Circuit structure for improving reliability of power line communications

Abstract

To provide a circuit structure capable of improving reliability of a power line communication.SOLUTION: A circuit structure includes a power line, and an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted onto the power line. The circuit structure contains: a first isolator 201; and a first coupler 202. The first isolator is arranged to each power consumption end E of the circuit structure or an inlet of a part of the power consumption end, separates the power line into the power consumption end and a transmission end T, and is used for removing the network signal so that the electric energy wave is entered into the power consumption end. The first coupler is used for generating a first coupling path P1, the network signal does not pass the first isolator by the first coupling path, and enters into the transmission end via the first coupling path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to power line communication (PLC), and more particularly to an apparatus and method for optimizing power line communication. The related method is also applicable to wired communication applications such as twisted pair and coaxial cable. [Background technology]

[0002] Power line communication has been widely used in many fields since the late 1990s, including the HomePlug AV standard established by the HomePlug Powerline Alliance (HPA), Generation 3 Power Line Communication (G3-PLC), and High-speed PLC (HPLC). However, power grids typically suffer from issues such as high noise and impedance that change over time, resulting in poor communication quality. This invention proposes a new architecture that can significantly improve these issues.

[0003] Previously, some applications used low-pass filters and isolators to separate power lines into segments to reduce the impact of power-consuming devices. However, the separated power lines still contain both power consumption units and communication units. The noise and impedance changes generated by the power consumption units still affect the communication quality of the power lines. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the circuit structure 10 of a conventional smart power meter. The communication unit 11 transmits and receives power line signals via a coupler. The billing unit 12 calculates and analyzes relevant power consumption data based on the power line signals. The high-voltage alternating current-low-voltage direct current (AC-DC) power supply unit 15 extracts electrical energy waves from the power line to provide the DC power required by the communication unit and billing unit. Therefore, noise and impedance changes from the conventional power consumption unit 13 and AC-DC unit 15 affect the communication quality of the communication unit 11. In other words, conventional power line communication does not distinguish between high-frequency communication signals, low-frequency electrical energy waves, and noise and power line impedance changes caused by electricity usage. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention discloses a circuit structure that improves the reliability of power line communications, thereby significantly improving the quality of power line communications. Because power lines are necessary channels for supplying power to end-user power-consuming devices in a power grid, they can also transmit communication signals using frequency bands much higher than the power supply frequency (DC or 50 / 60 Hz). However, power line communications are currently known to have two major problems that generally lead to poor communication quality: (1) Noise generated by power-consuming devices (including the modem itself) is mixed into the power line, resulting in a large amount of time-varying noise on the power line, making it difficult to achieve stable and reliable communication quality; and (2) As the power consumption patterns of power-consuming devices change, the impedance of the power line also changes over time. Once the power line enters a heavy load (low impedance) state, the transmission signal sent to the power line also undergoes significant attenuation, making it difficult to transmit over long distances.

[0005] The concept of this invention is to install a low-pass filter or isolator before the power consumption unit (including the modem itself). The filter's low-pass 3dB frequency switching point is much lower than that of the communication signal, blocking the communication signal without affecting the power supply and separating the power line into two segments (one transmitting end and the other power consumption end). The communication signal from the modem (communication unit) at the transmitting end passes through the coupler, bypassing the filter and inputting to the transmitting end of the power line. This isolates the time-varying noise and time-varying impedance at the power consumption end in the frequency band used by the communication unit's communication signal, providing a stable impedance and low-noise transmission medium at the transmitting end, significantly improving the communication efficiency. Furthermore, if power supply equipment in the power grid generates noise or low impedance in the communication frequency band, similar filters must be installed at the inlet and outlet of the power supply equipment to prevent communication signal interference and significant attenuation on the power line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention discloses a circuit structure for improving the reliability of power line communications. The circuit structure has a power line, through which an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted. The circuit structure includes a first isolator and a first coupler. The first isolator is disposed at the entrance of each or some of the power consumption ends of the circuit structure. The first isolator separates the power line into the power consumption end and the transmitting end, and is used to filter the network signal so that the electric energy wave enters the power consumption end. The first coupler is used to generate a first coupling path, which allows the network signal to enter the transmitting end via the first coupling path without passing through the first isolator. The power line impedance at the transmitting end is not affected by the power consumption at the power consumption end. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] This shows the prior art. [Figure 2A] 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3A1] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3B] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3B1] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3C] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3D] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3E] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3F] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3G] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3H] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 3I] A schematic diagram of an isolator 201 or 14 is shown. [Figure 4A] 1 shows a schematic diagram of the present invention in a domestic indoor power network 400A. [Figure 4B] 4 shows a schematic diagram of the present invention in an outdoor power network 400B. [Figure 5] 5 shows a schematic diagram of the present invention in an on-board power grid 500. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Please refer to FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the present invention used in a power meter 20. As the low-voltage power supply network currently most commonly deployed in smart grids, the power meter 20 is the gateway to each power consumer. Therefore, improving the power meter can effectively improve the communication success rate of the low-voltage power supply network. The power meter 20 of the present invention includes an isolator 201, a charging unit 12, a coupler 202, a communication unit 17N, and a high-voltage alternating current-low-voltage direct current (AC-DC) power supply unit 15. The charging unit 12 calculates and analyzes relevant power consumption data based on the power line signal. The high-voltage alternating current-low-voltage direct current (AC-DC) power supply unit 15 is connected to the power consumption end to extract electrical energy waves from the power consumption end and provide the DC power required for the charging unit 12 and the communication unit 17N at the transmitting end. Furthermore, the communication signal from the communication unit 17N passes through the coupler 202, bypassing the isolator 201 via the coupling path P1 and entering the communication unit 17N on the power line.

