Power Line Communication Interference Reduction via Dynamic Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern communication systems face interference issues due to overlapping frequency usage, particularly between power line communication networks and radio services, leading to radio reception impairment and potential system shutdowns, which hinders the adoption of power line communication technology.

Innovation Solution

An automated interference reduction method where a faulty network system detects excessive noise and sends control information via a dedicated channel to potential disruptors, reducing transmission power in the interfering frequency range, allowing for efficient identification and suppression of interference sources without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If PLC networks use wide frequency ranges for high data rates, then data transmission performance is improved, but radio reception quality deteriorates due to interference emissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidradio interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes transmission parameters (frequency ranges, power levels) based on detected interference conditions. The PLC network automatically adjusts its operating parameters to reduce interference with radio services while maintaining acceptable data transmission performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where radio reception quality is monitored and this information is used to control PLC transmission behavior. The system receives feedback about interference levels and automatically adjusts its operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual interference suppression procedures are used to identify and eliminate disruptors, then radio reception quality is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio interferenceVSAvoidinterference suppression process
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-diagnosis and self-correction of interference problems. The PLC network automatically detects interference sources, identifies disruptors through coordinated measurement, and implements suppression measures without requiring manual intervention, thereby simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary control system that coordinates between PLC networks and radio services. This intermediary entity manages the interference suppression process, automating what would otherwise require manual coordination between different network operators and technicians.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If transmission power of interferers is reduced to eliminate interference, then radio reception quality is improved, but data transmission performance of the interferer deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio interferenceVSAvoiddata transmission rate of interferer
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies selective power reduction only in the specific frequency ranges where interference occurs, rather than reducing overall transmission power. This allows the PLC network to maintain high data rates in non-interfering frequency bands while suppressing interference in affected bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic power adjustment where transmission power is adaptively controlled based on real-time interference conditions. The system can switch between different power levels and frequency allocations, optimizing both radio reception quality and PLC data transmission performance under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2744117B1Method for reducing interference in a communication network
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2744117B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2744117B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2744117B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (300) for reducing interference in a communication network (200) with a first network entity (101) and a second network entity (103), comprising: detecting (301) an interference signal (102) in an interference frequency range by the first network entity (101); transmitting (303) control information over the interference frequency range from the first network entity (101) to the second network entity (103); and reducing (305) a transmission power of the second network entity (103) in the interference frequency range in response to a reception of the control information by the second network entity (103).