JP2006033082A - Signal distributor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal distributor suitable for distributing a communication signal transmitted to a power line, and to provide a feed through power line communication system equipped with the signal distributor. <P>SOLUTION: The signal distributor 10 is arranged between a parent modem 210 and a plurality of child modems 203 and distributes communication signals from a signal repeater 80, relaying the communication signals being transmitted on the power line between them, to the plurality of child modems 203 being connected with the power line. In particular, a filter section 2 passes a communication signal having a specified frequency out of the communication signals being transmitted/received from/by the signal repeater, and attenuates communication signals having other frequencies. The filter section 2 has a first filter section 2a passing a communication signal having frequency f<SB>1</SB>and attenuating a communication signal having frequency f<SB>2</SB>(f<SB>1</SB>>f<SB>2</SB>), and a second filter section 2b passing the communication signal having frequency f<SB>2</SB>and attenuating the communication signal having frequency f<SB>1</SB>. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a signal distribution device that is optimal for distributing communication signals transmitted to a power line, and a power line carrier communication system including the signal distribution device.

  In recent years, power line communication (PLC) that performs high-speed communication by superimposing a high-frequency signal on a power line has been studied (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an overview of a PLC communication system, and shows a case where the PLC user house is a detached house. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same items. In this method, as shown in FIG. 6, a power line that supplies power to the PLC user house 200 is used for communication. In this example, the optical fiber cable 103 is used for communication from the host network 300 to the transformer 102 arranged on the power pole 101, and the low-voltage distribution line 100, the lead-in line 201, indoors are used for communication from the transformer 102 side to the house 200. A power line such as the wiring 202 is used. A PLC modem 104 (parent modem), 203A, and 203B (child modem) are usually provided on the utility pole 101 on which the low-voltage distribution line 100 and the optical fiber cable 103 are installed and in the house 200. In the example shown in FIG. 6 and the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to be described later, an example including a media converter (MC) that performs optical / electrical signal conversion is shown in the parent modems 104 and 211. However, there may be a separate MC.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, for example, when a PLC user receives a communication signal, the communication signal transmitted from the host network 300 to the optical fiber cable 103 is modulated by the parent modem 104 connected to the connection box 105. / Demodulated and injected into the low pressure side (secondary side) of the transformer 102. Then, from the low voltage side of the transformer 102, it is modulated / demodulated by the slave modems 203A and 203B via the low voltage distribution line 100 → the lead-in wire 201 → the power meter 204 → the distribution board 205 → the indoor wiring 202 → the outlet 206, and the personal computer or IP It is received by being extracted by terminal devices 207A and 207B such as telephones. When the PLC user transmits a communication signal, the route is opposite to that in the case of the above reception.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the construction of a home LAN that performs communication between the terminal devices 207A and 207B in the house 200 by using the indoor wiring 202 is being studied. In this configuration, for example, when a communication signal is transmitted from the terminal device 207A to the terminal device 207B, the communication signal from the terminal device 207A is transmitted from the child modem 203A → the outlet 206 → the indoor wiring 202 → the outlet 206 → the child modem 203B → the terminal device. It is transmitted in the order of 207B.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where the PLC user house is an apartment house. In this example, the optical fiber cable 103 is used for communication from the host network 300 to the power equipment room 400 in which the power equipment 401 such as a transformer and a switch is accommodated, and each PLC user house 200A, 200B is connected from the power equipment 401 side. The power line 90 is used for communication up to 200C. The basic configuration is almost the same as that of the single-family house shown in FIG. 6 described above, and the parent modem 104 is connected to the optical fiber cable 103 and the power line 90 from the power device 401 to each house 200A, 200B, 200C. A child modem 203 is provided in the indoor wiring 202 of each house 200A, 200B, 200C.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, for example, when a PLC user transmits a communication signal, the communication signal transmitted from the terminal device 207 is modulated / demodulated by the slave modem 203, and the indoor wiring 202 → the distribution board 205 → It is injected into the low voltage side (secondary side) of the power device 401 via the power meter 204 → the power line 90. Then, it is modulated / demodulated by the parent modem 104 from the low voltage side of the power device 401 and transmitted to the upper network 300 via the optical fiber cable 103. When a PLC user receives a communication signal, the route is the reverse of the above transmission.

