Network segmentation unit, gateway device including the same, network segmentation method, and system

Abstract

The present invention provides a network segmentation unit, a gateway device including the same, a network segmentation method, and a system. The gateway device includes a gateway unit and a network segmentation unit, and the network segmentation unit is disposed between the gateway unit and an external power grid. An impedance regulator is provided in the network segmentation unit. The network segmentation unit is configured to pass a first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance to supply power to the gateway unit, and is configured to pass a second signal with high impedance to adjust the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold, so that the gateway unit can segment the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal. The frequency of the first signal is lower than the frequency of the second signal, and the second signal is used for communication of the local area network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of smart home, and particularly to a network segmentation unit, a gateway device including the same, a network segmentation method, and a system. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, the smart home control system has become increasingly important. In the existing related technologies, wireless technologies are usually used for the communication of each smart device in the smart home control system, such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, etc. However, wireless communications all have their respective defects. For example, the Wi-Fi technology has a limited communication distance, poor stability and is easily interfered; the Bluetooth networking ability is poor, the number of network nodes is small, and it is not suitable for multi-point layout control; Zigbee is a wireless network protocol for low-speed short-distance transmission, with a low data transmission rate, a small effective range, and poor anti-interference ability. Moreover, in a home environment, wireless technologies are restricted by scenarios and house types, and the attenuation of wireless transmission through walls and metal panels is more severe, often resulting in no signal in certain areas. Especially in the usage scenarios of larger house types, the disadvantages of wireless communication are more obvious. Therefore, the power line carrier communication technology based on power lines is applied to smart home control.

[0003] However, in the power line carrier communication technology, since the communication signal is transmitted on the power line and can be transmitted in any direction along the power line, the existing gateway devices for power line carrier communication have a weak ability to segment the local area network, which easily leads to the mutual leakage of data between this local area network and other networks, causing data security problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a network segmentation unit, a gateway device including the same, a network segmentation method, and a system.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a network segmentation unit, a gateway device including the same, a network segmentation method, and a system, wherein the network segmentation unit is adapted to be disposed between at least two networks to segment the two networks and block the transmission of communication signals between the at least two networks.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a network segmentation unit, a gateway device including the same, a network segmentation method, and a system, wherein the network segmentation unit is adapted to be disposed at the power supply input end of a local area network to prevent the communication signals in the local area network from being transmitted to the outside of the local area network, avoiding the loss of signals and data leakage in the local area network, and improving the data security.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a network segmentation unit, a gateway device including the same, a network segmentation method, and a system, wherein the network segmentation unit is adapted to be disposed at a power supply input end of a local area network to prevent communication signals in at least one other network outside the local area network from entering the interior of the local area network, avoid communication signals of other networks occupying bandwidth in the local area network channel, and affect the transmission speed in the local area network.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a network segmentation unit, a gateway device including the same, a network segmentation method, and a system, wherein the network segmentation unit is configured to pass a first signal with low impedance, and the first signal is used to supply power to the local area network and intelligent devices in the network through the power grid.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a network segmentation unit, a gateway device including the same, a network segmentation method, and a system, wherein the network segmentation unit is configured to pass a second signal in a specific frequency range with high impedance, and by attenuating the second signal, block the transmission of the second signal between at least two networks.

[0010] To achieve at least one of the above objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gateway device having a network segmentation function, the gateway device comprising:

[0011] A gateway unit having a first conveyor for accessing or connecting to a target wire, and capable of establishing a local area network in a state where the first conveyor accesses the target wire; wherein,

[0012] The gateway device is further provided with at least one network segmentation unit, which can be electrically connected to the first conveyor through the target wire to be disposed between the gateway unit and an external power grid; wherein an impedance regulator is provided in the network segmentation unit to form an impedance sudden increase of the second signal in a specific frequency range passing through the network segmentation unit. Furthermore, the network segmentation unit is configured to be able to pass the first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance to supply power to the gateway unit, and be able to pass the second signal with high impedance to adjust the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold, so that the gateway unit can segment the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than the frequency of the second signal, and the second signal is used for communication of the local area network.

[0013] To achieve at least one of the above objects, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network segmentation unit, which is adapted to be disposed at a power supply input end of a local area network to segment the local area network from other networks; wherein the network segmentation unit has an impedance regulator to form a sudden increase in the impedance of the network segmentation unit for a second signal in a specific frequency range, and further the network segmentation unit is configured to be able to pass a first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance to form a power supply path, and be able to pass the second signal with high impedance to adjust the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold, so that the gateway unit can segment the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than the frequency of the second signal, and the second signal is used for the communication of the local area network.

[0014] To achieve at least one of the above objects, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network segmentation method, which includes the following steps:

[0015] Connect a network segmentation unit to a power supply input end of a local area network;

[0016] The network segmentation unit forms a sudden increase in the impedance of the network segmentation unit for a second signal in a specific frequency range through an impedance regulator, and further the network segmentation unit passes a first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance to form a power supply path, and passes the second signal with high impedance to adjust the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold;

[0017] The gateway unit segments the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than the frequency of the second signal, and the second signal is used for the communication of the local area network.

[0018] To achieve at least one of the above objects, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system, including: a gateway device;

[0019] The network segmentation unit provided according to the above second aspect; or,

[0020] A network segmentation unit for implementing the network segmentation method provided according to the above third aspect.

[0021] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. The accompanying drawings here are incorporated into the specification and form a part of this specification, showing the embodiments that conform to the present application, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0023] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of a local area network constructed based on a traditional gateway;

[0024] Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of two adjacent local area networks constructed based on a traditional gateway

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a gateway device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of a local area network constructed based on the gateway device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3b 、 Figure 3c is a schematic diagram of two adjacent local area networks constructed based on the gateway device in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 -9 is a schematic block diagram of a network segmentation unit in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 10 is a measured graph of the signal attenuation of the network segmentation unit in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0030] Figures 11 - 12 is a schematic block diagram of a gateway unit in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 13 is a circuit schematic diagram of a gateway chip in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0032] Figures 14 - 16 is a circuit schematic diagram of a power line carrier communication chip in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 17 is a circuit schematic diagram of a watchdog in the gateway unit in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 18 is a schematic block diagram of a network segmentation unit in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 19aIt is a schematic block diagram of a local area network constructed based on a network segmentation unit in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 19b 、 Figure 19c It is a schematic block diagram of two adjacent local area networks constructed based on a network segmentation unit in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 20 It is a schematic flow chart of a network segmentation method in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 21a 、 Figure 21b It is a schematic diagram of a control system in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 22a 、 Figure 22b 、 22c It is a schematic diagram of a control system in some other embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 23 It is a schematic diagram of a control system in some other embodiments of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0042] It should be understood that in the description of all embodiments of the present invention, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. Terms such as "coupled" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or capable of communicating with each other; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium to form a linkage relationship, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0043] Referring to Figure 1a , a schematic diagram of a local area network based on power line communication technology established by an existing traditional gateway is given; Figure 1a exemplarily shows the local area network 1 established by the traditional gateway 1001. The external power grid supplies power to the traditional gateway 1001 and sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) through power lines. All sub-devices connected to the traditional gateway 1001 are connected to the local area network 1 constructed by the traditional gateway 1001; the traditional gateway 1001 converts the signal into a power line carrier signal and loads it on the power line, and sends it to each sub-device (2011, 2012,..., 201N) in the local area network through the power line; at the same time, the power line carrier data generated by each sub-device is also transmitted to the traditional gateway 1001 through the power line. The power line is both a power supply line and a signal line in the entire local area network system. Since the electrical signal in the power line can be transmitted bidirectionally, the power line carrier signal loaded on the electrical signal can be transmitted in any direction in the power grid along with the electrical signal. Taking Figure 1aTaking the exemplary local area network 1 as an example, the power line carrier signal sent by the traditional gateway 1001 can be transmitted along the power line to each sub-device (2011, 2012, …, 201N) in this local area network, and at the same time, it can also flow along the power line in the direction of the power grid and be transmitted into the external power grid; similarly, the power line carrier data sent by each sub-device (2011, 2012, …, 201N) in the local area network 1 can be transmitted to the traditional gateway 1001 within this local area network, or it can also flow along the power line in the direction of the power grid and be transmitted into the external power grid. Therefore, the unclear segmentation of the local area network established based on the power line carrier technology from other networks (such as the external power grid, etc.) will cause signal loss and data leakage. In a specific example, Figure 1a each sub-device (2011, 2012, …, 201N) in the local area network 1 sends a network configuration request to the traditional gateway 1001 of this network. However, this request signal can be transmitted along the power line to the external power grid, resulting in other users in the external power grid can also receive this network configuration request, causing other users to be able to control the devices in the local area network 1 as well. In another example, each sub-device (2021, 2022, …, 202N) in the local area network 1 feeds back the data it collects to the traditional gateway 1001. However, this data can be transmitted along the power line to the external power grid, resulting in any other user in the external power grid can also receive the user data in the local area network 1, causing information leakage. It can be seen that the unclear segmentation of the local area network of the existing smart home control system established based on the power line carrier technology from the external power grid will cause the data inside the local area network to be obtained by other users in the external power grid, generating potential data security hazards.

[0044] In addition, referring to Figure 1b , the structural block diagram of adjacent local area networks based on the power line carrier communication technology established by the existing traditional gateway is given; Figure 1b In the example, two adjacent local area networks 1 and 2 established by two adjacent traditional gateways 1001 and 1002 are given. Of course, the number of local area networks can be two, or more than two. Taking the Figure 1b exemplary adjacent networks as an example, in the local area network 1, the power line carrier signal used for communication between the traditional gateway 1001 and the sub-devices connected to it can be transmitted along the power line inside the local area network 1, and at the same time, it can also flow along the power line in the direction of the power grid, superimposed on the power supply signal and continue to be transmitted along the power line into the local area network 2; similarly, the power line carrier signal used for communication inside the local area network 2 can also flow along the power line in the direction of the power grid, superimposed on the power supply signal and continue to be transmitted along the power line into the local area network 1. It can be seen that when there are multiple wired local area networks established based on the power line carrier technology in the entire power system, the unclear network division between local area networks will lead to the intermixing of data between networks and cause data leakage. In a specific example, Figure 1bEach sub-device (2011, 2012, …, 201N) in the medium local area network 1 sends a network configuration request to the traditional gateway 1001 of this network. However, the traditional gateway 1002 can also receive this request. At this time, once the network configuration is successful, it will cause the devices inside the home of the local area network 1 to be controlled by the users of the local area network 2. In another example, each sub-device (2021, 2022, …, 202N) in the local area network 2 feeds back the data it collects to the traditional gateway 1002. However, the traditional gateway 1001 can also receive this feedback data. At this time, the data of the local area network 2 will inevitably be seen by the users of the local area network 1. It can be seen that in the local area network of the existing smart home control system established based on the power line carrier technology, unclear network segmentation between adjacent local area networks will cause serious information leakage and pose a hidden danger to data security.

[0045] Based on this, the present invention proposes a gateway device with a network segmentation function. This gateway device realizes the segmentation between the local area network it establishes and other networks through a network segmentation unit to solve at least one of the above technical problems.

[0046] In addition, the present invention also provides a network segmentation unit, a network segmentation method and a control system based on this gateway device. The following discusses these and other implementation schemes with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will easily understand that the detailed description given herein with respect to these drawings is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as restrictive.

[0047] Please refer to Figures 2 - 17 Based on Figures 2 - 17 A gateway device with a network segmentation function proposed by the present invention is specifically explained; as Figure 2 shown, the gateway device 10 includes:

[0048] A gateway unit 100, which has a first conveyor 101 for accessing or connecting to a target wire 300, and can establish a local area network in the state where the first conveyor 101 accesses the target wire 300; when the gateway unit is powered on, a local area network can be established, and all sub-devices connected to the gateway device are connected to this local area network;

[0049] The gateway device is also provided with at least one network segmentation unit 200, which can be electrically connected to the first conveyor 101 through the target wire 300 to be arranged between the gateway unit 100 and the external power grid; adding the network segmentation unit 200 before the gateway unit 100, the external power grid passes through the network segmentation unit 200, and based on the target wire 300, provides electrical energy for the gateway unit 100 through the first conveyor 101; among them, the signal for supplying power to the local area network is called the first signal, which can be, for example, a 220V / 50Hz alternating current signal, or other power supply signals;

[0050] A impedance regulator 201 is provided in the network splitting unit 200 to form a sudden increase in the impedance of the network splitting unit for a second signal in a specific frequency range, so that the network splitting unit 200 is configured to be able to supply power to the gateway unit 100 by passing a first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance, and be able to pass the second signal with high impedance to adjust the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network splitting unit 200 to above a defined threshold, so that the gateway unit 100 can split the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than that of the second signal, and the second signal is used for communication in the local area network.

[0051] In other words, the impedance regulator 201 forms a high-impedance isolation protection effect on the second signal in a specific frequency range in the network splitting unit 200, so that most of the second signal is blocked and cannot pass through when the second signal passes through the network splitting unit 200 due to the presence of the impedance regulator 201, while the first signal different from the second signal can pass through smoothly with low impedance and be used to supply power to the gateway unit 100. Therefore, the sudden increase in impedance should be understood as: when the second signal enters the network splitting unit 200, the impedance regulator 201 instantaneously shows high impedance to the second signal, generates a strong blocking effect, and causes a strong attenuation of the second signal. When the first signal for power supply enters the network splitting unit 200 from the power grid, the impedance regulator 201 presents low impedance to it, does not block it, and the power supply signal can pass through almost without loss and supply power to the gateway unit 100 based on the target wire 300.

