PLC-Coordinated Wireless MIMO Timing for Dead Spot Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication technologies, including PLC, WLAN, and wireless technologies, face limitations such as lack of mobility, coverage holes, interference, and bandwidth constraints, which hinder the provision of comprehensive and high-quality digital communication services within premises.
Innovation Solution
The integration of Powerline Communication (PLC) devices that support simultaneous wireless transmissions using MIMO and MU-MIMO techniques, synchronized through precise timing, and equipped with adaptive antenna systems to determine and adjust for wall reflections, enabling effective beamforming and bridging of communications between powerlines and wireless networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wireless technologies are used, then mobility is provided, but coverage holes and interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PLC technology with wireless communication technologies to create a hybrid system. The PLC component provides stable wired connectivity through power lines, while wireless components provide mobility. This merging allows the system to simultaneously deliver both coverage reliability and user mobility, resolving the contradiction between wireless mobility and coverage quality.
2Area of stationary object
If PLC technology is used, then network coverage is extended through existing powerlines, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing power outlets universal by enabling them to serve dual purposes: traditional electrical power supply and data communication. The PLC devices can be connected to standard power outlets without requiring specialized infrastructure, thus extending network coverage to all areas with power access while maintaining simple installation procedures.
3Productivity
If multiple wireless devices transmit simultaneously, then data rates increase, but interference from competing devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces PLC as an intermediary communication medium to coordinate and manage wireless transmissions. By using the power line network as a control plane, the system can schedule and synchronize wireless transmissions from multiple devices, enabling them to transmit simultaneously without causing harmful interference, thus maintaining high data rates while eliminating interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A Power Line Communications (PLC) device includes a PLC interface, a wireless interface, a processing module, and memory. The PLC device communicates with a second PLC device via the PLC interface to establish a wireless transmission timing base, communicates with the second PLC device via the power mains to coordinate simultaneous wireless data transmissions to a client device from the PLC device and the second PLC device, wirelessly transmits data to the client device based upon the wireless transmission timing base and the coordination with the second PLC device. In combination the PLC devices' simultaneous wireless data transmissions may be Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmissions, diversity transmissions, and/or beam formed transmissions. In another operation, the PLC device characterizes its surroundings based upon concurrent directional transmission and receipt of wireless transmissions by the PLC device.