  The communication systems shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are examples using only low-voltage (for example, about 100 to 200 VAC) power lines among power lines, but not only low-voltage power lines as shown in FIG. For example, a communication system that uses a power line of AC 6.6 kV to 20 kV) is also being studied. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the power supply to the houses 200D and 200E is a high voltage (110 kV in the example shown in FIG. 8) power line 91 connected to the substation → the transformer 501 in the first transformer room 500 → the high voltage distribution line. (20 kV) 92 → Transformer 511 in second transformer room 510 → Low voltage (220 V) power line (low voltage distribution line) 90 → Power meter panel 600 → Indoor wiring 202 of each house 200D and 200E . In this communication system, a host network 300 is connected to the high-voltage distribution line 92. In this communication system, the configuration on the low-voltage side is the same as that of the apartment house shown in FIG. 7. Each house 200D and 200E has a child modem 203, and is connected to the power line 90 and the high-voltage distribution line 92. A first parent modem 210, a high-voltage distribution line 92, and a second parent modem 211 connected to the upper network 300.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, for example, when a PLC user receives a communication signal, the communication signal transmitted from the host network 300 is modulated / demodulated by the second parent modem 211 and injected into the high-voltage distribution line 92. Then, it is modulated / demodulated by the first parent modem 210 and injected into the low-voltage power line 90. Then, the data is extracted by the terminal device 207 via the child modem 203 of each house 200D, 200E. When the PLC user transmits a communication signal, the route is opposite to that in the case of the above reception.

  If the signal injection extraction point of the parent modem and the signal injection extraction point of the child modem are separated from each other in the communication system, communication signal attenuation (line loss) may increase and communication may be difficult. For example, in the case of the apartment house shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the PLC user house may exist at a position away from the place where the parent modems 104 and 210 are arranged. In such a case, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, signal repeaters (repeaters) 220 and 230 for relaying communication signals are installed in the middle of the line between the parent modem 104 and 210 and the child modem 203 (power line 90 in the figure). Thus, communication between the parent modems 104 and 210 and the child modem 203 is sufficiently performed.

  Here, in the vicinity of the apartment house, the power supply line (branch line) is branched to each house using the power line 90 as a bus, and the indoor wiring 202 is the end of the branch line. Therefore, the repeater has a method of connecting to both the bus and the branch line, and a method of connecting only to the bus. As shown in FIG. 8, the former connects the repeater 220 to the bus (power line 90) and the branch line 90a, and distributes the communication signal extracted from the bus to the branch line. This distribution is performed via the branch connection box 221. In the latter, as shown in FIG. 7, the repeater 230 is connected only to the bus (power line 90), and the communication signal extracted from the bus is injected into the bus again and transmitted to the branch line.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, a repeater 220 and a branch connection box 221 are arranged in the vicinity of the electric energy meter panel 600. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a repeater and a branch connection box are arranged in the vicinity of the electric energy meter panel. A power line 90 is drawn into the power meter panel 600 and branched, and a power meter 601 of each house is arranged on each branched branch line 90a and stored in the power meter panel 600. Each branch line 90a is connected to the indoor wiring 202 of each house.

  By placing the repeater 220 and the branch connection box 221 on the power line 90 drawn into the power meter panel 600 and the branch line 90a drawn from the meter panel 600, for example, communication injected from the parent modem 210 to the power line 90 The signal is extracted to the repeater 220, amplified and frequency-converted, and distributed through the connection branch box 221. Then, it is injected again into the branch line 90b, transmitted to each PLC user house via the branch line 90a and the indoor wiring 202, and can be extracted by the child modem 203 arranged in the PLC house.

The repeater 220 communicates with a parent modem 210 arranged on the power line 90 while being coupled to the first modem unit that communicates with the child modem 203 arranged in the PLC user house by a communication signal. And a second modem unit. Further, in the repeater 220, in order to prevent signal interference, the frequencies used between the child modem 203 and the first modem unit (frequency f ₁ ) and between the parent modem 210 and the second modem unit (frequency f ₂ ) are set. It is different. Note that a voltage (for example, AC100V, AC200V) at a commercial frequency (for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz) for supplying power is normally applied to the power line 90 and the branch line 90b. Therefore, power at the commercial frequency for power supply is cut off between the parent modem 210 and the power line 90, between the repeater 220 and the power line 90, and between the branch connection box 221 and the branch line 90a (on the branch line 90b in FIG. 9). In addition, a coupling unit CU capable of injecting / extracting only a communication signal that is a high-frequency signal is arranged.

