JP2005109800A - Load control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a load control system such as an illumination system with which the number of communication times between other groups is reduced and which does not affect communication of the other group. <P>SOLUTION: In the load control system where power line conveyance is performed by using a prescribed communication signal between a plurality of terminals having transmitters and receivers, at least the transmitter or the receiver can transmit or receive the communication signal different in a plurality of forms. The communication signals different in the forms are the signals different in used frequency bands. In an above structure, the transmitter has a plurality of band pass filters different in pass bands, which can transmit the frequency band of a wide area. A plurality of the band pass filters can be selected in accordance with a group of a receiver of a transmission destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a load control system such as an illumination system that carries a power line using a predetermined communication signal between a transmission unit and a reception unit for information communication between lighting devices and lighting control devices, for example.

  FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a load control system using a conventional power line carrier as shown in Patent Document 1, and 1-A to 1-C, 2-A to 2-C, 3-A to 3 -C is a terminal, and BF0 to BF3 are blocking filters. For example, in FIG. 1, when communicating from the terminal 1 -A to the terminal 1 -B, a signal is transmitted from the terminal 1 -A to the line 1. The signal flowing in the line 1 can be received by the terminal 1-B, the terminal 1-C, the blocking filter BF1, and the like, but when it is received by the blocking filter BF1, it is a signal in the line 1, and is stopped there. Further, when communicating from the terminal 1-A to the terminal 3-C, the terminal 1-A transmits a signal to the line 1, and the blocking filter BF1 that has received the signal transmits the same signal to the line 0. The blocking filter BFO, BF2, and BF3 receive the signal that has flowed to the line 0, and the blocking filter BFO does not pass all the information, and the blocking filter BF2 recognizes that it is a signal to the terminal 3-C and does not pass it. The blocking filter BF3 recognizes that it is a signal to the terminal 3-C and transmits the same signal to the line 3. The terminal 3 -C receives the signal flowing through the line 3 and communication is completed.

  The effect of the system of FIG. 20 is that the signal in line 1 → line 1 is not communicated to line 0 by the blocking filter BF1, and similarly in line 2 → line 2 and line 3 → line 3 Is not transmitted to the line 0, the communication of the line 1, the line 2 and the line 3 can be performed simultaneously without interference. Further, in the case of communication within line 1 (terminal 1-A) → in line 3 (terminal 3-C), terminal 1-A → line 1 → blocking filter BFl → line 0 → blocking filter BF3 → line 3 → terminal Communication is performed using the power line carrier communication three times through the path 3 -C.

  However, this system has a problem that the communication speed becomes slow because it uses three times of power line carrier when communicating with other groups.

FIG. 21 shows a system shown in FIG. 21 in which the reduction in communication speed is improved. Blocking filters BF1, BF2, and BF3 are connected by a dedicated communication line. For example, terminal 1-A → terminal 3-C. In the case of communication, the communication is performed through the route of terminal 1-A → line 1 → blocking filter BF1 → communication dedicated line one blocking filter BF3 → line 3 → terminal 3-C.
Japanese Utility Model Sho 63-64140 Japan Patent No.8-8519

  Power line carrier communication is a few hundreds of ms per communication, while dedicated communication is a few ms faster, so the power line carrier of lines 1 and 3 is twice the communication dedicated line. When high-speed communication is performed once, the communication time is shortened compared to three times of power line transportation in the system of FIG.

  However, there is a problem that the communication rate decreases because the power line is transported twice and the dedicated line is transmitted three times in total, and the error rate is increased because the communication is performed three times.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a load control system that reduces the number of communications between other groups and does not affect the communications of other groups.

  In the load control system according to the present invention, in a load control system for carrying a power line using a predetermined communication signal between a plurality of terminals having at least one of a transmission unit and a reception unit, at least one of the transmission unit and the reception unit is A plurality of different types of communication signals can be transmitted or received.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The communication signal from which the said form differs is a communication signal from which the frequency band to be used differs.

  In the above configuration, the transmission unit can transmit a wide frequency band, has a plurality of bandpass filters with different passbands, and selects the plurality of bandpass filters according to a group of the reception unit as a transmission destination It is possible.

  In the above-described configuration, the transmission unit can transmit several types of frequency bands, and the transmission frequency band of the power line carrier is changed according to the group of the reception units that are transmission destinations.

  In the above configuration, the transmission unit transmits a signal in a transmission frequency band corresponding to a group to which the transmitter belongs, and the reception unit receives received signals of different frequency bands received from the plurality of groups with respect to the signal length. Switching is performed at a sufficiently short time interval to perform carrier sense, and a signal in a frequency band determined to have a carrier is received.

