WO2001035544A1

WO2001035544A1 - Communication system, especially for indoors

Info

Publication number: WO2001035544A1
Application number: PCT/CH1999/000534
Authority: WO
Inventors: Weilin Liu; James Aldis
Original assignee: Ascom Powerline Communications Ag
Priority date: 1999-11-11
Filing date: 1999-11-11
Publication date: 2001-05-17
Also published as: JP2004516689A; TW529253B; CA2387968A1; AU6458399A; IL149465A0; CN1383624A; EP1228578A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication system. According to the inventive system a point-to-point communication is established between two terminals (22, 21) which comprises at least one short-range radio path between one of the terminals (22) and an adapter (6) and a power supply network-based PLC path between the adapter (6) and the second terminal (21). A short-range radio path is understood to be a radio connection whose range does not substantially extend beyond the indoor range, that is for example beyond the size of a room or a floor of a building. The inventive system is highly flexible and inexpensive to install. The adapter can be connected to any socket of the power supply network (2), that is precisely where it is needed. The aggregates or components for short-range radio paths can be produced in high quantities and at low costs. The point-to-point communication does not require any central control devices or connection controllers.

Description

Communication system especially for the indoor area

Technical field

The invention relates to a communication system, in particular for indoor use, and to an adapter device for such a system.

State of the art

Communication technology networking is constantly progressing. On the one hand, users want to be reachable by telephone wherever possible, and on the other hand, data should be able to be transmitted from any location using simple means. In order to meet these needs, hand-held radio telephones have been developed which can carry out not only voice transmission but also data transmission. For the latter purpose, they are equipped with an infrared interface, so that e.g. can connect to a laptop computer.

A transmission of data using a handheld radio telephone is only of interest in special circumstances. Handling is still considered to be complicated. From a statistical point of view, most of the data is still transmitted via permanently installed cables. For example, computer cables are installed in an office building to connect the data processing devices.

The installation of new cables is associated with considerable costs. It has now also been proposed to avoid such costs by using the lines of the power supply network that already exist within each building for signal transmission (keyword: PLC = Power Line Communication). In practice, however, the problem arises that very few devices are equipped for this type of transmission. Appropriate couplers must be installed before such a signal transmission can be carried out. This is - especially in an introductory phase - by no means the cheaper option to lay as a computer cable.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a communication system for the indoor area, which allows inexpensive networking. The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the communication system is designed in such a way that a point-to-point connection is established between two end devices, which has a short-range radio link between at least one of the end devices and an adapter device and a PLC via a power supply network between the adapter device and the second end device. Range includes. (A short-range radio link is understood to mean a radio connection whose range does not significantly extend beyond the indoor area, i.e., for example, the size of a room, a floor or a building.)

The system according to the invention is very flexible and inexpensive to install. The adapter device can be connected to any socket in the power supply network, precisely where it is needed. Components or components for short-range radio links can be produced today in large numbers and very inexpensively. The point-to-point connection means that central control devices or connection controllers ("base station") can also be dispensed with. Multiple connections can be maintained side by side by staggering in time (which in many cases appears to the user as parallel communication). Last but not least, due to the deliberately short range, a natural separation of e.g. radio areas not in the same room can be reached.

The range of the radio link is preferably essentially limited to the coverage of a room in the building. It should be shorter than 20 meters, e.g. about 10 meters. In this sense, e.g. a so-called "Bluetooth" interface can be used. However, interfaces with a greater range are also conceivable, such as IEEE 802.1 1 ("wireless LAN") or "Hiperlan". These can be used to cover a large number of neighboring rooms. ("Bluetooth" and "Hiperlan" are known and standardized interfaces.)

The PLC line connects two different rooms. This means that the two end devices are usually located in different rooms of a building and are connected by a PLC system via the power supply lines. The range is limited a radio link to a room, then a system according to the invention looks such that an adapter according to the invention is connected to the power supply network in each (to be developed) room of the building, so that the devices located in this room communicate in terms of communication technology with devices located elsewhere can. The second terminal need not be connected to the PLC backbone in terms of radio technology. Wired electrical coupling can also be used.

