CN113497640B - Method, device and system for channel estimation in power line network - Google Patents

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for channel estimation in a powerline network are disclosed. A specific channel estimation method comprises the following steps: one device receives channel estimation request messages respectively sent by a plurality of other devices; the device then broadcasts or multicasts a channel estimation reply message to the plurality of other devices to instruct the plurality of other devices to perform channel estimation. Optionally, the device may also broadcast or multicast a probe message for multiple other devices to perform channel estimation. The channel estimation method can reduce the number of messages required to be interacted for channel estimation and shorten the time required for channel estimation by sending a single channel estimation reply message to complete the channel estimation of a plurality of channels.

Description

Method, device and system for channel estimation in power line network

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of network communications, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, and a system for channel estimation applied to a power line network.

Background

The Power Line Communication (PLC) technology uses a widely existing copper Power Line as a transmission medium, records a low-frequency baseband signal on an alternating current to perform information transmission, and provides an effective return pipeline for the last segment of home interconnection. The power line terminal equipment, commonly called a power modem, provides the terminal equipment of a home or other small-sized places (such as hotels, offices and the like) with the last section of information access through Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

When a power line terminal device joins a network, data interaction with other devices in the network can be performed only after channel training, channel training and communication parameter updating are requested.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a method, a device and a system for channel estimation in a power line network, which aim to solve the technical problems of large message quantity and long required time brought by the process of simultaneously carrying out re-estimation on a plurality of power line terminal devices in the prior art.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for channel estimation in a power line network. The method comprises the following steps: a first device receives channel estimation request messages sent by a plurality of second devices; the first device then broadcasts or multicasts a channel estimation reply message to the plurality of second devices, the channel estimation reply message instructing the plurality of second devices to perform channel estimation.

By sending a message to trigger parallel channel estimation, the method can reduce the number of messages required for channel estimation and reduce the time required for channel estimation.

In a specific implementation manner, the first device broadcasts or multicasts a probe message to the plurality of second devices, and the probe message is used for channel estimation. By doing so, the number of probe messages sent can be reduced, further reducing the number of messages required. In particular, the probe message may be a dedicated probe message, or a Media Access Plan (MAP) frame, or a combination of both.

In a specific implementation manner, the broadcasting or multicasting by the first device of one channel estimation reply message to the plurality of second devices, where the channel estimation reply message is used to instruct the plurality of second devices to perform channel estimation, specifically including: the first device broadcasts or multicasts the channel estimation reply message to the plurality of second devices and third devices, wherein the channel estimation reply message is used for instructing the plurality of second devices and the third devices to perform channel estimation. By incorporating a device which does not actively request channel estimation but needs to perform channel estimation into the parallel channel estimation process, the efficiency and accuracy of channel estimation are improved.

In a specific implementation, the method further includes: before receiving the plurality of channel estimation request messages, the first device sends an indication message, wherein the indication message is used for indicating that the first device supports parallel channel estimation.

In a specific implementation manner, the receiving, by the first device, the multiple channel estimation request messages specifically includes: and the first equipment receives the plurality of channel estimation request messages within a preset time length.

Optionally, the channel estimation reply message includes one or more of the following parameters: an identification of the plurality of second devices, message type indication information, a start time and an end time of a sounding or a start time and a duration of a sounding, a type of a sounding frame, a number of sounding frames, a number of symbols of a sounding frame, a guard interval used between symbols of a sounding frame, and a maximum power spectral density used. Wherein the message type indication message indicates that the channel estimation reply message is a broadcast message or a multicast message. It should be understood that the message type indication information is not a necessary parameter. The message type information may also be conveyed by the length of a channel estimation reply message, or the like.

