Central Control Device Frequency Selection for Lighting PLC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central control devices for lighting subsystems face challenges in determining the ideal communication channel frequency for effective communication with participants via powerline communication, as this frequency is influenced by the number of participants, spatial extent, and communication type, leading to inefficiencies in reaching all devices within the subsystem.
Innovation Solution
A method where the central control device selects and tests multiple frequency candidates by transmitting request signals and evaluating feedback signals for criteria such as the number of participants and transmission quality, ultimately selecting the frequency with the largest number of participants for communication, prioritizing reachability over signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fixed communication frequency is used for PLC, then device complexity is reduced, but the number of participants reached and communication reliability deteriorate due to varying subsystem conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the communication frequency based on the specific conditions of the lighting subsystem. Instead of using a fixed frequency, the control device determines the optimal frequency by evaluating feedback from participants, making the communication parameters adaptive to the actual system state and thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the communication frequency parameter based on subsystem characteristics such as number of participants and spatial extent. By selecting from multiple frequency candidates and evaluating feedback signals, the system optimizes the frequency parameter to achieve reliable communication across different lighting subsystem configurations.
2Reliability
If multiple frequency candidates are tested by transmitting request signals and evaluating feedback, then the number of participants reached is improved, but the time and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary frequency determination during the initial connection phase between the control device and lighting subsystem. By conducting frequency testing and evaluation before normal operation begins, the optimal frequency is established in advance, avoiding time losses during actual communication operations while still achieving maximum participant reachability.
3Reliability
If transmission signal quality is prioritized over number of participants, then communication quality improves, but the reachability and number of controlled participants decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the evaluation criterion from prioritizing signal quality to prioritizing the number of participants reached. By selecting the frequency that maximizes participant feedback rather than the frequency with highest signal quality, the system optimizes for reachability while maintaining acceptable communication quality through subsequent error handling mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method ensures the largest possible number of participants within a lighting subsystem are reached efficiently, facilitating reliable and efficient communication between the central control device and lighting subsystem participants, particularly in PLC-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
The central control device controls the respective participants of at least one lighting subsystem and supplies power thereto via powerline communication, PLC
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A communication channel frequency determination method for determining a communication channel frequency to be used by a central control device (1000) for communicating with at least one participant (3000) of a respective lighting subsystem (2000, 2010, 2020). The central control device (1000) comprising at least one subsystem interface (1100, 1101, 1102), for connecting with a lighting subsystem (2000, 2010, 2020), whereas a respective subsystem interface (1100, 1101, 1102) is connected with the respective lighting subsystem (2000, 2010, 2020) via a respective link (4000). The central control device (1000) has frequency-candidates, whereas the frequency-candidates are frequencies potentially usable as the communication channel frequency. The method is performed by the central control device (1000).