Power line network bridge

• US 7,437,140 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Iwamura, Ryuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro; Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Magloire; Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US11/297,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20060165054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41, 455/402, 455/270
• US Class Current: 455/402
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2832 Interconnection of the control functionalities between home networks single bridge functionality H04L12/4625
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40019 Details regarding a bus master
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/403 with centralised control, e.g. polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4035 in which slots of a TDMA packet structure are assigned based on a contention resolution carried out at a master unit TDM/TDMA multiplex systems per se H04J3/1694; hybrid switching systems H04L12/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems

Abstract

A power line communication (PLC) bridge circuit consistent with certain embodiments has a first coupler that couples data signals to and from the first power line circuit and a second coupler that couples data signals to and from the second power line circuit. The first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from separate legs of a distribution transformer, and share a single neutral connection. A first communication transceiver is connected to the first coupler for transferring data signals to and from the first coupler. A second communication transceiver is connected to the second coupler for transferring data signals to and from the second coupler. A controller examines data signals from the first transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the second transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the second transceiver is considered local data. The controller further examines data signals from the second transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the first transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the first transceiver is also considered local data. A bridge circuit passes data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second transceiver when the controller determines that the data is not local, and does not pass data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second communication transceiver when the controller determines that the data is local. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Claims

1. A power line communication (PLC) bridge circuit, comprising:

a first coupler that couples data signals to and from the first power line circuit;

a second coupler that couples data signals to and from the second power line circuit;

wherein the first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from separate legs of a distribution transformer through a circuit breaker panel, and share a single neutral connection;

a blocking filter that blocks signals in a frequency range of the data signals to prevent such data signals from reaching the circuit breaker panel and the distribution transformer;

a first communication transceiver connected to the first coupler for transferring data signals to and from the first coupler;

a second communication transceiver connected to the second coupler for transferring data signals to and from the second coupler;

a controller that examines data signals from the first transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the second transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the second transceiver is considered local data;

the controller further examines data signals from the second transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the first transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the first transceiver is also considered local data; and

bridging means for passing data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second transceiver when the controller determines that the data is not local, and for not passing data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second communication transceiver when the controller determines that the data is local.

2. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bridging means for passing data signals comprises a common bus shared by the first and second communication transceivers, wherein the common bus is controlled by the controller.

3. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and second communication transceiver comprise orthogonal frequency division multiplexing transceivers.

4. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and second communication transceiver comprise HomePlug®

standard compliant transceivers.

5. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller identifies at least one of an available time slot and an available frequency for passing the data signal between the first and second communication transceivers.

6. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 5, further comprising a beacon generator that generates beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits, wherein the power line communication serves as a master in the PLC network.

7. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a beacon generator that generates beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits, wherein the power line communication bridge circuit serves as a master in the PLC network.

8. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller determines whether or not the data is local by consulting a device table.

9. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a filter that isolates the first and second power line circuits from each other at frequencies used for power line communication.

10. A power line communication (PLC) bridge circuit, comprising:

a first coupler that couples data signals to and from the first power line circuit;

a second coupler that couples data signals to and from the second power line circuit;

wherein the first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from separate legs of a distribution transformer through a circuit breaker panel, and share a single neutral connection;

a blocking filter that blocks signals in a frequency range of the data signals to prevent such data signals from reaching the circuit breaker panel and the distribution transformer;

a first communication transceiver connected to the first coupler for transferring data signals to and from the first coupler;

a second communication transceiver connected to the second coupler for transferring data signals to and from the second coupler;

wherein the first and second communication transceiver comprise HomePlug®

standard compliant transceivers;

a controller that examines data signals from the first transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the second transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the second transceiver is considered local data;

the controller further examines data signals from the second transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the first transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the first transceiver is also considered local data;

a common bus shared by the first and second communication transceivers, wherein the common bus is controlled by the controller;

wherein the controller further passes data signals over the common bus between the first communication transceiver and the second transceiver when the controller determines that the data is not local, and for not passing data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second communication transceiver when the controller determines that the data is local, wherein the controller determines whether or not the data is local by consulting a device table;

wherein the controller identifies at least one of an available time slot and an available frequency for passing the data signal between the first and second communication transceivers; and

wherein the controller generates a beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits, wherein the power line communication bridge circuit serves as a master in the PLC network; and

a filter that isolates the first and second power line circuits from each other at frequencies used for power line communication.