In a specific implementation manner, the value of the one or more pieces of information is determined according to a maximum value or a minimum value of values of corresponding information carried in the plurality of channel estimation request messages.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a power line network communication device. The apparatus comprises a processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor being configured to perform the method of channel estimation according to the first aspect or any specific implementation thereof.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a system. The system comprises a first device and a second device as described in the first aspect or any specific implementation manner thereof. The second device is further configured to perform channel estimation according to the probe message sent by the first device, and send the updated channel parameter to the first device, so that the two devices complete configuration update of the channel parameter to perform data transmission.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication method in a power line network. The method comprises the following steps: a plurality of second devices send channel estimation request messages to the first device; after receiving the plurality of channel estimation request messages, the first device broadcasts or multicasts a channel estimation reply message to the plurality of second devices, where the channel estimation reply message is used to instruct the plurality of second devices to perform channel estimation, and the channel estimation reply message includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to instruct the plurality of second devices.

In a specific implementation manner, the first identifier includes device identifiers of the plurality of second devices. It should be appreciated that the device identification is optional and that the set of devices that need to perform parallel channel estimation may also be indicated by, for example, a channel estimation group identification.

For some optional implementation schemes such as parameters included in the channel estimation reply message, a sending range, and a message type, reference is made to the description of the specific implementation manner of the first aspect, which is not described herein again.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, which includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect or any implementation manner of the first aspect.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a channel estimation method provided in the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a first channel estimation method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second method for channel estimation according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of communication window division;

fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a third method for channel estimation according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The device form and the service scenario described in the embodiment of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, and do not limit the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention. As can be known to those skilled in the art, with the evolution of device morphology and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

The technical scheme provided by the application is suitable for a scene of providing network access service by utilizing a power line network. Such as a home network, a hotel network, or an office network, etc. Fig. 1 provides a specific application scenario diagram. As shown in fig. 1, a Power Line Communication (PLC) network is formed in a home network by using Power lines. The network consists of 5 devices, devices 1-5, connected by power lines. These 5 devices are distributed in four rooms to provide network access services for the home. Wherein the device 1 is connected to a home network access point. The home network access point may be a 5G access. Alternatively, the home network access point may be another type of access method, for example: fiber-to-the-home or twisted pair access, etc. The present application is not limited thereto.

It should be noted that the device in fig. 1 may be referred to as a powerline network device, a powerline network terminal or a powerline terminal device, or a powerline modem. In this application, a device is also referred to as a node. The two devices complete message and data interaction through one channel.

The full name of the PLC can also be written as Power Line Carrier, i.e. Power Line Carrier communication. The Power line communication may also be called Broadband over Power Lines (BPL), Power line digital subscriber line (PDSL), Power line network interconnection (PLN), etc. loaded on the Power line. By contrast, the present application is not limited.

When a power line terminal device newly joins a network, data interaction can be carried out with other devices in the network only after three steps of channel training request, channel training and communication parameter updating. In the above process, the power line terminal device needs to transmit a plurality of messages. For example, in requesting channel training, a power line terminal device needs to interact with another device for 4 messages; in the channel training process, two devices need to interact N detection messages to complete channel estimation; finally, the communication parameter update needs to be completed by 2 messages. That is, after (4+ N +2) messages need to be interacted, the newly online device can start data transmission. For simplicity, the present application refers to a combination of one or more of the above three steps as Channel Estimation (CE).

In the research of the related art, it is found that a plurality of devices are easily affected at the same time at the power line network terminal, and the above processes need to be performed at the same time to recover the normal data transmission capability. For example, interference from household appliances or external noise, even sudden power outages, may require all devices in the network to perform the three steps mentioned above. To ensure the communication quality, generally, a plurality of devices need to perform the message interaction in the foregoing three steps in sequence. Doing so can result in the entire network being on-line for a long time, degrading the user experience. Alternatively, multiple devices may interact with each other in parallel to complete the three steps and all necessary steps of data transmission. Doing so may cause too much information to be exchanged in the network over a period of time, potentially degrading communication quality and increasing power consumption of the device.

Therefore, the application provides a new channel estimation method in the power line network, so as to reduce the number of online message interaction and the required time of the network equipment. The method provided by the present application can improve communication quality or reduce device power consumption by reducing the number of message interactions in the channel estimation process, as compared to the alternative methods that can be conceived by those skilled in the art.

Fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a channel estimation method provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the method includes steps S201 and S203.

