JP2008167469A - Electric lamp line communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric lamp line coupler integrated with an AC adapter, which can be downsized by a simple arrangement configuration of equipment including communication terminals, and which can achieve easy handling and good appearance. <P>SOLUTION: The electric lamp line coupler integrated with the AC adapter includes an electric lamp line power conversion supply section 7 connected to a plug 4 fitted into an electric lamp line outlet for supplying electric power to a communication terminal, and an electric lamp line carrier signal coupling section 8 for inputting and outputting a signal to and from the communication terminal through the plug 4. It is provided with a casing 6 containing both the electric lamp line power conversion supply section 7 and the electric lamp line carrier signal coupling section 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In recent years, there has been a growing demand for a simple and inexpensive construction of a local area network in a small office or home. The present invention relates to a power line communication apparatus applied to a power line communication apparatus that can construct a local area network easily and inexpensively.

  Conventionally, in order to construct a local area network, a method of wiring a dedicated line for communication has been taken. In recent years, an example in which a local area network is constructed using a radio or a power line without using a dedicated line for communication has been increasing. In power line communication, a power line power conversion supply unit (such as an AC adapter) for supplying power to a communication device that performs communication, or a power line carrier signal coupling unit (light) for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the power line. It was necessary to prepare each of the wire couplers.

  A conventional power line communication device will be described below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a conventional power line communication device. The communication terminal 1 is connected to an AC adapter 2 that supplies power to the communication terminal 1, a power line modem 5 that modulates and demodulates communication signals, and a power line coupler 3 that transmits and receives power lines. When performing power line communication, the AC adapter 2, the power line modem 5, and the power line coupler 3 are connected and used.

  However, the above conventional method and configuration method have the following problems.

  (1) In order to perform power line communication with the communication terminal 1, it is necessary to individually connect the AC adapter 2, the power line modem 5, and the power line coupler 3 to the communication terminal 1, and the connection operation becomes complicated. There is a problem that handling and operability are lacking when the communication terminal 1 is moved.

  (2) At least two power line outlets to be connected and used (occupied) are required, and the wiring is complicated and unpleasant in appearance and lacks in design.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a power line communication device capable of simplifying and downsizing an arrangement configuration of a device including a communication terminal and improving handling and appearance. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above problems, the power line communication device of the present invention is connected to the power line, and a power line power supply conversion supply unit that inputs AC power from the power line and outputs DC power to a connectable communication terminal. Separating the power line communication signal superimposed on the AC power source, demodulating the separated power line communication signal into a communication signal, and outputting the demodulated communication signal; and the power line power source The DC power output from the conversion supply unit and the demodulated communication signal are combined, and the DC power source and the demodulated communication signal are output to a communication terminal. In addition to simplifying and downsizing the arrangement of the apparatus including the apparatus, it is possible to improve handling and appearance.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the DC power output from the power line power supply conversion supply unit and the demodulated communication signal are combined, and the DC power combined with the demodulated communication signal and the demodulated communication signal are combined. And a signal synthesis / separation unit for outputting the above, it is possible to improve handling, reduce the size of the device, improve the appearance, and the like. Moreover, the influence which the power line power supply conversion supply part has on a power line communication signal can be reduced by inserting a filter part at the time of integration.

  The power line communication device according to claim 1 has the following effects.

  (A) Since both the power line power conversion supply part and the power line carrier signal coupling part are built in the casing part, both can be handled in a lump and excellent in handleability.

  (B) The arrangement configuration of peripheral devices around the communication terminal can be simplified, and the appearance and design can be improved.

  (C) Since only one power line outlet may be connected, the setting of the communication device can be made extremely easy, and the maintainability such as inspection and cleaning around the outlet is excellent.

  Furthermore, it has the following effects.

  In addition to the power line power supply conversion supply part and the power line carrier signal coupling part, a signal combining / separating part for superposing and separating high frequency signals from the power line carrier signal coupling part is integrally held in the same casing, so that the power line coupler And the number of cables connecting communication terminals can be reduced.

  Furthermore, it has the following effects.

  (A) Since the power line modem is incorporated in the casing portion, the number of devices required for performing power line communication can be reduced.

  (B) Since the power line modem is driven by the power supplied from the power line power conversion supply unit in the casing, the circuit configuration is simplified and the AC adapter integrated power line coupler is operated efficiently. Can do.