  On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 7, repeater 230 is arranged at an arbitrary position on power line (bus line) 90. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which repeaters are arranged on the bus. Similarly to the repeater 220, the repeater 230 also includes a first modem unit that communicates with the child modem 203 using communication signals, and a second modem unit that communicates with the parent modem 104 using communication signals. Then, by arranging the repeater 230 on the power line 90 as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the communication signal injected from the parent modem 104 to the power line 90 is extracted by the first modem unit of the repeater 230 and is then sent to the second modem unit. To the power line 90 again from the second modem unit. The reinjected communication signal is transmitted to each PLC user house via the power line 90 and can be extracted by the child modem 203 arranged in the PLC house. That is, while the repeater 220 has communication signal injection and extraction points P and Q for the first modem unit and the second modem unit, respectively, the repeater 230 has both the first modem unit and the second modem unit. In contrast, there is one injection extraction point R of the communication signal.

  Similarly to the above example, the repeater 230 shown in FIG. 10 also uses different frequencies between the first modem unit and the child modem 203 and between the second modem unit and the parent modem 104 in order to prevent interference. Yes. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 9, between the parent modem 104 and the power line 90, between the first modem unit and the power line 90 of the repeater 230, and between the second modem unit of the repeater 230 and the power line 90. The coupling unit CU is arranged between the child modem 203 and the indoor wiring 202, respectively. In some cases, one coupling unit CU is arranged in common.

As described above, the repeaters 220 and 230 have different frequencies of communication signals used in both modem units in order to prevent interference. However, in the example shown in FIG. 9, when the signal loss between the communication signal injection extraction point P for the branch line 90a in the first modem unit and the communication signal injection extraction point Q for the power line 90 in the second modem unit is small, A transmission signal (frequency f ₁ ) from the first modem unit having a high signal level is input to the reception system of the second modem unit with almost no attenuation. In this case, since the received signal by the second modem unit receives the original (frequency f ₂₎ it is to reach the second modem unit to some extent attenuated by the transmission signal from the first modem unit, the reception signal (frequency f ₂₎ May degrade the reception performance. On the other hand, when the transmission signal (frequency f ₂ ) from the second modem unit with a high signal level is input to the receiving system of the first modem unit with almost no attenuation, the received signal that the first modem unit originally receives Since (frequency f ₁ ) is attenuated to some extent and reaches the first modem unit, the reception performance of the received signal (frequency f ₁ ) may be deteriorated by the transmission signal from the second modem unit. Similarly, in the example shown in FIG. 10, when the signal loss is small, the reception performance of each modem unit may be deteriorated. Therefore, each of the modem units of the repeaters 220 and 230 has a built-in filter for avoiding the above-described deterioration in reception performance (signal interference), and allows only a communication signal of a specific frequency to pass, and other frequencies. The signal is attenuated.

Kiyoshi Eto, “Current Status of Power Line Communication (PLC)”, Interface, CQ Publisher, September 2000, p.70-81

  As described above, the repeater includes a filter in order to prevent signal interference between the modem units, and this filter is usually built in a substrate constituting the modem unit. Therefore, when changing the frequency of the modem unit, it is also necessary to change the filter characteristics of the modem unit. However, if the filter characteristics are to be changed, the entire substrate must be replaced, and improvement in workability is required.

  Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide a signal distribution device that can easily change the filter characteristics for preventing signal interference between modem units included in the signal relay device when the signal relay device is used in power line carrier communication. It is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a power line carrier communication system including the signal distribution device.

  The present invention achieves the above object by providing a filter unit in a distribution device that distributes communication signals, instead of providing a filter in the modem unit of the signal relay device.

  That is, the present invention is a signal distribution device that distributes a communication signal from a signal relay device to a plurality of power lines, and a filter unit that passes a communication signal of a specific frequency among communication signals transmitted to and received from the signal relay device. It is characterized by comprising.

  The power line carrier communication system of the present invention includes a first power line carrier communication device disposed in a house, a second power line carrier communication device that performs communication between the first power line carrier communication device, and the first power line carrier communication. A signal relay device that relays a communication signal transmitted between the device and the second power line carrier communication device. The signal relay device communicates with the first power line carrier communication device with the first power line carrier communication device with the first modem unit that communicates with the first frequency communication signal and the second frequency communication signal different from the first frequency. And a second modem unit. The most characteristic feature of the system of the present invention is that it includes a signal distribution device having a filter unit that is connected to the first modem unit and that passes the first frequency communication signal and attenuates the second frequency communication signal. There is in point. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

  The signal distribution device of the present invention includes a branching unit so that communication signals from the signal relay device can be distributed to a plurality of power lines. The branch portion may be formed by a bus line and a plurality of branch lines having one end connected to the bus line. Then, one end of the bus is connected to the signal relay device, and the other end of the branch line is connected to the power line. For example, a first power line carrier communication device and a second power line carrier communication device described later may be connected to the power line.