[0052] Among them, the second signal should be understood as a type of signal for communication, which can be a message generated in a specific format based on a certain protocol (such as IEEE1901.1). Based on different purposes, the content of relevant fields in the message is different, and different second signals with different functions are formed. It should be noted that the second signal is a signal in a specific frequency range with information, and the communication in the entire local area network is based on the second signal, whose frequency is significantly higher than that of the first signal. The second signal can be loaded on the target wire and transmitted together with the first signal inside the entire local area network; in a specific example, the specific frequency range of the second signal can be any segment within 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz, such as 2.4 MHz to 5.6 MHz, 1.95 MHz to 12 MHz, 0.78 MHz to 2.93 MHz, or 1.76 MHz to 2.93 MHz, etc. Those skilled in the art can set the corresponding specific frequency range based on actual usage requirements, and this embodiment does not limit the frequency range of the second signal too much.

[0053] In this embodiment, due to the existence of the network segmentation unit, if the second signal enters the network segmentation unit, the impedance of the network segmentation unit to the second signal suddenly increases, generating a strong blocking effect, causing a strong attenuation of the second signal, so that only a very small part of the second signal can pass through. Moreover, the signal strength of the second signal output after passing through the network segmentation unit is very weak, that is, the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit is adjusted to above the defined threshold, so that the second signal between two adjacent networks cannot pass through the network segmentation unit to reach another network without loss. Furthermore, based on the signal strength of the received second signal, the gateway unit determines whether it belongs to the second signal in this local area network, thereby segmenting this local area network and other networks. In this embodiment, other networks can be an external power grid or other local area networks, etc. In addition, in this embodiment, considering the distance between the sub-devices and the gateway device in a general household and the normal loss of the power line to the second signal, the defined threshold is set to 10 6 ~10 12 , and further, based on this defined threshold, the second signal of other networks will be attenuated to a degree that is relatively easy to be distinguished by the gateway unit after passing through the network segmentation unit of this local area network, so that while the gateway unit filters out the second signals with lower strength that do not belong to this local area network, it will not filter out the second signals sent by the sub-devices that are far away from the gateway device in this local area network. In a specific example, the defined threshold is preferably set to 10 8 . Based on this preferred defined threshold, the segmentation performance between this local area network and other networks and the consideration of the sub-devices with relatively weak signal strength within this local area network can reach a relatively optimal balance.

[0054] In addition, it should be noted that in the present invention, the entry of the second signal into the network segmentation unit includes both entering from the direction of the external power grid, passing through the network segmentation unit and outputting to the direction of the gateway unit, and also entering from the gateway unit, passing through the network segmentation unit and outputting to the direction of the external power grid. When the second signal enters the network segmentation unit from the direction of the external power grid and outputs to the direction of the gateway unit, the ratio of the power of the second signal when entering the network segmentation unit from the external power grid to the power of the second signal when outputting from the network segmentation unit to the gateway unit needs to reach above the defined threshold; when the second signal enters the network segmentation unit from the direction of the gateway unit and outputs to the direction of the external power grid, the ratio of the power of the second signal when entering the network segmentation unit from the gateway unit to the power of the second signal when outputting from the network segmentation unit to the external power grid needs to reach above the defined threshold.

[0055] Reference Figure 3a, which is a schematic diagram of a local area network constructed based on the gateway device in this embodiment. It can be seen that the external power grid supplies power to the gateway device 10 and each sub-device (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto. If other communication signals (such as other second signals) are carried in the power supply signal of the external power grid and enter the local area network 1 together with the power supply signal, the impedance regulator 201 in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, allowing the power supply signal to pass smoothly, completing the power supply to the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto, while presenting a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the power supply signal, causing the second signal to be greatly attenuated, so that the intensity of the second signal is very weak after passing through the network segmentation unit 200, making it impossible to be detected / recognized by the gateway unit 100, or being judged by the gateway as not belonging to this local area network and not communicating / controlling based on the second signal, thereby achieving the effect of separating the local area network 1 from the external power grid; and when the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100 in the local area network 1 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the power line serving as the target wire 300 from the gateway unit 100, the impedance regulator 201 in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the target wire, so that almost all of the second signal is blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100 and can hardly pass through the network segmentation unit to reach the external power grid, thus preventing the second signal inside the local area network from flowing to the external network. The setting of the network segmentation unit improves the network segmentation ability of the gateway device, shields the communication signals in the external power grid outside the local area network, and blocks the signals inside the local area network inside the local area network, thereby achieving the effect of separating the local area network 1 from the external power grid and protecting the data security inside the local area network.

[0056] Reference Figure 3b, which is a schematic diagram of a local area network constructed based on the gateway device in another embodiment. In the figure, two adjacent local area networks are exemplarily shown. Among them, local area network 1 is constructed using the above gateway device 10, and local area network 2 is constructed using a traditional gateway 1002. Of course, the number of local area networks can be two, or more than two. The specific number of local area networks should not be construed as a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. In local area network 2, if the second signal used for communication between the traditional gateway 1002 and the sub-devices (2021, 2022,..., 202N) connected thereto enters the external power grid along the power line, and is superimposed on the power supply signal and then enters local area network 1. The impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 of the gateway device 10 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, enabling the power supply signal to pass through smoothly, and completing the power supply to the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto. However, for the second signal of local area network 2 superimposed on the power supply signal, it presents a sudden increase in impedance, causing the second signal to be greatly attenuated. As a result, the intensity of the second signal after passing through the network segmentation unit 200 is very weak, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or is judged by the gateway as not belonging to this local area network, and communication / control is not based on this second signal. In this way, the effect of separating the two local area networks, local area network 1 and local area network 2, is achieved, and the mutual crosstalk of signals between adjacent networks is avoided. When the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the power line, the impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a sudden increase in impedance to this second signal, so that almost all of the second signal is blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100 and can hardly output from the network segmentation unit to the external power grid, thereby preventing the second signal inside local area network 1 from flowing to the external network. The setting of the network segmentation unit improves the network segmentation ability of the gateway device, shields the communication signals of adjacent local area networks outside this local area network, and blocks the signals inside this local area network on one side of this local area network, thereby achieving the effect of separating adjacent local area networks from each other.

[0057] Reference Figure 3c, which is a schematic diagram of two adjacent local area networks constructed based on the gateway device in another embodiment. Among them, both local area network 1 and local area network 2 are constructed using the above gateway device, and the transmission of the second signal between the two networks requires attenuation through two-stage network segmentation units. Specifically, for the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100-2 and its connected sub-devices (2021, 2022,..., 202N) in local area network 2, when it is transmitted from the gateway 100-2 towards the external power grid, when it enters the network segmentation unit 200-2 along the power line serving as the target wire 300, the impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200-2 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the target wire, so that almost all of the second signal is blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100-2 and can hardly output from the network segmentation unit to reach the external power grid. The signal strength of the second signal transmitted to the external power grid has been attenuated to be very weak. It is superimposed on the power supply signal and enters local area network 1 along the power line. The impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200-1 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, allowing the power supply signal to pass smoothly for power supply, while presenting a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal of local area network 2 that has been attenuated by the network segmentation unit 200-2 and superimposed on the power supply signal, causing the second signal to be attenuated again, so that the signal strength is even weaker after passing through the network segmentation unit 200-1, and it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100-1 or is judged by the gateway not to belong to this local area network; similarly, the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100-1 and its connected sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) in local area network 1 is blocked inside local area network 1 due to the high impedance of the network segmentation unit 200-1. Even if a small part enters the external power grid through the network segmentation unit 200-1, it is greatly attenuated and the signal strength is very weak. And when it enters local area network 2, it will be attenuated again by the network segmentation unit 200-2. In summary, the multi-stage network segmentation unit can better divide two adjacent local area networks, better protect the privacy of users, and avoid data leakage.

[0058] So far, the gateway device with network segmentation function provided by the above technical solution can, while establishing a local area network, segment the established local area network from other external networks, making the established internal network more stable and secure, protecting the data inside the local area network; at the same time, avoiding external signals from occupying the communication bandwidth within the local area network and ensuring the data transmission speed. In addition, the inventor found that when the gateway unit and the network segmentation unit are integrally provided in the same housing and installed and used as a whole device, the overall volume of the combined gateway device will inevitably increase relatively. Furthermore, in application scenarios with limited installation space, the relatively large gateway device is not convenient to install. And since the network segmentation unit is powered by strong electricity and there are many weak electricity components in the gateway unit, the close installation distance between the two will cause the network segmentation unit to affect the operation of the gateway unit. Therefore, considering this technical problem, in some embodiments of the present invention, the gateway unit and the network segmentation unit are separately provided and a connection relationship is established through a power line as the target wire. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gateway unit and the network segmentation unit can be split into two independent units and used separately, and the two are connected by a power line, using the power line as the power supply line and the signal line to realize signal communication between the two units. This can not only make the installation more flexible and enhance the applicability of the application scenario, but also avoid the instability of the gateway unit caused by the heating of the network segmentation unit. Moreover, the power consumption matching network segmentation unit can be designed according to the power consumption of the local area network equipment. For example, if the power consumption of the local area network is 1500W, the network segmentation unit can be designed to match with a power consumption of 2200W, further improving the stability and durability of the device.

[0059] Such as Figure 4As shown, in some embodiments, the network segmentation unit 200 is also connected between the neutral line and the live line on the side of the impedance adjuster 201 away from the gateway unit 100 with at least two capacitors 202 and 203, and the capacitance parameters of each capacitor are configured so that the capacitors can cooperate with each other so that the overall self-resonant frequency is in the specific frequency range. In this embodiment, the low impedance characteristics of the capacitor under high-frequency signals are utilized to further improve the segmentation ability of the network segmentation unit. When the electrical signal entering the network segmentation unit contains a second signal, the impedance adjuster shows a sudden increase in impedance for the second signal, and at the same time, the low impedance characteristics of the capacitor to the high-frequency signal are utilized to quickly short-circuit the second signal, preventing the second signal from entering the network segmentation unit, further improving the isolation ability of the network segmentation unit. In addition, in actual use, the capacitive reactance frequency curve of the capacitor will present a "V" shape, and the capacitive reactance of the capacitor will reach its minimum at its self-resonant frequency. Therefore, in order to further reduce the impedance of the capacitor to the second signal, the overall self-resonant frequency of the capacitor combination is located in a specific frequency range of the second signal, so that for the second signal of any frequency within the specific frequency range, the capacitor combination can maintain a small impedance.

[0060] like Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments, a first inductor 211 is connected in series to the live wire or neutral wire corresponding to the target wire 300 by the network segmentation unit 200 to form the impedance regulator. In this way, in the state where the gateway unit 100 accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit 200, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor 211, a second signal in a specific frequency range is formed to cause an impedance sudden increase of the network segmentation unit. The inductor is equivalent to a wire for low-frequency signals and has no blocking effect, while presenting a large impedance for high-frequency signals. When the power supply signal based on the first signal enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the live and neutral wires as the target wire, the first signal can pass through the network segmentation unit 200 with almost no loss and then supply power to the gateway unit 100. For the second signal with a relatively high frequency superimposed on the first signal, in the face of the suddenly increased high impedance of the first inductor 211 and the low impedance characteristics of the capacitors 202 and 203, most of the second signals entering the network segmentation unit 200 will be quickly short-circuited by the capacitors 202 and 203. And for the small part of the second signals that continue to enter the network segmentation unit 200 and face the first inductor 211 with an impedance sudden increase, they will be attenuated again. As a result, the intensity of the second signal output from the network segmentation unit 200 is very small, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or the gateway 100 determines that it does not belong to this local area network and does not communicate / control based on this second signal. For the second signal entering the network segmentation unit 200 from the gateway unit 100 side, in the face of the suddenly increased high impedance of the first inductor 211, most of the second signals are blocked on the gateway unit 100 side, and the small part of the second signals passing through the first inductor 211 are quickly short-circuited by the low-impedance capacitors 202 and 203, thus preventing the second signal inside the local area network from flowing to the external network. Finally, the effect of separating the local area network from the external power grid is achieved.

[0061] As Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments, the network splitting unit 200 connects a first inductor 211 in series on the live wire corresponding to the target wire 300 and connects a second inductor 221 in series on the neutral wire to form the impedance regulator. In this way, in the state where the gateway unit 100 accesses the first signal through the network splitting unit 200, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221, a second signal in a specific frequency range is formed to pass through the impedance sudden increase of the network splitting unit 200. In this embodiment, an inductor 211 and 221 are respectively connected in series on the live wire and the neutral wire to further increase the attenuation of the impedance regulator for the second signal and further improve the blocking performance of the network splitting unit. It should be noted that in this embodiment, an inductor is connected in series on the neutral wire and the live wire respectively, rather than simply increasing the inductance value of the inductor to increase the impedance of the inductor. On the one hand, the load current limits the inductance of a single inductor. Therefore, the overall impedance of the inductor is further increased by connecting two inductors in series. On the other hand, the influence of the self-resonant frequency of the inductor is considered. Generally speaking, the larger the inductance value of the inductor, the larger the parasitic parameters and the smaller the corresponding self-resonant frequency. Therefore, to avoid the shift of the overall impedance resonance point caused by directly increasing the inductance value, the method of connecting an inductor in series on the neutral and live wires respectively is adopted to increase the impedance of the impedance regulator for the second signal.

