Power line communication device and method thereof

Abstract

To provide a communication device and a communication method that perform transmission and communication of a fundamental frequency signal using a power line of an AC power supply, thereby realizing a continuous communication effect.SOLUTION: The present invention performs transmission and communication of a fundamental signal using a power line of an AC power supply, and conducts data transmission and communication using a power line and a signal line instead of directly superimposing the signal on the power line. In this configuration, rectified energy storage means is used to continuously convert the AC power supply into a current source having a common reference potential, thereby realizing a continuous communication effect without interruption in transmission and communication. In addition, since data transmission and communication are performed via the signal line, problems of noise interference do not occur.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device and method for transmitting and communicating fundamental frequency signals using power lines of an AC power supply to achieve continuous communication effects. [Background technology]

[0002] In today's communications industry, power line communication, commonly referred to as PLC (Power Line Communication) or BPL (Broadband over Power Line), refers to a communication method that uses power lines to transmit data, video, and audio signals. Power lines are the most common circuits found in every room of a home, and most products require power through power lines, making power line networks the most common and widespread resource. This type of power line communication technology converts data into a serial format, combines it with a high-frequency signal to create a carrier signal, and then couples the carrier signal to the power line to transmit data over the power line. A dedicated power line modulation / demodulation (modem) separates the high-frequency signal from the power line and transmits it to the power line modulation / demodulation module of the terminal device, where the signal is extracted and used.

[0003] Using power lines as the backbone transmission medium for home (regional) networks eliminates the need for rewiring, saving construction costs and time. However, power lines are primarily used to transmit electricity, and are not ideal communication media. When commercial power and power line communications carriers are transmitted simultaneously, the power line communications carriers are susceptible to noise interference from other electrical devices, resulting in partial data packet transmission failures, reduced transmission speeds, and in severe cases, paralyzing the PLC network.

[0004] Therefore, the communication technology of Chinese Patent No. I661688, titled "Method and apparatus for communication on power lines," provides a threshold voltage value that serves as a comparison standard for the AC input voltage to determine whether to allow communication, and allows communication if the AC input voltage is greater than the threshold voltage value. Conversely, communication is not allowed if the AC input voltage is less than the threshold voltage value, so that the communication start and end times of fundamental frequency signals between connected loads are closer to the same, improving reliability, and using separate signal lines for data transmission and communication, rather than directly transmitting signals on the power lines, thereby solving the problem of noise interference.

[0005] However, in the above patent, after voltage comparison using a voltage comparison module, a duty time during which communication is permitted and a forbidden time during which communication is not permitted are obtained, so there are forbidden periods during which communication is not permitted, and the need for a voltage comparison module makes the entire circuit complex, resulting in high implementation costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] China Patent No. I661688 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a communication device and method for transmitting and communicating fundamental frequency signals using the power lines of an AC power supply, thereby achieving continuous communication effects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above object, the power communication device of the present invention includes at least an AC power input terminal having a first power line, a second power line, and a signal line; a rectifying energy storage circuit connected to the first power line and the second power line, the rectifying energy storage circuit having a full-wave rectifying unit, two energy storage units, and a first output terminal and a second output terminal; and a signal transmission interface electrically connected to the first output terminal, the second output terminal, and the signal line of the rectifying energy storage circuit, respectively, and receiving a current source having a common reference potential from the first output terminal and the second output terminal under the input of the AC power supply.

[0009] Compared with conventional power line communication (PLC) technology, the present invention does not directly carry signals on the power line but uses signal lines in the power line for data transmission, which not only improves the noise interference problem in power line communication but also eliminates the need for an isolation system and a modulation / demodulation system. Furthermore, the present invention uses a rectifying energy storage means to continuously convert the AC power source into a current source with a common reference potential, thereby achieving the effect of continuous communication without interruption in transmission and communication.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the rectifying energy storage circuit further includes two unidirectional conduction units, each electrically connected between the full-wave rectifying unit and the first output terminal.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment, the two unidirectional conduction units are diodes D5 and D6, respectively, each having an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, the anode terminal of the diode D5 electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the diode D1 and one end of the capacitor C1, the anode terminal of the diode D6 electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the diode D2 and one end of the capacitor C2, and the cathode terminal of the diode D5 and the cathode terminal of the diode D6 connected in parallel to the first output terminal.