  The signal distribution device of the present invention includes a filter unit that passes a communication signal of a specific frequency among communication signals transmitted to and received from the signal relay device and attenuates an electric signal of another frequency to make it difficult to pass. . Examples of such a filter unit include those using resistors, inductors, and capacitors. These may be used in combination. It is preferable to select an inductance and a capacity as appropriate according to a desired frequency. That is, any of a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, and a band-pass filter may be used. Although this filter part may be provided for each branch line of the branch part, in this case, since a plurality of filter parts are required, it is preferable to provide the filter part on the bus line of the branch part.

  In order to change the frequency characteristics of the filter unit, it is possible to prepare a plurality of filter units having different frequency characteristics, and to replace these filter units with a filter unit having a desired frequency characteristic as a detachable configuration. It is done. As a detachable configuration, it is possible to provide a connector in the filter portion so that the connector is connected. In the case of connector connection, replacement work can be easily performed, workability is good, and components other than the filter part can be shared. In addition, a plurality of filter units having different frequency characteristics are incorporated in the apparatus of the present invention in advance, and a switch unit that can be switched to a specific filter unit among the plurality of filter units is provided. It is good also as a structure switched to the filter part which has this frequency characteristic. Also in this case, the switching of the frequency characteristics can be easily performed, the workability is excellent, and the cost reduction effect is achieved by sharing the components other than the filter unit.

  As said signal relay apparatus, among the communication signals transmitted to a power line, the 1st modem part which transmits / receives the communication signal of 1st frequency, and the 2nd modem part which transmits / receives the communication signal of 2nd frequency different from 1st frequency The structure which has these. Such a signal relay device is, for example, disposed between a first power line carrier communication device arranged in a house and a second power line carrier communication device that performs communication between the first power line carrier communication and both communication. It is used to relay communication signals transmitted between devices. At this time, for example, the first modem unit of the signal relay device performs communication with the first power line carrier communication device, and the second modem unit performs communication with the second power line carrier communication device.

  As the first power line carrier communication device (hereinafter referred to as the first PLC modem), it is placed in the indoor wiring of the PLC user's house, connected to the terminal device such as a personal computer, and the communication signal from the terminal device is injected into the power line Then, it can be transmitted to the second power line carrier communication device, and a communication signal from the second power line carrier communication device can be extracted from the power line and transmitted to the terminal device. A known PLC modem used as a so-called child modem may be used. The second power line carrier communication device (hereinafter referred to as the second PLC modem) is placed on a pole such as a utility pole, in a power equipment room, a transformer room, etc., and connected to a higher-level network. Examples include a configuration in which a communication signal is injected into a power line and a communication signal from the power line can be extracted. You may use the well-known PLC modem utilized as what is called a parent modem. The second PLC modem has a configuration capable of transmitting communication signals to a plurality of first PLC modems. Specifically, for example, the first PLC modem controls the time sharing of each first PLC modem. It is good to use what comprises the structure which transmits a communication signal to each of these.

  The signal distribution device of the present invention is connected to the signal relay device including the first modem unit and the second modem unit, and for example, the communication signal from the second PLC modem is transmitted to the plurality of first PLC modems by the device of the present invention. In the case of distribution, the device of the present invention includes at least a first filter unit that is connected to the first modem unit and that passes the first frequency communication signal and attenuates the second frequency communication signal. When such a signal distribution device of the present invention is connected to the power line to which the signal relay device and the plurality of first PLC modems are connected, the communication signal transmitted to the power line by the second PLC modem is transmitted to the second signal relay device. The signal is extracted by the modem unit, transmitted to the signal distribution device of the present invention via the first modem unit, branched at the branching unit, and transmitted to each first PLC modem via the branched power line. At this time, the device of the present invention includes the (first) filter unit, so that the communication signal of the first frequency is transmitted to the first modem unit, and the communication signal of the second frequency is hardly transmitted. Such a first filter part may be provided on the bus of the branch part as described above. Then, one end of the bus may be connected to the signal relay device (first modem unit), and the other end of the branch line of the branch unit may be connected to the power line to which the first PLC modem is connected.