S201: a first device receives channel estimation request messages sent by a plurality of second devices;

the channel estimation request message is used for requesting parameter estimation of a data transmission channel between the first device and a second device which sends the channel estimation message. Taking fig. 1 as an example, the first device may be device 1. The plurality of second devices may be a plurality of devices 2-5. Specifically, the plurality of second devices need to perform channel estimation again to perform data transmission again due to the influence. To this end, each second device sends a channel estimation request message to the first device to request the first device to perform a process of parameter estimation of a data communication channel (i.e., channel) between itself and the first device.

In a particular implementation, the first device may wait a preset time. In this time, the first device receives the channel estimation request messages sent by the plurality of second devices, and starts processing again. Alternatively, in other implementations, the first device may set the minimum number of channel estimation request messages. After this minimum number is reached, the first device starts processing the plurality of request messages. The present application is not limited thereto.

The first device broadcasts or multicasts a channel estimation reply message to the plurality of second devices, the channel estimation reply message being used for instructing the plurality of second devices to perform channel estimation S203.

Specifically, the first device instructs the plurality of second devices to perform channel estimation by transmitting one channel estimation reply message. That is, the first device triggers parallel channel estimation through one message. It should be understood that parallel channel estimation means that the start and end times at which the two devices perform channel estimation are identical or overlap.

By sending a single message to trigger channel estimation of multiple devices, the channel estimation method disclosed by the application can reduce the time for channel estimation and reduce the number of corresponding messages in the network.

It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in this application are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the data so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are capable of operation in sequences not described in the present application. "and/or" is used to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, meaning that three relationships may exist. For example, a and/or B, may represent: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The specific methods of operation in the method embodiments may also be applied in the apparatus embodiments. Conversely, the functional description of components in the device embodiments also applies to the related description in the method embodiments.

Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, descriptions of a feature in one embodiment may also be applied to explain that other embodiments mention the corresponding feature. For example, the specific description of the broadcast or multicast transmission action in one embodiment may be applied to the corresponding step description in other embodiments. As another example, the specific implementation manner of the parameter carried by a certain message in one embodiment may be applicable to the same message mentioned in other embodiments. Different figures of the present application may use the same reference numbers or step numbers to identify the same or similar objects (e.g., method steps). It should be understood that in this case, unless otherwise specified, the specific description of a step in one embodiment also applies to steps having the same number in another embodiment.

The present application will be further explained based on some common aspects of the present application described above.

Taking the network shown in fig. 1 as an example, fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a first channel estimation method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 3, the method includes the following steps. It should be noted that in the following steps, S301, S305, S307A, S307N, and S311 may be multicast or broadcast messages, and details thereof are described below and are not repeated herein.

S301: the device 1 sends an indication message;

the indication message is used to indicate that the device 1 is capable of parallel channel estimation. By sending this indication message, the device 1 can inform other devices in the network so that multiple devices that need to perform channel estimation send request messages to the device 1 for parallel channel estimation. It should be noted that this step is optional. In another implementation, the device information with parallel channel estimation capability may be made known to devices in the network by pre-configuration.

S303: device 2 and device 3 (identified as devices 2-3 in fig. 3) send Channel Estimation (CE) request messages;

the two devices start the following channel training process by sending a CE request message requesting the message receiving device to determine the relevant parameters for channel training.

The information (also called parameters) that the CE request message may include and its meaning are shown in table 1. It should be noted that, in practical applications, the device may carry one or more information in table 1 according to practical needs. This application is not limited thereto.

Table 1 example of information contained in CE request message

S305: device 1 sends a CE reply message;

the receiving devices of the CE reply message are device 2 and device 3 in step S303. Specifically, the CE reply message may include information and its meaning as shown in table 2.

Table 2 example of information contained in CE reply message

It should be understood that, when the device 1 selects specific values of the CE time-related information and the sounding frame-related information, it may refer to values of corresponding information carried in multiple channel estimation request messages received by the device. In a specific implementation, the device 1 may select a maximum value of a certain information in the received multiple channel estimation request messages. For example, the inter-symbol guard interval of the sounding frame is selected as the maximum value of the inter-symbol guard intervals of the multiple received sounding frames. In another specific implementation, the device 1 may select a minimum value of a value of certain information in the received multiple channel estimation request messages. For example, the device 1 may obtain the CE start time value from each channel estimation request message, and select the minimum value thereof as the CE start time.