[0009] In one embodiment, the power meter 20 includes a charging unit 12. The charging unit 12 is disposed between the first isolator 201 and the power consumption unit 30N, and performs charging based on the electric energy wave after the network signal is removed by the first isolator 201.

[0010] In one embodiment, the charging unit 12 is connected to a communication unit 17N, which allows the charging unit 12 data of the power meter 20 to be uploaded to the cloud for more effective management of energy usage and billing. By utilizing internet technology and cloud computing, the power meter 20 can transmit data including information such as power consumption, power consumption time, load peaks, etc. to a cloud data center (substation) in real time.

[0011] Please refer to FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B shows a schematic diagram of an isolator 201 and a coupler 202 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The isolator 14 is an isolator close to the power supply end and can be implemented by a low-frequency low-pass filter or an active isolator. A network signal is transmitted to the inlet of the communication units 171 to 17N (or the transmitting end T) via the coupling path P1, but cannot pass through the isolator 201 to enter the power consumption end E. A low-frequency electric energy wave can pass through the isolator 201 and then enter the power consumption end E. The electric energy wave supplies energy to the power consumption units 301 to 30N. In this embodiment, the isolator 201 can be implemented by a low-frequency low-pass filter or an active isolator.

[0012] In the new architecture proposed by the present invention, a low-pass filter (an active isolator can also be considered as a low-pass filter) is installed at the entrance of each or some of the power consuming units 30N of the power line communication device. The 3 dB cutoff frequency of this filter is at a frequency very low compared to the communication signal (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). In one embodiment, the cutoff frequency of the isolator 201 is lower than the transmission frequency of the network signal but higher than the frequency of the electrical energy wave. Therefore, only a small portion of the noise generated by the power consuming unit 30N can pass through the isolator 201 and enter the frequency band of the communication signal. The communication signal itself must bypass the isolator 201 via the coupling path P1 to enter and exit the communication unit 17N. In other words, the time-varying noise and impedance generated by the power consuming unit 30N do not affect the communication.

[0013] Another advantage of this architecture is that the isolator 201 is designed to be a high-impedance circuit connected in series with the transceiver in the communication frequency band, so that the communication signal transmitted by the transceiver to the power line is less attenuated and has less time fluctuation, maintaining stable and good communication quality. See FIG. 3A. FIG. 3A shows an embodiment in which the isolator 201 is a low-frequency low-pass filter. In this embodiment, the isolator 201 includes two inductors L1 and L2 and a capacitor C. The inductors L1 and L2 are connected in series with the power line, and the capacitor C is connected in parallel with the power line.

[0014] Note that inductors L1 and L2 are located at the entrance to the input terminal of isolator 201. In other words, inductors L1 and L2 are located outside capacitor C, which means that capacitor C is located between inductor L1 or L2 and power dissipation unit 30N. As a result, at angular frequency ω, the impedance of power dissipation end E facing the signal output from transmitting end T approaches ωL1 + ωL2, and this value hardly changes. In other words, the power line impedance on the transmitting end T side does not change depending on the power dissipation behavior on the power dissipation end E side, making the transmitting end T side a stable transmission medium. The attenuation of the communication signal on the transmitting end T side is not affected by the power dissipation behavior of power dissipation end E.