  The device of the present invention allows the communication signal of the first frequency to pass and attenuates the communication signal of the second frequency in addition to the (first) filter unit, and further allows the communication signal of the second frequency to pass, You may provide the 2nd filter part which attenuates a communication signal separately. The second filter unit may be detachable so that the frequency characteristic can be easily changed, or a plurality of components having different frequency characteristics may be incorporated, and a switch part for switching may be provided. Such a second filter unit may be connected to a signal relay device (second modem unit) and a power line to which the second PLC modem is connected. When the second PLC modem is a so-called parent modem, it is only necessary to provide one end on the connection side with the parent modem, but a plurality may be provided. That is, a second branch part is provided separately from the branch part having the first filter part, the second filter part is provided on the bus of the second branch part, and one end of the bus of the second branch part is connected to the signal relay device (first Two modem units) and one of the other ends of the branch lines of the second branch unit may be connected to the power line to which the second PLC modem is connected. It is not necessary to connect anything to the other end of the branch line of the second branch portion. Since the frequency characteristic of each filter unit can be easily changed as described above by having a configuration including a plurality of branch units and a plurality of filter units in this way, the frequency characteristics can be adjusted as appropriate. Each modem unit of the signal relay device can be connected to any filter unit. That is, since the signal distribution device of the present invention can easily change the frequency characteristics of the filter unit even after being connected to the signal relay device and the power line, each modem of the signal relay device can be connected to any filter unit during the above connection work. The parts can be connected and workability is excellent.

  The signal distribution apparatus according to the present invention is optimally used for a system (hereinafter referred to as a first system) in which a signal relay apparatus is connected to both a power line serving as a bus and a power line serving as a branch line. Furthermore, the device of the present invention is connected to both the first filter unit and the second filter unit so that the signal relay device can be used only for the method of connecting only to the power line as the bus (hereinafter referred to as the second method). A signal injection extraction end may be provided. There may be one signal injection extraction end or a plurality of signal injection extraction ends may be provided. The switching between the first method and the second method is preferably carried out if a switch part is provided. For example, when the connection end of the first filter unit with the power line is the first connection end and the connection end of the second filter unit with the power line is the second connection end, the switch unit is connected to the first filter unit and the first filter unit. Connection between connection end, connection between first filter section and signal injection extraction end, connection between second filter section and second connection end, connection between second filter section and signal injection extraction end And so on.

  Furthermore, the device according to the present invention may include a coupling unit that injects and extracts a communication signal transmitted to and received from the signal relay device from the power line. Examples of the coupling unit include a unit including a transformer and a capacitor, a unit including a capacitor and an inductor, and a unit including a capacitor. A known coupling unit may be used. Such a coupling unit may be arranged on a bus or a branch line of the branch portion.

  By using the signal distribution device of the present invention having the above configuration, the frequency characteristics of the filter unit for preventing signal interference in the signal relay device can be easily changed. Further, by providing two filter units in the signal distribution device of the present invention, it is possible to connect to both the first modem unit and the second modem unit included in the signal relay device. Furthermore, by providing the signal injection and extraction end connected to the two filter units, the device of the present invention can be used regardless of the connection form (first method or second method) of the signal relay device. In addition, the signal distribution device of the present invention including the coupling unit can easily inject / extract only the communication signal by cutting off the power of the commercial frequency for power supply.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 (A) is a schematic configuration diagram of the signal distribution device of the present invention, and (B) is a schematic configuration diagram of a coupling unit. The signal distribution device 10 shown in FIG. 1 (A) distributes the communication signal from the signal relay device 80 to a plurality of power lines (branch lines 90a), and among the communication signals transmitted to and received from the signal relay device 80, A filter unit 2 that allows a communication signal of a specific frequency to pass therethrough is provided. More specifically, the branch unit 3 that distributes the communication signal from the signal relay device 80 to the plurality of child modems 203 connected to the plurality of branch lines 90a, and a specific frequency connected to the branch unit 3 And a filter section 2 that attenuates communication signals other than those frequencies. In this example, the filter unit 2 passes the communication signal of the frequency f ₁ and attenuates the communication signal of the frequency f ₂ (where f ₁ > f ₂ ), and the communication signal of the frequency f ₂ It passed, and comprises a second filter portion 2b for attenuating the communication signal of the frequency f _1. That is, in this example, the first filter unit 2a is a high-pass filter and the second filter unit 2b is a low-pass filter. In this example, the first filter portion 2a and the second filter portion 2b are configured by combining an inductor and a capacitor, and include a connector (not shown) so as to be detachable. The branching unit 3 includes a bus 3a and a plurality of branch lines 3b connected to the bus 3a. In FIG. 1, the power lines such as the bus 3a and the branch lines 3b and 90a are shown as one line, but in reality, two or three are used for supplying single-phase or three-phase AC power. Composed. The same applies to the following embodiments.

