PLC Wireless Interconnection Access Pointer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home network systems require costly and inconvenient upgrades to connect wireless devices to power line communication (PLC) networks, as conventional home gateways need to support multiple networks and are expensive to replace, hindering the expansion and widespread adoption of home networks.
Innovation Solution
A plug-form access pointer that connects to an electric outlet, featuring a PLC module, a wireless communication module, and a conversion gateway to convert data between network layers, allowing easy interconnection of PLC and wireless networks without the need for new home gateways or extensive network settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional home gateway is used to interconnect diverse networks, then network interconnection capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional parts: a simple access pointer that provides basic network access functions, and an existing home gateway that maintains its original functions. This segmentation allows the access pointer to be cost-effective while the gateway handles complex network management, resolving the contradiction between interconnection capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The access pointer acts as an intermediary device between wireless terminals and the PLC network. It performs protocol conversion and data forwarding without requiring the home gateway to directly support wireless protocols, thus enabling network interconnection while keeping the gateway simple and existing infrastructure intact.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new home gateway is deployed to add a new network, then network compatibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenient network setting changes
Solution Approach 1:
The network access and protocol conversion functions are extracted from the home gateway and implemented in the standalone access pointer. This allows the gateway to remain unchanged, preserving existing network settings and configurations, while the access pointer handles new network protocol requirements, thus improving compatibility without operational inconvenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The access pointer copies and implements the necessary network layer protocols locally, creating a virtual representation of network connectivity. This allows wireless devices to access the PLC network through the access pointer without requiring changes to the existing gateway configuration or network settings.
3Quantity of substance
If home gateway replacement is made costly, then device investment is reduced, but productivity of network expansion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network access function into a separate, inexpensive access pointer device, the system enables rapid deployment of wireless connectivity without investing in expensive gateway replacements. The access pointer can be quickly installed and configured, significantly improving network expansion productivity while minimizing device investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the architectural parameter from a centralized gateway-based approach to a distributed access pointer approach. This parameter change enables multiple access pointers to be deployed independently across different locations, parallelizing the network expansion process and dramatically increasing productivity without proportionally increasing investment.
Data Source
AI summary
An access pointer for interconnecting a power line communication (PLC) network of a home network and a wireless network and a method therefor are provided. When data is received from the PLC network through media access control of a data link layer, data on upper layers above a network layer in the received data is converted into a format suitable to a wireless network layer. The converted data is transmitted to the wireless network through the media access control of the data link layer. Accordingly, the PLC network and the wireless network are easily interconnected.