Interference control in a broadband powerline communication system

• US 20060114925A1
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sutliff, Larrie, Gerszberg, Irwin, Henry, Paul Shala
• Granted Patent: US 9,172,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/431
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/00 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference by means associated with receiver H04B1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines

Abstract

A broadband powerline communication system is disclosed which makes use of knowledge of the spectrum characteristics of a local radio environment in order to improve the performance of the system. A determination is made of the spectrum characteristics of a radio environment in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies. Certain ones of the carrier frequencies otherwise used by the broadband powerline communication system may be masked (i.e., not used) by all or part of the broadband powerline system in order to avoid interference based on the determination. In various embodiments, the spectrum characteristics are determined 1) in advance and used to compile a configuration database comprising frequency masking parameters; 2) by monitoring the local radio environment using the transmitter/receiver nodes of the system; or 3) based upon receipt of an indication from a conflicting user that the user is experiencing interference. Various combinations of these spectrum characteristic determination techniques may also be used.

Claims

1. A method of operation of a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by said broadband powerline communication system, said method comprising the steps of:

determining the spectrum characteristics of a radio environment in the vicinity of said broadband powerline communication system; and

masking certain ones of said carrier frequencies based on said characteristics.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining the spectrum characteristics further comprises the step of:

compiling a database comprising frequency masking parameters.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining the spectrum characteristics further comprises the step of:

monitoring said radio environment to detect conflicting users.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining the spectrum characteristics further comprises the step of:

receiving an indication from a user that said user has received an identifier on a particular frequency at a particular location.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of masking comprises masking said certain ones of said carrier frequencies in a portion of said broadband powerline communication system.

6. Apparatus for controlling interference in a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by said broadband powerline communication system, said apparatus comprising:

means for determining the spectrum characteristics of a radio environment in the vicinity of said broadband powerline communication system; and

means for masking certain ones of said carrier frequencies based on said characteristics.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for determining the spectrum characteristics of a radio environment comprises:

a plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes for monitoring signals received via said broadband powerline communication system.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for masking comprises a controller node sending control instructions to transmitter/receiver nodes.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for masking comprises means for masking said certain ones of said carrier frequencies in a portion of said broadband powerline communication system.

10. A method for controlling interference in a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by said broadband powerline communication system, said method comprising the steps of:

accessing a database comprising frequency masking parameters;

comparing said frequency masking parameters to current date/time information; and

transmitting frequency mask control instructions to at least one of a plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes in said broadband powerline communication system based on said step of comparing.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said frequency masking parameters comprise:

an identification of particular ones of said plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes and associated frequency channels.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said frequency masking parameters further comprise:

time/date information indicating particular times to effect frequency masking.

13. Apparatus for controlling interference in a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by said broadband powerline communication system, said apparatus comprising:

a database comprising frequency masking parameters;

a network interface adapted for communication with a plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes; and

means for transmitting control instructions to said plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes based on said frequency masking parameters.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said frequency masking parameters comprise:

an identification of particular ones of said plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes and associated frequency channels.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said frequency masking parameters further comprise:

time/date information indicating particular times to effect frequency masking.

16. A method for controlling interference in a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by said broadband powerline communication system, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring the radio environment in the vicinity of said broadband powerline communication system to detect conflicting users; and

masking certain ones of said carrier frequencies based on said step of monitoring.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of monitoring is performed by a plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes of said broadband powerline communication system.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of masking comprises masking said certain ones of said carrier frequencies in certain ones of said plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

said plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes transmitting conflicting user information to a controller node.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of monitoring is performed periodically by said plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said transmitter/receiver nodes stop transmitting while monitoring the radio environment.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of monitoring is performed by said plurality of transmitter/receiver nodes in response to receipt of a control instruction from a controller node.

23. A method for controlling interference in a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by said broadband powerline communication system, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a unique identifier on a least one of said modulated carrier frequencies via said broadband powerline communication system; and

masking certain ones of said carrier frequencies based upon receipt of said unique identifier from a conflicting user.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said unique identifier identifies said broadband powerline communication system.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein said unique identifier is transmitted periodically.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein said unique identifier is transmitted in response to receipt of a control instruction from a controller node.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein said step of masking comprises masking said certain ones of said carrier frequencies in a portion of said broadband powerline communication system.