System for transmitting a signal with a data packet to and from a controller of a plurality of controllers

Abstract

The invention relates to a system comprising a plurality of meshed packet-based communication channels for a full duplex signal transmission; a plurality of controllers as data receivers or data sources, each controller of the plurality of controllers having an interface for connecting at least one sensor or an actuator, a data processing device, and precisely one transceiver, wherein at any point in time, the precisely one transceiver is connected to precisely one communication channel of the plurality of communication channels; and at least one infrastructure component, said at least one infrastructure component having a data processing device and at least two transceivers. At any point in time, each of the at least two transceivers is connected to precisely one communication channel of the plurality of communication channels, and the plurality of communication channels are divided into at least one first sub-network and a second sub-network. All of the carrier frequencies of a signal transmission in the first sub-network differ from all of the carrier frequencies of the signal transmission in the second sub-network. The system is designed to transmit a signal with a data packet to and from a controller of the plurality of controllers, the transmission of the signal including a process of forwarding the data packet using the at least one infrastructure component. During the forwarding process, the at least one infrastructure component receives the data packet on a first communication channel of the plurality of communication channels and transmits the data packet on a second communication channel of the plurality of communication channels. The first communication channel is part of the first sub-network, and the second communication channel is part of the second sub-network.

Description

[0001] LVX Global (Germany) GmbH

[0002] Our reference: 210103WO

[0003] System for transmitting a signal with a data packet to and from one of a plurality of controllers

[0004] The present invention relates to a system having a plurality of meshed, packet-based communication channels for full-duplex signal transmission to and from a plurality of controllers as data receivers or data sources, wherein each of the plurality of controllers has an interface for connecting at least one sensor or an actuator, a data processing device and a transceiver, as well as at least one infrastructure component.

[0005] Such systems or data networks for connecting sensors, such as twilight sensors, and actuators, such as relays for switching on lights, are known in many different ways from the prior art. Such systems are necessary to connect a large number of elements arranged at different locations, for example throughout a building or a city, for the exchange of information and to logically link them together for various applications. Examples of such applications include parking space detection and allocation of free parking spaces via a smartphone app, a waste management system that detects and reports full waste bins, or lighting control. The applications provide services that would not be available without a corresponding network of sensors and actuators and that can also help reduce resource consumption, particularly energy consumption.

[0006] The goal of modern network infrastructures is to connect a large number of sensors and actuators and the associated end devices at low operating costs. Conventional wireless wide area networks (WANs) enable data to be transmitted at high data rates over long distances. However, this comes at a comparatively high energy consumption. This means that controllers connected to sensors cannot be provided with a battery-backed power supply independent of the power grid. So-called low-power wide area networks (LPWANs) enable wireless communication over long distances between sensors and actuators; due to their low energy requirements, the controllers can be powered by a battery. In LPWANs, data transmission is energy-efficient even over long distances. However, the available data rates are too low for more complex applications.

[0007] In contrast, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for data transmission from and to controllers that can be connected to sensors and actuators, which makes it possible to bridge large distances between the individual elements of the system, which operates in an energy-efficient manner and at the same time enables data rates that are higher than those of conventional LWPAN technologies.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention with a system having the features of independent claim 1. For this purpose, the system comprises a plurality of meshed, packet-based communication channels for full-duplex signal transmission and a plurality of controllers as data receivers and data sources, wherein each of the plurality of controllers has an interface for connecting at least one sensor or actuator, a data processing device, and precisely one transceiver. The precisely one transceiver is connected to precisely one of the plurality of communication channels at any given time. In addition, the system comprises at least one infrastructure component, wherein the infrastructure component has a data processing device and at least two transceivers, wherein each of the at least two transceivers is connected to precisely one of the plurality of communication channels at any given time.The plurality of communication channels is divided into at least a first subnetwork and a second subnetwork, wherein all carrier frequencies of a signal transmission in the first subnetwork are different from all carrier frequencies of a signal transmission in the second subnetwork. The system is configured to transmit a signal having a data packet to and from one of the plurality of controllers. Transmitting the signal comprises forwarding the data packet by the at least one infrastructure component, wherein, during the forwarding, the at least one infrastructure component receives the data packet on a first of the plurality of communication channels and transmits the data packet on a second of the plurality of communication channels, wherein the first communication channel is part of the first subnetwork and the second communication channel is part of the second subnetwork.The advantage of the present invention is to provide a system architecture that enables wireless operation in a license-free and permit-free frequency band, providing sufficiently high bandwidth for more complex applications. The claimed solution nevertheless enables the bridging of large distances despite the reduction in radio range associated with high carrier frequencies. The construction of large networks is possible.

