Communication apparatus, integrated circuit, and communication method

• US 8,879,700 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2013
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Koga, Hisao, Kodama, Nobutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US13/920,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20130287127A1
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 379/90.01, 379/93.05, 379/93.07, 379/93.36, 370/330, 370/310.01, 370/336, 370/342, 370/347, 370/447, 370/463
• US Class Current: 379/93.36
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/542 using zero crossing information
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0006 Assessment of spectral gaps suitable for allocating digitally modulated signals, e.g. for carrier allocation in cognitive radio for spectrum sharing between different networks H04W16/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0032 Distributed allocation, i.e. involving a plurality of allocating devices, each making partial allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1438 Negotiation of transmission parameters prior to communication modified according to link quality H04L1/0001

Abstract

A communication apparatus repeatedly outputs a first multi-carrier signal SS during predetermined periods T1, T2, T3, . . . , and outputs a second multi-carrier signal RS whose phase vector is different from that of the first multi-carrier signal SS, at a predetermined timing based on the first multi-carrier signal SS. The communication apparatus further detects the second multi-carrier signal RS output from another communication apparatus, which uses a different communication method from the communication apparatus. Accordingly, both communication apparatuses can differentiate the first multi-carrier signal SS from the second multi-carrier signal RS without performing relatively cumbersome modulation and other processes.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus for transmitting a multi-carrier signal including a plurality of sub-carriers to another communication apparatus through a transmission channel, comprising:

an integrated circuit;

a housing which accommodates the integrated circuit therein;

a first connector which is adapted for connecting a power line provided on a first side of the housing; and

an indicator which is provided on a second side of the housing;

wherein the integrated circuit includes;

a phase rotation section configured to rotate phase of at least one sub-carrier among the plurality of sub-carriers, by use of a first phase vector;

a multi-carrier signal output section configured to output first multi-carrier signal in which phase of at least one sub-carrier is rotated with the first phase vector;

a multi-carrier signal detection section capable of detecting a second multi-carrier signal, from another communication apparatus, in which phase of at least one sub-carrier is rotated with a second phase vector that differs from the first phase vector,

a band setting section configured to set up at least one of a time band and a frequency band, on the basis of at least one of the first multi-carrier signal and the second multi-carrier signal; and

a communication section configured to perform communication with another communication apparatus through the transmission channel, by use of at least one of the time band and the frequency band, which are set up by the band setting section.

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multi-carrier signal output section outputs the first multi-carrier signal in a first period, and the multi-carrier signal detection section detects the second multi-carrier signal in a second period that differs from the first period.

3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, the indicator includes an LED.

4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a second connector which is provided on the first side of the housing for connecting to a cable.

5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicator and the first connector are electrically connected to the integrated circuit.

6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first side of the housing is opposite to the second side of the housing.

7. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first side and the second side of the housing provides a flat surface.

8. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first side of the housing provides a first flat surface, and the second side of the housing provides a flat surface which is substantially parallel to the first flat surface.

9. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first phase vector is corresponding to a first communication method, and the second phase vector is corresponding to a second communication method.

10. The communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the communication apparatus is capable of communicating based on a first communication method, and the another communication apparatus is capable of communicating based on second communication method.

11. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission channel is wireless transmission channel or wired transmission channel.

12. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission channel is a power line.

13. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

a time point detection section configured to detect a time point where an alternating voltage transmitted to the power line reaches a predetermined voltage value,

wherein, the multi-carrier signal output section outputs the first multi-carrier signal by use of timing based on the time point detected by the time point detection section.

14. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the multi-carrier signal output section outputs the first multi-carrier signal repeatedly to the power line through a predetermined time by use of timing where the first multi-carrier signal was outputted.

15. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an AC cycle detector which includes at least a diode and detects an AC cycle of the power line.

16. The communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the AC cycle detector detects zero cross points of an AC waveform of the power line, and the time band is allocated based on the zero cross points.