Of course, both devices do not have to be located in the same building. The PLC system can e.g. also be open to the outdoor area, so that it can preferably be communicated with any device anywhere in the world via the external power supply network (or the outdoor PLC system implemented in this). The connection between the indoor and the outdoor area can be created by a so-called bridge and the transition between the power supply network and any other network (e.g. a fiber optic WAN) by a master station located in the area of the transformer station. The transition (gateway) from the indoor to the outdoor area can also be designed as a transition between two different transmission media (e.g. from PLC to telephone lines or to optical LAN).

The communication system according to the invention is particularly suitable for home automation. For example, kitchen appliances can be networked in a simple manner. A microwave oven, which is equipped with a Bluetooth interface, for example, can be connected to the PLC backbone via the adapter device and can be switched on and off, for example, by a control unit or a computer program. If the PLC system is suitably equipped, the kitchen appliance can also be operated by radio. A telephone device that has a data interface to the PLC system should be mentioned, for example. For example, the user can call at home with his handheld radio telephone and use a special code to have the telephone set turn on the oven (via PLC link and Bluetooth interface). In industrial companies, it would be conceivable to place radio receivers in the various buildings, which receive long-range radio signals in a frequency band provided for private data transmission and couple them into the power supply network. In the machine room, an adapter device plugged into a socket transmits the control commands to the machine control over the short-range radio link.

The principle of the invention can therefore be used very widely in automation or remote control. It is therefore not just about networking computers and the like, but also about providing a communication medium between the control device and the executing device.

A device as an adapter device for a communication system according to the invention is designed to be as small and simple as possible. It is characterized by a transmitter / receiver for a short-range wireless link. The connection to the power supply network is made with a normal power plug. The device is manufactured as inexpensively as possible and is optically inconspicuous (i.e. not aesthetically disturbing). In terms of investment, the device should be more like an extension cable for the user than another telephone station. The adapter device should therefore be easy to buy if the user considers it useful or necessary. Early planning and time-consuming installation by a specialist (as is necessary when expanding a telephone network) is not necessary.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the adapter device has the shape of a compact housing with a molded power plug. It can be plugged directly into a wall socket of the power supply network and does not need to be "set up" anywhere. The housing contains e.g. a Bluetooth interface circuit, a PLC interface circuit and an intermediary microcontroller.

It can be useful if the adapter device has at least one connection socket for a power plug of any device. (The plug of the adapter device and the connection socket correspond to the same standard.) This avoids that in the room one of the installed junction boxes for "other use" is "lost". When cleaning the household weekly, the housewife can insert the vacuum cleaner into the socket of the adapter device and does not need to look for another wall socket somewhere.

If the adapter device has a plurality of free connection sockets, it also has the frequently required function of a multiple connector. It is e.g. readily possible to integrate the adapter function according to the invention in a connector strip of a known type. Such a connector strip can e.g. can be connected to the wall socket via a short cable and has a plurality of connection sockets arranged in a row in an elongated housing. Usually it lies on the floor where it does not interfere (e.g. behind a desk).

In the above-mentioned embodiment with at least one connection socket for third-party devices, at least two lines designed for current conduction are provided between corresponding contacts of the power plug and the connection socket. According to a preferred embodiment, these lines have RF chokes which noticeably attenuate signals in the range above 1 MHz (e.g. by at least 10 dB). The communication signals should therefore not be able to penetrate a connected device via the connection socket undamped. The interference potential of the PLC system (which works e.g. in the range from 1 MHz to 30 MHz) should be minimized for the other devices connected to the network. (Conversely, interference from the third-party device can of course also be kept to a certain extent away from the power supply network and thus from the PLC system.) It goes without saying that the chokes must be adjusted accordingly if the communication is below 1 MHz to be held.

From the following detailed description and the entirety of the claims, further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result. Brief description of the drawings

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiments show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an indoor communication system;

2 shows an example of an adapter device designed in the manner of a multiple connector;

3 shows an example of an adapter device designed in the manner of an adapter plug;

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the internal structure of an adapter device.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 shows schematically a communication system in the indoor area. A building 1 has a conventional in-house power supply network 2, which, as usual, depends on an external power supply network 3. In building 1, devices located in different rooms A to C (e.g. a desktop computer 21, a printer 23, a laptop computer 22, a household appliance 20 and / or a hand-held radio telephone 19) are to be connected in terms of communication technology.