It should be noted that, when the CE reply message is a broadcast message, the device set that needs to perform channel estimation in parallel may be further indicated by a mode of carrying a device identifier, so as to meet a scene requirement that all devices in the network need not perform channel estimation. Further, message type information is not necessary. The CE reply message may also indicate that the CE reply message is a broadcast or multicast message by other means. For example, whether a certain message is a CE reply message may be determined by the length of the message.

It should be understood that device identification is not required, and device set information that requires parallel channel estimation may be conveyed via group ID or other means.

It should be noted that, in the prior art, the device needs to exchange messages separately (i.e., exchange a request message and a reply message) to determine the specific value of the probe frame information. In this embodiment, the parameters related to the probe frame may be sent to the peer device while replying to the CE request message, which further reduces the number of messages and saves the time for channel estimation.

S307A: the device 1 sends a probe message;

…

S307N: the device 1 sends a probe message;

specifically, the device 1 transmits a plurality of probe messages for the relevant devices (in the present embodiment, the devices 2 and 3) to perform channel estimation within a predetermined period of time. It should be noted that the probe message may be a unicast message. That is, the receiving device of the probe message is a single device. Alternatively, the probe message may be a multicast or broadcast message. In this embodiment, the probe message is a broadcast or multicast message. The message type indication may specifically be done by carrying information such as the message type shown in table 2. Alternatively, other indication methods mentioned in step S305 may be used. And will not be described in detail herein.

Generally, the number of probe messages is proportional to the number of terminals in the network that need to perform channel estimation. By sharing the probe message by a plurality of devices, the embodiment of the application can further reduce the number of messages and the time required for compressing the channel estimation.

S308: device 2 and device 3 perform channel estimation;

s309: device 2 and device 3 send CE update messages;

after channel estimation is completed, device 2 and device 3 send the determined channel parameters to device 1, so that both ends perform consistent channel parameter configuration.

S311: device 1 transmits a CE response message.

Correspondingly, after receiving the CE update parameter, the device 1 sends a response message (which may also be referred to as an acknowledgement message). Like the aforementioned probe message, the response message may be a unicast transmission or a broadcast transmission. For a specific implementation, refer to the specific description in step S307A, which is not described herein again.

By broadcasting or multicasting the CE reply message and optionally broadcasting or multicasting the probe message and/or the CE response message, embodiments of the present application reduce the number of messages to be sent by the network during the CE process and compress the time required for channel estimation.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second method for channel estimation according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4, the method includes the following steps.

S303: device 2 and device 3 (identified as devices 2-3 in fig. 4) transmit Channel Estimation (CE) request messages;

refer specifically to the description in fig. 3, and are not repeated herein.

S401: device 1 sends a CE reply message;

this step is similar to step S305 in fig. 3, and the related description is not repeated. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the CE reply message of the device 1 is also broadcast or multicast transmitted to the device 5.

It will be appreciated that the device 5 may be a device that is subject to the same external noise and needs to be retrained. However, device 1 is the device that actively initiates the CE request. In particular, device 1 may complete the CE request directly through the CE reply message. Alternatively, device 1 may transmit a CE indication message (to inform device 5 that subsequent device 1 will perform channel estimation) before transmitting the CE reply message. If the CE flow is started only when the CE confirmation message of the device 5 needs to be obtained, the device 1 waits until the confirmation of the device 5 is received, and then triggers the three devices to complete channel estimation by sending a CE reply message to the device 2, the device 3, and the device 5, which needs to be broadcast or multicast.

S403A: the device 1 sends a probe message;

…

S403N: the device 1 sends a probe message;

the steps are similar to steps S307A, …, and S307N in fig. 3, and are not described herein again. The difference between the two is that in this embodiment the receiving device of the probe message also comprises the device 5.

S404, the device 2, the device 3 and the device 5 execute channel estimation;

this step is similar to step S308 in fig. 3, and is not repeated herein. The difference between the two is that in this embodiment the device performing channel estimation also comprises a device 5.