  In the above configuration, the transmission unit transmits a signal in a transmission frequency band corresponding to a group to which the transmitter belongs, and the reception unit can receive signals of different frequency bands received from a plurality of groups.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The communication signal from which the said form differs is a communication signal from which a spreading code differs.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said transmission part can switch and transmit the said spreading code according to the group of the said receiving part of a transmission destination.

  In the above configuration, the transmission unit includes a plurality of transmission units having different spreading codes, and switches according to a group of the reception units as transmission destinations.

  In the above configuration, the transmitting unit transmits a signal having a spreading code corresponding to a group to which the transmitting unit belongs, and the receiving unit receives different despreading codes corresponding to the spreading codes of received signals received from a plurality of the groups. The carrier sense is performed by switching at a short interval, and a signal determined to have a carrier is received.

  In the above configuration, the transmitting unit transmits a signal having a spreading code corresponding to a group to which the transmitting unit belongs, and the receiving unit can receive signals having different spreading codes received from a plurality of the groups.

  According to the load control system of the present invention, since the number of communications between other groups can be reduced, the communication time can be shortened and the communications of other groups are not affected.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the illumination system that performs power line carrier as shown in FIG. 2, the first embodiment changes the frequency band of the power line carrier according to the destination group from each of the terminals 1-1 to 3-4. Is.

  First, an outline of the illumination system will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of a terminal having a transmission unit and a reception unit, and FIG. 3 shows an example of details of the transmission unit. That is, at the time of transmission, the microcomputer obtains information from the switch, various sensors, remote control, etc., creates transmission data, transmits it to the frequency modulator, the frequency modulator modulates the transmission data to several kHz high frequency, The spreader transmits to the spreader. The spreader spreads the high-frequency signal to about 0 to 1 MHz using the spread spectrum method provided by the spreader, and sends it to the transmit filter. Transmit filter (BPF: bandpass filter) Transmits a 10 to 400 kHz component of a signal spread to about 0 to 1 MHz and transmits it to the transformer. The transformer is electromagnetically coupled to the power line, and transmits a high-frequency signal spread to the power line.

  An example of the details of the receiving unit in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. That is, at the time of reception, the high frequency component flowing in the power line is removed by the transformer to remove the power component (100 V 60 Hz, etc.) and transmitted to the reception filter. The reception filter (BPF) is 10 to 400 kHz of the high frequency component coming from the transformer. Is transmitted to the despreader, and the despreader converts the 10 to 400 kHz signal into a high frequency signal of several kHz using spread spectrum despreading and transmits it to the frequency demodulator. Demodulate the despread high-frequency signal and extract the original data. The microcomputer that has received the original data controls loads such as lighting equipment and a display unit based on the received data.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a communication unit having the transmission unit of FIG. 3 and the reception unit of FIG.

  Such a state where a large number of transmission units, reception units, and communication units having a switch unit, a load unit, and the like are connected to the power line is, for example, an illumination system for power line conveyance as shown in FIG.

 Moreover, in the load control system including such a lighting system, the branch of the power line is divided into, for example, the first floor, the second floor, and the third floor, and each is grouped for each floor, for example, as shown in FIG. A simplified illustration corresponds to FIG.

  Thus, when divided into groups, communication within the same group on the same floor is the most frequent. In addition, in a power line carrier system using a frequency of 10 to 400 MHz, when certain appliances are communicating with each other, other appliances cannot communicate with each other. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the number of communications flowing through the power line as much as possible. Therefore, by separating communication for each group and not leaking signals in the own group to other groups, communication between the own groups, which is the most frequent, can be performed simultaneously. That is, when the groups 1 are communicating with each other, the groups 2 or the groups 3 can communicate with each other.

 In order to realize communication for each group and not to leak the signal of the own group to other groups, the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is adopted in the first embodiment. That is, in FIG. 8, the transmission filter is composed of three filters: a BPF (band pass filter) that passes 100 to 200 kHz, a BPF that passes 200 to 30 kHz, and a BPF that passes 300 to 400 kHz. The filter is switched on and off according to the conditions.

  For example, if you want to send to Group 1, if you want to send to Group 1, if you want to send to Group 2, if you want to send to Group 2, if you want to send to Group 3, if you want to send to Group 3, Select to transmit in the 300-400kHz frequency band. Here, group 1 is terminal 1-1 to terminal 1-4 in FIG. 2, group 2 is terminal 2-1 to terminal 2-4, and group 3 is terminal 3-1 to terminal 3-4. .