[0009] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is to operate the first and second subnetworks with different carrier frequencies. The at least one infrastructure component, which forwards a data packet from the first subnetwork to the second subnetwork, has two transceivers, one of which is connected to a transmission channel of the first subnetwork with a first carrier frequency, and the other to a transmission channel of the second subnetwork with a second carrier frequency. The infrastructure component can also be referred to as a repeater in the sense that the range of the system is increased.

[0010] With conventional signal repeating on a single communication channel with a single carrier frequency, the bandwidth is reduced by the repeating. In contrast, the forwarding according to the invention does not result in a reduction in the available bandwidth. However, the latency is increased by forwarding a data packet.

[0011] According to the invention, a majority of the communication channels, preferably all communication channels, of the system operate with full-duplex signal transmission. This means that data can be transmitted in both directions simultaneously on the majority of communication channels. This is where the system according to the invention differs significantly from other mesh network technologies for IoT products, such as Thread.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first and second subnetworks is a wireless subnetwork having wireless communication channels.

[0013] While the advantages of the present invention were described above particularly for the implementation of the communication channels as wireless (radio) communication channels, the system according to the invention can also be implemented in a wired manner. The communication channels of the first and second subnetworks are then formed on lines or wires. The system is also particularly suitable for implementing powerline data communication. According to the invention, when forwarding a data packet through the infrastructure component, the carrier frequencies of the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork must differ from one another. In one embodiment of the invention, moreover, the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork each use a single carrier frequency.

[0014] According to the invention, the majority of controllers serve as a data sink or source and provide an interface for connecting a sensor or actuator. Sensors and actuators refer to the two groups of elements that need to be networked. Sensors naturally serve as data sources, and actuators as data sinks.

[0015] Examples of a sensor are a light sensor, such as a phototransistor, a PIR sensor, a capacitive switch, a smoke detector, a door or window contact, a motion detector, a thermostat, an intrusion detector, a sensor for detecting an air quality value, a brightness sensor, a radar sensor, a sensor of an e-bike or e-scooter, a parking sensor, a garbage can sensor, a digital camera-based sensor or a combination thereof.

[0016] Examples of actuators include an electrical switch, a relay, and an electromechanical actuator, or a combination thereof.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a plurality of controllers and a plurality of sensors or actuators, with at least one sensor or actuator connected to each interface of a controller. In this embodiment, the sensor or actuator is a component of the system.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the system comprises at least one element to be switched, controlled, or regulated by an actuator and connected to the actuator, in particular a light, for example a ceiling light or a street light, a charging station for e-cars, scooters, bicycles, a control cabinet, a sub-distribution board, a built-in socket, or an adapter plug. The element is connected to the data processing device of a controller via the actuator and the interface. The actuator receives a switching command for switching, controlling, or regulating the element via the controller. In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one infrastructure component, in addition to its function as a "bridge" or repeater between the first and second subnetworks, is also a controller.For this purpose, in one embodiment of the invention, the at least one infrastructure component also has an interface for connecting at least one sensor or actuator. In one embodiment of the invention, the interface is connected to at least one sensor or actuator. In such an embodiment, the sensor or actuator is a component of the system.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the infrastructure component is connected to a network for the transmission and distribution of electrical energy (colloquially known as the power grid). This network supplies power to the data processing device and the transceivers. However, in one embodiment of the infrastructure component with an interface for a sensor or actuator, the connection to the power grid also enables the sensor or actuator, or a load connected via the actuator, such as a light, to be supplied with mains voltage.

[0020] While the system according to the invention, in its simplest embodiment, has precisely a first and a second subnetwork, in one embodiment the system has more than two subnetworks. It is understood that in one embodiment each subnetwork has its communication channels exclusively at carrier frequencies that are different from the carrier frequencies of all other subnetworks. In an alternative embodiment, it is sufficient to require that those subnetworks for which there is a risk of crosstalk between the communication channels of the subnetworks have different carrier frequencies from one another. Typically, it is required that neighboring subnetworks have different carrier frequencies from one another, while subnetworks that are sufficiently spaced apart can use the same carrier frequency.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of subnetworks uses exactly one carrier frequency that is different from the carrier frequencies of all other subnetworks. This carrier frequency is used for all intra-subnetwork communication.

[0022] In a minimal configuration with exactly one first and one second subnet, the system generally requires a single infrastructure component that forwards data packets from the first subnet to the second subnet or vice versa. However, embodiments of the invention are advantageous in which, even in a configuration with exactly one first and one second subnet, a plurality of infrastructure components are provided that forward data traffic between the first subnet and the second subnet. This is even more true for embodiments with more than two subnets.

[0023] In one embodiment, a data processing device within the meaning of the present invention is a computer with a processor.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the data processing device of the at least one infrastructure component is configured to analyze whether the received data packet is to be forwarded or not.

