Patent ID: 8294556

Claim:
A powerline pulse position modulated communication transmitter comprising: first and second connections for connecting to an AC powerline; said AC powerline producing an alternating voltage consisting of a continuous series of full cycles sine waves; said continuous series of full cycles sine waves consisting of alternating positive half-cycle sine waves and negative half-cycle sine waves; a chargeable capacitor in series with a switch; a charging device in parallel with said switch; said capacitor, said charging device and said switch coupled to said first and second connections for connection in parallel to the AC powerline; a digital control integrated circuit; a zero voltage crossing detector circuit adapted to detect each zero crossing time, and coupled to at least one of said first and second AC powerline connections and to said digital control integrated circuit; said digital control integrated circuit adapted to charge said capacitor during said positive half-cycle; and, said digital control integrated circuit being coupled to said switch in series with said capacitor and adapted to actuate said switch to discharge said capacitor in said negative half-cycle following said positive half-cycle in order to produce a signal pulse on said powerline, said discharge occurring in one of a predetermined number of a plurality of predetermined signal time positions located in said negative half cycle.