POWER LINE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS INCLUDING AC POWER SOCKET

• US 20120201312A1
• Filed: 01/18/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: SCHWAGER, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 9,172,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/257
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/719 specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

A power line communication apparatus (200) includes a mains power connector assembly (210) with three or more first connectors (211) connectable to a mains distribution network. A mains filter (220) provides a filter path between each of its first ports (221) and a corresponding one of second ports (222), wherein each first port (221) is connected to one of the first connectors (211). Each second port (222) is connected to one of three or more second connectors (282) of an AC power socket (280). A power line communication unit (250) is connected with each of the first ports (221) and transmits and/or receives data according to a transmission method using more than one transmission channel between two devices connected via the mains distribution network. The mains filter (220) improves PLC transmission quality by suppressing disturbances generated by the appliances and reduces PLC stray radiation.

Claims

1. A power line communication apparatus comprising:

a mains power connector assembly (210) comprising at least three first connectors (211);

a mains filter (220) with at least three first ports (221), at least three second ports (222) and at least three filter paths, wherein each first port (221) is electrically connected to one of the first connectors (211) and each filter path is provided between one of the first and one of the second ports (221, 222);

an AC power socket (280) comprising at least three second connectors (282), wherein each second connector (282) is electrically connected to one of the second ports (222);

a power line communication unit (250) electrically connected with each of the first ports (221), wherein the power line communication unit (250) is configured to transmit and/or receive data according to a transmission method using more than one transmission channel between two devices connected via a power line wiring.

2. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the mains power connector assembly (210) is a mains power plug (210a).

3. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein

one of the first connectors (211) and one of the second connectors (282) are suitable for earth connections.

4. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein mains filter (220) comprises a low-pass filter (224) effective on each of the at least three filter paths in the same way such that all at least three filter paths are configured in the same way.

5. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the low-pass filter (224) is arranged to provide the same degree of interference suppression in each of the at least three filter paths.

6. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the low-pass filter (224) comprises serial filter elements (224a) in each filter path, the serial filter elements (224a) being inductors, wherein corresponding inductors in the filter paths have the same inductivity and resistance.

7. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the low-pass filter (224) comprises a capacitive unit (224b) between each pair of the at least three filter paths.

8. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein

at 1 MHz each filter path provides the same attenuation of at least 50 dB.

9. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the mains filter (220) comprises a common-mode filter unit (228) effective on each of the at least three filter paths.

10. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the main power connector assembly (210) comprises not more than three first connectors (211).

11. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a data outlet (292) connected to the power line communication unit (250), the power line communication unit (250) configured to output data received via the mains power connector assembly (210) at the data outlet (292) and/or to output data received via the data outlet (292) at the mains power connector assembly (210).

12. The power line communication apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a wireless modem (294) connected to the power line communication unit (250), the power line communication unit (250) configured to output data received via the mains power connector assembly (210) through the wireless modem (294) and/or to output data received via the wireless modem (294) at the mains power connector assembly (210).

13. A power line communications system comprising the power line communication apparatus of any of the preceding claims.

14. A method of operating a power line communication apparatus, the method comprising

supplying AC electric current to an electric appliance connected to an AC power socket (280) using at least three mains connections,

filtering noise and disturbances output by the electric appliance at the at least three mains connections with a mains filter (220) effective on each of the at least three mains connections, the mains filter (220) having a mains side oriented to the mains and an appliance side oriented to the AC power socket (280);

operating, in a MIMO or MISO mode, a power line communication unit (250) connected to the mains filter (220) at the mains side,

15. The method of claim 14, wherein

the mains filter (220) is effective on each of the at least three mains connections in the same way.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein

one of the mains connections provides an earth connection.

17. A power line communication apparatus comprising:

mains connector means comprising at least three first connectors;

filter means with at least three first ports, each first port connected to one of the first connectors, and with at least three second ports, each second port connected to one of the first ports via a low-pass filter path;

receptacle means comprising at least three second connectors, each second connector electrically connected to one of the second ports;

power line communication means electrically connected with each of the first connectors and first ports, wherein the power line communication means is configured to transmit and/or receive data according to a transmission method using more than one transmission channel between two devices connected via a power line wiring.