JP2007123974A - Power line communication apparatus, power line communication network, and setting method of network authentication information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel technology for properly identifying a power line communication apparatus that has newly been added to a power line communication network and then informing the power line communication apparatus about authentication information. <P>SOLUTION: The power line communication apparatus (a1) for conducting communication in the power line communication network (A) using a power line (9a) as a signal transmission line includes an identification means for identifying another power line communication apparatus that is an object which a notice means informs about authentication information of the power line communication network, by detecting the quality of the communication state between itself and the other power line communication apparatus; and the notice means for noticing the other power line communication apparatus identified by the identification means about the authentication information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power line communication device, a power line communication network, and a network authentication information setting method.

In order to construct a network such as a LAN using a power line communication device, the power line communication device constituting the network needs to have authentication information of the network. The authentication information includes a network ID (SSID: Service Set Identifier) for specifying the network, an encryption key for encrypting a signal transmitted / received in the network.
Since the power line communication device included in the network has such authentication information, it is possible to perform communication by distinguishing data of another network and data of the own network.

  Therefore, when a new network is to be constructed or a new power line communication device is to be added to an existing network, common authentication information in the network is given to the power line communication device newly operating in the network. Must be set.

And when setting authentication information with respect to a new power line communication apparatus, it becomes a problem how to identify a new power line communication apparatus after distinguishing from other power line communication apparatuses.
That is, when notifying authentication information to a new power line communication apparatus that does not yet have authentication information, it is necessary to prevent unauthorized or unintentional acquisition of authentication information by another power line communication apparatus. For this purpose, it is important to distinguish a power line communication device to be newly added from other power line communication devices having no authentication information.

  Here, in Patent Document 1, the wireless communication range between the access point and the terminal is narrower than the normal communication range, and the encryption key data is transmitted between the terminal and the access point existing in the narrowed communication range. Techniques for wireless communication are disclosed.

According to Patent Document 1, by narrowing the communication range by suppressing the output power of a signal, it becomes difficult to intercept the radio on which the encryption key data is carried, the leakage of the encryption key data is prevented, and the terminal using the wireless LAN The new addition can be easily realized while preventing leakage of the encryption key data.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-215232

However, the technology of Patent Document 1 is only applicable to wireless communication, and cannot be applied as it is to power line communication (PLC) technology that uses a power line as a signal transmission path.
That is, since the power line communication device uses the power line as a signal transmission path, it is impossible to appropriately narrow the communication range simply by suppressing the output power.

  For example, even if the length of the power line between the power line communication device that is the access point and the newly added power line communication device is short, the power line is branched in the middle and other devices are connected, The power line has a large attenuation characteristic, and signal attenuation is increased. As a result, even if the physical distance between the power line communication devices is small, a signal with reduced output power does not always reach the newly added power line communication device.

  Conversely, even if the length of the power line between the power line communication devices is large, if there are few branches of the power line and it has good characteristics, the signal attenuation is small and even a signal with a small output power can reach a relatively long distance. it can. For this reason, the signal can reach the power line of another house through the power line, and the authentication information may be notified to another communication apparatus.

In addition, the attenuation characteristics of the power line as described above are not constant and change depending on the number of devices connected to the power line and the operation status, and therefore it is almost impossible to appropriately determine the output power in advance.
As a result, in power line communication, unlike wireless communication, it is difficult to distinguish a communication device to be newly added from other unrelated communication devices even if the output power is suppressed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new technique for appropriately identifying a newly added power line communication device and notifying the power line communication device of authentication information.

[Power line communication equipment]
The present invention is a power line communication apparatus for performing communication in a power line communication network using a power line as a signal transmission path, and detects the quality of a communication state with another power line communication apparatus, thereby detecting the power line communication network. Identification means for identifying another power line communication device to be notified of the authentication information; and notification means for notifying the other power line communication device identified by the identification means of the authentication information. .

  According to the present invention, since the authentication information notification target is identified based on the quality of the communication state, the communication state is improved by connecting the newly added power line communication device to the same outlet as the device. If connected in this manner, a newly added power line communication device is appropriately identified, and authentication information can be notified to the power line communication device.

