Power Line Communication Modem Port Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current power line communication (PLC) systems face limitations in bandwidth and data transmission reliability due to channel fading, impedance modulation, and impulsive noise, which affect signal quality and data integrity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining channel characteristics using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bit-error-rate (BER) to select optimal feeding ports and exclude channels with poor capacity, employing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) coding schemes, and adapting to impedance changes by scheduling data bursts during stable impedance periods to optimize data throughput and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If MIMO schemes are used to increase bandwidth, then data transmission capacity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection of feeding ports and MIMO coding schemes based on real-time channel conditions. The system adapts the MIMO configuration by evaluating channel characteristics and selecting optimal feeding ports from multiple available ports, allowing the system to adjust complexity according to actual transmission needs while maintaining high data capacity when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selecting different feeding ports and MIMO coding schemes based on channel quality metrics. When channel conditions are favorable, the system activates full MIMO capability with multiple feeding ports; when conditions deteriorate, it reduces complexity by selecting fewer ports or simpler coding schemes, thus balancing productivity and device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple feeding ports are used for MIMO communication, then bandwidth is increased, but susceptibility to channel fading and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where channel characteristics are continuously measured and evaluated. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically selects feeding ports and MIMO coding schemes that optimize both bandwidth and reliability. The feedback loop allows the system to identify and avoid feeding ports experiencing fading or noise, maintaining reliable transmission while utilizing multiple ports for increased bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of channel characteristics before activating MIMO transmission. By assessing channel quality in advance and selecting optimal feeding ports beforehand, the system prevents transmission over degraded channels, thus maintaining reliability while preparing to utilize multiple ports for bandwidth expansion when conditions are favorable.
3Reliability
If channel characteristics are continuously monitored to select optimal feeding ports, then transmission reliability is improved, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial monitoring by evaluating channel characteristics selectively rather than continuously for all feeding ports. The system monitors channel quality and selects optimal feeding ports based on this partial evaluation, achieving improved reliability through targeted assessment while avoiding the excessive processing time that would result from comprehensive continuous monitoring of all possible port combinations.
4Productivity
If MIMO coding schemes are adapted based on channel conditions, then data throughput is optimized, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts MIMO coding schemes based on real-time channel conditions, selecting from multiple available coding options. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize data throughput by matching coding complexity to channel quality - using more complex schemes when conditions are good and simpler schemes when conditions are poor, thus achieving throughput optimization without excessive computational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by selecting different MIMO coding schemes based on evaluated channel characteristics. The system adjusts coding parameters dynamically, transitioning between different coding complexities to match channel conditions, thereby optimizing data throughput while controlling computational complexity through parameter adaptation rather than fixed high-complexity processing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method for transmitting signals over a power line network is presented, wherein within said power line network at least one transmitter and at least one receiver communicate via at least two channels, each of said channels having a respective feeding port of said at least one transmitter and the respective receiving port of said at least one transmitter and said transmitter having at least two feeding ports, said method comprising: determining a channel characteristic of each of said channels; applying a feeding port selection criterion based on said channel characteristic; and selecting and excluded feeding port among said at least two feeding ports based on said feeding port selection criterion, wherein said excluded feeding port is not used during further communication. A corresponding power line communication modem is disclosed as well.