Data transfer method and system in low voltage networks

• US 6,507,573 B1
• Filed: 12/02/1999
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank Brandt, Frank Lukanek
• Original Assignee: Frank Brandt, Frank Lukanek
• Inventors: Schulz, Wolfgang, Lukanek, Frank, Brandt, Frank, Hensen, Christian, Schoenfeldt, Kay
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRAVER, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US09/381,940
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 455/402, 455/426, 455/63, 455/40, 455/41, 455/66, 370/335, 370/342, 370/441, 375/137, 379/93.01, 379/106.01, 379/344, 340/870.07, 340/870.18, 340/310.01, 340/310.02, 340/310.06
• US Class Current: 370/335
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/58 Repeater circuits

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for data transmission in two-way communication via low-voltage systems that are linked to a higher order telecommunication network. Data transmission takes place within the low-voltage system at a high-frequency range of up to 30 MHz using band spreading of data signals and a transmit level below the specified radio interference or noise voltage limit, in that said band-spread data is given a direction coding to specify a logical direction within the low-voltage system using different sequences of a family of pseudo-random numbers to enable multiple-user operation, and in that the binary sequences of data with their user-specific spreading and direction-specific coding are identified by correlation using specified sequences at attenuation-dependent intervals within the low-voltage system, then said data sequences are regenerated and assigned new direction codes for forwarding.

Claims

1. A data transmission method for two-way communication using low-voltage systems linked to a higher order telecommunication network, wherein data transmission within the low-voltage system takes place at a high-frequency range of up to 30 MHZ using band spreading of data signals and a transmit level below the specified interference or noise voltage limit of line and radio disturbances characteristics, in that said band-spread data is given a direction coding to specify a logical direction within the low-voltage system to enable multiple-user operation using different sequences of a family of pseudo-random numbers, and in that a correlator identifies in attenuation-dependent intervals by means of the given sequences the binary data sequences, being user-specific spread and direction-specific coded, within the low-voltage system, regenerates the binary data sequences and assigns new direction codes to them for forwarding the signals.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein user-specific band spreading of data signals is carried out using sequences of one or more matched families of pseudo-random number sequences such as Gold sequences.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein adjacent sequences of pseudo-random numbers do not contain similar sequences to prevent mutual interference of users located in different network areas.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data stream is multiplied by a Walsh sequence after band spreading using the direct sequencing method to give the data stream a logical direction in the low-voltage network.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the length of the Walsh sequences used for direction coding is smaller than the band spreading sequences used.

6. The method according to claims 1, wherein the logical direction of the data stream in the low-voltage system is identified by controlled and structured assignment of select families of pseudo-random number sequences to individual network areas that are enclosed by two repeater units or by one repeater unit and a network interworking unit.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein directions are separated using time or frequency multiplexing and that the band-spread signals are transmitted in the transmit and receive directions on separate time slots or frequency bands.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmit levels of each transmitting unit in a network area are set in such a way that all overlaid signals of one frequency comprise nearly the same level at the receivers of the repeater or the network interworking unit in the controlled period.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to the actual data transfer, an initializing phase is provided comprising the output of an initializing sequence plus the ID of the respective user and of the user terminal and a log on sequence, and subsequent assignment of a spread sequence to the respective user.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the IDs of the respective user and the user terminal are checked for device approval of the terminal and communication authorization of said user in the higher order telecommunication network after sending out the initialization sequence.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein emergency call signals can be output with the initialization sequence.

12. An arrangement for data transmission comprising a low-voltage system, in which data transmission takes place at a high-frequency range of up to 30 MHZ using band spreading of data signals users connected to it via user terminals, local line distributor boxes and network stations, and a higher order telecommunication network connected to said low-voltage system, characterized in that network interworking units are assigned to the network stations to link the low-voltage system and the higher order telecommunications network and for channel assignment in the respective transmission medium, and that repeater units are placed at specific distances in the low-voltage system for regenerating and direction-specific forwarding of the data signals to a subsequent repeater unit or to a user terminal or to a network interworking unit.

13. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the user terminal is associated with the following functional units:

physical coupler, frequency separator or filter, controllable low-noise input amplifier, IQ demodulator, modulator, controllable output amplifier, equalizer, CDMA processor, channel encoder/decoder, voice/data multiplexer, voice and operating interface, data interface, SIM (subscriber identity module), device identification unit, microprocessor, central clock generating unit, synchronization facility, emergency power supply unit or power supply unit and controllers for controlling the input and output levels.

14. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein a CDMA processor is provided for spreading the data and adding the direction code using its allocated spread sequence, a modulator for modulating the signals onto a carrier frequency, an amplifier to adjust the input level required at the receiving end for optimum correlator performance, and a physical coupler for feeding the spread and direction-coded data stream into the low-voltage line and forwarding it to the repeater unit or network interworking unit.

15. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the layout of the repeater unit is basically similar to that of the user terminal, whereby the repeater units and if applicable parts of a clock generating unit and of the synchronization facility are configured in accordance with the number of channels to be regenerated multiplied by the number of signaling directions, and a error-corrected data signals are fed from the channel decoder into the next channel encoder either directly or via a switching matrix, and in that a data memory managed by a microprocessor or a customer-specific circuit is provided in which the current channel assignments with the associated direction codes, the sequence to be used as well as other signal source and sink information are stored.

16. The arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the repeater unit is designed for use in local distributor boxes and comprises additional physical couplers, modulators, demodulators, controllable output and low-noise input amplifiers, controlling facilities for transmit and receive signals and frequency separators or filters depending on the number of network areas to be covered.

17. The arrangement according to claim 15, wherein a CDMA processor of the repeater unit that is connected to an equalizer on its receive side comprises an integrator and a threshold detector for retrieving the data transmitted, and that the CDMA processor is equipped with a multiplier for multiplying the regenerated data signal on the transmit side with a spread sequence and a direction code of the user terminal to be addressed or the repeater unit.

18. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the layout of the network interworking unit is basically similar to that of the repeater unit but that the functional groups of digital signal processing and if applicable a clock generator are configured as multiple units, at least in accordance with the simple number of transmission channels provided to the higher order telecommunication facility plus the number of synchronization channels required for each low-voltage line, and that physical couplers and front ends to low voltage are provided in accordance with the number of low-voltage areas to be covered, and in that a microprocessor system is provided for channel assignment by configuration of a switching matrix and CDMA processors.

19. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein a device ID unit and a data memory for storing data of all active connections consisting of routing information, channel assignment, signal quality, user terminal ID, services used, and the assigned transmission channel, are assigned to the higher ordered telecommunication center station.

20. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein data rate systems and protocol matching systems are provided between the switching matrix and the higher order telecommunication network to make the data compatible for a data service.

21. The arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the decoded data signals are fed into the transmission system via the switching matrix, and that n * 2 Mbps transmission systems for copper or optical fiber lines or cellular radio connections are provided on the telecommunication network side for n=1, 2, 3.

22. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein all active components are connected to a power supply unit and to physical couplers, and that they are equipped with an emergency power supply unit.

23. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein in areas where cable systems are highly branched and/or where there are noise voltage inputs for the frequency range of data transmission on the low-voltage line, attenuation elements are placed between the noise voltage input point and the input point for the data transmission system.

24. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the repeater units are placed in or close to local line distributor boxes, lamp posts, and house connection boxes, the distance between repeater units being about 100 m or considerably smaller in areas of strong attenuation.

25. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the higher order telecommunication network includes a home location register and a visitor location register for managing a partly mobile service, a check register for subscriber authorization, a check register for registration of approved terminals, monitoring stations for monitoring data exchange of network interworking and repeater units as regards traffic load, quality and availability, a switching network for forwarding calls from the low-voltage system to a transit point or the initialization channels to the microprocessor system, a server for selecting the shortest routes to the subscriber, and a microprocessor unit for determining the optimum route from the switching center to the subscriber.

26. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the functional units of the user terminal except the voice and operating interface are grouped in a plug-in adapter for connecting commercial voice and data communication terminals to a low-voltage socket that supports the service-specific physical interfaces and the associated protocol stack on the terminal side.

27. The arrangement according to 13, wherein the functional units of the user terminal except the voice and operating interface are connected to the power supply unit of a power consumer for operation of voice and data services.

28. The arrangement according to 13, wherein functional units of the user terminal are integrated into electric consumers with direct clamp-type, screw-type, or plug-in connection to the power network for their remote monitoring and control.

29. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein a wideband cable system is provided instead of the low-voltage line.