[0062] Further, as Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, between the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the first inductor 211 away from the gateway unit, the network segmentation unit 200 is also connected in parallel with three capacitors 202, 203, and 204 with different capacitance values, and the capacitance values of these three capacitors are configured to be able to short-circuit the second signal. In this embodiment, when the power supply signal based on the first signal enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the neutral and live wires as the target wires, the first signal can pass through the network segmentation unit 200 with almost no loss and then supply power to the gateway unit 100. For the second signal with a higher frequency superimposed on the first signal, the low-impedance characteristic of the capacitor will quickly short-circuit most of the second signal entering the network segmentation unit 200. And for the small part of the second signal that continues to enter the network segmentation unit, facing the sudden increase in impedance of the inductor 211, or the inductors 211 and 221, it is attenuated again. As a result, the intensity of the second signal output from the network isolation unit 200 is very small, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or the gateway 100 determines that it does not belong to this local area network and does not communicate / control based on this second signal; and for the second signal entering the network segmentation unit 200 from the side of the gateway unit 100, facing the sudden increase in high impedance of the inductor 211, or the inductors 211 and 221, most of the second signal is blocked on the side of the gateway unit 100, and the small part of the second signal passing through the inductor 211, or the inductors 211 and 221, is quickly short-circuited by the low-impedance capacitors 202, 203, and 204, thus preventing the second signal inside the local area network from flowing to the external network. Finally, the effect of dividing the local area network from the external power grid is achieved.

[0063] In addition, the self-resonant frequencies of capacitors with different capacitance values vary greatly. Generally, the larger the capacitance value of the capacitor, the smaller the self-resonant frequency; therefore, in this embodiment, in order to ensure that the overall impedance of the capacitor can remain small within a relatively large range near the specific frequency range of the second signal, the three capacitors should be selected with different capacitance values. In this embodiment, the relationship of the capacitance values (C1, C2, C3) of the three capacitors is set as C1 > C2 > C3, and then the corresponding relationship of the self-resonant frequencies (f1, f2, f3) is: f1 > f2 > f3; when the signal frequency is less than f1, the impedance decreases as the frequency increases, when the signal frequency is greater than f3, the impedance increases as the frequency increases, and when the signal frequency is between f1 and f3, due to the self-resonant frequency f2, the combined impedance of the capacitor combination can be maintained at a relatively low level; therefore, in this embodiment, the form of a capacitor combination with different capacitance values in parallel can provide the possibility of maintaining a small impedance within a relatively large range near the specific frequency range, so as to provide better low-impedance performance for the second signal that changes continuously within the specific frequency range.

[0064] Such as Figure 9a, Figure 9b As shown, in some embodiments, a first inductor 211 and a second inductor 221 are connected in series along the live wire or neutral wire corresponding to the target wire 300 in a direction away from the gateway unit 100 in the network segmentation unit 200 to form the impedance regulator, so that in a state where the gateway unit 100 accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit 200, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221, a second signal in a specific frequency range is formed to cause an impedance sudden increase of the network segmentation unit 200.

[0065] At least one capacitor 202 is connected across the neutral wire and the live wire between the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 in the network segmentation unit 200, and at least another capacitor is connected across the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the second inductor 221 away from the first inductor 211 to form a short-circuit effect on the second signal.

[0066] In this embodiment, the way of arranging the capacitors and inductors at intervals constitutes a multi-stage blocking and attenuation of the second signal. Taking the direction from the external power grid to the gateway unit as an example, when the second signal enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the power line as the target wire, since the inductor 221 presents a high impedance, and the capacitor 203, or the capacitors 203 and 204 present a low impedance, most of the second signal is short-circuited by the capacitor 203, or the capacitors 203 and 204 and cannot continue to pass through the network segmentation unit 200. A small number of second signals that continue to enter the network segmentation unit 200 are first attenuated by the inductor 221, and the signal intensity has been significantly reduced. At this time, most of them are short-circuited again by the capacitor 202 presenting a low impedance, and the remaining part of the second signal is attenuated by the inductor 211 again. After continuous attenuation, the signal intensity of the second signal output through the network segmentation unit 200 is attenuated to be very small, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or the gateway 100 determines that it does not belong to this local area network and does not perform communication / control based on this second signal, thus achieving the purpose of network segmentation.

[0067] After actual testing, Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown in Table 1 below, the blocking effects of the three circuit structures in FIG. 9 on the second signal are as follows. In the table, dB represents the ratio of the power of the second signal after passing through the network segmentation unit to the power before. It can be seen from the experimental data that in the exemplary specific frequency range of 2.4M - 5.6MHz, the three circuit structures can all cause great attenuation of the second signal and produce a strong blocking effect between the local area network and other networks.

[0068] Table 1:

[0069]

[0070] In all of the above embodiments, the inductance value parameter of the first inductor is configured such that the self-resonant frequency is within the specific frequency range. Since an inductor is not an ideal device in practice and has the highest impedance at its self-resonant frequency, in order to further enhance the high-impedance effect of the network segmentation unit on the second signal, the self-resonant frequency of the first inductor is made to be within the specific frequency range to ensure that the network segmentation unit has a relatively high impedance characteristic for intercepting the second signal having a specific frequency range.

[0071] In all of the above embodiments, the capacitance values of the capacitors are all set to be from 47 nF to 470 nF; the inductance value of the first inductor is [1 μH - 1 mH], and the specific frequency range is set to be from 1 MHz to 12 MHz, so that the power of the second signal after passing through the network segmentation unit is at least reduced to below -65 dB. Generally, the capacitance value of a capacitor is inversely proportional to its self-resonant frequency. Therefore, the capacitance value of the capacitor should not be too large or too small. Referring to Table III, through actual measurement, the resonant frequency of a 47 nF capacitor is approximately 5.2 MHz, and the resonant frequency of a 470 nF capacitor is approximately 1.6 MHz. Considering that the self-resonant frequency of the capacitor combination should be within the specific frequency range, in this embodiment, the capacitance of the capacitor is taken within the range of 47 nF - 470 nF.

[0072] Regarding the value of the inductor, since the network segmentation unit is located at the very front end of the entire local area network, the power supply signal of the entire local area network has to flow through the inductor, so the current passing through is relatively large, usually reaching more than 10 A. When the inductance value of the inductor is fixed, the larger the current carried, the thicker the winding coil of the inductor, and the larger the volume of the inductor produced; for the gateway device, its overall volume is limited, and the volume of the inductor in the network segmentation unit is correspondingly restricted. For inductors of the same size, generally, the larger the inductance, the smaller the rated current, the larger the DC resistance DCR, and the greater the heat generated when passing the same current, and the higher the cost. It can be seen that the volume, cost, and heat generation problems will in turn restrict the inductance value; and the smaller the inductance, the smaller the impedance at the same frequency. Therefore, the inductance value of the inductor in the network segmentation unit will not be too large or too small. In order to ensure that the impedance of the inductor can meet the requirements within the specific frequency range, after testing, it is finally set that for the second signal with a specific frequency range of 1 MHz - 12 MHz, the inductance value range of the inductor is 1 μH - 1 mH, so that the power of the second signal after passing through the network segmentation unit is at least reduced to below -65 dB.

[0073] Different network segmentation units are added between the gateway and the sub-devices, and the communication signals between the gateway and the sub-devices are tested as shown in Table II. It can be seen from Table III that in the absence of a network segmentation unit, the average power of the second signal is -1 dB, while after adding a network segmentation unit between the two, the maximum average value of the second signal power is -65 dB. It can be seen that the two local area networks have been well segmented.

[0074] Table II:

[0075]

[0076] In a specific example, the capacitance values of the three capacitors are 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively, and / or the inductance value of the first inductor is set to 33 μH, so that the network segmentation unit has at least one frequency point within the specific frequency range of 2.4 MHz - 5.6 MHz that can make the attenuation degree of the second signal reach the maximum value.

[0077] In this embodiment, the specific frequency range of the second signal is preferably 2.4 MHz to 5.6 MHz.

[0078] Table III shows the parameter table of using a network analyzer to test the attenuation degree of capacitors with different capacitance values on signals. It can be seen that the 470 nF capacitor has the maximum attenuation of the signal at 2.4 MHz; the 47 nF capacitor has the maximum attenuation of the signal at 5.6 MHz. To further maintain as large an attenuation as possible within the frequency range of 2.4 - 5.6 MHz, a 100 nF capacitor with good performance at both 2.4 MHz and 5.6 MHz is selected to balance the characteristic frequency points. Therefore, the capacitance values of the three capacitors are preferably 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF. In a specific example, the capacitance values of capacitor 202, capacitor 203, and capacitor 204 are 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively.

[0079] Table III:

[0080]

[0081] After comprehensively evaluating the volume of the gateway device, the volume, DC impedance, load capacity, heat generation situation, and cost of the inductor, a 33 μH vertical 20 A inductor is selected in this embodiment. In a specific example, the first inductor 211 selects a 33 μH vertical 20 A inductor. In another specific example, the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 select 33 μH vertical 20 A inductors; in yet another specific example, the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 select 33 μH / 30 A inductors.

[0082] Such as Figure 10As shown, the capacitance values of capacitor 202, capacitor 203, and capacitor 204 are 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively. When the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 are selected as 33 μH vertical 20 A, the measured attenuation diagram of the second signal is shown. At a frequency of approximately 2.74 MHz, the maximum attenuation of the signal can reach -106.21 dB; moreover, in the frequency range of 2.4 - 5.6 MHz, a relatively large attenuation of the second signal can be maintained.

[0083] In all of the above embodiments, at least one common mode inductor is further provided in the network segmentation unit to filter out common mode interference signals. The common mode inductor can be disposed at any position in the network segmentation unit to filter out the common mode noise introduced by the power grid or the common mode noise generated in the user local area network. In a specific example, a 2 mH / 15 A common mode inductor is disposed between inductor 204 and inductor 203. In another specific example, a 5 mH / 20 A common mode inductor is disposed between inductor 204 and inductor 203. In yet another specific example, a 1 mH common mode inductor is respectively disposed between inductor 204 and inductor 203, and between inductor 203 and inductor 202.

[0084] In all of the above embodiments, the housing interior of the network segmentation unit is filled with a fixed medium. The network segmentation unit includes a housing. In order to avoid the vibration of the device caused by the interference signal flowing through the network segmentation unit in the range of 20 kHz to 20 kHz, a solid medium is filled in the accommodation cavity of the network segmentation unit to reduce the vibration of the components.

[0085] In some of these embodiments, the gateway unit is used to connect to the network through the second conveyor to receive downlink network data, and through the first conveyor, the second signal within a specific frequency range obtained by demodulating the network data is loaded onto the target wire and sent to the corresponding device within the local area network where the gateway unit is located; and, the second signal within the local area network is received through the first conveyor and demodulated to obtain uplink network data, and the uplink network data is uploaded to the network through the second conveyor.

[0086] Among them, the gateway unit communicates with the Ethernet through the second conveyor, and the user can also communicate with the gateway unit based on the Ethernet through the terminal. Specifically, the gateway unit can receive the network data sent by the Ethernet. For example, the user sends a control instruction to the gateway unit through the terminal, the gateway unit receives the control instruction through the second conveyor, converts the control instruction into a second signal within a specific frequency range with control information, and loads the second signal onto the target wire and sends it to any device within the local area network along with the power line.

[0087] Meanwhile, the gateway unit can also convert the second signal extracted from the target wire into network data, upload the network data to the network, or further feedback it to the user's terminal; thus, the communication between the local area network and the Ethernet is achieved based on the gateway unit.

[0088] As Figure 11 shown, in some embodiments, the gateway unit 100 includes a signal processor 102 and a signal converter 103;

[0089] The signal processor 102 is electrically connected to the second conveyor 104 to receive the downlink network data via the second conveyor 104 when the second conveyor 104 is communicably connected to a router 20 through a network data line and accesses the network; the gateway unit 100 accesses the Ethernet through the connection with the router 20, and the user terminal 30 sends an instruction to the router 20, and the gateway unit 100 receives the instruction from the router 20, thereby realizing the communication between the local area network and the Ethernet.

[0090] The signal converter 103 is electrically connected to the signal processor 102 to demodulate the downlink network data to obtain a second signal in a specific frequency range; wherein the gateway unit 100 is communicably connected to the first conveyor 101 through a transformer 105 and a coupling capacitor 106 to form an electrical connection between the coupling capacitor 106 and the primary side of the transformer 105 to form a coupling circuit with high-pass characteristics in the state where the first conveyor 101 accesses the target wire 300, so as to form selectivity for the specific frequency range based on the coupling circuit, so that the signal converter 103 can inject the second signal corresponding to the downlink network data into the target wire 300 isolatedly at the secondary side of the transformer 105 based on the selectivity of the coupling circuit.

[0091] In this embodiment, the target wire 300 accesses the gateway unit 100 through the first conveyor 101 to introduce an electrical signal into the gateway unit 100. On the one hand, the first signal is used to supply power to the signal converter 103 and the signal processor 102 to ensure the normal operation of the gateway unit 100; on the other hand, a coupling capacitor 106 and a transformer 105 are arranged between the first conveyor 101 and the signal converter 103 to extract a second signal in a specific frequency range from the target wire 300, or load the second signal with control information generated by the signal converter 103 in a specific frequency range into the target wire 300; at the same time, the transformer 105 also plays a role in isolating the strong and weak electricity, avoiding the strong current in the external power grid from entering the signal converter 103 and the signal processor 102 in the gateway unit 100, causing the chip to burn out, and also ensuring the safety of the user.