S405: device 2, device 3 and device 5 send CE update messages

S407: device 1 sends CE response message

The above two steps are similar to steps S309 and S311 in fig. 3, and are not described again here. The difference between the two is that in the present embodiment, the apparatus performing S405 further includes an apparatus 5; the receiving device of the CE response message further comprises device 5.

By broadcasting or multicasting one or more of the CE reply messages, the broadcast or multicast probe messages, and/or the CE response messages, embodiments of the present application reduce the number of messages to be sent by the network during the CE process and compress the time required for channel estimation. In addition, in this embodiment, the device that does not send a request but needs to perform CE is also incorporated into the parallel channel estimation process, which further improves the efficiency of channel estimation.

In practical applications, the power line carrier of the PLC network for connecting two communication devices is ac power, which has certain electrical noise. Thus, PLC network device communications are periodically divided. Fig. 5 provides a schematic diagram of an example of communication window partitioning. In the example of fig. 5, two ac cycles are provided, taking as an example the ac cycle of the power line as 50Hz (i.e. 20 ms). Typically, the communication period of a PLC network is two ac cycles, i.e. 40 ms. Fig. 5 shows an example of possible noise during a PLC communication cycle. These noises may occur randomly or periodically. To this end, a PLC network is divided into a plurality of communication windows for performing inter-device communication. In actual deployment, a PLC network may divide communication windows according to its own characteristics or a predetermined rule. For example, the division into 4 windows as shown in fig. 5 may be performed according to the characteristics of noise. Alternatively, the division into 5 communication windows may be simply according to a predetermined rule, for example. In the actual data communication process, the device may use a certain time period or certain time periods in these windows. To accomplish efficient time resource allocation, a PLC network typically has a Domain Master (DM). For simplicity, the time resource used by the PLC network device is hereinafter referred to as Transmission Opportunity (TXOP). After the channel estimation is completed, the DM device periodically transmits a Media Access Plan (MAP) frame in order to indicate specific allocation information of the TXOP. Specifically, information of TXOP allocation in the next communication cycle is indicated in one MAP frame. For example, the MAP frame includes a device number that can use a certain TXOP. Note that the MAP frame itself also needs to occupy a specific TXOP or TXOPs.

It will be appreciated that other values for the period of the ac power are possible. This and the division of the communication period and the communication window are not limited in the present application.

In order to reduce the number of messages to be sent by the network during CE, MAP frames may also be used as a way of sounding frames. Specifically, the device 1 in fig. 1 is taken as an example for further explanation.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a third method for channel estimation according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6, the method includes the following steps. It should be noted that, except for steps S601A, …, and S601N, other steps in the following steps are the same as those in fig. 3, and reference may be made to related descriptions, which are not repeated herein.

S303: device 2 and device 3 transmit Channel Estimation (CE) request messages;

s305: device 1(DM) sends a CE reply message;

through these two steps, the device 1 determines the time information that needs to be channel estimated.

S601A: device 1 transmits a MAP frame;

…

S601N: device 1 transmits a MAP frame;

specifically, according to obtaining the time information for performing CE, the device 1 adjusts the TXOP of the MAP frame in the next period by transmitting the MAP frame to ensure that the TXOP used for the MAP frame transmission in the next period falls within the time range for performing CE. Taking fig. 5 as an example, if the period for which CE is performed falls within communication window 2, the TXOP specified in the MAP frame transmitted in communication window 2 in transmitting the MAP frame in communication window 1 should fall within the range of the period for which CE is performed.

Optionally, the MAP frame may occupy multiple TXOPs to complete channel estimation in multiple windows according to actual application needs.

It will be appreciated that to satisfy multiple different parallel channel estimates, device 1 may need to modify the TXOP used by the MAP frame multiple times to enable the TXOP used by the MAP frame transmission to fall within the corresponding time period.