  Preferably, the identifying means detects an S / N ratio of communication with another power line communication device, and identifies another power line communication device having a good S / N ratio as an authentication information notification target. If the S / N ratio is good, it can be determined that the communication state is good.

  The identification means detects another power line communication device in a communication state as good as that obtained when the power plug of the own device and the power plug of another power line communication device are connected to the same outlet. Thus, it is preferable to identify the other power line communication device as an authentication information notification target.

  When this device and another newly added power line communication device are connected to the same outlet, both devices can secure a better communication state between both devices than when connected via a home power line. By detecting a power line communication device that is in a communication state that can be obtained when it is connected to the same outlet, it is possible to easily connect a power line communication device to be newly added and another power line communication device connected via a home power line. Can be distinguished.

  It has an insertion port into which a power plug of another power line communication device can be inserted, and the identification means is good enough to be obtained when a power plug of another power line communication device is connected to the insertion port. It is preferable to detect another power line communication device in a communication state and identify the other power line communication device as an authentication information notification target.

  If another newly added power line communication device is connected to the outlet of this device, a better communication state is secured between both devices compared to the case where it is connected via a home power line. By detecting another power line communication device that is in a communication state good enough to be obtained when the power plug of the power line communication device is connected to the insertion port, the power line communication device to be newly added and the home power line It is possible to easily distinguish from other power line communication devices connected via the network.

  The present invention viewed from another viewpoint is a power line communication device for performing communication in a power line communication network using a power line as a signal transmission path, and can be inserted into a power plug of another power line communication device And notifying means for notifying the power line communication network authentication information to another power line communication apparatus having a power plug inserted into the insertion port.

  According to the present invention, if another newly added power line communication device is connected to the insertion port of the device, the authentication information is notified to the power line communication device, so that appropriate authentication information notification can be performed.

  In the present invention, the insertion port and the power plug of the own apparatus may be connected to a common power line communication transmitting / receiving unit, or may be connected to separate power line communication transmitting / receiving units. In the former case, the outlet can also be used to supply power to other power line communication devices. In the latter case, since communication is performed with a newly added power line communication device through a communication path different from the original power line communication transmission path, the newly added power line communication device is specified. Easy.

[Power line communication network]
Another aspect of the present invention is a power line communication network in which a power line communication device is connected to a power line serving as a signal transmission path, the power line communication device serving as a notification source of authentication information of the power line communication network and another power line By detecting whether the communication status with the communication device is good or bad, an identification unit that identifies another power line communication device to be notified of the authentication information, and another power line communication device identified by the identification unit Notification means for notifying the authentication information.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a power line communication network in which a power line communication device is connected to a power line serving as a signal transmission path, and the power line communication device serving as a notification source of authentication information of the power line communication network An insertion port into which a power plug of another power line communication device can be inserted is provided, and from the power line communication device that is a notification source of authentication information to another power line communication device in which the power plug is inserted into the insertion port On the other hand, a notification means for notifying the authentication information of the power line communication network is provided.

[How to set network authentication information]
From another viewpoint, the present invention is a method for setting network authentication information to a power line communication device, which is performed between a power line communication device that is a notification source of authentication information of the power line communication network and another power line communication device. By detecting the quality of the communication state, another power line communication device to be notified of the authentication information is identified, and the authentication information is notified to the other identified power line communication device.

  From another viewpoint, the present invention relates to a method for setting network authentication information to a power line communication device, including a power plug of the power line communication device that is a notification source of the authentication information of the power line communication network and another power line communication device. The power plug is connected to the same outlet, and the authentication information is notified from the power line communication device that is the notification source of the authentication information to the other power line communication device connected to the same outlet. By connecting the authentication information notification source and the notification destination to the same outlet, it is possible to ensure a good communication state between the two.

  From another viewpoint, the present invention is a method for setting network authentication information in a power line communication device, and is provided in a power plug insertion port provided in the power line communication device that is a notification source of authentication information of the power line communication network. A power plug of another power line communication device is connected, and the authentication information is notified to the other power line communication device connected to the insertion port. By connecting the power plug of the notification destination to the outlet of the notification source of the authentication information, a good communication state can be ensured between the two.

