Power Line Communication Module Listening Before Beacon Broadcast

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing HomePlug AV protocol experiences unnecessary power consumption and electromagnetic radiation when a newly powered-on electronic device broadcasts beacon packets in the absence of other devices, occupying PLC link bandwidth and interfering with other power-consuming devices.

Innovation Solution

An improved HomePlug AV protocol where an electronic device listens for data packets over a power line and broadcasts only when packets are detected, remaining silent for a preset time duration if no packets are received, thereby avoiding unnecessary broadcasts and reducing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a newly powered-on electronic device broadcasts beacon packets in the absence of other devices, then the device can establish power line connections, but unnecessary power consumption and electromagnetic radiation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs a preliminary listening action before broadcasting to detect the presence of other devices. By listening first for a preset time duration, the device can avoid unnecessary broadcasting when no other devices are present, thus reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable connection establishment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses feedback from the listening phase to control the broadcasting behavior. If data packets from other devices are detected during the listening period, the device receives feedback to initiate broadcasting for connection establishment. If no packets are received, the device receives feedback to remain silent, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If beacon packets are broadcast continuously, then connection establishment is ensured, but PLC link bandwidth is occupied and electromagnetic interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidelectromagnetic radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs a preliminary listening action before broadcasting to detect the presence of other devices. By listening first for a preset time duration, the device can avoid unnecessary broadcasting when no other devices are present, thus reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable connection establishment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses feedback from the listening phase to control the broadcasting behavior. If data packets from other devices are detected during the listening period, the device receives feedback to initiate broadcasting for connection establishment. If no packets are received, the device receives feedback to remain silent, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the device remains silent to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but connection establishment may fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidconnection establishment

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs a preliminary listening action before broadcasting to detect the presence of other devices. By listening first for a preset time duration, the device can avoid unnecessary broadcasting when no other devices are present, thus reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable connection establishment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses feedback from the listening phase to control the broadcasting behavior. If data packets from other devices are detected during the listening period, the device receives feedback to initiate broadcasting for connection establishment. If no packets are received, the device receives feedback to remain silent, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10284260B2Electronic device and communication method between electronic devices

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 HISENSE GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes: a connection establishing unit and a power line communication module; wherein, the connection establishing unit is configured to establish power line connections; the power line communication module comprising: a listening unit is configured to listen to a data packet, transmitted over a power line, from the other electronic devices after the power line connections are established; and a broadcast unit is configured to broadcast data packets after the power line connections are established, and broadcast no data packet and keep silent upon detection on data packet from other electronic devices has been received in a preset time duration. With the technical solutions of the disclosure, electromagnetic conductive radiation and interference produced by the electronic device to other power consuming devices can be avoided.