[0092] In addition, the gateway unit 100 receives network data from the router 20 through the second conveyor 104, generates corresponding control instructions through the processing of the signal processor 102, converts the control instructions into a second signal with a specific frequency range carrying control information through the data converter 103, and the second signal is coupled to the target wire 300 through the transformer 105 and the capacitor 106, and is sent to any sub-device inside the local area network along with the power line serving as the target wire; alternatively, the second signal sent by the sub-device in the local area network enters the gateway unit 100 through being loaded on the target wire 300. The capacitor 106 and the transformer 105 with high-pass characteristics can select the second signal with a specific frequency range to pass through and enter the signal converter 103, blocking other electrical signals except the second signal to ensure the purity of the extracted second signal. The signal converter 103 demodulates the received second signal and converts it into a control signal recognizable by the signal processor 102. Then, the signal processor 102 can perform its own arithmetic processing or send it to the router 20 through the second conveyor 104 to achieve data upload.

[0093] As Figure 12 shown, in some embodiments, the signal processor 102 includes a gateway chip 1021, and the signal converter 103 includes a power line carrier communication chip 1031.

[0094] Figure 12 is a block diagram of the gateway unit 100 in some embodiments. The gateway unit 100 obtains an electrical signal from the target wire 300 through the first conveyor 101. The first signal supplies power to the gateway chip 1021 through the protection circuit 107, the first conversion circuit 108, the second conversion circuit 109, and the control switch 110; after passing through the third conversion circuit 111, the second conversion circuit 109 supplies power to the power line carrier communication chip 1031 together with the third conversion circuit 111; the first conversion circuit 108 is an AC-DC converter for converting the first signal into a DC power supply signal; the second conversion circuit 109 and the third conversion circuit 111 are DC-DC converters for converting the DC power supply signal into the power supply signal required by the gateway chip 1021 and the power line carrier communication chip 1031; the first conversion circuit 108, the second conversion circuit 109, and the third conversion circuit 111 can adopt any transformation topology in the prior art, and the topology structure is not limited in this embodiment;

[0095] In this embodiment, the signal processor 102 uses the SSD202 core module of Qiming Cloud as the gateway chip 1021, and the signal converter 103 uses the MHCP01G chip of Xiaomi Communications Technology Co., Ltd. as the power line carrier communication chip 1031; the SSD202 module requires a 3.3V DC power supply, and the MHCP01G chip requires a dual DC power supply of 3.3V and 7V, and it is required that the 3.3V power supply is powered on first; therefore, in this embodiment, the first conversion circuit 108 adopts a flyback converter with primary side feedback to convert the first power supply signal into a 5V DC voltage source signal, and the second conversion circuit 109 uses a buck chip BL8039 to convert the 5V power supply into a 3.3V power supply to power the SSD202 module and the MHCP01G chip, and the third conversion circuit 111 uses a boost chip TC6291C to convert the 3.3V power supply into a 7V power supply to power the MHCP01G chip.

[0096] The protection circuit 107 is used to protect the circuits inside the gateway unit 100; refer to Figure 14 , in this embodiment, the protection circuit includes a fuse F1 and a varistor RV1. The fuse F1 is used to cut off the circuit when an overcurrent occurs due to a line fault to protect the circuit components from being damaged. The varistor RV1 can provide a discharge path when the AC input is disconnected to prevent a large current impact, and at the same time has a good clamping effect on the impact voltage.

[0097] The gateway chip 1021 is connected to the network port 114 through a network transformer 113, and the network port 114 is connected to the router 20 through a network data line.

[0098] As Figure 13 shown, it is the circuit diagram of the gateway chip 1021 in this embodiment. The SSD202 module is powered by 3.3V DC power supply, Figure 13 the VDD terminal in Figure 13 is the power supply terminal. Since the SSD202 module has high requirements for the input power supply ripple, an LC filter is added to the power supply input to filter out power supply noise;

[0099] As Figure 14 、 Figure 15 shown, it is the circuit schematic diagram of a specific embodiment in which the power line carrier communication chip MHCP01G draws power from the zero and live wires of the power line as the target wire.

[0100] As Figure 14As shown, after the first conveyor J1 takes power from the live and neutral wires corresponding to the target wire 300, a fuse F1 is connected in series on the live wire, and then a varistor RV1 is connected in parallel across the live and neutral wires. The two ends of the varistor are the output terminals of the protection circuit.

[0101] As Figure 15 shown, the coupling capacitor CX1 and the transformer T2 are connected after the fuse F1 and the varistor RV1 to prevent surges on the external power grid from damaging the coupling circuit; the live wire L is connected to pin 5 of the primary side of the transformer T2 via the capacitor CX1, and the neutral wire N is connected to the other pin 8 of the primary side of the transformer T2; the two pins 3 and 4 of the secondary side of the transformer T2 are respectively connected in series with resistors R40 and R39 and then output, and are connected to pins 1 and 2 of the power line carrier communication chip MHCP01G; a bidirectional diode D5 is connected in parallel between pins 5 and 8 of the primary side of the transformer T2, and a bidirectional diode D4 is connected in parallel between pins 4 and 3 of the secondary side of the transformer T2; a diode is connected between pin 4 of the secondary side of the transformer T2 and the ground, with the positive electrode grounded; a diode is connected between pin 4 and the 7V power supply, with the positive electrode at pin 4; a diode is connected between pin 3 and the ground, with the positive electrode grounded; a diode is connected between pin 3 and the 7V power supply, with the positive electrode connected to pin 3.

[0102] The working principle of the power line carrier chip for extracting the second signal from the target wire is as follows: The primary side of the capacitor CX1 and the transformer T2 form a high-pass filter to block the first signal for power supply, while the second signal with a higher frequency is coupled to the secondary side of the transformer T2 and enters the power line carrier communication chip MHCP01G through the protection resistors R39 and R40 that prevent surge voltage. The bidirectional TVS diodes D4 and D5 are used to eliminate instantaneous impact voltages and protect the internal circuit; the four diodes D13 and D14 ensure the stability of the second signal. The principle is as follows: During the positive half-cycle, when the second signal at pin 4 exceeds 7V, the diode above D13 conducts, filtering out the peak of the second signal that exceeds 7V. When the second signal at pin 3 is lower than zero, the diode below D14 conducts, filtering out the trough below 0V. Similarly, during the negative half-cycle, when the second signal at pin 3 exceeds 7V, the diode above D14 conducts, filtering out the peak of the second signal that exceeds 7V. When the second signal at pin 4 is lower than zero, the diode below D13 conducts, filtering out the trough below 0V. In this way, the peak of the second signal that exceeds 7V can be filtered out, and at the same time, the trough below zero can be filled, making the second signal more stable and clean.

[0103] As Figure 16As shown in the figure, it is a schematic diagram of the pin connection of the power line carrier communication chip MHCP01G. Pins 10 and 13 are the power supply pins of the chip, connected to the 7V and 3.3V power supply respectively; pins 1 and 2 are the input / output pins of the second signal, connected to both ends of the secondary side of the transformer T2, used to transmit the second signal; the serial ports corresponding to pins 6 and 7 are connected to the serial port pins 9 and 10 of the gateway chip SSD202, used to transmit control signals. The gateway chip SSD202 transmits the generated control signals to pins 6 and 7 of the power line carrier communication chip MHCP01G through the serial port pins 9 and 10. The power line carrier communication chip MHCP01G modulates the control signals into the second signal in a specific frequency range, and loads it onto the power line as the target wire through the transformer T2 and the capacitor CX1, and then sends it to the sub-devices in the local area network; similarly, the second signal generated by the sub-devices in the local area network enters the power line carrier communication chip MHCP01G through the capacitor CX1 and the transformer T2. The power line carrier communication chip MHCP01G demodulates the second signal into the control signal that the gateway chip SSD202 can process, and sends it to the gateway chip SSD202 through the serial port pins 6 and 7. The gateway chip SSD202 then performs operations on the control signals or uploads them to the router.

[0104] As Figure 12 shown, in some embodiments, the gateway unit 100 further includes a status monitor 112, which is electrically connected to the signal processor 1021 to determine the working status of the signal processor 1021 based on whether a specific signal sent by the signal processor 1021 conforms to a specified status, and determines that the working status is abnormal and powers off and restarts the signal processor 1021 when it does not conform to the specified status.

[0105] The gateway is a device that is unattended for a long time and has very high reliability requirements. A status monitor is added to monitor whether the signal processor is working properly. When the signal processor has an abnormality, the function of power-off and restart is realized.

[0106] In some embodiments, the status monitor 112 includes a watchdog circuit, which is separately arranged relative to the signal processor.

[0107] The dedicated watchdog chip SGM821 of Shengbang Micro is selected as the independently operating status monitor. In a time period, when the signal processor outputs a dog-feeding signal, the watchdog chip will not output a reset signal; if the signal processor does not output a dog-feeding signal on time within a time period, the watchdog chip will output a reset signal to power off and restart the signal processor. Selecting a dedicated watchdog chip ensures the reliability of the monitoring and avoids the malfunction of the monitoring system caused by its own failures such as the monitoring system crashing / locking up.

[0108] As Figure 17As shown, it is the watchdog circuit diagram in this embodiment. Combining Figure 12 and Figure 17 , the working process of the watchdog circuit is as follows: In this embodiment, the switching transistor Q1 is used as the control switch 110 to control the power supply of the signal processor 102; VDD is the power supply terminal of the signal processor 102, and 3.3V is the power supply of the watchdog. Using the switching transistor Q1, the watchdog controls the potential of VDD, thereby controlling the power supply of the signal processor. That is, when Q1 is turned on, VDD is 3.3V and the signal processor is powered normally. Otherwise, the signal processor is powered off;

[0109] The pwm wave output by the signal processor 102 is used as the output specific signal to reflect its working state. This specific signal is used as the dog-feeding signal and is input to the done pin of the watchdog;

[0110] When the signal processor works normally, PWM0 can stably output a specific signal, feed the dog on time, RSTn outputs a high level, Q2 is turned on, there is a voltage difference between the gate and drain of Q1, Q1 is turned on, VDD is 3.3V, and the signal processor is powered normally;

[0111] When the signal processor works abnormally and cannot output a specific signal on time and cannot feed the dog on time, RSTn outputs a low level, the triode Q2 is not turned on, there is no pressure difference between the gate and drain of Q1, Q1 is not turned on, VDD cannot supply power to the signal processor, and the signal processor is powered off and restarted.

[0112] In another example, the first conveyor 101 includes at least one power line terminal, and the second conveyor 104 includes at least one network interface.

[0113] In addition, in order to further improve the technical problem of unclear adjacent network segmentation in the prior art, the present invention also proposes a network segmentation unit. Referring to Figure 18 as shown, the network segmentation unit 200 is adapted to be disposed at the power supply input end of a local area network to segment the local area network from other networks; the network segmentation unit is placed at the power supply input end of the local area network to make a barrier between the local area network and other networks; so that the communication signals within the local area network can only be transmitted within the local area network and can hardly be transmitted outside the local area network. At the same time, the communication signals outside the local area network can also hardly enter the local area network, thereby achieving the effect of network segmentation;

[0114] The network segmentation unit 200 has an impedance regulator 201 to form a sudden increase in the impedance of the network segmentation unit for the second signal in a specific frequency range. Further, the network segmentation unit is configured to be able to pass the first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance to form a power supply path, and be able to pass the second signal with high impedance to adjust the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold, so that the gateway unit 100 can divide the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than the frequency of the second signal, and the second signal is used for the communication of the local area network.

[0115] In other words, the impedance regulator 201 forms a high-impedance isolation and protection effect on the second signal in a specific frequency range in the network segmentation unit 200. Thus, when the second signal passes through the network segmentation unit 200, most of the second signal is blocked and cannot pass due to the presence of the impedance regulator 201. The first signal different from the second signal can pass smoothly with low impedance and be used to supply power to the gateway unit 100. Therefore, the sudden increase in impedance should be understood as: when the second signal enters the network segmentation unit 200, the impedance regulator 201 instantaneously shows high impedance to the second signal, generating a strong blocking effect and causing a strong attenuation of the second signal. When the first signal for power supply enters the network segmentation unit 200 from the power grid, the impedance regulator 201 presents low impedance to it, does not block it, and the power supply signal can pass almost without loss and supply power to the gateway unit 100 based on the target wire 300.

[0116] Among them, the second signal should be understood as a type of signal for communication. It can be a message generated in a specific format based on a certain protocol (such as IEEE1901.1). Based on different purposes, the content of the relevant fields in the message is different, thus forming second signals with different functions. It should be noted that the second signal is a signal in a specific frequency range with information. The communication in the entire local area network is based on the second signal, whose frequency is significantly higher than that of the first signal. The second signal can be loaded on the target wire and transmitted together with the first signal inside the entire local area network. In a specific example, the specific frequency range of the second signal can be any segment within 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz, such as 2.4 MHz to 5.6 MHz, 1.95 MHz to 12 MHz, 0.78 MHz to 2.93 MHz, or 1.76 MHz to 2.93 MHz, etc. Those skilled in the art can set the corresponding specific frequency range based on actual usage requirements. This embodiment does not limit the frequency range of the second signal too much.

