Wireless Access Point Power Line Communication Converter
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial wireless communication systems, the installation of wireless access points in hazardous locations is limited by the maximum length of Ethernet cables, leading to communication disruptions and increased costs due to the need for repeaters or optical fiber solutions, which also increase power consumption and costs.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system utilizing a PLC converter that connects wireless access points to a control unit via a two-wire cable, allowing power supply and signal transmission, with an insulating barrier for safety and modulation techniques to maintain communication over longer distances without significant cost increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If Ethernet cable length is extended to increase distance between wireless access point and control unit, then communication distance is improved, but cable length exceeds standard maximum limit of 100 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a repeater device as an intermediary component between the wireless access point and control unit. This repeater receives signals from the access point, amplifies and regenerates them, and retransmits them to the control unit, enabling reliable communication over distances exceeding the standard 100-meter Ethernet cable limit without compromising signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path is divided into multiple segments by inserting repeaters at intermediate points. Each segment maintains reliable signal transmission within acceptable limits, while the overall system achieves extended communication distance through cascaded signal regeneration stages
2Length of moving object
If repeaters are installed to extend communication distance, then communication distance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater device is designed to perform multiple functions: signal amplification, noise filtering, protocol conversion, and power management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite extending communication distance
3Length of moving object
If optical fiber is used to extend communication distance, then communication distance is improved, but power consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater acts as an electrical signal intermediary that can be powered via the existing Ethernet cable through Power over Ethernet (POE) technology. This eliminates the need for separate power supply infrastructure and reduces overall power consumption compared to optical fiber solutions that require active optical converters at both ends
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical fiber transmission with electrical signal transmission through copper Ethernet cables combined with repeater-based signal regeneration. This substitution maintains extended communication capability while using lower-power electrical infrastructure instead of high-power optical conversion systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable communication between wireless field devices and control units over longer distances without the need for repeaters or optical converters, reducing costs and power consumption while ensuring safety and efficient data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
A wireless communication system utilizing a PLC converter that connects wireless access points to a control unit via a two-wire cable, allowing power supply and signal transmission
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless communication system in which wireless communication can be performed via a wireless communication network, the wireless communication system comprising: a wireless access point device configured to operate by using power supplied via a two-wire cable, to perform wireless communication with wireless field devices via the wireless communication network, and to perform communication via the two-wire cable; and a conversion device connected to the two-wire cable and to a control unit configured to control the wireless field devices, the conversion device being configured to supply power to the wireless access point device via the two-wire cable, and to perform conversions between signals, which are input and output from the control unit, and signals, which are transmitted and received via the two-wire cable.