According to the invention, a PLC system for transmitting the signals between the rooms and a short-range radio interface for transmitting the signals from the devices to the PLC system within a room are provided on the one hand.

A master 4 and two slaves 5, 6 are connected to the power supply network 2 via mains sockets 7, 8, 9 and can thus transmit signals to one another exchange frequency range from 1 to 40 MHz, for example. In the example below, the master 4 and the slave 6 are designed in the manner of an adapter device according to the invention. Ie they have a Bluetooth interface 12 or 13 for short-range wireless communication with other devices in the same room. The slave 5, on the other hand, has only one wired data connection 18 (for example RS232, IEC 488, Ethernet) for connecting the desktop computer 21.

Other devices are also connected in a conventional manner to the power supply network 2 via power sockets 10, 1 1.

If, for example, a document that is stored on the laptop computer 22 is now to be transmitted to the desktop computer 21, the corresponding data can be transferred from the laptop computer 22 via its Bluetooth interface 16 to the slave 6, from there via the power supply network 2 to Slave 5 and finally sent from this to the desktop computer 21.

A file stored on the desktop computer 21 can be sent to the slave 5 via the data connection 18, from there via the power supply network 2 (PLC section) to the slave 6 and from there via the Bluetooth interface 13 to the printer, which is also equipped with a Bluetooth interface 17 23 (via radio link 46) are transmitted. In this way, the printer 23 can be used as a network printer.

It is of course also conceivable that the printer 23 is internally equipped with a coupler (which corresponds functionally to a slave) and that the data is not received directly via the Bluetooth interface 17 but the coupler mentioned.

For example, the hand-held radio telephone 19 can be used to send an e-mail from the desktop computer 21. The e-mail is in turn sent from the desktop computer 21 to the slave 5 and from there into the power supply network 2. The master 4 sends the e-mail via its Bluetooth interface 12 to the hand-held radio telephone which is also equipped with a Bluetooth interface 14, that is to say via the radio link 45. The desktop computer 21 can control the household appliance 20 in a corresponding manner. Although this is connected to the power supply network 2 via a mains socket 10, it does not use this connection for the transmission of data. Rather, a Bluetooth interface 15 is integrated in the control part (not shown).

It should be noted that these are always point-to-point connections. Master 4 does not perform a central switching function (such as a PBX in an in-house telephone network). Rather, it only serves to provide the slaves with a channel on the power supply network 2 on request.

1, the master 4 can be designed, for example, as a bridge to the external power supply network 3. Communication connections can then be made to the outside world via the external power supply network 3. (In the outdoor area, frequencies are generally used differently than in the indoor area, so that a "translation" must be made with a bridge.)

The connection to the outside world can also be established via telephone lines (XDSL), television cables (CATV) or even via long-range radio. The indoor networking according to the invention is therefore in no way self-contained, but offers any desired connection option.

Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the adapter device. It comprises a plug connector 24 which can be plugged into an installed wall socket or the like via a power cable 25 with the plug 26. In a manner known per se, the connector strip 24 can have a plurality of power connection sockets 27.1 to 27.4 and, if required, a power switch 28 (in order to interrupt the current on the connector strip in a conventional manner). An adapter 29 is integrated in the housing at one end of the plug strip 24 facing away from the power cable 25. It has a Bluetooth interface and a PLC interface and thus enables the communication with suitably built devices explained with reference to FIG. 1. (The details of the adapter 29 are shown in Fig. 4.) A particularly preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. A standard power plug 31 is formed on one side of a cuboid housing 30, for example, and a power connection socket 32 on the other (opposite) side. (This can correspond to the same standard as the power plug 31, but does not have to.) The adapter 33 is accommodated, for example, to the side of the power connection socket 32.

The special feature of this embodiment is the compactness of the construction. Plugs, sockets and interface electronics form a robust, rigid unit. The adapter device can be plugged into a wall socket (which is installed in an easily accessible location) without the wall socket being "occupied".

