Power Line Communication Rate Estimation via Noise Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power line communication systems face challenges in accurately estimating effective communication rates due to periodic noise synchronized with the commercial power supply, which is not adequately reflected in current estimation methods that do not account for noise timing.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that acquires and calculates communication rates at different times to account for noise variations, displaying rates when differences exceed a predetermined value, allowing for more precise estimation of effective communication rates affected by noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If transmission channel estimation is performed without considering noise timing, then the estimation process is simple, but the estimation precision of effective communication rates deteriorates due to periodic noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimation precision of effective communication ratesVSAvoidcomplexity of estimation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary detection of periodic noise characteristics (frequency, period, timing) before conducting transmission channel estimation. By identifying noise patterns in advance and scheduling estimation operations to avoid noise peaks, the system achieves precise communication rate estimation without adding complex real-time noise cancellation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If communication rates are estimated at a single time point, then the measurement process is quick, but the reliability of effective communication rate estimation deteriorates due to noise variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of effective communication rate estimationVSAvoidtime for rate estimation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs transmission channel estimation at multiple time points that are periodically distributed and specifically timed to avoid periodic noise peaks. By conducting measurements at these strategically selected intervals and averaging the results, the system obtains reliable communication rate estimates that reflect typical performance rather than being skewed by noise occurrences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If noise timing is not considered in estimation, then the operation is easy to implement, but the accuracy of communication performance assessment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of communication performance assessmentVSAvoidease of implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where the detected periodic noise characteristics are used to adjust the timing of subsequent transmission channel estimations. The system continuously monitors noise patterns and uses this information to optimize measurement scheduling, ensuring that estimations are performed when noise impact is minimal, thereby maintaining high accuracy without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2195934B1Communication apparatus, communication system, communication method, integrated circuit and circuit module
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2195934B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2195934B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2195934B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication apparatus which transmits data to another communication apparatus through a transmission channel, includes: a display which displays a plurality of communication rates; and a controller which permits the display to display the communication rates. The controller acquires a first communication rate received from the another communication apparatus and based on a predetermined signal transmitted to the another communication apparatus through the transmission channel at a first time. The controller acquires a second communication rate received from the another communication apparatus and based on a predetermined signal transmitted to the another communication apparatus through the transmission channel at a second time. The controller calculates a plurality of communication rates on the basis of the first and second communication rate. The controller permits the display to display the plurality of the communication rate when a difference between the plurality of communication rates is larger than a predetermined value.