The signal relay device 80 is disposed between the parent modem 210 and the plurality of child modems 203 and relays a communication signal transmitted to the power lines (power line 90, branch line 90a) between the first modem 210 and the first frequency has a first modem unit for transmitting and receiving communication signals f _1, the first frequency f ₁ different from the second frequency f ₂ (where, f _1> f ₂₎ and a second modem unit for transmitting and receiving communication signals. In the signal relay device 80, in order to prevent signal interference between the child modem 203 and the first modem unit and between the parent modem 210 and the second modem unit, the frequencies used in the first modem unit and the second modem unit. Are different as described above. Accordingly, communication is performed between the slave modem 203 and the first modem unit using a communication signal having the first frequency f ₁ , and communication is performed between the parent modem 210 and the second modem unit using a communication signal having the second frequency f ₂ .

  The signal distribution device 10 can be connected to the first relay connection end 5a connected to the first modem unit of the signal relay device 80 and a plurality of child modems 203 via a power line (branch line 90a and the like). A plurality of first connection ends 6a serving as end portions of the portion 3 (branch line 3b) are provided, and a first filter portion 2a is provided between the first relay connection end 5a and the first connection end 6a. Further, the second relay connection end 5b connected to the second modem unit of the signal relay device 80, and the second connection end 6b connectable to the parent modem 210 via the power line (power line 90 etc.), these A second filter portion 2b is provided between the second relay connection end 5b and the second connection end 6b. A wiring 4c is disposed between the second relay connection end 5b and the second connection end 6b.

  The first modem unit of the signal relay device 80 is connected to the first relay connection end 5a of the signal distribution device 10 having the above-described configuration, and each of the plurality of first connection ends 6a is connected to a child modem via a power line (branch line 90a). 203 is connected, the second modem unit is connected to the second relay connection end 5b, and the parent modem 210 is connected to the second connection end 6b via the power line 90, thereby providing a power line including the signal distribution device 10 of the present invention. A transport communication system is constructed. In this power line carrier communication system, for example, when the slave modem 203 receives a communication signal from the parent modem 210, the parent modem 210 → the power line 90 → the signal distribution device 10 (second connection terminal 6b → wiring 4c → second filter unit) 2b → second relay connection end 5b) → signal relay device 80 (second modem unit → first modem unit) → signal distribution device 10 (first relay connection end 5a → first filter unit 2a → branch unit 3 (bus 3a → Branch line 3b) → first connection end 6a) → power line (branch line 90a) → child modem 203 When the parent modem 210 receives a communication signal from the child modem 203, the child modem 203 → power line (branch line 90a) → signal distribution device 10 (first connection end 6a → branch unit 3 (branch line 3b → bus line 3a) → First filter unit 2a → first relay connection end 5a) → signal relay device 80 (first modem unit → second modem unit) → signal relay device 10 (second relay connection end 5b → second filter unit 2b → wiring 4c) → The second connection terminal 6b) → the power line 90 → the master modem 210 is received through the route.

  In the above power line carrier communication system, by providing the signal distribution device of the present invention, the first filter unit and the second filter unit prevent interference between the first modem unit and the second modem unit of the signal relay device. Can do. In particular, since the first filter unit and the second filter unit are detachable, when changing the frequency characteristics in each modem unit of the signal relay device, it can be easily replaced with a filter unit having characteristics suitable for the changed frequency characteristics. can do.

  Such a signal distribution device 10 is preferably used by connecting the signal relay device to both the power line bus line and the branch line 90a as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and placing it between the power line bus line and the branch line. It is. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, it may be arranged between the bus bar and the branch line in the vicinity of the power meter panel. The same applies to Examples 2 and 3 described later.

  In this example, a power line between the child modem 203 and the signal distribution device 10 of the present invention (wiring connecting the branch line 90a and the first connection end 6a), a power line between the parent modem 210 and the signal distribution device 10 of the present invention ( (The wiring connecting the power line 90 and the second connection end 6b, the wiring connecting the power line 90 and the parent modem 210) to cut off the commercial frequency power for power supply, and inject / extract communication signals to the power line A ring unit CU was placed. In this example, the coupling unit CU used is composed of a transformer Tr and a capacitor C as shown in FIG. Moreover, although the signal distribution apparatus of this example is configured to include the second filter unit, the second filter unit may be a separate member.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the signal distribution device of the present invention including the coupling unit CU. In the first embodiment, the coupling unit CU is provided on the power line outside the signal distribution device. However, the coupling unit CU may be incorporated as shown in FIG. In that case, since the coupling unit CU can be installed at the same time by simply connecting the power line and the signal distribution device 20, workability is good. The configuration other than the provision of the coupling unit CU in the signal distribution device 20 is the same as that of the signal distribution device 10.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the signal distribution device of the present invention having two branch portions. In the signal distribution devices 10 and 20 shown in the first and second embodiments, one branching unit 3 is provided, but a plurality of branching units may be provided as shown in FIG. That is, the signal distribution device 30 shown in FIG. 3 includes a branch part (first branch part) 3 connected to the first filter part 2a and a branch part (second branch part) 4 connected to the second filter part 2b. With. Similar to the first branch part 3, the second branch part 4 is composed of a bus 4a and a plurality of branch lines 4b connected to the bus 4a. The end of the branch line 4b becomes the second connection end 6b. The parent modem 210 may be connected to any one of the plurality of second connection ends 6b.

