Power line communications apparatus

Abstract

A system for communicating data. In one embodiment, the system comprises a photovoltaic (PV) module; an inverter, coupled to the PV module, for receiving DC power from the PV module and converting the DC power to AC power; and an inverter controller communicably coupled to the inverter, wherein the inverter and the inverter controller communicate using power line communications (PLC).

1 . A system for communicating data, comprising:
 a photovoltaic (PV) module;   an inverter, coupled to the PV module, for receiving DC power from the PV module and converting the DC power to AC power; and   an inverter controller communicably coupled to the inverter, wherein the inverter and the inverter controller communicate using power line communications (PLC).   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inverter couples the AC power to an AC power line, and the inverter and the inverter controller communicate using the PLC via the AC power line. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the inverter transmits data to the inverter controller via the AC power line. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the data is digital data. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the inverter digitally processes the data through a voltage amplification stage and generates an analog waveform for transmitting the data via the AC power line. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the analog waveform has a frequency between 50-500 KHz. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the frequency is substantially between 95-148 KHz. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the analog waveform has a maximum voltage on the order of 1 volt root mean square. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the inverter controller receives the analog waveform and converts the analog waveform to digital output data. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the inverter is adapted for simultaneously receiving and transmitting data via the AC power line. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a transmitter of the inverter presents an impedance substantially between 1-5 ohms to the AC power line when transmitting. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the inverter controller transmits data comprising control signals to the inverter via the AC power line. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the data is digital data. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the inverter controller digitally processes the data through a voltage amplification stage and generates an analog waveform for transmitting the data via the AC power line. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the analog waveform has a frequency between 50-500 KHz. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the frequency is substantially between 95-148 KHz. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the analog waveform has a maximum voltage on the order of 1 volt root mean square. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the inverter receives the analog waveform and converts the analog waveform to digital output data. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the digital output data controls operation of the inverter. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein inverter controller is adapted for simultaneously receiving and transmitting data via the AC power line.