[0012] In one preferred embodiment, the full-wave rectifier unit has a positive half-cycle current path and a negative half-cycle current path, and the two energy storage units are electrically connected to the positive half-cycle current path and the negative half-cycle current path of the full-wave rectifier unit, respectively.

[0013] In one preferred embodiment, the full-wave rectifier unit includes four diodes D1 to D4, and the two energy storage units are capacitors C1 and C2, respectively. The capacitor C1 is electrically connected to the positive half-cycle current path of the diode D1 and the diode D3, and the capacitor C2 is electrically connected to the negative half-cycle current path of the diode D2 and the diode D4.

[0014] In one preferred embodiment, the signal transmission interface continues to transmit and communicate fundamental frequency signals over the signal line, the transmission and communication of the fundamental frequency signals including TX transmit signals and RX receive signals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The communication device and method of the present invention uses the power line of an AC power supply to transmit and communicate fundamental frequency signals, thereby achieving continuous communication effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a structural explanatory diagram of a first embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the rectifying energy storage circuit of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is a signal waveform diagram showing a state in which the communication device according to the present invention is in use; FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a signal waveform diagram showing a state in which a conventional communication device is in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 1 is a structural diagram of a power line communication device according to the present invention. The power line communication device 1 according to the present invention includes at least an AC power input terminal 10, a rectifying energy storage circuit 20, and a signal transmission interface 30.

[0018] An AC power input terminal 10 has a first power line 11, a second power line 12, and a signal line 13. A rectified energy storage circuit 20 is connected to the AC power input terminal 10. Referring also to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the rectified energy storage circuit 20 is connected to the first power line 11 and the second power line 12, and the rectified energy storage circuit 20 has a full-wave rectifier unit 21, two energy storage units 22, a first output terminal 23, and a second output terminal 24, and the two energy storage units 22 are electrically connected to the positive half-cycle current path and the negative half-cycle current path of the full-wave rectifier unit 21, respectively.

[0019] The signal transmission interface 30 is electrically connected to the first output terminal 23, the second output terminal 24 of the rectifying energy storage circuit and the signal line 13, respectively.

[0020] As shown in the second embodiment of FIG. 3, the full-wave rectifier unit 21 has four diodes D1 to D4, and two energy storage units, which are capacitors C1 and C2, respectively. The capacitor C1 is electrically connected to the positive half-cycle current path of the diodes D1 and D3, and the capacitor C2 is electrically connected to the negative half-cycle current path of the diodes D2 and D4. The four diodes D1 to D4 are used to perform full-wave rectification on the input AC power, and the capacitors C1 and C2 in the positive and negative half-cycle current paths can continuously output a current source A with a common reference potential under the input of AC power.

[0021] The rectifying energy storage circuit 20 further includes two unidirectional conduction units 25. The two unidirectional conduction units 25 are electrically connected between the full-wave rectifying unit 21 and the first output terminal 23. In the illustrated embodiment, the two unidirectional conduction units 25 are diodes D5 and D6, each having an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. The anode terminal of the diode D5 is electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the diode D1 and one terminal of the capacitor C1, the anode terminal of the diode D6 is electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the diode D2 and one terminal of the capacitor C2, and the cathode terminal of the diode D5 is connected in parallel with the cathode terminal of the diode D6 to the first output terminal 23. The unidirectional conduction of the diodes D5 and D6 ensures that the current source is output to the signal transmission interface 30.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4 , the rectifier energy storage circuit 20 is connected to the first power line 11 and the second power line 12, respectively. The first power line 11 and the second power line 12 can transmit AC power. The reference ground of the signal level corresponds to the first power line 11 and the second power line 12 of the input source along with the AC power through the rectifier energy storage circuit 20. When the input AC power is in a positive half-wave, the reference ground of the signal level is located on the second power line 12, and the positive half-cycle current path of the full-wave rectifier unit is in an ON state and the negative half-cycle current path is in an OFF state. When the input AC power is in a negative half-wave, the reference ground of the signal level is located on the first power line 11, and the positive half-cycle current path of the full-wave rectifier unit is in an OFF state and the negative half-cycle current path is in an ON state.

