Hybrid Communication Frame Header Protocol Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power line communication technologies operating in the same frequency band often interfere with each other, limiting seamless communication between nodes operating under different standards.

Innovation Solution

Generating frames with headers and payloads based on different protocol types, allowing nodes to communicate seamlessly by including a preamble and headers generated according to one protocol type and payloads generated according to another, enabling demodulation by nodes compatible with the respective standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If PLC technologies operate in the same frequency band to share the power line infrastructure, then cost-effectiveness and ease of installation are improved, but interference between different PLC standards occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The communication frame is segmented into distinct portions: a first header portion generated according to a first PLC standard and a second header portion generated according to a second PLC standard. This segmentation allows each standard to process its respective header portion independently, enabling coexistence without mutual interference while sharing the same frequency band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the frame are assigned different protocol characteristics - the first header portion uses first protocol type parameters while the second header portion uses second protocol type parameters. This local differentiation allows nodes of different standards to interpret their respective portions correctly without being affected by the other standard's formatting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If nodes operate according to different PLC standards, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but seamless communication between different standards cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different standardsVSAvoidseamless communication
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication frame is designed with universal compatibility by incorporating multiple header portions that can be interpreted by different PLC standards. A node operating according to a first standard can process the first header portion, while a node operating according to a second standard can process the second header portion, enabling the same frame to serve multiple standards universally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid frame structure acts as an intermediary between different PLC standards. By including both first and second header portions with their respective protocol types, the frame mediates communication between nodes of different standards, allowing them to exchange information seamlessly without requiring direct compatibility between the standards themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single protocol type is used for the entire frame, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to communicate with nodes of different standards is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol implementation complexityVSAvoidmulti-standard communication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into separate header portions, each governed by a different protocol type. This segmentation allows each portion to be processed independently according to its specific protocol requirements, maintaining relatively simple device complexity for each standard while achieving multi-standard communication capability through the combined structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2493085B1Coexistence in communication system
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 LANTIQ BET GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2493085B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2493085B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2493085B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide communication between networked nodes operating on a communication network medium. In an implementation, a node generates a broadcast frame that includes at least a preamble, a header, and a payload. The preamble and header are generated according to a first protocol type and the payload is generated according to a second protocol type.