Multi-wideband Communications Device Bypassing Junction Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in providing high-performance and reliable digital in-home networks, particularly in households with multiple types of wires, where communications between distant power outlets often struggle due to difficulties in passing signals through junction boxes and different AC phases.
Innovation Solution
A multi-wideband communications device that enables simultaneous transmission and reception over multiple mediums, including powerlines, telephone lines, and coaxial cables, using a single reference design with multiple interfaces and a processor to determine the best medium and frequency band for communication based on quality of service metrics, allowing for bridging between sections of mains cable and bypassing junction boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If communication is transmitted through junction boxes over powerlines, then coverage is extended to distant outlets, but communication reliability deteriorates due to difficulties in passing signals through junction boxes and different AC phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alternative communication mediums (telephone lines, coaxial cables, wireless connections) as intermediary paths when powerline communication through junction boxes becomes unreliable. The system detects communication quality and automatically switches to alternative mediums, thereby maintaining reliability while extending coverage to distant outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the communication parameter by switching between different physical mediums (powerline, telephone line, coaxial cable, wireless) based on detected communication quality. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliable communication across the extended coverage area by selecting the optimal medium for each specific connection path.
2Reliability
If multiple communication mediums are used simultaneously, then communication reliability and coverage are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is designed with multi-functionality to operate across multiple mediums (powerline, telephone line, coaxial cable, wireless). A single device can switch between different communication paths, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each medium and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes automatic detection and switching capabilities that enable it to self-manage communication path selection. The device monitors communication quality on each medium and automatically transitions to alternative paths when needed, reducing the need for complex manual configuration and management while maintaining reliable communication.
3Device complexity
If single medium communication is used, then device complexity is reduced, but communication quality and adaptability deteriorate in households with multiple wire types
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is designed to be dynamic, automatically adapting to the available infrastructure in different households. It can detect which mediums are present (powerline, telephone line, coaxial cable, wireless) and switch between them as needed, providing versatility without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple static communication paths.
4Area of stationary object
If powerline communication is used to reach distant outlets, then coverage is extended, but communication quality deteriorates due to signal transmission difficulties over long distances and through junction boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses alternative communication mediums as intermediary paths when powerline signal quality deteriorates over distance. Telephone lines, coaxial cables, or wireless connections serve as intermediary channels to relay communications between distant outlets, bypassing the signal attenuation and interference issues inherent in long-distance powerline transmission through multiple junction boxes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A powerline communications device comprises a powerline communications interface and at least one other communications interface configured to communicate over a computing network. The powerline communications interface is further configured to receive electrical power. The computing network may comprise mediums including powerlines, telephone lines, and/or coaxial cables. In some embodiments, the powerline communications interface may communicate with a network apparatus, such as a personal computer, via an Ethernet interface. The powerline interface, the telephone line interface, and/or the coaxial cable interface may all be associated with the same media access control (MAC) address. The powerline communications device may receive a message via a first medium and repeat the message via a second medium based on a quality of service (QoS) metric. In some embodiments, the powerline communications device maycommunicate using multiple frequency bands.