[0025] In an embodiment with a plurality of infrastructure devices, each of the data processing devices of this plurality of infrastructure components is configured in such a way. In one embodiment of the invention, the data processing device of the at least one infrastructure component is configured to perform routing of the received data packet. It is understood that if the system has a plurality of infrastructure components, each of the data processing devices of these infrastructure components performs this function.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the data processing device of the at least one infrastructure component is configured to select a subsequent infrastructure component to which it forwards the data packet based on information selected from a position of the subsequent infrastructure component, a signal attenuation, a signal interference, or a number of elements in the first or second subnetwork and the data traffic, or a combination thereof.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one infrastructure component comprises a receiver for signals from a global navigation satellite system, which is connected to the data processing device, or the data processing device of the at least one infrastructure component is configured to determine a position of the infrastructure component using a signal propagation time measurement. In this way, the position of the at least one infrastructure component can be used for routing the packet forwarding. It is understood that in an embodiment with a plurality of infrastructure components, each is configured in this way.In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one infrastructure component in the first or the second subnet is configured such that, upon registration of a further infrastructure component or a further controller to the respective subnet, it checks whether or not an upper limit for the number of infrastructure components and controllers in this subnet has been exceeded, and if the upper limit is exceeded, the registration of the further infrastructure component or the further controller is refused.

[0028] According to one embodiment, if the registration of the further infrastructure component or the further controller is refused, a further subnet is opened and the further infrastructure component or the further controller is registered there.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the data processing device of the at least one infrastructure component is configured such that the data processing device assigns the carrier frequency of the second communication channel at least load-dependently or indifference-dependently.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises at least one router for transmitting the data packet within at least the first or second subnetwork. It is understood that, in one embodiment, such a router is formed by the at least one infrastructure component as outlined above.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises at least one router for connecting the system to a data network. An example of such a data network to which the system is to be connected is the Internet. In one embodiment of the invention, such a router for connecting the system to a data network is a dedicated and specialized EDGE router. In an alternative embodiment, such a router is formed by an infrastructure component as previously described for forwarding a data packet between the first subnetwork and the second subnetwork.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one infrastructure component has more than two transceivers. Such an infrastructure component can handle communication from a first subnetwork to a plurality of further subnetworks. If the infrastructure component in such an embodiment is a router for connecting the system to a data network to which the system is to be connected, the data throughput between the data network and the subnetworks of the system according to the invention is multiplied in this way. In one embodiment of the invention, such an infrastructure component with more than two transceivers is connected to a router or forms one, whereby the router connects the system to a data network, for example the Internet. In one embodiment, such an infrastructure component with n transceivers distributes data packets to n-1 subnetworks, where n is greater than two.In an alternative embodiment, such an infrastructure component with n transceivers connects n-1 systems according to the invention to a data network. In one embodiment of the invention, this infrastructure component forms a backbone that interconnects the n-1 systems. There is no direct communication between the subnetworks of one of the n-1 systems and the subnetworks of another of the n-1 systems.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, at least the first subnetwork or the second subnetwork is a mesh subnetwork.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, the carrier frequencies of the first subnetwork and the carrier frequencies of the second subnetwork are selected from the frequencies of a single carrier frequency band. In principle, all carrier frequency bands that allow the implementation of a plurality of communication channels with different carrier frequencies are suitable. An example of a suitable band is the 2.4 GHz ISM band.

[0035] Further advantages, features, and possible applications of the present invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment and the accompanying figures. In the figures, identical elements are designated by identical reference numerals.

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0038] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a controller as it is part of the systems in Figures 1 and 2.

[0039] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an infrastructure component, as it is part of the systems shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows, as an example, a system 1 with two meshed subnetworks 2, 3. Each of the subnetworks operates with its own carrier frequency from the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band. This prevents crosstalk between the two subnetworks 2, 3. Communication within each of the two subnetworks 2, 3 occurs at the carrier frequency specified for the respective subnetwork 2, 3.

[0040] In Figures 1 and 2, the elements of system 1 designated by reference numeral 4 are controllers, which are connected via their interfaces to actuators, in this case relays. The actuators are used to switch lighting.

[0041] The elements designated by reference numeral 5 are controllers whose interfaces are connected to twilight sensors. If the sensors detect a brightness value below a certain threshold, they trigger, for example, the switching on of the lights connected to controller 4.

[0042] For example, the controller 5a sends a packet within the first subnet 2 to the controller 4a so that the connected light is switched on there.

[0043] However, controller 5b from the first subnetwork 2 is intended to switch on a light connected to controller 4b from the second subnetwork 3. To do so, controller 5b sends a data packet containing a control signal over a first communication channel having the carrier frequency of the first subnetwork 2. This data packet is received by an infrastructure component 6 and sent over a second communication channel having the carrier frequency of the second subnetwork 3. Controller 4b receives this data packet and triggers the switching command for the actuator connected to controller 4b.