  According to the present invention, authentication information can be appropriately notified to a newly added power line communication device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a network (LAN) constructed using a power line communication (PLC) technology.
In this power line communication network system, power line communication devices a1, a2, b1, b2, b3, c1, c2, and c3 are connected to in-home power lines 9a, 9b, and 9c in the respective houses A, B, and C. An independent network (LAN) is constructed in each of A, B, and C.
Hereinafter, the networks constructed in the houses A, B, and C are referred to as a network A, a network B, and a network C, respectively.

The in-home power lines 9a, 9b, 9c are extended from the transformer 5 installed on a utility pole or the like. The transformer 5 converts a medium voltage into a low voltage (for example, 200 V), and a medium voltage distribution line that distributes a medium voltage (for example, 6 kV) of a three-layer AC to the primary side thereof. 8 is connected, and a power line 9 is connected to the secondary side.
The power line 9 connected to the secondary side of the transformer 5 is a common power line common to a plurality of houses A, B, and C, and the common power line 9 is branched to be used in the residential power lines of the houses A, B, and C. 9a, 9b, 9c are provided.

  Each of the residential power lines 9a, 9b, 9c is appropriately provided with power outlets 10, 10,..., And power outlets (hereinafter simply referred to as “modems”) a1, a2, b1 are connected to these outlets. , B2, b3, c1, c2, c3 are connected. The power line communication device performs signal transmission and receives power supply through the power lines 9a, 9b, and 9c.

  The modems in each of the networks A, B, and C include at least one parent modem a1, b1, and c1. The parent modems a1, b1, and c1 perform communication control with other modems in the network (child modems a2, b2, b3, c2, and c3). The child modem is hereinafter referred to as an end point (EP).

  The parent modems a1, b1, and c1 have a built-in broadband router function and can access an external network such as the Internet. When the parent modems a1, b1, and c1 have a broadband router function, the optical modem 7 or the ADSL termination device 6 is connected to the parent modems a1, b1, and c1 via the signal line S1. Communication is possible.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic configuration for power line communication of a parent modem (AP) and a child modem (EP). The basic configuration of both the parent modem and the child modem is the same, and a transmission / reception unit 20 that performs modulation / demodulation processing to perform signal transmission / reception to / from the power line, a control unit 30 that performs communication control, and the signal / noise of the power line communication carrier wave The SN detection part 40 which detects ratio (S / N ratio) is provided.

The SN detection unit 40 of the parent modem (AP) is used to detect the communication state of the signal transmission path so as to determine how to allocate bits to the carrier wave, and to detect the network authentication information notification destination. Used to detect the communication state of the transmission path.
However, the SN detection unit 40 of the child modem (EP) is used to determine how to allocate bits to the carrier wave, but is not used to specify the network authentication information notification destination. Not.

  The slave modem is provided with a lamp (notification means) L that is lit and visible to the user from the outside. This lamp L is lit during authentication information setting processing to be described later, and authentication information setting is performed. Used to notify the user of the processing status.

  The modems (parent modem and child modem) are connected to an outlet 100 via a power plug 61 provided at the end of a power cord 60 (device power supply line) extending from the modem housing. Are connected to the power transmission lines 9a, 9b and 9c which are signal transmission paths and power supply lines. Further, the modem and a terminal device 4 such as a PC (personal computer) / information home appliance are connected via a LAN cable (Ethernet (registered trademark) cable) 70.

The control unit 30 of each modem has an SSID (Service Set Identifier) as a network ID for distinguishing between the networks A, B, and C and recognizing the own network. The network ID can be discriminated whether the signal transmitted by being included in the transmission data and received by the modem is transmitted from the own network or transmitted from another network.
The control unit 30 of each modem has encryption key data for encrypting the transmission signal. A different encryption key is set for each network so that a signal cannot be read from a device outside the network.