[0015] Assuming that the inductance value of inductors L1 and L2 is 100 μH and the capacitance value is 1.27 μF, when the frequency of the AC power signal is 60 Hz, the equivalent impedance of the inductor of the low-pass filter (isolator 201) is 0.075 ohms, which does not affect the normal power consumption. When the network signal is around 5 MHz, the network signal faces an impedance of about 6280 ohms, and the network signal is connected to the impedance R of the power consumption unit 30N. L The power consumption unit 30N is not affected by the noise, and only a small portion of the noise equivalent voltage Vn generated by the power consumption unit 30N passes through the low-frequency low-pass filter (isolator 201) and can affect the network signal. When a power supply unit is installed on the power line, it is common to install a low-frequency low-pass filter (isolator 14) at the power supply output terminal to reduce noise and increase the impedance of the transmission line (Figure 2B).

[0016] Referring to FIG. 3B, FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment in which the isolator 201 is a low-frequency low-pass filter. In this embodiment, the isolator 201 includes four inductors L1, L2, L3, and L4 and a capacitor C. Inductors L1 and L3 are connected in series to the power line, while inductors L2 and L4 are connected in series to the power line. Inductors L1 and L2 are located outside of capacitor C, and capacitor C is connected in parallel to the power line between inductors L1 and L2 and the power consumption unit 30N. The other principles are the same as those described above. If the noise source on the power consumption side has very strong energy and relatively low internal resistance, the low-frequency low-pass filter of FIG. 3B or a higher filter can provide a better blocking effect.

[0017] The isolator has the advantage of being easy to design because it can be implemented using a low-pass filter. However, for applications involving large currents, such as power meters, the required inductor is bulky and expensive, and the high-voltage capacitors required have similar problems. Therefore, a low-cost solution is to use a reverse-connected transformer instead of an inductor, as shown in Figures 3A1 and 3B1. Figures 3A1 and 3B1 each show a schematic diagram of an isolator in one embodiment. In Figure 3A1, a transformer K1 is connected in series to the power line, and a capacitor is connected in parallel to the power line. The transformer K1 is located at the entrance to the input terminal of the isolator 201, or the transformer K1 is located outside the capacitor C, so that the electrical energy wave passes through the transformer K1 before being transmitted to the power consumption end E. In Figure 3B1, the transformers K1 and K2 are connected in series to the power line, and a capacitor C is connected in parallel to the power line and between the transformers K1 and K2. The transformers K1 and K2 are arranged at the entrance of the input terminal of the isolator 201, or the transformer K1 is arranged outside the capacitor C, so that the electric energy wave passes through the transformers K1 and K2 before being transmitted to the power consumption end E.

[0018] Another way to significantly improve isolation is to use active isolators to reduce the requirements for transformers or inductance values, as shown in Figures 3C-3I. Figure 3C shows the basic concept of an active isolator. Each isolator 201 includes inductors L1 and L2 and amplifiers A1 and A2. Inductors L1 and L2 are connected in series with the power line, respectively. Amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to both sides of inductors L1 and L2, respectively. The non-inverting input terminals of amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the start terminals of inductors L1 and L2, respectively. The output terminals of amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the inverting input terminals of amplifiers A1 and A2, respectively, and to the end terminals of inductors L1 and L2, respectively. The non-inverting input terminals of amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the start terminals of inductors L1 and L2. Inductors L1 and L2 can carry larger currents at low frequencies and are used to detect potential changes in the communication frequency band. By using amplifiers A1 and A2 with a gain value A to reduce the voltage difference across the inductor to 1 / A, the equivalent impedance of this isolator 201 can be increased by a factor of A, allowing the required effect to be achieved with a small inductor. In one embodiment, amplifiers A1 and A2 are implemented as voltage followers. In addition, the lower sides of inductors L1 and L2 (i.e., the power consumption end E side) have low impedance, which absorbs noise currents generated at the power consumption end side, blocking the noise and maintaining a high impedance on the upper sides of inductors L1 and L2 (i.e., the transmitting end T side).

[0019] In Figure 3D, a transformer K1 is used instead of an inductor, and the magnetic core is shared, further reducing costs. Furthermore, due to the reverse mutual inductance, the actual impedance may be higher than that of a simple inductor. This isolator includes a transformer K1 connected in series with the power line and two amplifiers A1 and A2 connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the transformer K1, respectively. The output terminals of the amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the inverting input terminals of the amplifiers A1 and A2, the end of the primary coil, or the end of the secondary coil of the transformer K1, respectively, and the non-inverting input terminals of the amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the transformer K1, respectively.

