Path diversity with poly-phase links in a power line communication network

• US 9,369,177 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2014
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hui, Jonathan W., Vasseur, Jean-Philippe, Hong, Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Singh, Hirdepal
• Application Number:
  US14/267,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20150318892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/32 Reducing cross-talk, e.g. by compensating
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/487 Testing crosstalk effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/123 Evaluation of link metrics techniques for monitoring network metrics H04L43/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/16 based on interference
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In one embodiment, a node in a network receives communication channel data regarding one or more communication channels available between a particular device in the network and a neighboring device. Each communication channel corresponds to one or more electrical phases over which the particular device can communicate with the neighboring device. The node also receives crosstalk data regarding an amount of crosstalk between the electrical phases over which the particular device can communicate with the neighboring device. The node then generates a routing path for the network based on the received crosstalk and communication channel data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a path computation engine in a network, communication channel data regarding one or more communication channels available between a particular device in the network and a neighboring device, wherein each communication channel comprises one or more electrical phases over which the particular device can communicate with the neighboring device, and wherein the communication channel data comprises a count of single-phase channels, a count of dual-phase channels, and a count of tri-phase channels between the particular device and the neighboring device;

receiving, at the path computation engine, crosstalk data regarding an amount of crosstalk between the electrical phases over which the particular device can communicate with the neighboring device; and

generating, by the path computation engine, a routing path in the network based on the received crosstalk and communication channel data.

2. The method as in claim 1, further comprising:

using the crosstalk data to select disjoint paths in the network that minimize self-interference between two paths in the network.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein receiving the communication channel data comprises:

receiving a minimum number of distinct communication channels between the particular device and the neighboring device.

4. The method as in claim 1, wherein receiving the crosstalk data comprises:

receiving a listing of one or more electric phases that are affected by crosstalk when a communication is sent via a particular electric phase.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein receiving the crosstalk data comprises:

receiving a measured degree of crosstalk present when a communication is sent between the devices via a particular electric phase.

6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the crosstalk and communication channel data is received via a destination advertisement object (DAO) message.

7. The method as in claim 1, further comprising:

determining a network performance metric associated with using a maximum number of distinct communication channels between the devices;

comparing the network performance metric to a threshold value; and

including less than the maximum number of distinct communication channels between the devices in the path.

8. The method as in claim 7, wherein the network performance metric corresponds to network latency.

9. The method as in claim 1, wherein the routing path is generated based on a history of crosstalk data.

10. A path computation engine apparatus comprising:

one or more network interfaces configured to communicate in a power line communication (PLC) network;

a processor configured to execute one or more processes; and

a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to;

receive communication channel data regarding one or more communication channels available between a particular device in the network and a neighboring device, wherein each communication channel comprises one or more electrical phases over which the particular device can communicate with the neighboring device, and wherein the communication channel data comprises a count of single-phase channels, a count of dual-phase channels, and a count of tri-phase channels between the particular device and the neighboring device;

receive crosstalk data regarding an amount of crosstalk between the electrical phases over which the particular device can communicate with the neighboring device; and

generate a routing path for the network based on the received crosstalk and communication channel data.

11. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the process when executed is operable to:

use the crosstalk data to select disjoint paths in the network that minimize self-interference between two paths in the network.

12. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the communication channel data comprises a minimum number of distinct communication channels between the particular device and the neighboring device.

13. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the crosstalk data comprises a listing of one or more electric phases that are affected by crosstalk when a communication is sent via a particular electric phase.

14. The apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the crosstalk data comprises a measured degree of crosstalk present when a communication is sent between the devices via a particular electric phase.

15. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the crosstalk and communication channel data is received via a destination advertisement object (DAO) message.

16. The apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the process when executed is operable to:

determine a network performance metric associated with using a maximum number of distinct communication channels between the devices;

compare the network performance metric to a threshold value; and

include less than the maximum number of distinct communication channels between the devices in the path.

17. The apparatus as in claim 16, wherein the network performance metric corresponds to network latency.

18. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having software encoded thereon, the software, when executed by a processor of a path computation engine, operable to:

receive communication channel data regarding one or more communication channels available between a particular device in the network and a neighboring device, wherein each communication channel comprises one or more electrical phases over which the particular device can communicate with the neighboring device, and wherein the communication channel data comprises a count of single-phase channels, a count of dual-phase channels, and a count of tri-phase channels between the particular device and the neighboring device;

receive crosstalk data regarding an amount of crosstalk between the electrical phases over which the particular device can communicate with the neighboring device;

generate a routing path for the network based on the received crosstalk and communication channel data.