  In the signal distribution device 30, the first filter portion 2a and the second filter portion 2b are both detachable, and the frequency characteristics can be easily changed. Therefore, it is also possible to connect the first filter unit 2a to the second modem unit and connect the second filter unit 2b to the first modem unit by appropriately changing the frequency characteristics of the filter units 2a and 2b. . Therefore, the signal distribution device 30 can connect the child modem 203 to any of the branch portions 3 and 4.

  In the signal distribution device 30 shown in FIG. 3, the coupling unit CU is arranged on the power line outside the device, but it is of course possible to incorporate the coupling unit CU as in the signal distribution device 20 shown in FIG. Good. The signal distribution device 30 is the same as the signal distribution device 10 except for the configuration including two branch portions.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a signal distribution device of the present invention having a signal injection extraction end connected to both the first filter unit and the second filter unit. In the signal distribution devices 10 to 30 shown in the first to third embodiments, the case where the signal relay device is arranged in a method of connecting to both the bus of the power line and the branch line of the power line has been described, but the signal of the present invention shown in FIG. The distribution device 40 can also be used for a method of connecting only to the bus of the power line. In addition to the first connection end 6a connected to the first filter portion 2a and the second connection end 6b connected to the second filter portion 2b, the signal distribution device 40 includes the first filter portion 2a and the second filter portion 2b. A signal injection extraction end 6c connected to both of the two. The first filter portion 2a and the signal injection extraction end 6c are connected by the wiring 7c, and the second filter portion 2b and the signal injection extraction end 6c are connected. Also, a switch unit 7a for switching between the branch unit 3 and the wiring 7c is arranged between the first filter unit 2a and the branch unit 3 and the wiring 7c, and the wiring 4c is connected between the second filter unit 2b and the wiring 4c. A switch unit 7b for switching to the wiring 7c is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the case of the system in which the signal relay apparatus is connected only to the bus of the power line, the signal injection and extraction points of the first modem unit and the second modem unit are the same, so that signal interference occurs. Therefore, in this method as well, it is desirable that the signal relay device includes a filter. However, if the signal distribution device 40 of the present invention is used, the frequency characteristics of the filter unit can be easily changed. Specifically, the signal distribution device 40 is connected to an arbitrary position on the power line 90, and the signal relay device 80 is connected to the signal distribution device 40. Then, switching is performed so that the first filter unit 2a is connected to the wiring 7c by the switch unit 7a, and the second filter unit 2b is connected to the wiring 7c by the switch unit 7b. Further, the switch unit 7a connects the first filter unit 2a to the branch unit 3, and the switch unit 7b performs switching so as to connect the second filter unit 2b to the branch unit 4. It can also be used for a system in which both the bus of the power line and the branch line of the power line are connected. In this way, the signal relay device 40 connects the signal relay device 80 only to the power line bus to the method (Examples 1 to 3) in which the signal relay device 80 is connected to both the power line bus and the power line branch line. It can also be used for the method (Example 4).

  In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the coupling unit CU is provided on the wiring 7c. However, the wiring unit 7c may be arranged on a power line outside the signal distribution device 40. In this example, one branch part 3 is provided. However, as shown in FIG. 3, a structure having two branch parts may be used. The configuration of the signal distribution device 40 is the same as that of the signal distribution device 10 except that the signal injection extraction end and the switch unit are provided.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the signal distribution device of the present invention including a plurality of filter units having different frequency characteristics. In the first to fourth embodiments, the first filter unit and the second filter unit are configured to be detachable, but may be configured to include a plurality of filter units having different frequency characteristics. The signal distribution device 50 of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 includes filters a, b, c,..., X, filters A, B, C, .., X having different frequency characteristics for each of the first filter unit 2a and the second filter unit 2b. It has. And between the first relay connection end 5a and the first filter part 2a, between the first filter part 2a and the first connection end 6a, between the second relay connection end 5b and the second filter part 2b, and between the second filter part 2b and the first filter part 2a. Switch portions 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b for switching to an appropriate filter are provided between the two connection ends 6b. With this configuration, by switching the switch unit, the frequency characteristics can be easily changed as in the first to fourth embodiments.