[0117] In this embodiment, due to the existence of the network segmentation unit, if the second signal enters the network segmentation unit, the impedance of the network segmentation unit to the second signal suddenly increases, generating a strong blocking effect, causing a strong attenuation of the second signal, so that only a very small part of the second signal can pass through, and the signal strength of the second signal output after passing through the network segmentation unit is very weak, that is, the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit is adjusted to above the defined threshold, so that the second signal between adjacent two networks cannot pass through the network segmentation unit to reach another local area network without loss. Furthermore, based on the signal strength of the received second signal, the gateway unit determines whether it belongs to the second signal in this local area network, so as to segment this local area network and other networks. In this embodiment, other networks may be an external power grid or other local area networks, etc. In addition, in this embodiment, considering the distance between the sub-device and the gateway device in a general household and the normal loss of the power line to the second signal, the defined threshold is set to 10 6 ~10 12 , and then, based on this defined threshold, the second signal of other networks will be attenuated to a degree that is relatively easy to be distinguished by the gateway unit after passing through the network segmentation unit of this local area network, so that while the gateway unit filters out the second signals with lower strength that do not belong to this local area network, it will not filter out the second signals sent by the sub-devices that are far away from the gateway unit in this local area network. In a specific example, the defined threshold is preferably set to 10 8 .

[0118] In addition, it should be noted that in the present invention, the entry of the second signal into the network segmentation unit includes both entering from the direction of the external power grid, passing through the network segmentation unit and outputting to the direction of the gateway unit, and entering from the gateway unit, passing through the network segmentation unit and outputting to the direction of the external power grid. When the second signal enters the network segmentation unit from the direction of the external power grid and outputs to the direction of the gateway unit, the ratio of the power of the second signal when the external power grid enters the network segmentation unit to the power of the second signal when it outputs from the network segmentation unit to the gateway unit needs to reach above the defined threshold; when the second signal enters the network segmentation unit from the direction of the gateway unit and outputs to the direction of the external power grid, the ratio of the power of the second signal when the gateway unit enters the network segmentation unit to the power of the second signal when it outputs from the network segmentation unit to the external power grid needs to reach above the defined threshold.

[0119] Reference Figure 19a, which is a schematic diagram of the local area network constructed by using the above-mentioned segmentation unit in this embodiment. It can be seen that the external power grid supplies power to the gateway unit 100 and each sub-device (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto. If there are other communication signals (such as other second signals) carried in the power supply signal of the external power grid and enter the local area network together with the power supply signal, the impedance regulator 201 in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, enabling the power supply signal to pass through smoothly, completing the power supply to the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto, while presenting a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the power supply signal, greatly attenuating the second signal, so that the intensity of the second signal is very weak after passing through the network segmentation unit 200, so that it cannot be detected / recognized by the gateway unit 100, or is judged by the gateway not to belong to this local area network and does not communicate based on the second signal, thereby achieving the effect of separating the local area network 1 from the external power grid; and when the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100 in the local area network 1 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the power line as the target wire 300 from the gateway unit 100, the impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the target wire, so that almost all of the second signal is blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100 and can hardly output from the network segmentation unit to the external power grid, thus avoiding the second signal inside the local area network from flowing to the external network. The setting of the network segmentation unit shields the communication signals in the external power grid outside the local area network and blocks the signals inside the local area network on one side of the local area network, thereby achieving the effect of separating the local area network from the external power grid and protecting the data security inside the local area network.

[0120] Reference Figure 19b, which is a schematic diagram of a local area network constructed using the above-mentioned segmentation unit in another embodiment. In the figure, two adjacent local area networks are exemplarily shown. The network segmentation unit 200 is provided in front of the gateway unit 100 of the local area network 1, and the local area network 2 uses a traditional gateway 1002. If in the local area network 2, the second signal for communication between the traditional gateway 1002 and the sub-devices (2021, 2022,..., 202N) connected thereto enters the external power grid along the power line, and is superimposed on the power supply signal and enters the local area network 1 together. The impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, enabling the power supply signal to pass through smoothly, completing the power supply to the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto. However, for the second signal of the local area network 2 superimposed on the power supply signal, it presents a sudden increase in impedance, causing the second signal to be greatly attenuated. As a result, the intensity of the second signal after passing through the network segmentation unit 200 is very weak, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or is judged by the gateway as not belonging to this local area network, and communication is not based on this second signal, thereby achieving the effect of separating two adjacent local area networks, namely the local area network 1 and the local area network 2; when the second signal for communication between the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the power line from the gateway unit 100, the impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the superimposed second signal, so that almost all of the second signal is blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100 and can hardly output from the network segmentation unit to the external power grid, thus avoiding the second signal inside the local area network 1 from flowing to the external network and avoiding the mutual crosstalk of signals between adjacent networks. The setting of the network segmentation unit shields the communication signals of adjacent local area networks outside the local area network, and blocks the signals inside the local area network on one side of the local area network, thereby achieving the effect of separating adjacent local area networks from each other.

[0121] Reference Figure 19c, which is a schematic diagram of two adjacent local area networks constructed in another embodiment. It can be seen that the local area network 1 and the local area network 2 are both provided with the above-mentioned network segmentation unit before the gateway unit, and the transmission of the second signal between the two networks is subject to attenuation of two levels of network segmentation units. Specifically, when the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100-2 and the sub-devices (2021, 2022, ..., 202N) connected to it in the local area network 2 is transmitted from the gateway 100-2 to the external power grid, when it enters the network segmentation unit 200-2 along the power line as the target conductor 300, the impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200-2 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the target conductor, so that the second signal is almost completely blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100-2, and can hardly be output from the network segmentation unit to reach the external power grid. The signal strength of the second signal transmitted to the external power grid has been attenuated to a very weak level, and it is superimposed on the power supply signal and enters the local area network 1 along the power line. The impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200-1 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, so that the power supply signal passes smoothly to provide electricity, while for The second signal of the local area network 2 superimposed on the power supply signal and attenuated by the network segmentation unit 200-2 presents a sudden increase in impedance, which causes the second signal to be attenuated again, so that the signal strength becomes even weaker after passing through the network segmentation unit 200-1, so that it cannot be identified / detected by the gateway unit 100-1, or is judged by the gateway as not belonging to the local area network; similarly, in the local area network 1, the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100-1 and its connected sub-devices (2011, 2012, ..., 201N) is blocked inside the local area network 1 due to the high impedance of the network segmentation unit 200-1. Even if a small part enters the external power grid through the network segmentation unit 200-1, it is also greatly attenuated, and the signal strength is very weak. Before entering the local area network 2, it will be attenuated again by the network segmentation end element 200-2. In summary, the multi-level network segmentation unit can better divide two adjacent local area networks, more effectively protect the privacy of users, and avoid data leakage.

[0122] Thus, the network segmentation unit provided based on the above technical solution can separate adjacent networks, protect the data within the local area network, improve the communication stability and ensure the security of the data; at the same time, it prevents external signals from occupying the communication bandwidth within the local area network, ensuring the data transmission speed. Since the network segmentation unit can be placed at the front end of any communication network to block the data transmission between any two networks that do not want to communicate, it is easy to install and does not require rewiring or rerouting of the local area network.

[0123] like Figure 4As shown, in some embodiments, at least two capacitors 202 and 203 are connected in parallel between the neutral line and the live line on the side of the impedance regulator 201 close to the input end of the network segmentation unit 200, and the capacitance values of the capacitors are configured such that the capacitors can cooperate with each other to make the overall self-resonant frequency fall within the specific frequency range. In this embodiment, the low-impedance characteristic of the capacitor at high-frequency signals is utilized to further improve the segmentation ability of the network segmentation unit. When the electrical signal entering the network segmentation unit contains the second signal, the impedance regulator shows a sudden increase in impedance for the second signal. At the same time, by utilizing the low-impedance characteristic of the capacitor for high-frequency signals, the second signal is quickly short-circuited to prevent the second signal from entering the network segmentation unit, further improving the isolation ability of the network segmentation unit. In addition, since in practice the capacitor is no longer an ideal device and its capacitive reactance frequency curve is "V"-shaped, at the self-resonant frequency, the capacitive reactance of the capacitor reaches the lowest. Therefore, in order to further reduce the impedance of the capacitor to the second signal, the self-resonant frequency of the capacitor combination is made to be within the specific frequency range of the second signal, so that for any frequency of the second signal within the specific frequency range, the capacitor combination can maintain a small impedance.

[0124] As Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments, a first inductor 211 is connected in series to the live wire or the neutral wire corresponding to the target wire 300 by the network segmentation unit 200 to form the impedance regulator, so that in the state where the gateway unit 100 accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit 200, based on the frequency selection characteristic of the first inductor 211, a second signal in a specific frequency range is formed to pass through the impedance sudden increase of the network segmentation unit. The inductor is equivalent to a wire for low-frequency signals and has no blocking effect, while it presents a large impedance for high-frequency signals. When the power supply signal based on the first signal enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the live wire and neutral wire as the target wire, the first signal can pass through the network segmentation unit 200 with almost no loss and then supply power to the gateway unit 100. However, for the second signal superimposed on the first signal, when facing the suddenly increased high impedance of the first inductor 211 and the low impedance characteristics of the capacitors 202 and 203, most of the second signals entering the network segmentation unit 200 will be quickly short-circuited by the capacitors 202 and 203, and a small part of the second signals that continue to enter the network segmentation unit 200 will be attenuated again when facing the first inductor 211 with an impedance sudden increase, so that the intensity of the second signal output from the network segmentation unit 200 is very small, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or the gateway 100 determines that it does not belong to this local area network and does not communicate / control based on this second signal; and for the second signal entering the network segmentation unit 200 from the gateway unit 100 side, facing the suddenly increased high impedance of the first inductor 211, most of the second signals are blocked on the gateway unit 100 side, and a small part of the second signals passing through the first inductor 211 are quickly short-circuited by the low-impedance capacitors 202 and 203, thus preventing the second signal inside the local area network from flowing to the external network. Finally, the effect of dividing the local area network from the external power grid is achieved.

[0125] As Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments, the network segmentation unit 200 connects a first inductor 211 in series on the live wire corresponding to the target wire 300 and connects a second inductor 221 in series on the neutral wire to form the impedance regulator. In this way, in the state where the gateway unit 100 accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit 200, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221, a second signal in a specific frequency range is formed to cause an impedance surge of the network segmentation unit 200. In this embodiment, an inductor 211 and 221 are respectively connected in series on the live wire and the neutral wire to further increase the attenuation of the impedance regulator for the second signal and further improve the blocking performance of the network segmentation unit. It should be noted that in this embodiment, an inductor is connected in series on the neutral wire and the live wire respectively, rather than simply increasing the inductance value of the inductor to increase the impedance of the inductor. On the one hand, the load current limits the inductance of a single inductor. Therefore, the overall impedance of the inductor is further increased by connecting two inductors in series. On the other hand, the influence of the self-resonant frequency of the inductor is considered. Generally speaking, the larger the inductance value of the inductor, the larger the parasitic parameters and the smaller the corresponding self-resonant frequency. Therefore, to avoid shifting the overall impedance resonance point by directly increasing the inductance value, an inductor is connected in series on the neutral and live wires respectively to increase the impedance of the impedance regulator for the second signal.

[0126] Further, as Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown, across the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the first inductor 211 close to the input end of the network segmentation unit, there are three capacitors 202, 203, and 204 with different capacitance values connected in parallel, and the capacitance values of these three capacitors are configured to be able to short-circuit the second signal. In this embodiment, when the power supply signal based on the first signal enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the neutral and live wires as the target wires, the first signal can pass through the network segmentation unit 200 with almost no loss and then supply power to the gateway unit 100. For the second signal superimposed on the first signal, the low-impedance characteristic of the capacitor will quickly short-circuit most of the second signal entering the network segmentation unit 200. And for the small part of the second signal that continues to enter the network segmentation unit, facing the sudden increase in impedance of the inductor 211, or the inductors 211 and 221, it will be attenuated again. As a result, the intensity of the second signal output from the network isolation unit 200 is very small, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or the gateway 100 determines that it does not belong to this local area network and does not communicate / control based on this second signal; and for the second signal entering the network segmentation unit 200 from the gateway unit 100 side, facing the sudden increase in high impedance of the inductor 211, or the inductors 211 and 221, most of the second signal is blocked on the side of the gateway unit 100, and the small part of the second signal passing through the inductor 211, or the inductors 211 and 221, is quickly short-circuited by the low-impedance capacitors 202, 203, and 204, thus preventing the second signal inside the local area network from flowing to the external network. Eventually, the effect of separating the local area network from the external power grid is achieved.

[0127] In addition, the self-resonant frequencies of capacitors with different capacitance values vary greatly. Generally, the larger the capacitance value of the capacitor, the smaller the self-resonant frequency; therefore, in this embodiment, in order to ensure that the impedance of the overall capacitor can remain small within a relatively large range near the specific frequency range of the second signal, three capacitors should be selected with different capacitance values. Assume that the capacitance values of the three capacitors have the relationship C1 > C2 > C3, and the corresponding self-resonant frequencies are f1 > f2 > f3 respectively; when the signal frequency is less than f1, the impedance decreases as the frequency increases, when the signal frequency is greater than f3, the impedance increases as the frequency increases, and when the signal frequency is between f1 and f3, due to the self-resonant frequency f2, the combined impedance of the capacitor combination can be maintained at a relatively low level; therefore, the form of using a combination of capacitors with different capacitance values connected in parallel can provide the possibility of maintaining a small impedance within a relatively large range near the specific frequency range, so as to provide better low-impedance performance for the second signal that changes continuously within the specific frequency range.