Fig. 4 shows schematically a circuit diagram of an adapter device 34. The mains plug 35 has e.g. three contacts (P = phase, N = neutral, PE = ground), which are shown here as pins. The three contacts mentioned are connected via lines 39.1 to 39.3 to corresponding contacts of the connecting socket 36. Phase P and neutral conductor N of the mains plug 35 are led directly to data connections 37.1, 37.2 with lines 39.1, 39.2. The phase P and the neutral conductor N of the connecting socket 36 are also attached to the two lines 39.1, 39.2 mentioned. However, the chokes 38.1, 38.2 bring about an HF-type separation, so that the PLC signals fed in via the data connections 37.1, 37.2 cannot enter an apparatus connected to the connection socket 36 without being damped. The chokes 38.1, 38.2 can be formed by inductive elements which generate noticeable attenuation (e.g.> 3 dB) in the range of the signal frequencies used.

The PE contacts for grounding are directly connected to one another without the interposition of an inductor.

The data connections 37.1, 37.2, which simultaneously serve for the power supply of the electronic components of the adapter device 34, are connected to a PLC interface 40, which forms the interface to the PLC communication system. A subsequent microcontroller 41 enables data exchange between the PLC interface 40 and the blue tooth interface 42. An antenna 43 integrated in the adapter device 34 sends and receives radio signals with a short range.

Radio signals that are received via the antenna 43 are converted into PLC signals and sent to the two lines phase and neutral of the power supply network. Conversely, PLC signals are coupled out at the data connections 37.1, 37.2 and radiated with the antenna 43 as Bluetooth-compliant radio signals.

The circuit diagram shown in FIG. 4 is equally suitable for the structural embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the case of the connector strip 24, a plurality of power connection sockets 27.1 to 27.4 are simply connected in parallel to the lines 39.1, 39.2, 39.3. The chokes are not mandatory. They can either be provided elsewhere or omitted at all. They are primarily important when sensitive devices (e.g. computers, stereo devices, measuring devices) or disruptive devices (vacuum cleaners etc.) are to be connected to the connection socket.

The use of a Bluetooth interface corresponds to a particularly advantageous embodiment. However, it is entirely possible and in certain cases even useful to use radio interfaces with a longer range (such as IEEE 802.1 1 or Hiperlan).

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. In terms of construction, various modifications are possible. Mains plug 31 and power connection socket 32, for example, need not be aligned on a common axis. They also need not be provided on opposite sides of the housing 30.

2, it is clear that the invention could also be implemented in an extension cable. An individual connection socket would then take the place of the connector strip 24. 4 could also be made in two parts. In one part there are mains plug 35, connection socket 36 and chokes 38.1, 38.2. The other would be the electronic components (interface circuits and microcontrollers).

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to two-phase power supply networks. A preferred area of application can in particular be three-phase networks in which a plurality of phase conductors are present. Under certain circumstances, two adapters can also be used in a room (especially if it is large). If the range of the radio link is not limited to a single room, an adapter must not be provided in every room (even if the building is completely covered).

In summary, it can be stated that the invention has shown an inexpensive way of communicating in the indoor area and also beyond this area. It is possible with little effort to connect stationary or mobile devices that have a radio interface with a short range.

Claims

claims

1. Communication system, in particular for the indoor area, in which a point-to-point connection between two end devices (19, 20, 21, 22, 23) has at least one short-range radio link from one end device (22) to an adapter device ( 6) and a PLC over cables of a power supply network (2)

Route from the adapter device (6) to the second terminal (21) comprises.

2. Communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that the short-range radio link has a range limited to a room of a building (1), which is preferably <20 meters, in particular about 10 meters.

3. Communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that the radio link is designed as a Bluetooth link.

4. Communication system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the PLC path connects at least two separate rooms (A, B, C) with each other.

5. Communication system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a PLC bridge as a transition to a transmission medium in the outdoor area.

6. Communication system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one of the terminals is a household appliance (20).

7. The device as an adapter device for a communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a transmitter for a short-range radio link in addition to a power plug (35).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the transmitter / receiver essentially comprises a Bluetooth interface circuit (42), a PLC interface circuit (40) and a mediating microcontroller (41).

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one connection socket (36) is additionally provided for connecting a third-party device.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least two chokes (38.1, 38.2) are provided for attenuating RF signals relative to the junction box (36).

11. Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the mains plug (35) and transmitter / receiver are integrated in a compact housing (30).