It should be noted that the device 1 may also complete channel training by using a dedicated probe message (e.g., the probe message mentioned in the embodiment shown in fig. 3) and a MAP frame in a mixed manner. Alternatively, the device 1 may perform channel training by using a data frame with broadcast characteristics, or a data frame mixed with a dedicated probe message. The present application is not limited thereto.

S308, the device 2 and the device 3 execute channel estimation;

s309: device 2 and device 3 send CE update messages;

s311: device 1 transmits a CE response message.

Optionally, the receiving device of the MAP frame may further include a device that does not actively initiate a channel estimation request, such as the device 5 in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, so as to further improve the efficiency of channel estimation.

In the present embodiment, the channel estimation method can reduce the number of messages required to be interacted for channel estimation by transmitting a MAP frame on a specific TXOP to complete channel estimation.

It should be noted that the embodiments shown in fig. 2-4 are applicable to any device in the network. Whereas the embodiment shown in fig. 6 requires device 1 to be a DM or device 1 to have the capability of sending MAP frames. In addition, fig. 2-4 and fig. 6 may be applicable to a scenario in which different devices perform channel training for the same communication window, and also applicable to a scenario in which different devices perform channel training for different windows. In the former scenario, the device 1 may broadcast or multicast the reply message, and may also broadcast or multicast the probe message. In the latter scenario, the device may still send reply messages via broadcast or multicast to reduce the number of messages that the CE needs to interact with because the communication windows to be trained are not within the same time period.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 7, the apparatus 700 includes a processor 701, a memory 702, and a transceiver 703. The three components are connected by a bus or may be connected by other coupling means (e.g. circuitry). The apparatus 700 may be applied to either the device 1 of fig. 3, 4 or 6, or the device 2, 3 or 5 of these figures.

The memory 702 is used to store a program implementing the above method embodiment, which is called by the processor 701 to perform the operations of the above method embodiment. The transceiver 703 is used to implement the sending and receiving of messages in the foregoing method embodiments. Alternatively, the transceiver 703 may include separate transmitter and receiver.

It should be noted that the apparatus 700 may also be configured to perform the method steps according to the embodiment variants shown in fig. 3-4 or fig. 6, which are not described herein again.

The processor 701 in the embodiments of the present application may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, and may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software elements in a processor. The memory 702 may be a nonvolatile memory such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or the like, and may also be a volatile memory (RAM) such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory 702 is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to such.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 8, the communication apparatus 800 includes a source processing apparatus 801, a channel encoder 802, a modulator 803, a filter 804, a coupling circuit 805, a filter 806, a demodulator 807, and a channel decoder 808. Specifically, the source processing device 801 is used to complete the processing required to transmit and receive data. For example, the source processing device 801 may include the device 700 of fig. 7 to complete the processing of the channel estimation related message. Channel encoder 802, modulator 803, filter 804 and coupling circuit 805 provide the necessary processing that data needs to be sent into the PLC network, namely: channel coding, modulation, filtering, and coupling to the power line for transmission. Similarly, coupling circuit 805, filter 806, demodulator 807 and channel decoder 808 provide the necessary processing required for data reception, namely: the signal on the power line is received into the device 800, and then the filtering, demodulation and channel decoding processes are completed, and finally the signal is sent to the information source processing device 801 to be processed.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the communication device 900 comprises a message processing unit 901 and a transceiving unit 902 for performing the method steps of fig. 2 or for performing the method steps performed by the apparatus 1 of fig. 3-4 or 6. Specifically, the transceiving unit 902 is configured to transmit and receive messages in the foregoing multiple figures (e.g., steps S301, S305, etc. in fig. 3). The message processing unit is configured to complete processing of the message (e.g., complete parsing for the CE request message in fig. 3). The corresponding messaging and processing are described in detail in the method drawings and will not be described again.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 10, the communication apparatus 1000 comprises a message processing unit 1001, a transceiving unit 1002 and a channel estimation unit 1003 for performing the method steps performed by the device 2 or the device 3 or the device 5 in fig. 3-4 or fig. 6. Specifically, the transceiving unit 1002 is configured to send and receive messages in the foregoing three figures. The message processing unit 1001 is configured to complete processing of a message. The channel estimation unit is configured to perform channel estimation (e.g., step S308 in fig. 3). The corresponding messaging and processing are described in detail in the method drawings and will not be described again.