11. A power line communication (PLC) bridge circuit, comprising:

a first coupler that couples data signals to and from the first power line circuit;

a second coupler that couples data signals to and from the second power line circuit;

wherein the first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from first and second distribution transformers through first and second circuit breaker panels;

a first blocking filter that blocks signals in a frequency range of the data signals to prevent such data signals from reaching the first circuit breaker panel and the first distribution transformer;

a second blocking filter that blocks signals in a frequency range of the data signals to prevent such data signals from reaching the second circuit breaker panel and the second distribution transformer;

a first communication transceiver connected to the first coupler for transferring data signals to and from the first coupler;

a second communication transceiver connected to the second coupler for transferring data signals to and from the second coupler;

a controller that examines data signals from the first transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the second transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the second transceiver is considered local data;

the controller further examines data signals from the second transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the first transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the first transceiver is also considered local data; and

bridging means for passing data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second transceiver when the controller determines that the data is not local, and for not passing data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second communication transceiver when the controller determines that the data is local.

12. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 11, wherein the means for passing data signals comprises a common bus shared by the first and second communication transceivers, wherein the common bus is controlled by the controller.

13. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 11, wherein the bridging means for passing data signals comprises a wireless network connection.

14. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first and second communication transceiver comprise orthogonal frequency division multiplexing transceivers.

15. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first and second communication transceiver comprise HomePlug®

standard compliant transceivers.

16. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 11, wherein the controller identifies at least one of an available time slot and an available frequency for passing the data signal between the first and second communication transceivers.

17. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a beacon generator that generates beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits, wherein the power line communication bridge circuit serves as a master in the PLC network.

18. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a beacon generator that generates beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits, wherein the power line communication serves as a master in the PLC network.

19. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 11, wherein the controller determines whether or not the data is local by consulting a device table.

20. The power line communication bridge circuit in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a filter that isolates the first and second power line circuits from each other at frequencies used for power line communication.

21. A power line communication (PLC) bridging method, comprising:

receiving data from a first power line circuit and a second power line circuit, wherein the first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from separate legs of a distribution transformer through a circuit breaker panel, and share a single neutral connection;

blocking signals in a frequency range of the data signals to prevent such data signals from reaching the circuit breaker panel and the distribution transformer using a blocking filter;

examining data signals from the first power line circuit to determine if the data is destined for the second power line circuit, wherein data that is not destined for the second power line circuit is considered local data;

examining data signals from the second power line circuit to determine if the data is destined for the first power line circuit, wherein data that is not destined for the first power line circuit is considered local data;

passing data signals between the first power line circuit and the second power line circuit when the data is determined to not be local; and

not passing data signals between the first power line circuit and the second power line circuit when the controller determines that the data is local.

22. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 21, wherein the data signals are passed over a common bus shared by first and second communication transceivers.

23. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 21, Wherein the data signals comprise orthogonal frequency division multiplexing transceivers.

24. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 21, wherein the data signals comprise HomePlug standard compliant data signals.

25. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising identifying at least one of an available time slot and an available frequency for passing the data signal between the first and second power line circuit.

26. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 21, further comprising generating beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits.

27. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 21, wherein the data is determined to be local or not by consulting a device table.

28. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on a programmed processor, carry out a process in accordance with claim 21.

29. A power line communication (PLC) bridging method, comprising:

receiving data from a first power line circuit and a second power line circuit, wherein the first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from separate first and second distribution transformers through first and second circuit breaker panels;

blocking signals in a frequency range of the data signals to prevent such data signals from reaching the first and second circuit breaker panels and the first and second distribution transformers using first and second blocking filters;

examining data signals from the first power line circuit to determine if the data is destined for the second power line circuit, wherein data that is not destined for the second power line circuit is considered local data;

examining data signals from the second power line circuit to determine if the data is destined for the first power line circuit, wherein data that is not destined for the first power line circuit is considered local data;

passing data signals between the first power line circuit and the second power line circuit when the data is determined to not be local; and

not passing data signals between the first power line circuit and the second power line circuit when the controller determines that the data is local.

30. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the data signals are passed over a common bus shared by first and second communication transceivers.

31. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the data signals are passed over a wireless network connection between the first power line circuit and the second power line circuit.

32. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the data signals comprise orthogonal frequency division multiplexing transceivers.

33. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the data signals comprise HomePlug®

standard compliant data signals.

34. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 29, further comprising identifying at least one of an available time slot and an available frequency for passing the data signal between the first and second power line circuit.

35. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 29, further comprising generating beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits.

36. The power line communication method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the data is determined to be local or not by consulting a device table.

37. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on a programmed processor, carry out a process in accordance with claim 29.