  As for the reception specifications of each terminal, the terminals 1-1 to 1-4 in group 1 are provided with a reception filter for receiving only 100 to 200 kHz at the front stage of the despreader as shown in FIG. Similarly, terminals 2-1 to 2-4 in group 2 are provided with reception filters that receive only 200 to 300 kHz, and terminals 3-1 to 3-4 in group 3 are provided with reception filters that receive only 300 to 400 kHz.

  As an actual operation, when transmitting from the terminal 1-1 to the terminal 1-2, since the transmission is to the group 1, a frequency band of 100 to 200 kHz is used. Since the entire power line uses only a frequency band of 100 to 200 kHz, communication can be performed without interference when other devices want to transmit to the group 2 or 3.

  Further, when transmitting from the terminal 1-1 to the terminal 3-4, since the transmission is to the group 3, a frequency of 300 to 400 kHz is used. During this time, communication to groups 1 and 2 is possible.

  As an effect of this system, the transmitter selects and transmits several types of transmission frequency bands according to the group of the transmission destination, and changes the transmission frequency band of the power line carrier. Even if it is not used, grouping of communication is possible, and transmission to another group is possible with one communication, so the communication speed is fast and the error rate is also reduced.

FIG. 9 shows a modification of the first embodiment, in which a transmission unit having a different configuration is provided for each transmission filter, each having a different spreader and frequency modulator. The same effects as those of the embodiment can be obtained.
(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the system as shown in FIG. 10A, each of the terminals 1 1 to 3-4 changes the frequency band of the power line carrier according to the group of the transmission source. The transmission specifications of each terminal are, for example, transmitted in the 100 to 200 kHz frequency band when the group 1 terminal wants to transmit, and transmitted in the 200 to 300 kHz frequency band when the group 2 terminal wants to transmit. When the terminal wants to transmit, it transmits in the frequency band of 300-400kHz. For this reason, each terminal is provided with a transmission filter having a different frequency band for each group.

  In addition, the reception specifications of each terminal are determined that the terminals of groups 1 to 3 perform carrier sense by switching the received signals of 100 to 200 kHz, 200 to 300 kHz, 300 to 400 kHz in a short time in the frequency demodulator, and there is a carrier. When that happens, start receiving the data. For example, several types of band-pass filters are switched at a sufficiently short time interval with respect to the signal length, carrier sensing is performed by the microcomputer, signals of several types of frequencies are received, and reception of data is started when it is determined that there is a carrier To do.

  As an actual operation, when transmitting from the terminal 1-1 to the terminal 1-2, since the terminal 1-1 is a group 1 terminal, a frequency band of 100 to 200 kHz is used. Since the entire power line uses only a frequency band of 100 to 200 kHz, communication can be performed without interference when a group 2 device or a group 3 device wants to transmit.

  When transmitting from the terminal 1-1 to the terminal 3-4, since the terminal 1-1 is a group 1 terminal, the frequency band of 100 to 200 kHz is used. When a group 2 device or a group 3 device wants to transmit, it can communicate without interference.

  As an effect of this system, as in the conventional example, communication can be grouped without using a blocking filter, etc., and since it can be transmitted to other groups in one communication, the communication speed is also high. Fast and reduce error rate. However, in the first embodiment, there are three types of transmission filters and they are switched, but only one filter is required. Instead, it is necessary to perform carrier sense by switching reception in time.

  Here, carrier sense is performed by switching the reception frequency (local frequency) from the microcomputer in a short time as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when a signal of 200 to 300 kHz comes at the timing of FIG. 11B, data reception starts from timing A. The 200-300 kHz signal has a preamble (synchronization signal), which has no meaning as data and is used only for carrier sensing, so there is no problem even if the first data cannot be received.

 In addition, when there are frequent signals within the own group, as shown in FIG. 11C, the own group communication is made longer by setting the own group carrier sense interval to, for example, 20 ms and the other group interval of 10 ms. The possibility of spilling out is reduced.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the carrier sense is not switched. As shown in the figure, the receiving unit has frequency demodulators for 100 to 200 kHz, 200 to 300 kHz, and 300 to 400 kHz. In this embodiment, although it costs a little, switching of carrier sense or the like becomes unnecessary.
(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the system as shown in FIG. 13 (a), each of the terminals 1-1 to 3-4 changes the spreading code of the power line carrier in accordance with the destination group, and the spreader uses the spreading codes D1 to D1. D3 is provided.