[0128] As Figure 9a 、 Figure 9bAs shown, in some embodiments, a first inductor 211 and a second inductor 221 are connected in series along the live wire or the neutral wire corresponding to the target wire 300 in a direction approaching the input end of the network segmentation unit 200 to form the impedance regulator. In this way, in a state where the gateway unit 100 accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit 200, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221, a second signal in a specific frequency range is formed to cause an impedance surge of the network segmentation unit 200.

[0129] The network segmentation unit 200 also has at least one capacitor 202 connected across the neutral wire and the live wire between the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221, and at least another capacitor is connected across the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the second inductor 221 far from the first inductor 211 to form a short - circuit effect on the second signal.

[0130] In this embodiment, the way of arranging the capacitors and inductors at intervals constitutes a multi - stage blocking and attenuation of the second signal. Taking the direction from the external power grid to the gateway unit as an example, when the second signal enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the power line as the target wire, since the inductor 221 presents a high impedance, and the capacitor 203, or the capacitors 203 and 204 present a low impedance, most of the second signal is short - circuited by the capacitor 203, or the capacitors 203 and 204 and cannot continue to pass through the network segmentation unit 200. For the few second signals that continue to enter the network segmentation unit 200, after being attenuated by the inductor 221, the signal intensity has been significantly reduced. At this time, most of them are short - circuited again by the capacitor 202 presenting a low impedance, and the remaining part of the second signal is attenuated by the inductor 211 again. After continuous attenuation, the signal intensity of the second signal output through the network segmentation unit 200 is attenuated to be very small, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or the gateway 100 determines that it does not belong to this local area network and does not perform communication / control based on this second signal, thus achieving the purpose of network segmentation.

[0131] In all of the above embodiments, the capacitance values of the capacitors are all set to be from 47 nF to 470 nF; in all of the above embodiments, the inductance value of the first inductor is [1 μH - 1 mH], and the specific frequency range is set to be from 1 MHz to 12 MHz, so that the power of the second signal after passing through the network splitting unit is at least reduced to below -65 dB. Generally, the capacitance value of a capacitor is inversely proportional to its self-resonant frequency. Therefore, the capacitance value of the capacitor should not be too large or too small. Referring to Table III, through actual measurement, the resonant frequency of a 47 nF capacitor is approximately 5.2 MHz, and the resonant frequency of a 470 nF capacitor is approximately 1.6 MHz. Considering that the self-resonant frequency of the capacitor combination should be within the specific frequency range, the capacitance value of the capacitor is taken within the range of 47 nF - 470 nF.

[0132] For the value of the inductor, since the network splitting unit is located at the very front end of the entire local area network, the power supply signal of the entire local area network has to flow through the inductor. Therefore, the current passing through is relatively large, usually reaching more than 10 A. When the inductance value of the inductor is fixed, the larger the current carried, the thicker the winding coil of the inductor, and the larger the volume of the produced inductor; for the gateway device, its overall volume is limited, and the volume of the inductor in the network splitting unit is correspondingly restricted. For inductors of the same size, generally, the larger the inductance, the smaller the rated current, the larger the DC resistance DCR, the greater the heat generated when passing the same current, and the higher the cost. It can be seen that the volume, cost, and heat generation problems will in turn restrict the inductance value; and, the smaller the inductance, the smaller the impedance at the same frequency. Therefore, the inductance value of the inductor in the network splitting unit will not be too large or too small. In order to ensure that the impedance of the inductor can meet the requirements within the specific frequency range, after testing, it is finally set that for the second signal with a specific frequency range of 1 MHz - 12 MHz, the inductance value range of the inductor is 1 μH - 1 mH, so that the power of the second signal after passing through the network splitting unit is at least reduced to below -65 dB.

[0133] In a specific example, the capacitance values of the three capacitors are 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively, and / or, the inductance value of the first inductor is set to 33 μH, so that the network splitting unit has at least one frequency point within the specific frequency range of 2.4 MHz - 5.6 MHz at which the attenuation degree of the second signal can reach the maximum value.

[0134] In this embodiment, the specific frequency range of the second signal is preferably 2.4 MHz to 5.6 MHz.

[0135] Use a network analyzer to test the attenuation degree of capacitors with different capacitance values on signals. The 470 nF capacitor has the maximum attenuation of the signal at 2.4 MHz; the 47 nF capacitor has the maximum attenuation of the signal at 5.6 MHz. To further maintain as large an attenuation as possible in the frequency range of 2.4 - 5.6 MHz, select a 100 nF capacitor that performs well at both 2.4 MHz and 5.6 MHz to balance the characteristic frequency points. Thus, the capacitance values of the three capacitors are preferably 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF. In a specific example, the capacitance values of capacitor 202, capacitor 203, and capacitor 204 are 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively.

[0136] Comprehensively evaluate the volume of the gateway device, the volume, DC impedance, load capacity, heat generation situation, and cost of the inductor. In this embodiment, a 33 μH vertical 20 A inductor is selected. In a specific example, the first inductor 211 selects a 33 μH vertical 20 A inductor. In another specific example, the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 select 33 μH vertical 20 A inductors; in yet another specific example, the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 select 33 μH / 30 A inductors.

[0137] As Figure 10 shown, it is the measured attenuation diagram of the second signal when the capacitance values of capacitor 202, capacitor 203, and capacitor 204 are 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively, and the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 select 33 μH vertical 20 A. At a frequency of approximately 2.74 MHz, it has the maximum attenuation of the signal, which can reach -106.21 dB; and, in the frequency range of 2.4 - 5.6 MHz, it can maintain a relatively large attenuation of the second signal.

[0138] In all the above embodiments, at least one common mode inductor is further provided in the network segmentation unit to filter out common mode interference signals. The common mode inductor can be set at any position in the network segmentation unit to filter out the common mode noise introduced by the power grid or the common mode noise generated in the user local area network. In a specific example, a 2 mH / 15 A common mode inductor is set between inductor 204 and inductor 203. In another specific example, a 5 mH / 20 A common mode inductor is set between inductor 204 and inductor 203. In yet another specific example, a 1 mH common mode inductor is set between inductor 204 and inductor 203, and between inductor 203 and inductor 202 respectively.

[0139] In all of the above embodiments, the housing interior of the network segmentation unit is filled with a fixing medium. The network segmentation unit includes a housing. In order to prevent the components in the network segmentation unit from vibrating due to the signal flowing through the unit in the range of 20 kHz to 20 kHz, a solid medium is filled in the accommodation cavity of the network segmentation unit to reduce the vibration of the components.

[0140] As Figure 20 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of a network segmentation method provided by the present invention. The network segmentation method includes:

[0141] S1. Connect a network segmentation unit to the power supply input end of a local area network;

[0142] The network segmentation unit is placed at the power supply input end of the local area network to block between the local area network and other networks; so that the communication signals within the local area network are only transmitted within the local area network and can hardly be transmitted outside the local area network. At the same time, the communication signals outside the local area network can hardly enter the local area network either, thus achieving the effect of network segmentation;

[0143] S2. The network segmentation unit forms a sudden increase in the impedance of the second signal in a specific frequency range through an impedance regulator, and then the network segmentation unit passes the first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance to form a power supply path, and passes the second signal with high impedance to adjust the power ratio of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold;

[0144] S3. The gateway unit divides the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than that of the second signal, and the second signal is used for the communication of the local area network.

[0145] Referring to Figure 18 , it is based on the above network segmentation unit. The impedance regulator 201 forms a high-impedance isolation protection for the second signal in a specific frequency range in the network segmentation unit 200. Therefore, when the second signal passes through the network segmentation unit 200, most of the second signal is blocked and cannot pass due to the existence of the impedance regulator 201. The first signal different from the second signal can pass smoothly with low impedance and be used to supply power to the gateway unit 100. Therefore, the sudden increase in impedance should be understood as: when the second signal enters the network segmentation unit 200, the impedance regulator 201 instantaneously shows high impedance to the second signal, generating a strong blocking effect and causing a strong attenuation of the second signal. When the first signal for power supply enters the network segmentation unit 200 from the power grid, the impedance regulator 201 presents low impedance to it, does not block it, and the power supply signal can pass almost without loss and supply power to the gateway unit 100 based on the target wire 300.

[0146] Among them, the second signal should be understood as a type of signal for communication. It can be a message generated in a specific format based on a certain protocol (such as IEEE1901.1). Depending on the purpose, the content of the relevant fields in the message is different, thus forming second signals with different functions. It should be noted that the second signal is a signal within a specific frequency range carrying information. The communication in the entire local area network is based on the second signal, whose frequency is significantly higher than that of the first signal. The second signal can be loaded on the target wire and transmitted together with the first signal within the entire local area network. In a specific example, the specific frequency range of the second signal can be any section within 0.7 MHz to 12 MHz, such as 2.4 MHz to 5.6 MHz, 1.95 MHz to 12 MHz, 0.78 MHz to 2.93 MHz, or 1.76 MHz to 2.93 MHz, etc. Those skilled in the art can set the corresponding specific frequency range based on actual usage requirements. This embodiment does not limit the frequency range of the second signal too much.

[0147] In this embodiment, due to the existence of the network segmentation unit, if the second signal enters the network segmentation unit, the impedance of the network segmentation unit to the second signal suddenly increases, generating a strong blocking effect and causing a strong attenuation of the second signal. Only a very small part of the second signal can pass through, and the signal strength of the second signal output after passing through the network segmentation unit is very weak. That is, the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit is adjusted to above the defined threshold, so that the second signal between adjacent two networks cannot pass through the network segmentation unit to reach another network without loss. Furthermore, the gateway unit determines whether it belongs to the second signal in this local area network based on the signal strength of the received second signal, thereby dividing this local area network and other networks. In this embodiment, other networks can be an external power grid or other local area networks, etc. In addition, in this embodiment, considering the distance between the sub-device and the gateway device in a general family and the normal loss of the power line to the second signal, the defined threshold is set to 10 6 ~10 12 , and further, based on this defined threshold, the second signal of other networks will be attenuated to a degree that is relatively easy to be distinguished by the gateway unit after passing through the network segmentation unit of this local area network. This enables the gateway unit to filter out the second signals with lower strength that do not belong to this local area network without filtering out the second signals sent by the sub-devices far away from the gateway device in this local area network. In a specific example, the defined threshold is preferably set to 10 8 .

[0148] In addition, it is worth noting that in the present invention, the second signal enters the network segmentation unit, including both entering from the direction of the external power grid and outputting to the direction of the gateway unit via the network segmentation unit, and also entering from the gateway unit and outputting to the direction of the external power grid via the network segmentation unit. When the second signal enters the network segmentation unit from the direction of the external power grid and is output to the direction of the gateway unit, the ratio of the power of the second signal when the external power grid enters the network segmentation unit to the power of the second signal when it is output from the network segmentation unit to the gateway unit must reach above a specified threshold; when the second signal enters the network segmentation unit from the direction of the gateway unit and is output to the direction of the external power grid, the ratio of the power of the second signal when the gateway unit enters the network segmentation unit to the power of the second signal when it is output from the network segmentation unit to the external power grid must reach above a specified threshold.

[0149] refer to Figure 19a , is a schematic diagram of a local area network constructed by the above segmentation method in this embodiment. It can be seen that the external power grid supplies power to the gateway unit 100 and each sub-device (2011, 2012, ..., 201N) connected thereto respectively. If the power supply signal of the external power grid carries other communication signals (such as the second signal), which enter the local area network together with the power supply signal, the impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, so that the power supply signal passes smoothly, and completes the power supply to the gateway unit 100 and the sub-device (2011, 2012, ..., 201N) connected thereto, and presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the power supply signal, so that the second signal is greatly attenuated, so that the second signal after passing through the network segmentation unit 200 is The signal strength is so weak that it cannot be detected / identified by the gateway unit 100, or the gateway determines that it does not belong to the local area network, thereby achieving the effect of segmenting the local area network 1 from the external power grid; when the second signal for communication between the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012, ..., 201N) connected thereto enters the network segmentation unit 200 from the gateway unit 100 along the power line as the target wire 300, the impedance regulator 201 in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the target wire, so that the second signal is almost completely blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100, and can hardly be output from the network segmentation unit to the external power grid, thereby preventing the second signal inside the local area network from flowing to the external network. The setting of the network segmentation unit shields the communication signal in the external power grid outside the local area network, and blocks the signal inside the local area network on one side of the local area network, thereby achieving the effect of segmenting the local area network from the external power grid, and protecting the data security inside the local area network.

[0150] refer to Figure 19b, which is a schematic diagram of a local area network constructed using the above splitting method in another embodiment. In the figure, two adjacent local area networks are exemplarily shown. Among them, local area network 1 is constructed using the above splitting method, and local area network 2 uses a traditional gateway 1002. If in local area network 2, the second signal for communication between the traditional gateway 1002 and the sub-devices (2021, 2022,..., 202N) connected thereto enters the external power grid along the power line, and is superimposed on the power supply signal and then enters local area network 1 together. The impedance regulator in the network splitting unit 200 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, allowing the power supply signal to pass through smoothly, completing the power supply to the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto. However, for the second signal of local area network 2 superimposed on the power supply signal, it presents a sudden increase in impedance, causing the second signal to be greatly attenuated, so that the intensity of the second signal after passing through the network splitting unit 200 is very weak, so weak that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or is judged by the gateway as not belonging to this local area network, thereby achieving the effect of splitting the two local area networks corresponding to local area network 1 and local area network 2, and avoiding the mutual crosstalk of signals between adjacent networks; and when the second signal for communication between the gateway unit 100 and the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected thereto enters the network splitting unit 200 along the power line, the impedance regulator in the network splitting unit 200 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the superimposed second signal, so that the second signal is almost completely blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100 and can hardly output from the network splitting unit to the external power grid, thereby avoiding the second signal inside local area network 1 from flowing to the external network. The setting of the network splitting unit shields the communication signals of adjacent local area networks outside this local area network, and blocks the signals inside this local area network on one side of this local area network, thereby achieving the effect of splitting adjacent local area networks from each other.