  In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the coupling unit CU is provided on the power line outside the signal distribution device 50, but may be built in the signal distribution device 50. In this example, two branch portions 3 and 4 are provided, but one branch portion may be provided as shown in FIG. Furthermore, in this example, a configuration suitable for a system in which the signal relay device 50 is connected to both the bus of the power line and the branch line of the power line is shown, but the system to connect only to the bus of the power line as shown in FIG. For example, a signal injection extraction end connected to both the first filter unit and the second filter unit may be provided.

  The signal distribution device of the present invention is suitable for use in distributing communication signals transmitted to a power line when performing power line carrier communication.

(A) is a schematic configuration diagram of the signal distribution device of the present invention, and (B) is a schematic configuration diagram of a coupling unit. It is a schematic block diagram of this invention signal distribution apparatus provided with a coupling unit. It is a schematic block diagram of this invention signal distribution apparatus provided with two branch parts. It is a schematic block diagram of this invention signal distribution apparatus which has a connection end connected to both the 1st modem part and the 2nd modem part of a signal relay apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of this invention signal distribution apparatus provided with two or more filter parts from which a frequency characteristic differs. It is explanatory drawing which showed the outline | summary of the communication system of a PLC system typically, and shows the case where a PLC user house is a detached house. It is explanatory drawing which showed the outline | summary of the communication system of a PLC system typically, and shows the case where a PLC user house is an apartment house. It is explanatory drawing which showed typically the outline | summary of the communication system of the PLC system using a low voltage | pressure power line and a high voltage | pressure power line, and shows the case where a PLC user house is an apartment house. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the repeater and the branch connection box in the vicinity of the electric energy meter panel. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the repeater in the arbitrary positions of a power line.

Explanation of symbols

2 Filter part 2a First filter part 2b Second filter part 3,4 Branch part
3a, 4a Busbar 3b, 4b Branch line 4c, 7c Wiring 5a First relay connection end
5b Second relay connection end 6a First connection end 6b Second connection end 7a, 7b Switch section
10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Signal distribution device 80 Signal relay device
90,91 Power line 90a, 90b Branch line 92 High voltage distribution line
100 Low voltage distribution line 101 Telephone pole 102 Transformer 103 Optical fiber cable
104 Parent modem 105 Connection box
200,200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E PLC user house 201 service line
202 Indoor wiring 203, 203A, 203B Child modem
204 Energy meter 205 Distribution board 206 Outlet 207,207A, 207B Terminal equipment
210 First parent modem 211 Second parent modem 220,230 Repeater 221 Branch connection box
300 top networks
400 Electric power equipment room 401 Electric power equipment 500 First transformer room 501,511 Transformer
510 Second transformer room 600 Energy meter panel 601 Energy meter

Claims (9)

A signal distribution device that distributes communication signals from a signal relay device to a plurality of power lines,
A signal distribution device comprising a filter unit that allows a communication signal having a specific frequency to pass among communication signals transmitted to and received from the signal relay device. The signal relay device includes a first modem unit that transmits and receives a communication signal of a first frequency among communication signals transmitted to a power line, and a second modem unit that transmits and receives a communication signal of a second frequency different from the first frequency. Have
The signal distribution device
2. The signal distribution device according to claim 1, further comprising a first filter unit connected to the first modem unit and configured to pass a first frequency communication signal and attenuate a second frequency communication signal.   3. The signal distribution unit according to claim 2, further comprising a second filter unit connected to the second modem unit and configured to pass the second frequency communication signal and attenuate the first frequency communication signal. apparatus.   4. The signal distribution device according to claim 3, further comprising a signal injection extraction end connected to both the first filter unit and the second filter unit.   5. The signal distribution device according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling unit that injects and extracts a communication signal transmitted to and received from the signal relay device from a power line.   6. The signal distribution according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of filter units having different frequency characteristics, and a switch unit for switching to a filter unit having a specific frequency characteristic among these filter units. apparatus.   6. The signal distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the filter unit can be replaced with one having a different frequency characteristic.   A power line carrier communication system comprising the signal distribution device according to claim 1. A first power line carrier communication device arranged in a house;
A second power line carrier communication device for communicating with the first power line carrier communication device;
A first modem unit that communicates with the first power line carrier communication device using a communication signal of a first frequency, and a second modem unit that communicates with a second power line carrier communication device using a communication signal of a second frequency different from the first frequency A signal relay device that relays a communication signal transmitted between the first power line carrier communication device and the second power line carrier communication device;
A power line carrier communication system, comprising: a signal distribution device connected to the first modem unit and having a filter unit that passes a first frequency communication signal and attenuates a second frequency communication signal.

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