Authentication information such as a network ID / encryption key may be freely set by the user, but here, the modem (parent modem) is configured to be automatically generated, saving the user from input. . The automatically generated network ID is generated based on the MAC address assigned to the modem (parent modem). More specifically, a network ID is generated by adding a random number to a MAC address. By creating a network ID in this way, it can be made unique and difficult to guess.
Also, the encryption key is generated by a random number, is difficult to be the same as the encryption key of other networks, and is difficult to be guessed by others.

  In FIG. 1, it is assumed that a parent modem (AP) a1 and a first child modem (EP) a2 are currently connected to the network A, and a second child modem (EP) a3 is connected to the network A. Consider the case of adding a new one. It is necessary to set authentication information such as a network ID of the network A and an encryption key used in the network A from the parent modem a1 to the newly added modem a2.

FIG. 2 shows a modem connection method for setting authentication information of the child modem a3 in the above case. The basic modem connection policy in the first embodiment is to connect the modem a1 as the authentication information notification source and the modem a3 as the authentication information notification destination to the same outlet (table tap; outlet for movement) 100.
Note that a computer 4 (operation unit for authentication information setting processing) for authentication information setting operation is connected to the parent modem a1 which is the authentication information notification source. The computer 4 is installed with a computer program for authentication information setting processing.

  The outlet 100 to which both modems a1, a3 are connected has a plurality of insertion ports 101, 101, 101 so that a plurality of power plugs can be inserted. More specifically, the outlet 100 includes an outlet main body 102 having a plurality of insertion ports 101, an extension cord 103 extending from the main body 102, and a power plug 104 provided at the tip of the extension cord 103. Have.

In this outlet 100, since the extension cord 103 branches in the main body 102 and is connected to the insertion ports 101, 101, 101, the insertion ports 101, 101, 101 are connected with very short wires. Will be.
Therefore, when both modems a1 and a3 are connected to the outlet 100, the signal transmission path between the modems a1 and a3 is very short mainly by the outlet 100 and is almost the same as when both modems a1 and a3 are directly connected. It will be good.

  In addition, it is preferable that other equipment (including a power line communication device) is not connected to the outlet 100 connecting the modems a1 and a3 in order to ensure a good communication state between the modems a1 and a3. This is because if other devices are connected, the communication state between the modems a1 and a3 deteriorates due to changes in the transmission line impedance between the modems a1 and a3.

  Further, the power plug 104 of the outlet 100 is connected to an outlet 10 provided on the power line 9a to which power is supplied, and power is supplied to both modems a1 and a3 via the outlet 100.

  The outlet 100 to which both modems a1 and a3 are connected does not need to have the extension cord 103, and the main body 102 may be directly provided with the power plug 104. Furthermore, the outlet 100 to which both modems a1 and a3 are connected does not have to be a moving outlet, and may be a wall outlet having a plurality of outlets.

FIG. 3 shows a procedure of authentication information setting processing in the control unit 30 of the AP in the connected state of FIG. 3 and below, the parent modem a1 is abbreviated as “AP”, the computer 4 connected to the parent modem a1 is abbreviated as “PC”, and the child modem a3 is abbreviated as “EP”.
First, the user operates the PC and inputs an authentication information setting process start request to the PC (authentication information setting process start operation). Then, the PC transmits a process start request signal to the AP, and the control unit 30 of the AP that has received the signal starts the authentication information setting process. When the AP starts the authentication information setting process, the communication state for notifying the authentication information (without using the authentication information of the network A) is changed from the normal communication state in the network A (the communication state using the authentication information of the network A). To a state where communication with other power line communication devices is possible.

The AP that has started the process performs communication for determining the S / N ratio with other modems (including EP) capable of power line communication. The SN detection unit 40 of the AP detects the signal / noise ratio (S / N ratio) of the carrier wave during this communication (S / N determination processing).
Then, the AP identifies and extracts one of the other modems having a good S / N ratio and a good communication state (authentication information notification destination candidate) (EP extraction process).
When the AP and EP are connected to a common outlet 100, the communication state between the AP and EP is good. By detecting the communication state, the EP is appropriately identified as the authentication information notification destination candidate. Can be extracted.