[0023] Referring also to the AC signal waveform diagram shown in FIG. 5, when AC power is input from AC power input terminal 10, the positive half-cycle current path of diodes D1 and D3 and the negative half-cycle current path of diodes D2 and D4 are sequentially turned on, performing full-wave rectification (e.g., the Vin waveform in FIG. 5). The signal level reference points are located on first power line 11 and second power line 12, respectively. Energy is stored by two capacitors C1 and C2 on the positive half-cycle current path and negative half-cycle current path, respectively. A current source A having a common reference potential is continuously transmitted from first output terminal 23 and second output terminal 24 to signal transmission interface 3 (the TX and RX waveform diagrams in FIG. 5), allowing signal transmission interface 30 to continuously communicate and enable the transmission and communication of fundamental frequency signals via signal line 13. The transmission and communication of the fundamental frequency signals can include the TX transmission signal and the RX reception signal shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] The communication device and method for transmitting a fundamental frequency signal using the power line of an AC power supply provided by the present invention can be applied to loads that need to be connected to a commercial power supply, such as light sources (e.g., light-emitting diode lamps), sensors, or displays, and can transmit power and communicate fundamental frequency signals at the same time. Users can directly realize intelligent remote control by simply connecting each load to a standard three-wire connector.

[0025] Taking a light source as an example, a control system can connect multiple light sources in series via a power line, and each light source is connected to the power line via the power line communication device of the present invention. The user can use the control system to preset various control modes, such as turning the light source on or off, or adjusting the brightness of the light source. The control system converts the various control modes into fundamental frequency signals and uses the power line to communicate and transmit the fundamental frequency, allowing the light source to be controlled to be turned on, off, or even dimmed via the power line. This has the characteristics of being able to use existing wires, covering a wide range, being convenient to connect, and having high transmission speed.

[0026] Compared with conventional power line communication (PLC) technology, the present invention transmits data using signal lines within the power line rather than directly transmitting signals onto the power line. This not only alleviates the noise interference problem in power line communication, but also simplifies circuit design and system configuration by eliminating the need for voltage comparison modules, isolation systems, and modulation / demodulation systems. Furthermore, the present invention uses a rectified energy storage means to continuously convert the input AC power into a current source with a common reference potential, thereby achieving uninterrupted transmission and communication. This overcomes the drawback of conventional power line communication, which has a communication prohibition period at the AC power zero point. As shown in Figure 6, the TX transmission signal and RX reception signal in conventional power line communication can communicate during the operating period t1, but cannot generate current at the AC power zero point, resulting in a prohibition period t2 during which communication is impossible.

[0027] Unless otherwise specified, the following terms used in the specification and claims of this application have the definitions set forth below. Please note that the singular term "a" or "an" used in the specification and claims of this application is intended to cover one or more recited items, e.g., at least one, at least two, or at least three, and does not mean having only one recited item. Furthermore, open conjunctions such as "comprise," "comprise," and "have" used in the claims indicate that a combination of elements or components recited in a claim does not exclude other elements or components not recited in the claim. Please also note that the term "or" generally includes "and / or" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "about" and "substantially," used in the specification and claims of this application, are used to modify errors that may vary slightly, but such slight variations do not alter the essence.

