Communication methods and apparatus and power supply controllers using the same

摘要

Communication methods and apparatus and power supply controllers using the same. The method includes transferring information over a line from a first location to a second location as a voltage signal while simultaneously transferring information over the same line from the second location to the first location as a current signal. Further, digital information may be transmitted over the same line. When applied to a power supply controller system, a master controller may control a plurality of slave controllers by initially setting up the slave controllers by transmitting digital information to the slave controllers, and then maintaining a set point for each controller while monitoring controller characteristics over the same lines.

主权项

1. A method of simultaneous bidirectional communication over a first line between first and second locations comprising:
transferring information over the first line from the first location to the second location as an analog voltage signal; while simultaneously transferring information over the same first line from the second location to the first location as an analog current signal; wherein the method is practiced in a power supply controller having a master controller at the first location and a plurality of slave controllers at the second and at least one other location, each having at least one line between the respective slave controller and the master controller; and wherein the master controller includes first and second multiplexers, whereby unique voltage signals may be sent by the master controller through the first multiplexer to the slave controllers in succession while receiving current signals from the respective slave controllers through the second multiplexer at the same time.