Power Line Communication Using Discrete Carrier Frequency Bands
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In power line carrier communication, as the number of communication devices increases, available continuous carrier frequency bands become occupied, leading to a shortage of unoccupied bands with sufficient bandwidth, forcing devices to reduce communication quality by using smaller bands or reducing service quantity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves continuously sending pilot signals over discrete carrier frequency bands to enable automatic gain control for data transmission, ensuring communication quality by selecting and utilizing multiple discrete carrier frequency bands for data transmission, even if a single band with the required bandwidth is not available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple communication devices use continuous carrier frequency bands simultaneously, then communication coverage increases, but available bandwidth for each device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power line communication spectrum into multiple discrete carrier frequency bands instead of using a single continuous band. Each communication device can be assigned specific discrete bands, allowing multiple devices to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other's bandwidth requirements. This segmentation enables scalable support for multiple devices while maintaining sufficient bandwidth for each.
2Reliability
If a single continuous carrier frequency band is used, then communication quality is maintained, but device complexity increases when bandwidth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the available spectrum into discrete carrier frequency bands, the system can allocate specific bands to specific devices based on their bandwidth requirements. This approach maintains communication quality for each device while simplifying bandwidth management through structured allocation rather than complex continuous band sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of frequency band structure from continuous to discrete. This parameter change enables flexible allocation of specific frequency bands to different devices, maintaining communication quality while reducing the complexity of bandwidth management through standardized discrete band assignments.
3Productivity
If discrete carrier frequency bands are used instead of continuous bands, then bandwidth availability improves for multiple devices, but signal level control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary gain control mechanisms that adjust signal levels before transmission on each discrete carrier frequency band. By pre-adjusting gain levels based on the specific characteristics of each discrete band and the allocated power, the system ensures proper signal levels arrive at receivers, simplifying the overall operation despite using multiple discrete bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor signal levels on each discrete carrier frequency band and adjust transmission parameters accordingly. This feedback loop ensures proper signal level control across multiple discrete bands, maintaining ease of operation while enabling efficient bandwidth utilization through adaptive gain adjustment.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and device for communication through a power line. The device comprises a sending module for continuously sending a pilot signal with a predetermined level over each of a plurality of carrier frequency bands of a power line, wherein the plurality of carrier frequency bands are discrete from each other, for example being separated by occupied carrier frequency bands; and a transmission module for sending data, for example, of the same user over each of the plurality of carrier frequency bands. The use of the method and the device can guarantee the communication quality requirements of a communication device.