  As a standard for extracting modems that are candidates for the notification destination of authentication information, anything that can be determined to be in a good communication state may be used. As described above, when the S / N ratio is used, one having an S / N ratio larger than a predetermined value (threshold value) can be extracted. More specifically, it is preferable to extract a modem having a better S / N ratio than at least the threshold value by using as a threshold the S / N ratio at least obtained when both modems a1 and a3 are connected to the same outlet 100. .

Moreover, the PLC signal attenuation by the power line is larger between the houses than in the same house. That is, when AP and EP are connected to the power line 9a in one house A and AP is connected to the power line 9b in the other house B, compared to the case where AP and EP are connected to the power line 9a in the same house A. The signal attenuation becomes larger. For example, a signal transmitted from the modem of the house A in the same apartment (apartment house) and reaching another adjacent house B is generally attenuated by about 40 dB to 60 dB from the power of the original signal.
Thus, since the signal transmitted between houses has a large attenuation, the S / N ratio decreases. Therefore, the threshold value of the S / N ratio for determining that the communication state is good includes the signal received from another house (other power line communication network), the signal of the own house (self power line communication network), and By setting to such an extent that can be distinguished, unauthorized acquisition of authentication information or unintentional acquisition of authentication information by a modem in another house can be prevented.

  The S / N ratio is detected based on, for example, a signal transmitted from one modem connected to a common outlet to the other modem and a known signal actually received on the receiving side. Can do.

  When the AP extracts an EP as a notification destination candidate for authentication information, the AP notifies the PC of the extracted EP, and the PC displays the extracted EP on the screen (EP list screen display). When the AP extracts a plurality of modems as authentication information notification destination candidates (when there are a plurality of modems with good communication status), the plurality of notification destination candidates are notified to the PC, and the PC lists a plurality of modems. Is displayed. When arranging a plurality of modems as candidates for a notification destination, it is preferable that the order regarding the quality of the communication state is known to the user by arranging the modems in order from the one with the best communication state.

  The user performs an operation of selecting an EP from the PC while viewing the list display on the PC screen (EP selection operation). If a plurality of modems are listed as candidates, one modem is selected from a plurality of EPs. Here, when the order of the quality of the communication status is displayed so that the user can understand, the user can select the communication status from the most. That is, since the order of the communication status is a guideline for selection by the user, operability is improved.

When the selection operation is performed by the PC as the operation means, the AP transmits a request for blinking the lamp (LED) L to the selected modem (EP). Then, EP receives the lamp blink request and blinks the lamp L.
The user confirms that the modem selected on the PC is the EP by watching the EP lamp L blink, and then continues the operation of determining the selected modem (EP) as the authentication information notification target. Performed on the PC (EP determination operation).

  If the lamp L of the EP to be newly added does not blink even after the EP selection operation is performed, the selected modem is a modem other than the EP to be newly added. Therefore, until the lamp L of the EP to be newly added blinks, Select another modem in the list.

  When the authentication information notification target EP is determined, the AP is notified of the authentication information of the network A (network ID and encryption key of the network A) from the AP (authentication information notification processing). When the EP receives the authentication information, the EP sets it as the authentication information of the network A, and performs subsequent communication using the authentication information of the network A. That is, the EP can communicate as a communication device belonging to the network A.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the modem (EP) a3 to be newly added is connected to the same outlet as the parent modem (AP) a1 to improve the communication state between the modems a1 and a3, and then the parent modem transmits Since the network authentication information is notified to the modem having a good communication state, the authentication information can be appropriately notified to the newly added modem (EP) a3.