[0020] In actual use, as shown in Figure 3E, the maximum current output specification requirements of amplifiers A1 and A2 can be reduced by installing another transformer K2 or a low-pass filter between the output terminals of amplifiers A1 and A2 and the power consumption terminal E. This isolator includes two transformers K1 and K2 connected in series to the power line, and two amplifiers A1 and A2 connected to the beginning of the primary coil and the beginning of the secondary coil of transformer K1, respectively. The output terminals of amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the inverting input terminals of amplifiers A1 and A2, respectively, and between the two transformers K1 and K2, and the non-inverting input terminals of amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the beginning of the primary coil and the beginning of the secondary coil of transformer K1, respectively. For use in a power meter, a high-voltage capacitor C is connected in parallel to the high-voltage power line. That is, the high-voltage capacitor C is connected in parallel between the end of the primary coil of transformer K2, the end of the secondary coil, and the power line. A capacitor C is connected in parallel between the start of the primary coil or the start of the secondary coil of the transformer K1, the non-inverting input terminals of the amplifiers A1 and A2, and the power line, and between the end of the primary coil or the end of the secondary coil of the transformer K1, the inverting input terminals and output terminals of the amplifiers A1 and A2, and the power line.

[0021] Furthermore, in practical applications, considering the presence of voltage on the power line, a coupling circuit is required between the amplifier circuit and the transformer (or inductor). In this embodiment, the path of the coupling circuit is generated via a coupler 202a. As shown in FIG. 3F, the isolator of this embodiment includes two transformers K1 and K2 connected in series to the power line, and two amplifiers A1 and A2 connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the transformer K1, respectively. The output terminals of the amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the inverting input terminals of the amplifiers A1 and A2, respectively, and between the two transformers K1 and K2, and the non-inverting input terminals of the amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the transformer K1, respectively. A high-voltage capacitor C is connected in parallel to the high-voltage power line. That is, the high-voltage capacitor C is connected in parallel between the end of the primary coil of the transformer K2, the end of the secondary coil, and the power line. The two couplers 202a are connected to the start and end of the transformer K1, and the output terminal, non-inverting input terminal and inverting input terminal of the amplifiers A1 and A2, respectively, and are disposed between the amplifiers A1, A2 and the transformer K1.

[0022] In low-voltage power lines in vehicles, the coupling circuit can be completed by a capacitor. In power meter applications, the coupling circuit is often completed by a transformer. The coupling transformer at the original transmitting end E can be used as the input terminal of the amplifier, and can be completed by adding one more coupling transformer. Amplifier A1 can also be completed by a differential amplifier, so in this embodiment, only one coupler 202a is required (as shown in FIG. 3G). In this embodiment, two inductors L1 and L2 are connected in series on the same side of the power line, the input terminal of amplifier A1 is connected to the start terminal of the first inductor L1, and the output terminal of amplifier A1 is connected to the inverting input terminal of amplifier A1 and the end terminal of the first inductor L1. Coupler 202a is connected to the start and end terminals of inductor L1 and is located between amplifier A1 and inductor L1. Coupler 202a is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of amplifier A1 and the beginning of inductor L1, to the inverting input terminal and output terminal of amplifier A1 and the end of inductor L1, and capacitor C is connected in parallel to the power line, i.e., capacitor C is connected in parallel between the end of inductor L2 and the power line.

[0023] 3H. In one embodiment, the transformers K1 and K2 can share the amplifier A1, so that in this embodiment, the two couplers 202a connect the power lines on both sides to the same amplifier A1 through respective coupling paths. The amplifier A1 has a first non-inverting input terminal P + , the second non-inverting input terminal P - , the first inverting input terminal N + , and the second inverting input terminal N - The isolator 201 includes two transformers K1 and K2 connected in series to the power line. The amplifier A1 is connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the transformer K1, and the two output terminals of the amplifier A1 are respectively connected to the second non-inverting input terminal P of the amplifier A1. - and the second inverting input terminal N - , and between the transformers K1 and K2. A capacitor C is connected in parallel between the end of the transformer K2 and the power line, and one coupler 202a is connected between the start of the transformer K1, the first non-inverting input terminal P of the amplifier A1,+ , and the first inverting input terminal N + , and the other coupler 202a is connected to the end of the transformer K1, the output terminal of the amplifier A1, and the second non-inverting input terminal P - , and the second inverting input terminal N - and two second couplers 202a are arranged between amplifier A1 and transformer K1.