  The transmission specifications of each of the terminals 1-1 to 3-4 are, for example, when transmitting to the group 1, transmitting with a D1 spreading code, and when transmitting to the group 2, transmitting with a D2 spreading code, When it is desired to transmit to group 3, it transmits with the D3 spreading code. As a configuration of a terminal that realizes this system, spreading codes D1, D2, and D3 are switched ON / OFF by a microcomputer according to a transmission destination.

  The receiving side need only have its own group spreading code. That is, the reception specifications of each of the terminals 1-1 to 3-4 are such that the terminals 1-1 to 1-4 of the group 1 receive only a signal having a spreading code Dl by despreading, and the terminals 2-1 to 2 of the group 2 2-4 receives only the signal having the spreading code D2 by despreading, and the terminals 3-1 to 3-4 of the group 3 receive only the signal having the spreading code D3 by despreading. FIG. 13B shows the case of group 1.

 As an actual operation, when the terminal 1-1 transmits to the terminal 1-2, since it is transmission to the group 1, a Dl spreading code is used. Since the entire power line uses only the frequency band of the spread code Dl, when other devices want to transmit to the group 2 or 3, communication is possible without interference.

 Further, when the terminal 1-1 transmits to the terminal 3-4, since it is transmitted to the group 3, the spreading code of D3 is used. During this time, communication to groups 1 and 2 is possible.

  As an effect of this system, as in the conventional example, communication can be grouped without using a blocking filter or the like, and transmission to another group is possible at one communication. Faster speed and lower error rate. In the first embodiment, three transmission filters are required, but this system requires three types of spreading codes. You may choose which is more effective in terms of cost or communication performance.

FIG. 14 shows a modification of this embodiment, which has three transmitters each having a spreader having a different spreading code, and selects a transmitter having a transmission frequency corresponding to the group under the control of the microcomputer. To do. This form also provides the same effect as described above.
(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the system as shown in FIG. 15A, the terminals 1-1 to 3-4 change the spreading code according to the group of the transmission source. That is, the transmission specifications of each terminal 1-1 to terminal 3-4 are transmitted using Dl spreading codes when the terminals 1-1 to 1-4 of group 1 want to transmit, and the terminals 2-1 of group 2 are transmitted. 2-4 are transmitted using the D2 spreading code, and the terminals 3-1 to 3-4 of group 3 are transmitted using the D3 spreading code.

  The reception specifications of each terminal are that the terminals 1-1 to 3-4 in groups 1 to 3 perform despreading of signals having any of the spreading codes Dl, D2, and D3 using a despreader. Switching is performed in a short time as shown in FIG. 16A to perform carrier sense, and when it is determined that there is a carrier, reception of data is started. That is, carrier sense is performed by switching the despread code from the microcomputer in a short time.

  As an actual operation, when the terminal 1-1 transmits to the terminal 1-2, since the terminal 1-1 is a group 1 terminal, a Dl spreading code is used. Since only the spread code Dl is used for the entire power line, communication can be performed without interference when a group 2 device or a group 3 device wants to transmit.

  When the terminal 1-1 transmits to the terminal 3-4, since the terminal 1-1 is a group 1 terminal, the D1 spreading code is used. When a group 2 device or a group 3 device wants to transmit, it can communicate without interference.

  As an effect of this system, as in the conventional example, communication can be grouped without using a blocking filter or the like, and transmission to another group is possible at one communication. Faster speed and lower error rate. In the third embodiment, the reception frequency is switched. However, in this system, in order to switch the despreading code, it is possible to select one that can compare communication performance, cost, and the like.

  FIG. 16B shows the case where the signal D2 arrives at the timing shown in FIG. Since the D2 signal has a preamble (synchronization signal), which has no meaning as data and is used only for carrier sensing, there is no particular problem even if the first data cannot be received.

  FIG. 16 (c) shows a case where there are frequent signals within the own group. By increasing the carrier sense interval of the own group to, for example, 20 ms, the possibility of losing communication of the own group decreases.

FIG. 17 shows a modification of this embodiment. As a method of not switching carrier sense, a receiving unit having a spreading code D1 despreader, a receiving unit having a spreading code D2 despreading unit, and a spreading code D3. This is an example having a receiving unit having a despreader. Although it costs a little, there is no need to switch carrier sense.
(Fifth embodiment)
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 (a). In the system as shown in FIG. 18, blocking filters BF1 to BF3 are installed between the groups, the blocking filters BF1 to BF3 recognize the transmission destination, and pass in the case of communication to other groups, Do not let through.

