System And Method For A Coordinated Series-Organized Power and Control System

Abstract

To control multiple electronic circuits organized in a series configuration, this document introduces a single-wire power and control system. Specifically, individually controlled electronic circuits are arranged in a series configuration that is driven by a control unit located at the head of the series. The head-end control unit provides both electrical power and control signals down a single wire to drive all of the electronic circuits in the series in a manner that allows each electronic circuit to periodically draw power from the single wire. Each electronic circuit in the series has been designed such that the electronic circuits coordinate power draws to reduce peak power demand.

1 . An electrical power distribution system, said electrical power distribution system comprising:
 a power supply for supplying an electrical current on a single conductor line;   a line driver circuit, said line driver modulating a clocked signal onto said electrical current on said single conductor line; and   more than one circuit unit coupled in a series arrangement to said single conductor line, each said circuit unit periodically drawing said electrical current on said single conductor line into a local capacitor, each said circuit unit shunting said electrical current when not drawing said electrical current into said local capacitor   
       wherein said more than one circuit units are coordinated using said clocked signal such that only a limited number of said more than one circuit units draw electrical current from said single conductor line at the same time. 
     
     
         2 . The electrical power distribution system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said more than one circuit units comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical power distribution system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said line driver modulates said clocked signal onto said electrical current using increases and decreases of electrical current. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical power distribution system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said clocked signal comprises a data frame comprising a plurality of numbered data bits and each of said more than one circuit units are only allowed to draw electrical current from said single conductor line during a subset of said numbered data bits. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical power distribution system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said clocked signal further comprises control data. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical power distribution system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said circuit unit uses said electrical current on said single conductor line as a reference current. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical power distribution system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each said circuit unit uses said single conductor line as a heat sink. 
     
     
         8 . A method of providing electrical power to more than one circuit unit coupled in series to a single conductor line, said method comprising:
 driving said single conductor line with a direct current;   modulating a clocked signal onto said direct current;   periodically drawing said direct current on said single conductor line in said more than one circuit units coupled to said single conductor line in a series manner, said more than one circuit units shunting said direct current when not drawing said direct current;   
       wherein said more than one circuit units are coordinated using said clocked signal such that only a limited number of said more than one circuit units draw electrical current from said single conductor line at the same time. 
     
     
         9 . The method of providing electrical power to more than one circuit unit coupled in series to a single conductor line as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said more than one circuit units comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         10 . The method of providing electrical power to more than one circuit unit coupled in series to a single conductor line as set forth in  claim 8  wherein modulating said clocked signal onto said direct current comprises using increases and decreases of said direct current. 
     
     
         11 . The method of providing electrical power to more than one circuit unit coupled in series to a single conductor line as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said clocked signal comprises a data frame comprising a plurality of numbered data bits and each of said more than one circuit units are only allowed to draw electrical current from said single conductor line during a subset of said numbered data bits. 
     
     
         12 . The method of providing electrical power to more than one circuit unit coupled in series to a single conductor line as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said clocked signal further comprises control data. 
     
     
         13 . The method of providing electrical power to more than one circuit unit coupled in series to a single conductor line as set forth in  claim 8  wherein each said circuit unit uses said direct current on said single conductor line as a reference current. 
     
     
         14 . The method of providing electrical power to more than one circuit unit coupled in series to a single conductor line as set forth in  claim 8  wherein each said circuit unit uses said output line as a heat sink.