[0024] See FIG. 3I. In one embodiment, a line driver LD is connected to a power line, and a matching resistor Rs is arranged in a feedback circuit between the input and output terminals of the line driver LD. The isolator 201 includes transformers K1 and K2 connected in series with the power lines, a matching resistor Rs connected between the start and end of the transformer K1 for impedance matching, the line driver LD, a capacitor C connected in parallel between the power lines, and a coupler 202a. The input terminal of the line driver LD is connected to the start of the transformer K1 and the matching resistor Rs, the output terminal is connected to the two input terminals of the line driver LD and the transformer K1, the forward signal end of the power line is connected to the reverse output terminal of the line driver LD, and the reverse signal end of the power line is connected to the forward output terminal of the line driver LD. One coupler 202a is connected to the start of the transformer K1 and the input terminal of the line driver LD, and the other coupler 202a is connected to the end of the transformer K1 and the output terminal of the line driver LD.

[0025] In one embodiment, the isolator 14 can be implemented by the active isolator of FIGS. 3C-3I, the principle of which is similar to that described above.

[0026] The architecture of the present invention can be applied to, but is not limited to, long-distance power grids, residential / commercial indoor power grids, and battery power supply system grids (such as vehicle power grids and solar power grids).

[0027] Please refer to FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A shows a schematic diagram of the present invention in a home indoor power network 400A. The home indoor power network 400A employs the circuit structure of the present invention. Electric energy waves enter a home from a power company, are measured by a power meter, enter a power receiving switch, and are then transmitted through power lines to a distribution board 4. The home indoor power network 400A includes a plurality of home appliances 401-406. The home appliances 401-406 can be regarded as the aforementioned power consumption units, and each home appliance has a corresponding communication unit 171-176. The home indoor power network 400A further includes an isolator 41. The isolator 41 filters out high-frequency noise and clutter from other fields and other home appliances, thereby reducing interference and noise from the home appliances 401-406 and protecting the stable operation of the home appliances 401-406 and the circuits.

[0028] In one embodiment, the isolator 41 can be implemented by a low-pass filter with a rated current of 60 A. A household indoor power grid 400 A can be provided with a protection switch 42 in front of each field. The protection switch 42 can detect problems such as abnormal current, voltage, or power in the power line and automatically shut off the power line circuit as necessary to prevent problems such as equipment overload, short circuit, and ground leakage. In one embodiment, the isolator 41 can be implemented by the active isolator shown in Figures 3C to 3I, and the principle is similar to that described above.

[0029] As described above, each of the home appliances 401 to 406 is connected to the isolator 201, and the communication units 171 to 176 of the home appliances 401 to 406 are also connected to the coupler 202, so that the electric energy waves of the home power grid 400A and the network signals can enter the power consumption end and the transmission end, respectively. As a result, the network signals are transmitted to the entrances of the communication units 171 to 176 (or the transmission end) via the coupling path, but cannot pass through the isolator 201 to enter the power consumption end. The low-frequency electric energy waves can pass through the isolator 201 and then enter the power consumption end, and the electric energy waves supply energy to the home appliances 401 to 406. The other principles are the same as those described above, so they will not be repeated here.

[0030] Furthermore, a socket S can be provided in the field. The socket S is connected to the power line, and an isolator 201 is provided between the socket S and the power line to reduce noise and impedance caused by the socket S.

[0031] Please refer to FIG. 4B. FIG. 4B shows a schematic diagram of the present invention in an outdoor power network 400B. The outdoor power network 400B employs the circuit structure of the present invention, in which an electric energy wave passes from a distribution transformer 5 through a power meter 20 and is then transmitted to power consumers U1-UN through a power line. The outdoor power network 400B includes an isolator 41. The isolator 41 can filter out high-frequency noise and clutter from other fields. As described above, the isolator 201 of the present invention is disposed at the entrance of the power meter 20, and the communication units 171-17N are also connected to the coupler 202. This allows the network signal to be transmitted to the entrance of the communication units 171-17N (or the transmitting end) via the coupling path, but cannot pass through the isolator 201 to enter the power meter 20.

[0032] Please refer to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the present invention in an on-board power network 500. The on-board power network 500 adopts the circuit structure of the present invention, and a DC power supply is used by application modules 501 to 506 of the vehicle. Each application module 501 to 506 has a corresponding on-board power consumption unit 5A_1 to 5A_6 and a communication unit 171 to 176 corresponding to the application module 501 to 506.

[0033] The application modules 501 to 506 can be implemented by an engine control unit (ECU), a transmission control unit, an electronic stability program (Electronic Stability Program), an adaptive cruise control (ACC), a car access system, a car door module, a car window module, a rearview mirror module, a global positioning system (GPS), a radio module, etc.