[0028] The above embodiments are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications or variations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical scope of the present invention should also be included in the protection scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] A Reference potential current source A C1 capacitor C2 capacitor D1 Diode D2 diode D3 diode D4 diode D5 diode D6 diode 1. Power line communication equipment 10 AC power input terminal 11 First Power Line 12 Second Power Line 13 Signal line 20 Rectification energy storage circuit 21 Full-wave rectifier unit 22 Energy Storage Unit 23 First output terminal 24 Second output terminal 25 Unidirectional Conduction Unit 30 Signal Transmission Interface

Claims

1. an AC power input terminal having a first power line, a second power line, and a signal line; a rectifying and energy storing circuit connected to the first power line and the second power line, the rectifying and energy storing circuit having a full-wave rectifying unit, two energy storing units, a first output terminal and a second output terminal; a signal transmission interface electrically connected to the first output terminal, the second output terminal and the signal line of the rectifying energy storage circuit, respectively, and capable of receiving a current source having a common reference potential from the first output terminal and the second output terminal; A power line communication device comprising at least:

2. 2. The power line communication device according to claim 1, wherein the rectifying energy storage circuit further comprises two unidirectional conduction units, each of which is electrically connected between the full-wave rectifying unit and the first output terminal.

3. 3. The power line communication device according to claim 2, wherein the full-wave rectifier unit comprises four diodes (D1), (D2), (D3) and (D4), the two energy storage units are capacitors (C1) and (C2), respectively, the two unidirectional conduction units are diodes (D5) and (D6), respectively, the diodes (D5) and (D6) have anode and cathode terminals, the anode terminal of the diode (D5) is electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the diode (D1) and one end of the capacitor (C1), the anode terminal of the diode (D6) is electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the diode (D2) and one end of the capacitor (C2), and the cathode terminal of the diode (D5) and the cathode terminal of the diode (D6) are connected in parallel to the first output terminal.

4. 4. The power line communication device according to claim 1, wherein the full-wave rectifier unit has a positive half-cycle current path and a negative half-cycle current path, and the two energy storage units are electrically connected to the positive half-cycle current path and the negative half-cycle current path of the full-wave rectifier unit, respectively.

5. 5. The power line communication device according to claim 4, wherein the full-wave rectifier unit has four diodes (D1), (D2), (D3) and (D4), the two energy storage units are capacitors (C1) and (C2), respectively, the capacitor (C1) is electrically connected to the positive half-cycle current paths of the diodes (D1) and (D3), and the capacitor (C2) is electrically connected to the negative half-cycle current paths of the diodes (D2) and (D4).

6. The power line communication device according to claim 5 , wherein the signal transmission interface continues to transmit and communicate fundamental frequency signals via the signal line, and the transmission and communication of the fundamental frequency signals includes a TX transmission signal and an RX reception signal.

7. A power line communication method comprising transmitting and communicating fundamental frequency signals using the power lines and signal lines of an AC power source, and converting the AC power source into a current source having a common reference potential using a rectified energy storage means.

8. 8. The power line communication method according to claim 7, wherein the rectified energy storage means is electrically connected to the AC power source via a rectified energy storage circuit, the AC power source having a first power line and a second power line electrically connected to the rectified energy storage circuit, the rectified energy storage circuit having a full-wave rectifier unit, two energy storage units, and a first output terminal and a second output terminal, the full-wave rectifier unit having a positive half-cycle current path and a negative half-cycle current path, and the two energy storage units are electrically connected to the positive half-cycle current path and the negative half-cycle current path of the full-wave rectifier unit, respectively.

9. 9. The power line communication method according to claim 8, wherein the full-wave rectifier unit has four diodes (D1), (D2), (D3) and (D4), the two energy storage units are capacitors (C1) and (C2), respectively, the capacitor (C1) is electrically connected to the positive half-cycle current paths of the diodes (D1) and (D3), and the capacitor (C2) is electrically connected to the negative half-cycle current paths of the diodes (D2) and (D4).

10. 9. The power line communication method according to claim 8, further comprising a signal transmission interface electrically connected to the first output terminal, the second output terminal and the signal line of the rectifying energy storage circuit, respectively, wherein under the input of the AC power supply, the signal transmission interface can receive a current source having a common reference potential by the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and the signal transmission interface continues to transmit and communicate a fundamental frequency signal through the signal line.

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