  (C) A circuit incorporated in a communication terminal can be simplified.

  According to the power line communication device of the second aspect, the following effect is obtained in addition to the effect of the first aspect.

  (A) By adding the filter unit, it is possible to prevent the noise generated in the power line power conversion supply unit from affecting the power line communication signal and perform high-speed communication.

  (B) Since it is possible to prevent a high-frequency signal used for power line communication from flowing into the power line power supply conversion supply unit, the signal-to-noise power ratio can be kept high, and high-speed communication can be performed.

  The power line communication device according to claim 1, wherein an AC power is input from the power line, and a power line power conversion supply unit that outputs a DC power to a connectable communication terminal, is connected to the power line, and the AC power A power line communication signal superimposed on the carrier signal, demodulating the separated power line communication signal into a communication signal, and outputting the demodulated communication signal; and the power line power supply conversion supply unit The output DC power supply and the demodulated communication signal are combined, and the DC power supply and the demodulated communication signal are output to a communication terminal.

  This configuration has the following effects.

  (A) Since both the power line power conversion supply part and the power line carrier signal coupling part are built in the casing part, both can be handled in a lump and excellent in handleability.

  (B) The arrangement configuration of peripheral devices around the communication terminal can be simplified, and the appearance and design can be improved.

  (C) Since only one power line outlet may be connected, the setting of the communication device can be made extremely easy, and the maintainability such as inspection and cleaning around the outlet is excellent.

  Here, the power line power supply conversion supply unit is a converter or charger for directly converting AC power supplied from the power line outlet through the plug unit into direct current of a predetermined voltage or charging the charger. The communication terminal is driven using this as a power source.

  The power line carrier signal coupling unit has a function of transmitting / receiving a signal carried through the power line to / from the power line. The power line carrier signal coupling unit includes a power line modem that modulates and demodulates a communication signal as necessary. The power line modem is a modulation / demodulation device having a function of converting an analog signal into a digital signal.

  The casing is a container made of metals such as aluminum and steel, plastics such as polyethylene and polycarbonate, etc., and the power line power conversion supply unit and the power line carrier signal coupling part are built in, and an external communication terminal Each terminal portion and cable portion to be connected to each other are provided.

  Furthermore, it has the following actions.

  In addition to the power line power supply conversion supply part and the power line carrier signal coupling part, a signal combining / separating part for superposing and separating high frequency signals from the power line carrier signal coupling part is integrally held in the same casing, so that the power line coupler And the number of cables connecting the communication terminals can be reduced.

  Here, the signal combining / separating unit is composed of, for example, a circuit unit including a choke coil and an inductance, and a low-frequency signal such as a power line power supply passes, but a high-frequency signal such as a power line communication signal does not pass. The one with the is used.

  Furthermore, it has the following actions.

  (A) Since the power line modem is incorporated in the casing portion, the number of devices required for performing power line communication can be reduced.

  (B) Since the power line modem is driven by the power supplied from the power line power conversion supply unit in the casing, the circuit configuration is simplified and the AC adapter integrated power line coupler is operated efficiently. Can do.

  (C) A circuit incorporated in a communication terminal can be simplified.

  The power line communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a filter section between the power line power supply conversion supply section and the AC power supply.

  With this configuration, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the following operation is provided.

  (A) By adding the filter unit, it is possible to prevent the noise generated in the power line power conversion supply unit from affecting the power line communication signal and perform high-speed communication.

  (B) Since it is possible to prevent a high-frequency signal used for power line communication from flowing into the power line power supply conversion supply unit, the signal-to-noise power ratio can be kept high, and high-speed communication can be performed.

  Here, the filter unit is a circuit unit composed of, for example, a choke coil, and has a filtering characteristic that allows low-frequency alternating current to pass but high-frequency signals such as power line communication signals to have high impedance and not pass. Have. Further, the high frequency noise generated in the power line power supply conversion supply unit is prevented from leaking to the outside by this filtering characteristic.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a power line communication device to which the AC adapter integrated power line coupler according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 2, 1 is a communication terminal for processing a signal carried through a power line, 5 is a power line modem, and 6 is a power line that is a power line carrier signal coupling unit that transmits and receives a power line communication signal to and from the power line. A casing part of an AC adapter integrated power line coupler with a built-in power line power supply conversion supply part for supplying driving power to the coupler and the communication terminal 1, 4 is an AC adapter used by being connected to a power line outlet. It is a plug part of a body type electric wire coupler.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 7 denotes a power line power supply conversion supply unit (power generation unit) connected to the plug unit 4, and 8 denotes a power line coupler connected to the plug unit 4 in parallel with the power generation unit 7.