[0034] In this embodiment, power is supplied to the vehicle application modules 501-506 from a DC power source, as described above. In the vehicle power network 500, the vehicle power consumption units 5A_1-5A_6 may be the power consumption ends or power consumption units. An isolator 201 is connected to the inlet of each of the vehicle power consumption units 5A_1-5A_6, and a coupler 202 is connected to each of the communication units 171-176 or transmitting ends. As a result, network signals are transmitted to the inlet of the communication units 171-176 (or transmitting ends) via the coupling path, but cannot pass through the isolator 201 to enter the power consumption ends. Low-frequency electric energy waves can pass through the isolator 201 before entering the power consumption ends, and the electric energy waves supply energy to the vehicle power consumption units 5A_1-5A_6. The other principles are the same as described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0035] Furthermore, because the vehicle's ground wire is generally replaced by the vehicle shell, DC power is typically supplied to each application module from the power line (live wire). The DC power then flows back to the battery from the vehicle shell's ground wire. If network signals also pass through the same circuit, the signals are more likely to be radiated and external interference noise is more likely to be absorbed by the transmission path. Therefore, it is more appropriate to use wires such as twisted pairs for differential signal transmission. That is, the DC current circuit follows the original vehicle shell circuit, but the network signal is returned via a twisted pair circuit. In this case, the differential signal transmission wires can be used as the same pair of DC power lines or two pairs of power lines (e.g., one 3.3V and the other 24V), which can moderately reduce the demand for power supply chips in each application module.

[0036] The present invention can also be applied to non-power line communications, i.e., any line such as twisted pair or coaxial line for carrying communication signals. Also, although the above diagrams primarily show differential signal transmission, the present invention can also be applied to single-ended signal lines or single-ended transmission lines.

[0037] As described above, the present invention improves power line communications by providing a separate coupling path between the low frequency power line and the high frequency communication signal transmission path, thereby separating the low frequency power line and the high frequency communication signal transmission path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 12:Charging unit 400A: Domestic indoor power grid 400B:Outdoor power grid 5: Distribution transformer 500: Vehicle power grid 15: High voltage alternating current - low voltage direct current (AC-DC) power supply unit 14, 201, 41: Isolator 202, 202a: Coupler P1: Binding pathway 11, 171~17N: Communication unit 13, 301~30N: Power consumption unit R L :load Vn: equivalent voltage L1, L2, L3, L4: inductors C: Capacitor 10, 20: Power meter 401~406: Home appliances 4: Switchboard 42: Protection switch 501~506: Application modules 5A_1~5A_6: In-vehicle power consumption units U1~UN: Electricity consumer A1~A2: Amplifier P + , P - , N - , N + :Amplifier input terminal Vs: Power supply S: Socket E: Power consumption end T: Transmitting end K1, K2: Transformer LD: Line driver Rs: matching resistance

Claims

1. A circuit structure for improving the reliability of power line communication, The circuit structure has a power line, and an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted on the power line; the circuit structure includes a first isolator and a first coupler; the first isolator is disposed at the entrance of each or some of the power consumption ends of the circuit structure, and is used to separate the power line into the power consumption end and the transmission end, and to remove the network signal so that the electric energy wave enters the power consumption end; the first coupler is used to generate a first coupling path, and the first coupling path allows the network signal to enter the transmitting end via the first coupling path without passing through the first isolator; the power line impedance of the transmitting end is not affected by the power consuming end, the time-varying noise generated at the power consuming end and the impedance of the power consuming end are isolated at the power consuming end by the first isolator, and the cutoff frequency of the first isolator is lower than the transmission frequency of the network signal and higher than the frequency of the electric energy wave; The first isolator comprises: an inductor connected in series to the power line; an amplifier connected across the inductor; Including, The non-inverting input terminal of the amplifier is connected to the beginning of the inductor, and the output terminal of the amplifier is connected to the inverting input terminal of the amplifier and the end of the inductor. circuit structure.

2. A circuit structure for improving the reliability of power line communication, The circuit structure has a power line, and an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted on the power line; the circuit structure includes a first isolator and a first coupler; the first isolator is disposed at the entrance of each or some of the power consumption ends of the circuit structure, and is used to separate the power line into the power consumption end and the transmission end, and to remove the network signal so that the electric energy wave enters the power consumption end; the first coupler is used to generate a first coupling path, and the first coupling path allows the network signal to enter the transmitting end via the first coupling path without passing through the first isolator; the power line impedance of the transmitting end is not affected by the power consuming end, the time-varying noise generated at the power consuming end and the impedance of the power consuming end are isolated at the power consuming end by the first isolator, and the cutoff frequency of the first isolator is lower than the transmission frequency of the network signal and higher than the frequency of the electric energy wave; The first isolator comprises: a transformer connected in series with the power line; two amplifiers connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the transformer, respectively; Including, The output terminals of the two amplifiers are respectively connected to the inverting input terminals of the two amplifiers, the end of the primary coil or the end of the secondary coil of the transformer, and the non-inverting input terminals of the two amplifiers are respectively connected to the start end of the primary coil and the start end of the secondary coil of the transformer. circuit structure.