  Each terminal shown in 1-1 to 3-4 transmits a signal of 100 to 400 kHz. The receiver receives a signal of 100 to 400 kHz, and the spreading code is fixed to one. Taking the blocking filter BFl as an example, as shown in FIG. 19A, in the case of communication to the group 1, no signal is provided on the left side and communication is performed only within the line 1. If it is determined that the communication is not to group 1 due to the setting of the transmission destination ID or the like, the signal is retransmitted to the left side. Each blocking filter passes a signal from left to right, i.e., all incoming signals. Thus, unlike the conventional example, transmission to any group is possible with two power line carriers, and communication speed and communication performance are improved.

  A blocking filter can be added to the power supply side.

  FIG. 19B is slightly different from the above example, and the blocking filters BF1 to BF3 pass all from the right to the left, and pass the signal coming from the left only when the destination is the own group. The same effect as above can be obtained.

It is a block diagram of a 1st embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the system using power line conveyance. It is a detailed block diagram of a transmission part. It is a detailed block diagram of a receiving part. It is a detailed block diagram of a communication part. It is explanatory drawing of the general system using power line conveyance. It is explanatory drawing explaining the grouping of FIG. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of an embodiment of a modification of the first embodiment. A 2nd embodiment is shown, (a) is an explanatory view of a system and (b) is a block diagram. (A) is explanatory drawing of carrier sense, (b) is explanatory drawing of the reception start of the signal of 200-300 kHz, (c) is explanatory drawing of the carrier sense from which a time interval differs. It is a block diagram of an embodiment of a modification of the second embodiment. A 3rd embodiment is shown, (a) is an explanatory view of a system and (b) is a block diagram. It is a block diagram of an embodiment of a modification of the third embodiment. A 4th embodiment is shown, (a) is an explanatory view of a system and (b) is a block diagram. (A) is explanatory drawing of a carrier sense, (b) is explanatory drawing of the reception start of the signal of the spreading code D2, (c) is explanatory drawing of the carrier sense from which a time interval differs. It is a block diagram of an embodiment of a modification of the fourth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the system of 5th Embodiment. (A) is explanatory drawing of a blocking filter, (b) is explanatory drawing of the blocking filter of another embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the system of a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing of the system of another prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1-1 to 3-4 terminal

Claims (11)

  In a load control system for carrying a power line using a predetermined communication signal between a plurality of terminals having at least one of a transmission unit and a reception unit, at least one of the transmission unit and the reception unit receives a plurality of different types of communication signals. A load control system configured to be capable of transmitting or receiving.   The load control system according to claim 1, wherein the communication signals having different forms are communication signals having different frequency bands to be used.   The transmission unit is capable of transmitting a wide frequency band, has a plurality of bandpass filters with different passbands, and the plurality of bandpass filters can be selected according to a group of the receiving unit as a transmission destination Item 3. The load control system according to Item 2.   The load control system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit is capable of transmitting several types of frequency bands, and changes the transmission frequency band of the power line carrier according to the group of the reception units as transmission destinations.   The transmission unit transmits a signal in a transmission frequency band corresponding to a group to which the transmitter belongs, and the reception unit receives a reception signal of a different frequency band received from a plurality of the groups at a sufficiently short time interval with respect to a signal length. The load control system according to claim 2, wherein carrier sense is performed by switching to receive a signal in a frequency band determined to have a carrier.   The load control system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits a signal in a transmission frequency band corresponding to a group to which the transmission unit belongs, and the reception unit can receive signals of different frequency bands received from a plurality of groups.   The load control system according to claim 1, wherein the communication signals having different forms are communication signals having different spreading codes.   The load control system according to claim 7, wherein the transmission unit is capable of performing transmission by switching the spreading code according to a group of the reception units as transmission destinations.   The load control system according to claim 7, wherein the transmission unit includes a plurality of transmission units having different spreading codes and is switched according to a group of the reception units as transmission destinations.   The transmitting unit transmits a signal having a spreading code corresponding to a group to which the transmitting unit belongs, and the receiving unit switches different despreading codes corresponding to the spreading code of received signals received from a plurality of groups at short intervals. The load control system according to claim 7, wherein carrier sense is performed and a signal determined to be present is received. The load control according to claim 7, wherein the transmitting unit transmits a signal having a spreading code corresponding to a group to which the transmitting unit belongs, and the receiving unit is capable of receiving signals having different spreading codes received from a plurality of the groups. system.

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