[0151] Reference Figure 19c, which is a schematic diagram of two adjacent local area networks constructed in another embodiment. It can be seen that both the local area network 1 and the local area network 2 are constructed using the above network segmentation method. The transmission of the second signal between the two networks requires attenuation through two levels of network segmentation units. Specifically, for the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100-2 and its connected sub-devices (2021, 2022, …, 202N) in the local area network 2, when it is transmitted from the gateway 100-2 towards the external power grid, when it enters the network segmentation unit 200-2 along the power line serving as the target wire 300, the impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200-2 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the target wire, so that almost all of the second signal is blocked on one side of the gateway unit 100-2 and can hardly output from the network segmentation unit to reach the external power grid. The signal strength of the second signal transmitted to the external power grid has been attenuated to a very weak level. It is superimposed on the power supply signal and enters the local area network 1 along the power line. The impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200-1 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, allowing the power supply signal to pass smoothly to provide power, while presenting a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal of the local area network 2 that has been attenuated by the network segmentation unit 200-2 and superimposed on the power supply signal, causing the second signal to be attenuated again, so that the signal strength becomes even weaker after passing through the network segmentation unit 200-1, and it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100-1, or is judged by the gateway as not belonging to this local area network; similarly, in the local area network 1, the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100-1 and its connected sub-devices (2011, 2012, …, 201N) is blocked inside the local area network 1 due to the high impedance of the network segmentation unit 200-1. Even if a small part passes through the network segmentation unit 200-1 and enters the external power grid, it is also highly attenuated, and the signal strength is very weak. Before entering the local area network 2, it will be attenuated again by the network segmentation element 200-2. In summary, the multi-level network segmentation unit can better divide two adjacent local area networks, better protect the privacy of users, and avoid data leakage.

[0152] So far, based on the network segmentation method provided by the above technical solution, any two local area networks that do not want to perform information interaction can be segmented, protecting the data inside the local area network, improving communication stability while ensuring data security; at the same time, avoiding external signals from occupying the communication bandwidth inside the local area network and ensuring the data transmission speed.

[0153] Such as Figure 4As shown, in some embodiments, the method further includes: bridging at least two capacitors 202 and 203 between the neutral line and the live line on the side of the input end of the impedance regulator 201 close to the network segmentation unit 200, and configuring the capacitance parameter of each capacitor so that the capacitors can cooperate with each other to make the overall self-resonant frequency fall within the specific frequency range. In this embodiment, the low-impedance characteristic of the capacitor under high-frequency signals is utilized to further improve the segmentation ability of the network segmentation unit. When the electrical signal entering the network segmentation unit contains the second signal, the impedance regulator shows a sudden increase in impedance for the second signal. At the same time, by utilizing the low-impedance characteristic of the capacitor for high-frequency signals, the second signal is quickly short-circuited to prevent the second signal from entering the network segmentation unit, further improving the isolation ability of the network segmentation unit. In addition, since in practice the capacitor is no longer an ideal device and its capacitive reactance frequency curve is "V"-shaped, at the self-resonant frequency, the capacitive reactance of the capacitor reaches the lowest. Therefore, in order to further reduce the impedance of the capacitor to the second signal, the self-resonant frequency of the capacitor combination is made to be within the specific frequency range of the second signal, so that for any frequency of the second signal within the specific frequency range, the capacitor combination can maintain a small impedance.

[0154] As Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments, the network segmentation unit 200 forms a sudden increase in the impedance of the second signal in a specific frequency range passing through the network segmentation unit 200 through an impedance regulator 201. Specifically, the network segmentation unit 200 connects a first inductor 211 in series on the live wire or the neutral wire corresponding to the target wire 300 to form the impedance regulator. In this way, in the state where the gateway unit 100 accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit 200, based on the frequency selection characteristic of the first inductor 211, a sudden increase in the impedance of the second signal in a specific frequency range passing through the network segmentation unit is formed. The inductor is equivalent to a wire for low-frequency signals and has no blocking effect, while it presents a large impedance for high-frequency signals. When the power supply signal based on the first signal enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the live and neutral wires as the target wire, the first signal can pass through the network segmentation unit 200 with almost no loss and then supply power to the gateway unit 100. For the second signal with a relatively high frequency superimposed on the first signal, when facing the suddenly increased high impedance of the first inductor 211 and the low impedance characteristics of the capacitors 202 and 203, most of the second signals entering the network segmentation unit 200 will be quickly short-circuited by the capacitors 202 and 203. And for the small part of the second signals that continue to enter the network segmentation unit 200 and face the first inductor 211 with a sudden increase in impedance, they will be attenuated again, so that the intensity of the second signal output from the network segmentation unit 200 is very small, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100, or the gateway 100 determines that it does not belong to this local area network and does not communicate / control based on this second signal; and for the second signal entering the network segmentation unit 200 from the gateway unit 100 side, facing the suddenly increased high impedance of the first inductor 211, most of the second signals are blocked on the gateway unit 100 side, and the small part of the second signals passing through the first inductor 211 are quickly short-circuited by the low-impedance capacitors 202 and 203, thus preventing the second signal inside the local area network from flowing to the external network. Finally, the effect of separating the local area network from the external power grid is achieved.

[0155] In a specific example, there are three capacitors, and their capacitance values are 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively, and / or the inductance value of the first inductor is set to 33 μH; so that the network segmentation unit has at least one frequency point in the specific frequency range of 2.4 MHz - 5.6 MHz that can make the attenuation degree of the second signal reach the maximum value.

[0156] In this embodiment, the specific frequency range of the second signal is preferably 2.4 MHz to 5.6 MHz.

[0157] Use a network analyzer to test the attenuation degree of capacitors with different capacitance values on signals. The 470nF capacitor has the maximum attenuation of signals at 2.4MHz; the 47nF capacitor has the maximum attenuation of signals at 5.6MHz. To further maintain as large an attenuation as possible in the frequency range of 2.4 - 5.6MHz, select a 100nF capacitor that performs well at both 2.4MHz and 5.6MHz to balance the characteristic frequency points. Thus, the capacitance values of the three capacitors are preferably 47nF, 100nF, and 470nF. In a specific example, the capacitance values of capacitor 202, capacitor 203, and capacitor 204 are 47nF, 100nF, and 470nF respectively.

[0158] Comprehensively evaluate the volume of the gateway device, the volume, DC impedance, load capacity, heat generation situation, and cost of the inductor. In this embodiment, select a 33uH vertical 20A inductor. In a specific example, the first inductor 211 selects a 33uH vertical 20A inductor. In another specific example, the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 select 33uH vertical 20A inductors; in yet another specific example, the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 select 33uH / 30A inductors.

[0159] As Figure 10 shown, it is the measured attenuation diagram of the second signal when the capacitance values of capacitor 202, capacitor 203, and capacitor 204 are 47nF, 100nF, and 470nF respectively, and the first inductor 211 and the second inductor 221 select 33uH vertical 20A. At a frequency of approximately 2.74MHz, it has the maximum attenuation of signals, which can reach -106.21dB; and, in the frequency range of 2.4 - 5.6MHz, it can maintain a relatively large attenuation for the second signal.

[0160] In all the above embodiments, at least one common-mode inductor is further provided in the network segmentation unit for filtering common-mode interference signals. The common-mode inductor can be set at any position in the network segmentation unit for filtering the common-mode noise introduced by the power grid or the common-mode noise generated in the user local network. In a specific example, a 2mH / 15A common-mode inductor is set between inductor 204 and inductor 203. In another specific example, a 5mH / 20A common-mode inductor is set between inductor 204 and inductor 203. In yet another specific example, a 1mH common-mode inductor is set between inductor 204 and inductor 203, and between inductor 203 and inductor 202 respectively.

[0161] In addition, as Figure 21a 、 Figure 21b shown, the present invention also provides a control system, and the control system includes:

[0162] A gateway device, the above-mentioned network segmentation unit 200; or, a network segmentation unit 200 for implementing the above-mentioned network segmentation method.

[0163] As Figure 21a shown, in a specific example, the gateway device is a traditional gateway 1000. If a second signal is superimposed on the power supply signal of the external power grid, the second signal and the power supply signal enter the local area network 1 together. The impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, enabling the power supply signal to pass smoothly, completing the power supply to the traditional gateway and its connected sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N), while presenting a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the power supply signal, causing the second signal to be greatly attenuated, so that the signal strength is very weak after passing through the network segmentation unit 200, so that it cannot be detected / recognized by the traditional gateway 1000, or is judged by the gateway not to belong to this local area network, thereby achieving the effect of separating the local area network 1 from the external power grid; and when the second signal used for communication between the traditional gateway 1000 and its connected sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) enters the network segmentation unit 200 along the power line as the target wire 300 from the traditional gateway 1000, the impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the target wire, so that almost all of the second signal is blocked on one side of the traditional gateway 1000 and can hardly output to the network segmentation unit 200 to reach the external power grid, thus preventing the second signal inside the local area network 1 from flowing to the external network, thereby achieving the effect of separating the local area network 1 from the external power grid.

[0164] As Figure 21bAs shown, in another specific example, the gateway device is the gateway device 10 with the network segmentation unit 2000. The transmission of the second signal between the external power grid and the local area network 1 needs to go through the attenuation of two levels of network segmentation units. Specifically, if the second signal is superimposed on the power supply signal of the external power grid, the second signal and the power supply signal first enter the network segmentation unit 200 together. The impedance regulator in the network segmentation unit 200 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, enabling the power supply signal to pass through smoothly, while presenting a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the power supply signal, greatly attenuating the second signal, so that the signal intensity is very weak after passing through the network segmentation unit 200. The second signal that has been attenuated by the network segmentation unit 200 is superimposed on the power supply signal and then enters the gateway device 10 together. The network segmentation unit 2000 in the gateway device 10 allows the power supply signal to pass through with almost no obstruction, while attenuating the second signal again, so that the intensity of the second signal is weakened again after passing through the network segmentation unit 2000, so that it cannot be recognized / detected by the gateway unit 100-1, or is judged by the gateway not to belong to this local area network; similarly, the second signal used for communication between the gateway unit 100 and its connected sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) in the local area network 1 is almost completely blocked inside the local area network 1 due to the high impedance of the network segmentation unit 2000. Even if a small part passes through the network segmentation unit 2000, the signal intensity of the second signal has been attenuated by the network segmentation unit 2000 to be very weak at this time, and will be attenuated by the network segmentation unit 200 again before it can enter the external power grid, protecting the data security inside the local area network 1. The setting of the two levels of network segmentation units can better separate the local area network from the external power grid.

[0165] In some embodiments, there are multiple gateway devices, at least one of which is set as the above-mentioned gateway device, or at least one is provided with the network segmentation unit between it and the external power grid.

[0166] As Figure 22a 、 Figure 22b As shown, a schematic diagram of two adjacent networks is exemplarily given. One of the gateway devices 10 has a network segmentation unit 2000, while the other gateway device is a traditional gateway 1002. There are at least two network segmentation units 200, 2000 between the local area network 1 and the local area network 2, which can better separate the two adjacent local area networks.

[0167] As Figure 22c As shown, a schematic diagram of two adjacent networks is exemplarily given. The gateway device 1 and the gateway device 2 can both be gateway devices with network segmentation units or traditional gateways. There is at least one network segmentation unit 200 between the local area network 1 and the local area network 2, which can separate the two adjacent local area networks.

[0168] In some embodiments, there are multiple gateway devices, which are respectively used to form corresponding local area networks, and a network segmentation unit is arranged between each gateway device and the external power grid, so that when the second signal of a local area network corresponding to one gateway device enters the local area network corresponding to another gateway device, it can be attenuated at least twice to segment each local area network, thereby maintaining the mutual independence between each local area network.

[0169] Such as Figure 23 FIG. is a topological diagram of two adjacent local area networks constructed in an embodiment. It can be seen that network segmentation units 200 are arranged between both local area network 1 and local area network 2 and the external power grid. Among them, gateway device 1 and gateway device 2 can either be gateway devices with network segmentation units or traditional gateways. The transmission of the second signal between the two networks has to pass through the attenuation of at least two levels of network segmentation units.

[0170] Specifically, when both gateway device 1 and gateway device 2 are traditional gateways, for the second signal used for communication between the sub-devices (2021, 2022,..., 202N) connected to gateway device 2 in local area network 2, when it transmits from gateway device 2 in the direction of the external power grid and enters network segmentation unit 200-2 along the power line as the target wire, the impedance regulator in network segmentation unit 200-2 presents a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal superimposed on the target wire, so that almost all of the second signal is blocked on one side of gateway device 2 and can hardly output from the network segmentation unit to reach the external power grid. The signal strength of the second signal transmitted to the external power grid has been attenuated to be very weak. It is superimposed on the power supply signal and enters local area network 1 along the power line. The impedance regulator in network segmentation unit 200-1 presents a low impedance to the power supply signal, enabling the power supply signal to pass smoothly to provide electrical energy, while presenting a sudden increase in impedance to the second signal of local area network 2 that has been attenuated by network segmentation unit 200-2 and superimposed on the power supply signal, causing the second signal to be attenuated again, so that the signal strength is very weak after passing through network segmentation unit 200-1 and cannot be recognized / detected by gateway device 1, or is determined by the gateway not to belong to this local area network; similarly, in local area network 1, the second signal used for communication between the sub-devices (2011, 2012,..., 201N) connected to gateway device 1 is blocked inside local area network 1 due to the high impedance of network segmentation unit 200-1. Even if a small part passes through network segmentation unit 200-1 and enters the external power grid, it is also greatly attenuated, and the signal strength is very weak. Before entering local area network 2, it will be attenuated again by network segmentation unit 200-2. In summary, multiple levels of network segmentation units can better divide two adjacent local area networks, better protect user privacy, and avoid data leakage.