3. A circuit structure for improving the reliability of power line communication, The circuit structure has a power line, and an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted on the power line; the circuit structure includes a first isolator and a first coupler; the first isolator is disposed at the entrance of each or some of the power consumption ends of the circuit structure, and is used to separate the power line into the power consumption end and the transmission end, and to remove the network signal so that the electric energy wave enters the power consumption end; the first coupler is used to generate a first coupling path, and the first coupling path allows the network signal to enter the transmitting end via the first coupling path without passing through the first isolator; the power line impedance of the transmitting end is not affected by the power consuming end, the time-varying noise generated at the power consuming end and the impedance of the power consuming end are isolated at the power consuming end by the first isolator, and the cutoff frequency of the first isolator is lower than the transmission frequency of the network signal and higher than the frequency of the electric energy wave; The first isolator comprises: two transformers including a first transformer and a second transformer connected in series to the power line, respectively; two amplifiers connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the first transformer, respectively; a plurality of capacitors including two first capacitors for respectively connecting the start end of the first transformer and the non-inverting input terminals of the two amplifiers, two second capacitors for respectively connecting the end end of the first transformer and the inverting input terminals of the two amplifiers and the output terminals of the two amplifiers, and a third capacitor connected in parallel to the second transformer; Including, The output terminals of the two amplifiers are respectively connected to the inverting input terminals of the two amplifiers and the first and second transformers, and the non-inverting input terminals of the two amplifiers are respectively connected to the start end of the primary coil or the start end of the secondary coil of the first transformer; Another capacitor is connected in parallel to the power line on the high voltage side. circuit structure.

4. A circuit structure for improving the reliability of power line communication, The circuit structure has a power line, and an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted on the power line; the circuit structure includes a first isolator and a first coupler; the first isolator is disposed at the entrance of each or some of the power consumption ends of the circuit structure, and is used to separate the power line into the power consumption end and the transmission end, and to remove the network signal so that the electric energy wave enters the power consumption end; the first coupler is used to generate a first coupling path, and the first coupling path allows the network signal to enter the transmitting end via the first coupling path without passing through the first isolator; the power line impedance of the transmitting end is not affected by the power consuming end, the time-varying noise generated at the power consuming end and the impedance of the power consuming end are isolated at the power consuming end by the first isolator, and the cutoff frequency of the first isolator is lower than the transmission frequency of the network signal and higher than the frequency of the electric energy wave; The first isolator comprises: two transformers including a first transformer and a second transformer connected in series to the power line, respectively; two amplifiers connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the first transformer, respectively; a capacitor connected in parallel with the second transformer; two second couplers; Including, The output terminals of the two amplifiers are respectively connected to the inverting input terminals of the two amplifiers and between the two transformers, and the non-inverting input terminals of the two amplifiers are respectively connected to the start of the primary coil and the start of the secondary coil of the first transformer; one of the two second couplers is used to connect the first transformer circuit and one of the amplifier circuits, and the other is used to connect the first transformer circuit and the other of the amplifier circuits, and the two second couplers are disposed between the two amplifiers and the first transformer, respectively; circuit structure.

5. A circuit structure for improving the reliability of power line communication, The circuit structure has a power line, and an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted on the power line; the circuit structure includes a first isolator and a first coupler; the first isolator is disposed at the entrance of each or some of the power consumption ends of the circuit structure, and is used to separate the power line into the power consumption end and the transmission end, and to remove the network signal so that the electric energy wave enters the power consumption end; the first coupler is used to generate a first coupling path, and the first coupling path allows the network signal to enter the transmitting end via the first coupling path without passing through the first isolator; the power line impedance of the transmitting end is not affected by the power consuming end, the time-varying noise generated at the power consuming end and the impedance of the power consuming end are isolated at the power consuming end by the first isolator, and the cutoff frequency of the first isolator is lower than the transmission frequency of the network signal and higher than the frequency of the electric energy wave; The first isolator comprises: two inductors including a first inductor and a second inductor connected in series to one of the two conductors of the power line; An amplifier; a second coupler used to connect the non-inverting input terminal of the amplifier to the beginning of the first inductor of the two inductors and to connect the inverting input terminal of the amplifier to the end of the first inductor; a capacitor connected in parallel to the power line; Including, the output terminal of the amplifier is connected to the inverting input terminal of the amplifier; circuit structure.

