with the first communication interface and the third communication interface;
• a second power converter supported within the second housing;
• and,
• a second power line communication codec supported within the second housing
• wherein the first controller is further configured to
• establish a second inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over a third conductor of the electrical connection and one of the second conductor and a fourth conductor of the electrical connection;
• control the second power converter to convert a second power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the second inter-member communication network between a second direct current waveform and a second alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control the second power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the second alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the fourth communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the second inter-member communication network.

A communications hub for transmitting and receiving communications formed using a plurality of different communication protocols between first and second members of a tractor-trailer over an electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, the electrical connection configured for compliance with standard SAE J506 as it exists on the filing date of this application, comprising:

• a housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a first communication interface supported on the housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a second communication interface supported on the housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a first intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a first communication protocol;
• a plurality of power converters supported within the housing;
• a plurality of power line communication codecs supported within the housing;
• and,
• a controller supported within the housing and configured to
• establish a plurality of inter-member communication networks between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, each of the plurality of inter-member communication networks formed over different pairs of conductors of the electrical connection;
• control each of the plurality of power converters to convert a corresponding power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over a corresponding one of the plurality of inter-member communication networks between a direct current waveform and an alternating current waveform;
• and,
• control each of the plurality of power line communication codecs to encode and decode communications over a corresponding alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over a first inter-member communications network of the plurality of inter-member communication networks.

A communications hub for transmitting and receiving communications formed using a plurality of different communication protocols between first and second members of a tractor-trailer over an electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, the electrical connection configured to comply with electrical requirements of the SAE J560 standard as it exists on the filing date of this application, comprising:

• a first housing configured for mounting on the first member of the tractor-trailer;
• a first communication interface supported on the first housing and configured for connection with the electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer;
• a second communication interface supported on the first housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a first intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a first communication protocol;
• a first power converter supported within the first housing;
• a first power line communication codec supported within the first housing;
• and,
• first control means, supported within the first housing, for
• establishing a first inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over first and second conductors of the electrical connection;
• controlling the first power converter to convert a first power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network between a first direct current waveform and a first alternating current waveform;
• and,
• controlling the first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network
• further comprising a third communication interface supported on the first housing and configured to transmit and receive communications over a second intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol wherein the first control means is further configured for controlling the first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the third communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network
• a second power converter supported within the first housing;
• and
• a second power line communication codec supported within the first housing;
• wherein the first control means is further configured for
• establishing a second inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over a third conductor and one of the second conductor and a fourth conductor of the electrical connection;
• controlling the second power converter to convert a second power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the second inter-member communication network between a second direct current waveform and a second alternating current waveform;
• and,
• controlling the second power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the second alternating current waveform and exchange communications between the third communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the second inter-member communication network.

A method for transmitting and receiving communications formed using a plurality of different communication protocols between first and second members of a tractor-trailer over an electrical connection between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer, the electrical connection configured to comply with electrical requirements of the SAE J560 standard as it exists on the filing date of this application, comprising:

• establishing a first inter-member communication network between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over first and second conductors of the electrical connection;
• controlling a first power converter to convert a first power signal transmitted between the first and second members of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network between a first direct current waveform and a first alternating current waveform;
• and,
• controlling a first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between a first communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network, the first communication interface configured transmit and receive communications over a first intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a first communication protocol
• further comprising controlling the first power line communication codec to encode and decode communications over the first alternating current waveform and exchange communications between a second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer over the first inter-member communication network, the second communication interface configured to transmit and receive communications over a second intra-member communication network on the first member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol
• further comprising ordering the communications between the first communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer and the communications between the second communication interface and the second member of the tractor-trailer in accordance with a condition relating to operation of the tractor-trailer.