  The operation of the AC adapter-integrated electric power line coupler of Embodiment 1 configured as described above will be described below. The plug unit 4 is connected to a power line outlet (not shown) so as to obtain a commercial AC power source for driving the communication terminal 1 by the power generation unit 7 and at the same time transmit and receive a signal for power line communication by the power line coupler 8. ing.

  That is, the power generation unit 7 connected to the plug unit 4 generates power necessary for the communication terminal 1 from commercial AC power and supplies the power to the communication terminal 1. The power line coupler 8 connected in the same manner to the plug unit 4 is connected to a power line modem 5 for power line communication.

  As a result, the power line coupler 8 extracts a power line communication signal from the plug unit 4 during reception and supplies the power line modem 5 with the signal. During transmission, the signal received from the power line modem 5 is superimposed on the power line.

  Since the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler of the first embodiment is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

  (A) Since the power generation unit 7 and the power line coupler 8 are built in the casing unit 6, the wiring around the communication terminal 1 can be simplified, and handling and appearance can be improved.

  (B) Since the power line coupler 8 is taken into the casing part 6, it has the effect | action that the number of apparatuses required when performing power line communication can be reduced.

  (C) Since only one power line outlet may be connected, the setting of the communication device can be made extremely easy, and the maintainability such as inspection and cleaning around the outlet is excellent.

  (D) Since the power line coupler 8 can also be operated by the electric power supplied from the power generation unit 7 in the casing section 6, the AC adapter integrated type power line coupler can be operated efficiently.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 9 denotes a filter unit that is connected between a power generation unit 7 that supplies power to the communication terminal 1 and a plug unit 4 that is connected to a power line outlet.

  The AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to the second embodiment is different in that a filter unit 9 is added to the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to the first embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, those having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The operation of the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler of Embodiment 2 configured as described above will be described below.

  The plug unit 4 is connected to a power line outlet, obtains a commercial AC power source, and transmits / receives a power line communication signal at the same time. The filter unit 9 connected to the plug unit 4 has a characteristic of passing a low frequency such as commercial alternating current but having a high impedance in a high frequency band such as a power line communication signal and preventing a signal from passing therethrough. Moreover, it has the characteristic that the high frequency noise which generate | occur | produced in the power supply preparation part 7 is not leaked outside. In this way, by inserting the filter unit 9, the power generation unit 7 can be made less likely to affect the signal for power line communication. The filter unit 9 is composed of a choke coil or the like. The power generation unit 7 generates a power source necessary for the communication terminal from the commercial AC power source that has passed through the filter unit 9.

  Since the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler of the second embodiment is configured as described above, it has the following operation in addition to the operation of the first embodiment.

  (A) Since the filter unit 9 is provided, the noise generated in the power generation unit 7 connected in parallel with the power line coupler 8 is removed by the filter unit 9 and high-speed communication with the communication terminal 1 can be performed. it can.

  (B) Since it is possible to prevent a high-frequency signal used for power line communication from flowing into the power line power supply conversion supply unit 7, the signal-to-noise power ratio can be kept high, and high-speed communication can be performed.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an AC adapter-integrated electric power line coupler according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 10 denotes a signal synthesis / separation unit connected to the power generation unit 7 and the power line coupler 8.

  The AC adapter integrated power line coupler of the third embodiment is different from the AC adapter integrated power line coupler of the second embodiment in that a signal combining / separating unit 10 is added. Since other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, components having the same functions as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The operation of the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler configured as described above will be described below. Plug unit 4 is connected to a power line outlet, and obtains commercial AC power and simultaneously transmits and receives a signal for power line communication. The filter unit 9 connected to the plug unit 4 has a characteristic of passing a low frequency such as commercial alternating current but having a high impedance in a high frequency band such as a power line communication signal and preventing a signal from passing therethrough. Moreover, it has the characteristic that the high frequency noise which generate | occur | produced in the power supply preparation part 7 is not leaked outside. Thus, by inserting the filter unit 9, the power generation unit 7 is less likely to affect the signal for power line communication. Here, the filter unit 9 is configured by a choke coil or the like, and the power source creation unit 7 creates a power source necessary for the communication terminal 1 from a commercial AC power source that has passed through the filter unit 9.