17. The communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the AC cycle detector includes a first resistor which is connected to the diode, and a second resistor which is connected to the first resistor in series.

18. The communication apparatus according to claim 17, the AC cycle detector further includes a comparator and a capacitor;

wherein the capacitor is connected between the comparator and at least one of the first resistor and second resistor.

19. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the integrated circuit is a first interface unit operated in a first interface, and the communication apparatus further includes a second interface unit operated in a second interface and electrically connected to the first interface.

20. The communication apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a second connector which electrically connects the second interface unit to a cable, and the second interface unit transmits data through the cable to another device connected to the cable.

21. The communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first interface is a power line communication, and the second interface is an Ethernet.

22. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multi- carrier signal detection section detects the second multi-carrier signal on the basis of the second phase vector.

23. The communication apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the multi- carrier signal detection section multiplies the second multi-carrier signal with the second phase vector for detecting the second multi-carrier signal.

24. The communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the multi- carrier signal detection section detects the second multi-carrier signal on the basis of a comparison of a predetermined value and an integration value obtained by multiplying the second multi-carrier signal with the second phase vector.

25. The communication apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the multi- carrier signal detection section detects the second multi-carrier signal within a predetermined period, wherein the second phase vector is corresponding to the predetermined period.

26. The communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the multi- carrier signal detection section detects the second multi-carrier signal on the basis of a comparison of a predetermined value and both a first integration value and a second integration value,

wherein the first integration value is obtained by multiplying the second multi-carrier signal with the first phase vector,

wherein the second integration value is obtained by multiplying the second multi-carrier signal with the second phase vector.

27. A communication apparatus for transmitting a multi-carrier signal including a plurality of sub-carriers to another communication apparatus through a transmission channel, comprising:

an integrated circuit;

a housing which accommodates the integrated circuit therein; and

a plurality of indicators which are provided on a side of the housing;

wherein the integrated circuit includes;

a phase rotation section configured to rotate phase of at least one sub-carrier among the plurality of sub-carriers, by use of a first phase vector;

a multi-carrier signal output section configured to output a first multi-carrier signal in which phase of at least one sub-carrier is rotated with the first phase vector;

a multi-carrier signal detection section capable of detecting a second multi-carrier signal, from another communication apparatus, in which phase of at least one sub-carrier is rotated with a second phase vector that differs from the first phase vector,

a band setting section configured to set up at least one of a time band and a frequency band, on the basis of the first multi-carrier signal, which are outputted to a power line by the multi-carrier signal output section; and

a communication section configured to perform communication with another communication apparatus through the transmission channel, by use of at least one of the time band and the frequency band, which are set up by the band setting section.

28. The communication apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of indicators are on a line.

29. The communication apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of indicators includes a first indicator, a second indicator, and a third indicator, and the second indicator is between the first indicator and the second indicator.

30. A communication apparatus for transmitting a multi-carrier signal including a plurality of sub-carriers to another communication apparatus through a transmission channel, comprising:

an integrated circuit; and

a housing which accommodates the integrated circuit therein;

wherein the integrated circuit includes;

a phase rotation section configured to rotate phase of at least one sub-carrier among the plurality of sub-carriers, by use of a first phase vector;

a multi-carrier signal output section configured to output a first multi-carrier signal in which phase of at least one sub-carrier is rotated with the first phase vector;

a multi-carrier signal detection section capable of detecting a second multi-carrier signal, from another communication apparatus, in which phase of at least one sub-carrier is rotated with a second phase vector that differs from the first phase vector,

a band setting section configured to set up at least one of a time band and a frequency band, on the basis of the first multi-carrier signal, which are outputted to a power line by the multi-carrier signal output section; and

a communication section configured to perform communication with another communication apparatus through the transmission channel, by use of at least one of the time band and the frequency band, which are set up by the band setting section,

wherein the housing is provided with only one connector which is adapted for connecting a communication cable.

31. The communication apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the connector is adapted for connecting an Ethernet cable.