[0171] When the gateway device 1 and / or the gateway device 2 is a gateway device with a network segmentation unit, the number of network segmentation units between the local area network 1 and the local area network 2 increases, and the signals between the two networks are attenuated at more levels and to a greater extent, so as to better segment two adjacent local area networks.

[0172] Based on the control system provided by the above technical solution, adjacent networks can be segmented, the data inside the local area network can be protected, and the security of the data is ensured; at the same time, external signals are prevented from occupying the communication bandwidth within the local area network, and the data transmission speed is ensured.

[0173] In the description of this specification, the descriptions with reference to terms such as "some embodiments", "a specific implementation manner", "specific implementation process", "an example", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms corresponding to the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0174] In addition, it should be noted that the above embodiments can be combined with each other. For the same or similar concepts or processes, they may not be repeated in some embodiments. That is, the technical solutions disclosed in the subsequent (in the order of recording in the text) embodiments should include the technical solutions recorded in this embodiment and the technical solutions in all the embodiments recorded before this embodiment.

[0175] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gateway device with network segmentation function, characterized in that, The gateway device includes: A gateway unit having a first conveyor for accessing or connecting to a target wire, and capable of establishing a local area network in a state where the first conveyor accesses the target wire; wherein, The gateway device is further provided with at least one network segmentation unit, which can be electrically connected to the first conveyor through the target wire and is arranged between the gateway unit and the external power grid; wherein an impedance regulator is arranged in the network segmentation unit to form an impedance sudden increase of the second signal in a specific frequency range passing through the network segmentation unit. Furthermore, the network segmentation unit is configured to be able to pass the first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance to supply power to the gateway unit, and be able to pass the second signal with high impedance to adjust the power ratio of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold, so that the gateway unit can divide the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than that of the second signal, and the second signal is used for communication of the local area network; The network segmentation unit also has at least two capacitors connected in parallel between the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the impedance regulator away from the gateway unit, and the capacitance parameter of each capacitor is configured such that the capacitors can cooperate with each other so that their self-resonant frequencies are in the specific frequency range.

2. The gateway device according to claim 1, wherein The network segmentation unit connects a first inductor in series on the live wire or the neutral wire corresponding to the target wire to form the impedance regulator, so that in a state where the gateway unit accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit, based on the frequency selection characteristic of the first inductor, an impedance sudden increase of the second signal in a specific frequency range passes through the network segmentation unit.

3. The gateway device according to claim 1, characterized in that The network segmentation unit connects a first inductor in series on the live wire corresponding to the target wire and a second inductor in series on the neutral wire to form the impedance regulator, so that in a state where the gateway unit accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor and the second inductor, an impedance sudden increase of the second signal in a specific frequency range passes through the network segmentation unit.

4. The gateway device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The network segmentation unit also has three capacitors with different capacitance values connected in parallel between the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the first inductor away from the gateway unit, and the capacitance values of the three capacitors are configured to be able to short-circuit the second signal.

5. The gateway device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The network segmentation unit also has three capacitors with different capacitance values connected in parallel between the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the first inductor away from the gateway unit, and the capacitance values of the three capacitors are configured to be able to short-circuit the second signal.

6. The gateway device according to claim 1, wherein The network segmentation unit connects a first inductor and a second inductor in series along the direction away from the gateway unit on the live wire or the neutral wire corresponding to the target wire to form the impedance regulator, so that in a state where the gateway unit accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor and the second inductor, an impedance sudden increase of the second signal in a specific frequency range passes through the network segmentation unit.

7. The gateway device according to claim 6, characterized in that The network segmentation unit also has at least one capacitor connected across the neutral and live wires between the first inductor and the second inductor, and at least another capacitor connected across the neutral and live wires on the side of the second inductor away from the first inductor, so as to form a short - circuit effect on the second signal.

8. The gateway device according to claim 4 or 5 or 7, characterized in that, The capacitance value of each capacitor is set to be 47 nF - 470 nF.

9. The gateway device according to claim 2, wherein The inductance value of the first inductor is [1 μH - 1 mH], and the specific frequency range is set to 1 MHz - 12 MHz, so that the power of the second signal after passing through the network segmentation unit is reduced to at least below - 65 dB.

10. The gateway device according to claim 4 or 5 or 7, characterized in that The capacitance values of the three capacitors are 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively, and / or The inductance value of the first inductor is set to 33 μH, so that the network segmentation unit has at least one frequency point within the specific frequency range of 2.4 MHz - 5.6 MHz at which the attenuation degree of the second signal can reach the maximum value.

11. The gateway device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one common - mode inductor is also provided in the network segmentation unit.

12. The gateway device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gateway unit and the network segmentation unit are separately provided and are connected through a power line as the target wire to establish a connection relationship.

13. The gateway device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interior of the housing of the network segmentation unit is filled with a fixed medium.

14. The gateway device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gateway unit is used to connect to the network through a second conveyor to receive downlink network data, and through a first conveyor, to load the second signal within a specific frequency range obtained by demodulating the network data onto the target wire and send it to the corresponding device within the local area network where the gateway unit is located; and, to receive the second signal within the local area network through the first conveyor, perform demodulation processing to obtain uplink network data, and upload the uplink network data to the network through the second conveyor.

15. The gateway device according to claim 14, wherein The gateway unit includes a signal processor and a signal converter; The signal processor is electrically connected to the second conveyor, and in a state where the second conveyor is communicatively connected to a router through a network data line to access the network, receives downlink network data through the second conveyor; The signal converter is electrically connected to the signal processor to demodulate the downlink network data to obtain a second signal within a specific frequency range; wherein the gateway unit is communicatively connected to the first conveyor through a transformer and a coupling capacitor, so that in a state where the first conveyor is connected to the target wire, the coupling capacitor and the primary side of the transformer are electrically connected to form a coupling circuit with a high - pass characteristic, to form selectivity for the specific frequency range based on the coupling circuit, so that the signal converter can, based on the selectivity of the coupling circuit, inject the corresponding second signal of the downlink network data into the target wire in isolation on the secondary side of the transformer.

16. The gateway device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The gateway unit further includes a status monitor, which is electrically connected to the signal processor to determine the working status of the signal processor based on whether a specific signal sent by the signal processor conforms to a specified status, and when it does not conform to the specified status, it is determined that the working status is abnormal and the signal processor is powered off and restarted.

17. The gateway device according to claim 16, wherein The status monitor includes a watchdog circuit, which is separately arranged relative to the signal processor.

18. The gateway device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The signal processor includes a gateway chip, the signal converter includes a power line communication chip, the first conveyor includes at least one power line terminal, and the second conveyor includes at least one network interface.

19. A network segmentation unit, characterized in that The network segmentation unit is adapted to be arranged at the power supply input end of a local area network to segment the local area network from other networks; wherein the network segmentation unit has an impedance regulator to form a sudden increase in the impedance of the second signal in a specific frequency range passing through the network segmentation unit, and then the network segmentation unit is configured to be able to pass the first signal in a non-specific frequency range with low impedance to form a power supply path, and be able to pass the second signal with high impedance to adjust the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold, so that the gateway unit can segment the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than the frequency of the second signal, and the second signal is used for the communication of the local area network; The network segmentation unit also has at least two capacitors connected in parallel between the zero line and the live line on the side of the impedance regulator close to the input end of the network segmentation unit, and the capacitance parameter of each capacitor is configured such that the capacitors can cooperate with each other so that the overall self-resonant frequency is in the specific frequency range.

20. The network segmentation unit according to claim 19, wherein The network segmentation unit connects a first inductor in series on the live line or the zero line corresponding to the target wire to form the impedance regulator, so that in the state where the gateway unit accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit, based on the frequency selection characteristic of the first inductor, a sudden increase in the impedance of the second signal in a specific frequency range passing through the network segmentation unit is formed.

21. The network segmentation unit according to claim 19, wherein The network segmentation unit connects a first inductor in series on the live line corresponding to the target wire and a second inductor in series on the zero line to form the impedance regulator, so that in the state where the gateway unit accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor and the second inductor, a sudden increase in the impedance of the second signal in a specific frequency range passing through the network segmentation unit is formed.

22. The network segmentation unit according to claim 20, wherein The network segmentation unit also has three capacitors with different capacitance values connected in parallel between the zero line and the live line on the side of the first inductor close to the input end of the network segmentation unit, and the capacitance values of the three capacitors are configured to be able to short-circuit the second signal.

23. The network segmentation unit according to claim 21, wherein, The network segmentation unit also has three capacitors with different capacitance values connected in parallel between the zero line and the live line on the side of the first inductor close to the input end of the network segmentation unit, and the capacitance values of the three capacitors are configured to be able to short-circuit the second signal.

24. The network segmentation unit according to claim 19, wherein The network segmentation unit connects a first inductor and a second inductor in series along the direction approaching the input end of the network segmentation unit on the live wire or the neutral wire corresponding to the target wire to form the impedance regulator, so that in the state where the gateway unit accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit, based on the frequency selection characteristics of the first inductor and the second inductor, a second signal in a specific frequency range is formed to cause an impedance sudden increase of the network segmentation unit.

25. The network segmentation unit according to claim 24, wherein, The network segmentation unit also has at least one capacitor connected across the neutral wire and the live wire between the first inductor and the second inductor, and at least another capacitor connected across the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the second inductor away from the first inductor to form a short - circuit effect on the second signal.

26. The network segmentation unit according to claim 22 or 23 or 25, characterized in that, The capacitance value of each capacitor is set to be 47 nF - 470 nF.

27. The network segmentation unit according to claim 20, wherein The inductance value of the first inductor is [1 μH - 1 mH], and the specific frequency range is set to 1 MHz - 12 MHz, so that the power of the second signal after passing through the network segmentation unit is at least reduced to below - 65 dB.

28. The network segmentation unit according to claim 22 or 23 or 25, characterized in that the capacitance values of the three capacitors are 47 nF, 100 nF and 470 nF respectively, and / or the inductance value of the first inductor is set to 33 μH, so that the network segmentation unit has at least one frequency point within the specific frequency range of 2.4 MHz - 5.6 MHz at which the attenuation degree of the second signal can reach the maximum value.

29. The network segmentation unit according to claim 19, wherein, The interior of the housing of the network segmentation unit is filled with a fixed medium.

30. A network segmentation method, characterized in that, Comprising: A network segmentation unit is connected to the power supply input end of a local area network; The network segmentation unit forms a sudden increase in the impedance of the second signal in a specific frequency range through an impedance regulator. Further, the network segmentation unit passes the first signal in a non - specific frequency range with low impedance to form a power supply path, and passes the second signal with high impedance to adjust the ratio of the power of the second signal before and after passing through the network segmentation unit to above a defined threshold; The gateway unit divides the local area network and other networks based on the power value of the received signal; the frequency of the first signal is lower than the frequency of the second signal, and the second signal is used for the communication of the local area network; At least two capacitors are connected across the neutral wire and the live wire on the side of the impedance regulator close to the input end of the network segmentation unit, and the capacitance value parameters of each capacitor are configured so that the capacitors can cooperate with each other so that the overall self - resonant frequency is within the specific frequency range.

31. The network segmentation method according to claim 30, wherein The network segmentation unit forms a sudden increase in the impedance of the second signal in a specific frequency range through an impedance regulator, specifically including: The network segmentation unit connects a first inductor in series to the live wire or neutral wire corresponding to the target wire to form the impedance regulator, so that in the state where the gateway unit accesses the first signal through the network segmentation unit, based on the frequency selection characteristic of the first inductor, a second signal in a specific frequency range is formed to cause an abrupt increase in impedance of the network segmentation unit.

32. The network segmentation method according to claim 31, wherein There are three capacitors, with capacitance values of 47 nF, 100 nF, and 470 nF respectively, and / or the inductance value of the first inductor is set to 33 μH; so that the network segmentation unit has at least one frequency point within a specific frequency range of 2.4 MHz - 5.6 MHz at which the attenuation degree of the second signal can reach the maximum value.

33. A control system, characterized in that, Comprising: a gateway device; the network segmentation unit according to any one of claims 19 to 29; or, a network segmentation unit for implementing the network segmentation method according to any one of claims 30 - 32.

34. The control system according to claim 33, wherein There are multiple gateway devices, at least one of which is set as the gateway device according to any one of claims 1 - 18, or at least one is provided with the network segmentation unit between it and the external power grid.

35. The control system according to claim 33, wherein There are multiple gateway devices, which are respectively used to form corresponding local area networks, and the network segmentation unit is provided between each gateway device and the external power grid, so that when the second signal of a local area network corresponding to one gateway device enters the local area network corresponding to another gateway device, it can be attenuated at least twice to segment each local area network, thereby maintaining the mutual independence between each local area network.

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