  When the AP finishes notifying the EP of the authentication information, the AP performs setting processing end processing such as returning to the normal communication state in the network A, and displays setting end on the PC screen.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 shows a modem connection method in the second embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the parent modem (AP) a1 and the first child modem (EP) a2 are connected to the network A, and the second is connected to the network A. Consider a case where a new child modem (EP) a3 is newly added. Note that, in the second embodiment, points that are not described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Unlike the parent modem (AP) a1 according to the first embodiment, the parent modem (AP) a1 according to the second embodiment has an insertion port 110 to which the power plug 61 of another modem (EP) a3 can be connected. I have.
The basic modem connection policy in the second embodiment is to connect the power plug 61 of the modem (EP) a3 that is the authentication information notification destination to the insertion port 110 of the modem (AP) a1 that is the authentication information notification source. .

  This AP is configured to be capable of power line communication with another modem a3 in which the power plug 61 is inserted into the insertion port 110. In addition, the AP can supply the power supply obtained through its own power plug 61 to another modem a3 in which the power plug 61 is inserted into the insertion port 110.

That is, the AP insertion port 110 is connected to the wiring 111 branched from the power cord (power supply line) 60 extending from the AP power plug 61 to the PLC transmitting / receiving unit 20. Therefore, when the power plug 61 of another modem is connected to the AP insertion port 110, the PLC transmission / reception unit 20 of the AP and the PLC transmission / reception of another modem (EP) are connected via the insertion port 110 and the power plug 61. The unit 20 is directly connected.
As a result, when the EP power plug 61 is connected to the AP insertion port 110, a very good communication state is ensured between the AP and the EP.

If the AP and the EP are connected as shown in FIG. 4, the authentication information can be set in the EP in the same procedure as the authentication information setting processing procedure shown in FIG.
Also in the second embodiment, the modem (EP) a3 to be newly added is connected to the insertion port 110 of the parent modem (AP) a1 to improve the communication state between the modems a1 and a3. Therefore, the network authentication information is notified to the modem having a good communication state, so that the authentication information can be appropriately notified to the newly added modem (EP) a3.

  In the second embodiment, since the insertion port 110 of the power plug 61 is provided in the modem a1, the power plug 61 of another modem a1 is inserted into the insertion port 110 for use during normal communication. can do.

  Note that the AP insertion port 110 does not have to be one, and may be plural. However, even when a plurality of insertion ports 110 are provided, it is preferable to connect only one modem a3 to one insertion port 110 when setting authentication information in order to ensure a good communication state. .

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 5 shows an AP according to the third embodiment, and this AP is a modification of the AP in the second embodiment. The points that are not described in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

This AP is the same as the AP of the second embodiment in that it includes the insertion port 110 into which the power plug 61 of another modem (EP) a3 is inserted, but in this third embodiment, the AP of the AP The power plug 61 and the AP insertion port 110 are connected to separate PLC transmission / reception units 20a and 20b, respectively.
That is, the AP includes, as the PLC transmission / reception unit, a first PLC transmission / reception unit 20a to which the power plug 61 is connected and a second PLC transmission / reception unit 20b to which the insertion port 110 is connected.
The first PLC transmission / reception unit 20a is used for normal power line communication, and the second PLC transmission / reception unit 20b is used for setting authentication information in the EP.

In the third embodiment, when the EP power plug 61 is connected to the AP insertion port 110, the AP second PLC transmission / reception unit 20b and the EP PLC transmission / reception unit are disconnected from the signal transmission path 9a of the network A. 20 is directly connected. Therefore, when viewed from the second PLC transmission / reception unit 20b of the AP, the only modem connected is the EP newly added to the network A. Therefore, the AP may identify the EP connected to the insertion port 110 as the authentication information notification destination.
Moreover, in the third embodiment, the original PLC communication is interrupted by operating the first PLC transmission / reception unit 20a for original PLC communication and the second PLC transmission / reception unit for setting authentication information in parallel. And authentication information setting processing can be performed.

  In the third embodiment, if there is only one AP insertion port 110, the authentication information notification destination can be specified by being connected to the insertion port 110, so authentication information as shown in FIG. Setting processing is unnecessary (of course, it may be performed). However, when there are a plurality of insertion ports 110 provided in the AP and a plurality of modems are connected to the insertion port 110, the EP is identified by the same procedure as the authentication information setting processing procedure shown in FIG. Authentication information can be set.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the quality of the communication state is determined by the S / N ratio, but it can also be determined by the received power. That is, when a signal with a known power (signal level) is transmitted from one modem to the other modem, the received power at the other modem is attenuated by the power line between the modems. Therefore, it can be determined that the communication state is good if the reception power is large, and the communication state is not good if the reception power is small.

