MODEM AND METHOD FOR DATA TRANSFER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a modem according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a modem. A modem is a modulator and / or demodulator and is used to transmit digital data.

[0002] Document DE 10 2009 007 003 A1 discloses a modem that transmits data over the power grid. One possible application for such a modem is the transmission of electricity meter data. The technology typically uses various individual carrier frequencies above 1.8 MHz to modulate and demodulate the data using the multi-carrier frequency demodulation (OFDM) method.

[0003] The disadvantage of such modems is that they are based on a single data transmission technology, which means they lack redundancy options and thus guarantee lower availability. This single transmission technology has the disadvantage that it cannot cover all desired situations in the field with this single technology (PLC). This is linked to the disadvantage that this existing technology only allows limited data transmission to each modem.

[0004] EP 3 107 219 A1, which is considered prior art under Article 54(3) EPC, discloses an arrangement with uplink nodes that communicate selectively with a primary network, preferably a mobile radio network, or with a secondary network, preferably via PLC (Power Line Communication). US 2011 / 140911 A1 discloses a system that enables communication via power lines (PLC). In the event of power line failures, a wireless backup to a mobile radio network is used.

[0005] In contrast, the invention is based on the object of creating a modem or a method that offers a higher availability of data transmission at every point in the entire communication network.

[0006] This object is achieved by a modem having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 7.

[0007] The claimed modem is used to transmit data over a power grid using powerline communication (PLC). According to the invention, the modem is a hybrid modem or dual modem that, in addition to or preferably as an alternative to transmitting data over the power grid using powerline communication, is also designed to transmit data over a mobile network. This creates a modem that offers increased data transmission availability.

[0008] The claimed method relates to the transmission of data by means of a modem according to the present invention.

[0009] The preferred embodiments described below apply equally to the modem according to the invention as well as to the method according to the invention.

[0010] The modem has one or more means by which the respective claimed features or steps, such as switching between data transmission via the power supply network and between data transmission via the mobile radio network, this switching depending on one or more parameters, etc., can be carried out.

[0011] In a particularly preferred application, energy consumption data can be transmitted by the hybrid modem or by the method. The hybrid modem or the method can then be used by an energy supplier—preferably an electricity supplier—to transmit the consumption data—preferably electricity consumption data—of its customers.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, the hybrid modem according to the invention or the method according to the invention is switchable between the mobile radio network and the power grid depending on several parameters. The parameters are weighted. This allows the hybrid modem or the method according to the invention to automatically select the optimal data transmission at any time.

[0014] The parameters are selected from the following group: signal strength and quality, latency, data transfer rate, number of hops, indirect reading by evaluating the behavior during the creation / removal of transmission buffers, and the monetary costs incurred. The two parameters signal strength and quality provide information about the intensity and quality of the data transmission. Latency indicates the runtime of individual packets. The data transfer rate describes the amount of data transmitted over a transmission channel in a defined unit of time. The indirect reading and evaluation of the behavior during the creation / removal of transmission buffers is intended to indicate that the hybrid modem according to the invention draws conclusions about the data connection based on the buffering behavior of the network protocols used.

[0015] In a particularly preferred training, the mobile network is prioritized over the power supply network or powerline communication.

[0016] Preferably, the mobile network is public, which offers the advantage of flexible and nationwide availability.

[0017] Preferably, the mobile network can be selected from a group of at least two mobile networks. This enables roaming and can further improve availability.

[0018] Preferably, the mobile networks within the group are prioritized among themselves. If prioritization is based on cost, for example, data transmission can be more cost-effective.

[0019] Data transmission over the power grid is preferably broadband modulated (BPL) using powerline communication. Using a wide bandwidth allows for a large number of channels, resulting in very high robustness and a high data transmission rate.

[0020] Data transmission over the power grid using powerline communication is preferably carried out in the high-frequency range. Using higher frequencies ensures a higher data transmission rate.

[0021] In a particularly preferred further development, the data transmission via the power supply network takes place by means of powerline communication via a meshed

[0022] Network. This is intelligent, self-constructing, and self-healing, improving the availability and security of data transmission.

[0023] Preferably, the meshed network operates in a license-free and / or unrestricted frequency band. This allows for free and flexible choice of technology.