[0044] The system 1 from Figure 2 has an increased complexity in that it has four subnetworks 2, 3, 7, 8. Each of these subnetworks 2, 3, 7, 8 comprises a plurality of infrastructure components 6, which are capable of simultaneously receiving signals from a first subnetwork and sending signals to a second subnetwork via two transceivers. Furthermore, the subnetwork designated by reference numeral 2 is connected to the Internet via an EDGE router 9. Figure 3 shows a controller 4 with a single transceiver 10 for connecting the controller 4 to a single communication channel of a single subnetwork. The transceiver 10 is connected to a data processing device 11, which in turn is connected to an interface 12. The interface 12 is connected, for example, to a light 14 via a relay 13 as an actuator.

[0045] Figure 4 schematically shows an infrastructure component 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The infrastructure component 6 has two transceivers 10 for connecting the infrastructure component 6 to two communication channels with different carrier frequencies, which belong to two different subnetworks. The transceivers are connected to a data processing device 11. The data processing device 11 assumes a routing function when connecting the two subnetworks. When a data packet is forwarded, it is received on a first communication channel of one subnetwork and sent on a second communication channel of the second subnetwork. In the embodiment shown, the infrastructure component 6 also serves as a controller for controlling a light 14. For this purpose, the infrastructure component 6 additionally has an interface 12 for connecting an actuator.In the illustration, the interface is connected to the actuator and this in turn to the light.

[0046] For the purposes of original disclosure, it is noted that all features as they become apparent to a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings, and the claims, even if they were specifically described only in conjunction with certain other features, can be combined both individually and in any combination with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, unless this has been expressly excluded or technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or pointless. A comprehensive, explicit presentation of all conceivable combinations of features is omitted here solely for the sake of brevity and readability of the description.

[0047] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection as defined by the claims. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings, the description, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are claimed in different claims does not preclude their combination. Reference signs in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

[0048] List of reference symbols

[0049] System , 3, 7, 8 Subnet , 4a , 4b Controllers connected to actuators , 5a, 5b Controllers connected to sensors

[0050] Infrastructure component

[0051] EDGE router 0 Transceiver 1 Data processing device 2 Interface 3 Relay 4 Light

Claims

Patent claims System (1) with a plurality of meshed, packet-based communication channels for full-duplex signal transmission, a plurality of controllers (4, 5) as data receivers or data sources, each of the plurality of controllers (4, 5) having an interface (12) for connecting at least one sensor or one actuator (13), a data processing device (11) and exactly one transceiver (10), wherein the exactly one transceiver (10) is connected to exactly one of the plurality of communication channels at any time, and at least one infrastructure component, wherein the at least one infrastructure component has a data processing device (11) and at least two transceivers (10), wherein each of the at least two transceivers (10) is connected to exactly one of the plurality of communication channels at any time,wherein the plurality of communication channels are divided between at least a first subnetwork (2) and a second subnetwork (3), wherein all carrier frequencies of a signal transmission in the first subnetwork are different from all carrier frequencies of the signal transmission in the second subnetwork, wherein the system (1) is configured to transmit a signal with a data packet to and from one of the plurality of controllers (4, 5), wherein the transmission of the signal comprises forwarding the data packet by the at least one infrastructure component, wherein, during the forwarding, the at least one infrastructure component receives the data packet on a first of the plurality of communication channels and transmits the data packet on a second of the plurality of communication channels, wherein the first communication channel is part of the first subnetwork and the second communication channel is part of the second subnetwork.

2. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the data processing device (11) of the at least one infrastructure component is configured such that the data processing device (11) analyses whether the received data packet is to be forwarded or not.

3. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device (11) of the at least one infrastructure component is configured such that the data processing device (11) carries out routing of the received data packet.

4. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device (11) of the at least one infrastructure component is set up such that the data processing device (11) selects a following infrastructure component to which it forwards the data packet based on information selected from a position of the following infrastructure component, a signal attenuation, a signal interference or a number of elements in the subnetwork and the current data traffic or a combination thereof.

5. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one infrastructure component has a receiver for signals from a global navigation satellite system or the data processing device (11) of the at least one infrastructure component is configured to determine a position of the infrastructure component with the aid of a signal propagation time measurement.

6. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device (11) is configured to at least one infrastructure component such that the data processing device (11) assigns the carrier frequency of the second communication channel at least depending on the load or interference.

7. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one infrastructure component has an interface for connecting at least one sensor or one actuator.

8. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) comprises at least one router for transmitting the data packet within at least the first or the second subnetwork.

9. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) has at least one router for connecting the system to a data network.

10. System (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least the first or the second subnetwork is a wireless subnetwork.

11. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first subnetwork or the second subnetwork is a meshed subnetwork.

12. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the carrier frequencies of the first subnetwork and the carrier frequencies of the second subnetwork are selected from the frequencies of a single carrier frequency band, preferably the 2.4 GHz ISM band.

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