  Similarly, the power line coupler 8 connected to the plug unit 4 extracts a power line communication signal from the power line during reception, and superimposes the signal on the power line during transmission.

  The signal synthesis / separation unit 10 synthesizes the DC voltage from the power generation unit 7 and the high-frequency signal from the power line coupler during reception from the power line, and connects to the cable connected to the signal synthesis / separation unit 10 on the communication terminal 1 side. Output. The communication terminal 1 side can be separated because the frequency of the DC voltage and the signal for power line communication are different.

  During transmission, a high-frequency signal for power line communication is extracted from the signal from the signal synthesis / separation unit 10 provided on the communication terminal 1 side and supplied to the power line coupler 8. For example, the signal combining / separating unit 10 uses a choke coil that passes a low-frequency signal from a power line and does not pass a high-frequency signal such as a power line communication signal.

  Since the AC adapter-integrated electric power line coupler of the third embodiment is configured as described above, it has the following operation in addition to the operations of the first and second embodiments.

  In addition to the power generation unit 7 and the power line coupler 8, a signal combining / separating unit 10 that superimposes and separates the high frequency signal from the power line coupler 8 on the same cable is integrally held in the casing unit 6. The number of cables connecting the body-type power line coupler and the communication terminal 1 can be reduced, and the handling property and the like are excellent.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 11 denotes a power line modem connected to the power line coupler 8 and built in the casing portion 6.

  The AC adapter-integrated power line coupler of the fourth embodiment is different in that a power line modem 11 is added to the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler of the second embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, components having the same functions as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The operation of the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler configured as described above will be described below. The plug unit 4 is connected to a power line outlet, and obtains commercial AC power and simultaneously transmits and receives a signal for power line communication. A power line coupler 8 connected to the plug unit 4 in parallel with the power generation unit 7 and the filter unit 9 extracts a signal for power line communication from the power line during reception, and outputs the signal during transmission. It is designed to be superimposed on. The power line modem 11 is connected to the power line coupler 8 and modulates and demodulates the power line communication signal. The power line modem 11 is connected to a communication terminal by USB or Ethernet (registered trademark). By comprising as mentioned above, the apparatus required when performing power line communication can be made into one.

  Since the AC adapter-integrated power line coupler of the fourth embodiment is configured as described above, it has the following actions in addition to the actions of the first and second embodiments.

  (A) Since the power line modem 11 is taken in the casing part 6, it has the effect | action that the number of apparatuses required when performing power line communication can further be reduced.

  (B) Since the power line coupler 8 and the like are driven by the power supplied from the power generation unit 7 in the casing 6, the circuit configuration is simplified and the AC adapter integrated power line coupler is operated efficiently. Can be made.

  The power line communication apparatus of the present invention is useful as a power line communication apparatus that can easily and inexpensively construct a local area network in a small office or home.

Configuration diagram of conventional power line communication equipment Configuration diagram of a power line communication device to which the AC adapter integrated power line coupler of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied 1 is a block diagram of an AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Block diagram of an AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Block diagram of an AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Block diagram of an AC adapter-integrated power line coupler according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication terminal 2 AC adapter 3 Electric power line coupler 4 Plug part 5 Electric power line modem 6 Casing part 7 Power supply preparation part (electric power line power conversion supply part)
8 Power line coupler (Power line carrier signal coupling part)
9 Filter section 10 Signal combining / separating section 11 Power line modem

Claims (2)

A power line power supply conversion supply unit that inputs AC power from the power line and outputs DC power to a connectable communication terminal;
A carrier signal coupling unit that is connected to the power line and separates the power line communication signal superimposed on the AC power source, demodulates the separated power line communication signal into a communication signal, and outputs the demodulated communication signal When,
A signal synthesis / separation unit that synthesizes the DC power output from the power line power supply conversion supply unit and the demodulated communication signal, and outputs the DC power source and the demodulated communication signal to a communication terminal; A power line communication device. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a filter unit between the power line power source conversion supply unit and the AC power source.

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