[0024] The mesh network preferably operates with open IP standards. This makes the technologies used interoperable, the choice of technologies more flexible, and allows for vendor-independent development.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hybrid modem according to the invention transmits, or the method according to the invention transmits, the collected consumption data from multiple smart meters in a building. The building can be, for example, an apartment building. This allows for efficient use of the hybrid modem or method according to the invention.

[0026] According to the invention, the hybrid modem or its housing can be mounted or is mounted in the meter cabinet, for example in the basement of the building, since consumption data is often collected there.

[0027] Preferably, the hybrid modem is connectable or connected to a smart meter gateway. This provides the smart meter gateway with a dedicated communications component. The hybrid modem can also be integrated into the smart meter gateway, resulting in a compact unit. However, the modem can also be used as a pure repeating module (i.e., without a gateway connection) on the PLC line.

[0028] Preferably, the meshed network automatically selects the optimal (e.g., shortest) route to a smart meter gateway with mobile coverage or a mobile network. From there, the consumption data can then be transmitted further via the prioritized mobile network.

[0029] In particular, the method according to the invention relates to a hybrid modem according to the invention as described above, which is designed for the transmission of data on the one hand via a mobile radio network and on the other hand via a power supply network by means of power line communication (PLC).

[0030] According to the procedure, data transmission takes place via the power supply network, i.e. via PLC, via the mobile network or via both.

[0031] According to the invention, the hybrid modem switches between the mobile network and the power grid or powerline communication depending on several parameters. This allows the optimal data transmission to be selected automatically and at any time, thus increasing data transmission availability.

[0032] According to the inventive embodiment of the method, the parameters are selected from the following group: signal strength and quality, latency, data transfer rate, number of hops, indirect reading by evaluating the behavior when creating / removing transmission buffers, and any monetary costs incurred. The two parameters signal strength and quality provide information about the intensity and quality of the data transmission. Latency indicates the runtime of individual packets. The data transfer rate describes the amount of data transmitted over a transmission channel in a defined unit of time. The indirect reading and evaluation of the behavior when creating / removing transmission buffers is intended to indicate that conclusions about the data connection can be drawn based on the buffer behavior of the network protocols used.

[0033] According to a particularly preferred development of the method, the mobile radio network is selected with priority over the power supply network by means of powerline communication.

[0034] The mobile network can be public. This ensures nationwide coverage and high penetration.

[0035] According to a preferred development of the method, the mobile network is selected from a group of at least two mobile networks. This enables roaming and further improves transmission security.

[0036] Preferably, the mobile networks within the group are prioritized among themselves. If prioritization is based on cost, for example, data transmission can be more cost-effective.

[0037] Data transmission over the power grid is preferably broadband modulated (BPL) using powerline communication. Using a wide bandwidth allows for a large number of channels, resulting in very high robustness and a high data transmission rate.

[0038] Data transmission via the power grid or powerline communication is preferably in the high-frequency range. Using higher frequencies ensures a higher data transmission rate.

[0039] Data transmission via the power grid is preferably carried out using powerline communication via a meshed network. This is intelligent, self-constructing, and self-healing, thereby improving the availability and security of data transmission.

[0040] Preferably, the meshed network operates in a license-free and / or unrestricted frequency band. This allows for free and flexible choice of technology.

[0041] In a preferred application, the data transmitted according to the method can be the collected consumption data of several smart meters in a building, e.g. an apartment building.

[0042] In an advantageous refinement of the process, the meshed network independently selects the optimal (e.g., shortest) route to a smart meter gateway with mobile coverage or a mobile network. From there, the data is then transmitted further via the prioritized mobile network.

[0043] It should be noted here that the terms "a" or "an" do not necessarily refer to exactly one of the elements in question, although this is a possible embodiment, but can also encompass a plurality of the elements in question. The same applies to the use of the plural, which also encompasses only one of the elements, and vice versa, to the use of the singular, which also encompasses a plurality of the elements.

[0044] An embodiment of a hybrid modem according to the invention is illustrated in the figures. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to these figures.

[0045] They show: Figure 1: a perspective view of the hybrid modem according to the invention according to the embodiment, and Figure 2: a front view of the hybrid modem according to the invention from Figure 1 .

