Mixed mode transceiver digital control network and collision-free communication method

A digital data communication system for delivering digital signals from a current mode transmitter to a voltage mode receiver, said system including:

• an electrically conductive cable coupling said transmitter and said receiver with each other, thereby providing a digital data communication path;
• DC power supply means for producing a pre-determined electric potential, said power supply means having a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal;
• current control means coupling said first voltage terminal of said power supply means to said cable for providing a first electric current path, said first electric current path operating as a low impedance path for DC current;
• voltage control means connected in parallel with said current control means for controlling a voltage amplitude across said current control means, and for providing a second electrical path for transient electric current;
• connecting means coupling said second voltage terminal of said power supply means to said cable to provide a power distribution path;
• wherein said current mode transmitter is coupled to said cable for implementing a current loop, wherein said transmitter produces current pulses in said current loop to perform a current mode digital data transmission;
• and
• wherein said voltage mode receiver is coupled to said cable for receiving voltage pulses on said cable produced by said voltage control means to perform a voltage mode digital data reception.

A digital data communication network system for distributing power and for providing signal passing capabilities through a bus, said network including:

• a plurality of nodes each including a mixed mode data bus transceiver for generating electric current pulses and receiving electric voltage pulses;
• an electrically conductive cable coupling said nodes with one another to provide a path for power delivery and data communications;
• a DC power supply means for producing a predetermined electric potential, said power supply means having a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal;
• current control means coupling said first voltage terminal of said power supply means to said cable for providing a first DC current low impedance path;
• voltage control means connected in parallel with said current control means for controlling the voltage amplitude across said current control means and providing a second current path for transient current;
• and
• connection means coupling said second voltage terminal of said power supply means to said conductive cable to provide a power distribution path.

A transceiver adapted to transmit and receive digital signals on a data bus which delivers direct current power and digital data simultaneously, said transceiver including:

• a bridge rectifier having two connection terminals adapted to provide a non-polarity interface with said bus, said rectifier further including a + terminal and a − terminal;
• a current mode transmitter coupled to said + terminal and said − terminal of said rectifier for implementing a current loop adapted to produce electric current pulses to said data bus to perform current mode data transmission;
• a voltage mode receiver coupled to said + terminal and said − terminal of said rectifier, said receiver being adapted to receive electric voltage pulses on said data bus to perform voltage mode data reception;
• and
• a current coupling means coupled to said + terminal and said − terminal of said rectifier, said current coupling means being adapted to provide a regulated direct current supply to said transmitter and said receiver and other means in said transceiver.

A method of communication in a mixed mode communication and control network system, wherein said system includes at least a first node, a second node, a power supply means, and current to voltage converter means connected with one another via a bus, comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating at least a first electric pulse by said first node;
• (b) transmitting said first electric pulse to said power supply means in the form of an electric current;
• (c) causing a first electric current from said power supply means to pass through said current to voltage converter means to induce at least a second electric pulse;
• and
• (d) transmitting said second electric pulse into said bus.