Low frequency bilateral communication over distributed power lines

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising:

• an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal;
• a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line, the electric power signal being transformed to a voltage level useable by the power consumer by a transformer;
• a first information transmitter coupled in series with a neutral connection of the power distribution circuit to provide first information signals concurrently with the electric power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line, the first information signals passing through the transformer, the first information transmitter comprising,
• a first carrier frequency signal generator configured to generate a first carrier frequency signal using a first stable input signal from at least one of the following:
• the electric power signal, a satellite clock signal, an atomic clock signal, and an internally mounted circuit,
• a first signal inversion circuit configured to invert every other half-period of the first carrier frequency signal, and
• a first signal generator circuit configured to modulate the first information signals onto the electrical power distribution line using the first carrier frequency signal;
• at least one protection module coupled between the neutral connection of the power distribution circuit and the first information transmitter, wherein the protection module having a ground connection can recognize an open-circuit between the neutral connection of the power distribution circuit and the first information transmitter, and ground the neutral connection of the power distribution circuit;
• a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line;
• a second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device to provide a second information signal concurrently with the electrical power signal via the electric power distribution line, the second information signals passing through the transformer, the second information transmitter comprising,
• a second carrier frequency signal generator configured to generate a second carrier frequency signal using a second stable input signal from at least one of the following:
• the electric power signal, the satellite clock signal, the atomic clock signal, and the internally mounted circuit,
• a second signal inversion circuit configured to invert every other half-period of the second carrier frequency signal, and
• a second signal generator circuit configured to modulate the second information signals onto the electrical power distribution line using the second carrier frequency signal;
• and
• a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line,
• whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line.

A communication method for communicating between an electric power provider and an electric power consumer using an electric power distribution line comprising:

• providing an electric power signal to the electric power consumer through an electric power distribution circuit, the electric power signal being transformed to a voltage level useable by the electric power consumer by a transformer;
• transmitting a first full-duplex communications signal through the electric power distribution circuit concurrently with the electric power signal using a first signal transmitter, the first signal transmitter coupled to the electric power distribution circuit, the first signal transmitter comprising,
• a first signal inversion circuit configured to invert every nth half-period of a carrier frequency signal, and
• a first signal generator circuit configured to modulate the first full-duplex communications signal onto the electric power distribution circuit, the first signal generator comprising a carrier frequency signal generator circuit configured to generate the carrier frequency signal using a first stable input signal from at least one of the following:
• the electric power signal, a satellite clock signal, an atomic clock signal, and an internal circuit;
• receiving the first full-duplex communications signal through the electric power distribution circuit using a first signal receiver, the first signal receiver coupled to the electric power distribution circuit,
• transmitting a second full-duplex communications signal through the electric power distribution circuit concurrently with the electric power signal using a second signal transmitter, the second signal transmitter coupled with the electric power distribution circuit, the second signal transmitter comprising,
• a second signal inversion circuit configured to invert every nth half-period of the carrier frequency signal, and
• a second signal generator circuit configured to modulate the second full-duplex communications signal onto the electric power distribution circuit, the second signal generator comprising a second carrier frequency signal generator configured to generate the carrier frequency signal using a second stable input signal from at least one of the following:
• the electric power signal, the satellite clock signal, the atomic clock signal, and the internal circuit;
• and
• receiving the second full-duplex communications signal through the electric power distribution circuit using a second signal receiver, the second signal receiver coupled to the electric power distribution circuit.