[0046] A housing 5 of the hybrid modem according to the exemplary embodiment has a form factor identical to the Smart Meter Gateway (SMGW) used in Germany. It is dimensioned according to the standardized four sub-units of 18 mm each and is thus, with the corresponding recesses 1 for the cover, intended for installation in an FNN meter or on the existing DIN rail. However, it can also be installed independently of an FNN meter on a separate DIN rail, for example, in the meter box.

[0047] The power connection (230V-) is made via the power supply of the SMGW connection via a Y-cable and using a standard connector 2 on the hybrid modem.

[0048] The communication connection to the SMGW is established via an RJ-45 connector 3 and an Ethernet cable.

[0049] The mobile radio antenna is connected via a standardized FAKRA connector 4 on the rear or upper part of the housing 5.

[0050] Disclosed is a hybrid modem for use in both a mobile network and a meshed network being set up within the power grid. This makes the hybrid modem particularly suitable for use by electricity or energy supply companies to transmit their customers' electricity or energy consumption from their meter cabinets, for example, in the basement. Consumption data is captured by smart meters and collected at smart meter gateways, from where it is transmitted to the energy supply company via the hybrid modem. List of reference symbols

[0051] 1Recesses for mounting on a DIN rail 2Standard connector 3RJ-45 connector 4FAKRA connector 5Housing

Claims

1. A modem for transmitting data via an electric power grid by means of Powerline communication, wherein the modem is a hybrid modem which is configured to transmit data via a mobile communications network, alternatively or additionally to the transmission of data via the electric power grid, i.e. via the Powerline communication, wherein the modem is configured in such a way that the data transmission via the electric power grid is performed via a meshed network, and wherein the modem is configured in such a way that it is switchable between the mobile communications network and the electric power grid in dependence on a plurality of parameters, characterised in that the parameters are selected from the following group: signal strength, signal quality, latency, data transmission rate and number of hops, wherein the parameters are weighted, and in that the modem has a housing that is intended for installation in an FNN meter, a DIN rail or in a meter cabinet.

2. The modem according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the modem is configured in such a way that the mobile communications network is prioritised over the electric power grid or the Powerline communication, wherein the modem is preferably configured in such a way that the mobile communications network is selectable from a group of at least two mobile communications networks, wherein the mobile communications networks are preferably prioritised among one another.

3. The modem according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mobile communications network is configured in such a way that the mobile communications network is public.

4. The modem according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the modem is designed in such a way that the data transmission via the electric power grid is broadband-modulated, wherein the data transmission via the electric power grid is preferably high-frequency.

5. The modem according to claim 1, characterised in that the modem is configured in such a way that the meshed network is operated in a licence-free and / or non-limited frequency band, wherein the meshed network preferably operates with open IP standards.

6. The modem according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the modem is configured in such a way that the data are the collected consumption data of a plurality of smart meters of a building and / or the modem is preferably configured in such a way that it is connectable or connected to a smart meter gateway or is integrated therein.

7. A method for transmitting data, characterised in that the method is carried out using a modem according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the modem has a housing that is intended for installation in an FNN meter, a DIN rail or in a meter cabinet, wherein the transmission of data is performed by means of the modem via an electric power grid by means of Powerline communication or alternatively, in addition to the transmission of the data via the electric power grid, i.e. via the Powerline communication, via a mobile communications network, wherein the data transmission via the electric power grid is performed via. meshed network, and wherein it is switchable between the mobile communications network and the electric power grid in dependence on a plurality of parameters, wherein the parameters are selected from the following group: signal strength, signal quality, latency, data transmission rate and number of hops, wherein the parameters are weighted.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the mobile communications network is prioritised over the electric power grid or the Powerline communication, wherein the mobile communications network is preferably selected from a group of at least two mobile communications networks and the mobile communications networks in the group are preferably prioritised among one another.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the mobile communications network is public.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the data transmission via the electric power grid is broadband-modulated and the data transmission via the electric power grid is preferably high-frequency.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the meshed network is operated in a licence-free and / or non-limited frequency band, and preferably the meshed network operates with open IP standards.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterised in that the data are the collected consumption data of a plurality of smart meters of a building, and wherein the modem is ideally connectable or connected to a smart meter gateway or is integrated therein.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterised in that the meshed network independently selects an optimal path to a smart meter gateway with mobile communications coverage or with mobile communications network.