Based on the above embodiments, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium stores therein a software program that, when read and executed by one or more processors, may implement the methods provided by any one or more of the embodiments described above. The computer-readable storage medium may include: u disk, removable hard disk, read only memory, random access memory, magnetic or optical disk, etc. for storing program codes.

Based on the above embodiment, the embodiment of the application also provides a chip. The chip comprises a processor for performing the functions according to any one or more of the above embodiments, such as obtaining or processing the various messages involved in the above method. Optionally, the chip further comprises a memory for the processor to execute the necessary program instructions and data. The chip may be constituted by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and so forth) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments of the present application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to encompass such modifications and variations.

Claims (15)

1. A method of channel estimation in a powerline network, the method comprising:

a first device receives a plurality of channel estimation request messages, wherein the channel estimation request messages are respectively sent by a plurality of second devices, and the channel estimation request messages are respectively used for requesting parameter estimation on data transmission channels between the first device and the second devices;

The first device broadcasts or multicasts a channel estimation reply message to the second devices and a third device, wherein the channel estimation reply message is used for instructing the second devices and the third device to perform channel estimation, and the third device is a device which does not actively initiate a channel estimation request but needs to perform channel estimation.

2. The method of channel estimation according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

and the first equipment broadcasts or multicasts and sends a detection message to the plurality of second equipment, wherein the detection message is used for channel estimation of the plurality of second equipment.

3. The method of channel estimation according to claim 2, wherein the probe message includes a Media Access Plan (MAP) frame.

4. A method for channel estimation according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the method further comprises:

before receiving the plurality of channel estimation request messages, the first device sends an indication message, wherein the indication message is used for indicating that the first device supports parallel channel estimation.

5. The method of channel estimation according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the receiving of the plurality of channel estimation request messages by the first device specifically comprises:

And the first equipment receives the plurality of channel estimation request messages within a preset time length.

6. A method for channel estimation according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the channel estimation reply message includes an identification of the plurality of second devices.

7. A method for channel estimation according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the channel estimation reply message includes one or more of the following information:

the start time and end time of the sounding, the start time and duration of the sounding, the type of sounding frame, the number of sounding frames, the number of symbols of the sounding frame, the guard interval used between symbols of the sounding frame, and the maximum power spectral density used.

8. The method of channel estimation according to claim 7, wherein the value of the one or more information is determined according to a maximum value or a minimum value of corresponding information values carried in the plurality of channel estimation request messages.

9. The method for channel estimation according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the channel estimation reply message includes a message type indication message indicating that the channel estimation reply message is a broadcast message or a multicast message.

10. A powerline network communication device, characterized in that the device comprises a processor and a memory, said memory being adapted to store a computer program, said processor being adapted to perform the method of channel estimation according to any one of claims 1-9.

11. A method of communication in a powerline network, the method comprising:

a plurality of second devices send channel estimation request messages to the first device;

after receiving the channel estimation request messages, the first device broadcasts or multicasts a channel estimation reply message to the second devices and the third devices, where the channel estimation reply message is used to instruct the second devices and the third devices to perform channel estimation, the channel estimation reply message includes a first identifier, the first identifier is used to instruct the second devices and the third devices, and the third devices are devices that do not actively initiate a channel estimation request but need to perform channel estimation.

12. The communication method of claim 11, wherein the first identification comprises device identifications of the plurality of second devices.

13. The communication method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the channel estimation reply message further includes indication information for indicating that the channel estimation reply message is a broadcast message or a multicast message.

14. The communication method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the channel estimation reply message further comprises one or more of the following information:

the start time and end time of the sounding, the start time and duration of the sounding, the type of sounding frame, the number of sounding frames, the number of symbols of the sounding frame, the guard interval used between symbols of the sounding frame, and the maximum power spectral density used.

15. The communication method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the method further comprises:

and the first equipment broadcasts or multicasts and sends a detection message to the plurality of second equipment, wherein the detection message is used for the plurality of second equipment to carry out channel estimation.

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