6. A circuit structure for improving the reliability of power line communication, The circuit structure has a power line, and an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted on the power line; the circuit structure includes a first isolator and a first coupler; the first isolator is disposed at the entrance of each or some of the power consumption ends of the circuit structure, and is used to separate the power line into the power consumption end and the transmission end, and to remove the network signal so that the electric energy wave enters the power consumption end; the first coupler is used to generate a first coupling path, and the first coupling path allows the network signal to enter the transmitting end via the first coupling path without passing through the first isolator; the power line impedance of the transmitting end is not affected by the power consuming end, the time-varying noise generated at the power consuming end and the impedance of the power consuming end are isolated at the power consuming end by the first isolator, and the cutoff frequency of the first isolator is lower than the transmission frequency of the network signal and higher than the frequency of the electric energy wave; The first isolator comprises: two transformers including a first transformer and a second transformer connected in series to the power line, respectively; an amplifier having a first non-inverting input terminal, a second non-inverting input terminal, a first inverting input terminal, and a second inverting input terminal; a capacitor connected in parallel with the second transformer; two second couplers; Including, an output terminal of the amplifier is connected to the second non-inverting input terminal and the second inverting input terminal of the amplifier and between the two transformers; one of the two second couplers is used to connect a start end of the first transformer to the first non-inverting input terminal and the first inverting input terminal of the amplifier, and the other is used to connect a finish end of the first transformer to the second non-inverting input terminal, the second inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier, and the two second couplers are disposed between the amplifier and the first transformer; circuit structure.

7. A circuit structure for improving the reliability of power line communication, The circuit structure has a power line, and an electric energy wave and a network signal are transmitted on the power line; the circuit structure includes a first isolator and a first coupler; the first isolator is disposed at the entrance of each or some of the power consumption ends of the circuit structure, and is used to separate the power line into the power consumption end and the transmission end, and to remove the network signal so that the electric energy wave enters the power consumption end; the first coupler is used to generate a first coupling path, and the first coupling path allows the network signal to enter the transmitting end via the first coupling path without passing through the first isolator; the power line impedance of the transmitting end is not affected by the power consuming end, the time-varying noise generated at the power consuming end and the impedance of the power consuming end are isolated at the power consuming end by the first isolator, and the cutoff frequency of the first isolator is lower than the transmission frequency of the network signal and higher than the frequency of the electric energy wave; The first isolator comprises: two transformers including a first transformer and a second transformer connected in series to the power line, respectively; four matching resistors connected between the start and end of the first transformer for impedance matching; A line driver; two second couplers; Including, the line driver has a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals, the plurality of input terminals being connected to a start end of the first transformer and the four matching resistors, the plurality of output terminals being connected to the first transformer and being feedback connected to the plurality of input terminals via the four matching resistors, a forward signal end of the power line being connected to a reverse output end of the line driver, and a reverse signal end of the power line being connected to the forward output end of the line driver; one of the two second couplers is used to connect a starting end of the first transformer to one input terminal of the line driver, and the other is used to connect a finishing end of the first transformer to the other input terminal of the line driver; circuit structure.

8. The circuit structure is used in a domestic power grid; The home indoor power grid comprises: a power distribution board connected to the second isolator; a socket connected to the power line; Including, the second isolator filters out high frequency noise and clutter from other fields or other power consumers and provides the electrical energy wave; the first isolator is disposed between the socket and the power line; the electrical energy wave filtered by the second isolator enters the circuit structure; The circuit structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The circuit structure is used in a power meter, the power meter includes a high voltage alternating current - low voltage direct current (AC-DC) power supply unit; the high-voltage alternating current-low-voltage direct current (AC-DC) power supply unit is connected to the power consumption end, extracts the electric energy wave from the power consumption end, and supplies the DC power required for the charging unit and the communication unit of the transmitting end; The circuit structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The circuit structure is used in an outdoor power grid; the outdoor power network includes a distribution transformer; the distribution transformer is connected to a second isolator for supplying the electrical energy waves, the second isolator filtering out high frequency noise and clutter from other fields; the electrical energy wave filtered by the second isolator enters the circuit structure; The circuit structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. The circuit structure is used in an on-board power grid; the on-board power grid includes a DC power source; the DC power supply is connected to a second isolator to provide the electrical energy waves, the second isolator filtering out high frequency noise and clutter from other fields; the electrical energy wave filtered by the second isolator enters the circuit structure; The circuit structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. 12. The circuit structure according to claim 11, wherein the onboard power grid has a transmission line, the transmission line uses a differential signal line, the differential signal line serves as a DC power line of the onboard power grid, and a ground line of the onboard power grid is connected to a vehicle shell.

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