Further, in the authentication information setting process of FIG. 3, the authentication information is notified to the EP through the EP selection operation and the EP determination operation, but the EP (modem) having a good communication state without undergoing such an operation. Authentication information may be notified to.
Further, various operations such as an EP selection operation and an EP determination operation need not be performed by a computer, and may be performed by a button provided on the AP.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a power line communication network system. It is a figure which shows the connection method of the parent modem which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the newly added child modem. It is an authentication information setting process sequence diagram. It is a figure which shows the connection method of the parent modem which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and the newly added child modem. It is a functional block diagram of the parent modem which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

A power line communication network B power line communication network C power line communication networks a1, b1, c1 Parent modem (AP; power line communication device)
a2, a3 child modem (EP; power line communication device)
b2, b3 child modem (EP; power line communication device)
c2, c3 child modem (EP; power line communication device)
20 PLC transmission / reception unit 30 control unit 40 SN detection unit 61 power plug 100 outlet

Claims (12)

A power line communication device for performing communication in a power line communication network using a power line as a signal transmission path,
Identifying means for identifying other power line communication devices to be notified of authentication information of the power line communication network by detecting the quality of the communication state with the other power line communication devices;
Notification means for notifying the authentication information to another power line communication device identified by the identification means;
A power line communication device comprising:   The identification means detects an S / N ratio of communication with another power line communication device, and identifies another power line communication device having a good S / N ratio as an authentication information notification target. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The identification means detects another power line communication device in a communication state as good as that obtained when the power plug of the own device and the power plug of another power line communication device are connected to the same outlet. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other power line communication apparatus is identified as an authentication information notification target. Equipped with a socket that can be plugged into the power plug of other power line communication devices,
The identification means detects another power line communication device in a communication state good enough to be obtained when a power plug of another power line communication device is connected to the insertion port, and detects the other power line communication. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus is identified as an authentication information notification target. A power line communication device for performing communication in a power line communication network using a power line as a signal transmission path,
An insertion port into which a power plug of another power line communication device can be inserted;
Notifying means for notifying the authentication information of the power line communication network to the other power line communication device in which a power plug is inserted into the outlet,
A power line communication device comprising:   6. The power line communication device according to claim 5, wherein the insertion port and the power plug of the own device are connected to a common power line communication transceiver.   6. The power line communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmission port and the power plug of the own apparatus are respectively connected to separate power line communication transmitting / receiving units. A power line communication network in which a power line communication device is connected to a power line serving as a signal transmission path,
By detecting the quality of the communication state between the power line communication device that is the notification source of the authentication information of the power line communication network and the other power line communication device, another power line communication device that is a target for notification of the authentication information is detected. An identification means for identifying;
Notification means for notifying the authentication information to another power line communication device identified by the identification means;
A power line communication network comprising: A power line communication network in which a power line communication device is connected to a power line serving as a signal transmission path,
The power line communication device that is the notification source of the authentication information of the power line communication network is provided with an insertion port into which a power plug of another power line communication device can be inserted,
A notification means for notifying the authentication information of the power line communication network is provided from the power line communication device that is the notification source of the authentication information to another power line communication device in which a power plug is inserted into the insertion port. A characteristic power line communication network. A method for setting network authentication information to a power line communication device,
By detecting the quality of the communication state between the power line communication device that is the notification source of the authentication information of the power line communication network and the other power line communication device, another power line communication device that is a target for notification of the authentication information is detected. A method for setting network authentication information, comprising: identifying and notifying the identified other power line communication device of the authentication information. A method for setting network authentication information to a power line communication device,
Connect the power plug of the power line communication device that is the notification source of the authentication information of the power line communication network and the power plug of the other power line communication device to the same outlet, and the same from the power line communication device that is the notification source of the authentication information A method for setting network authentication information, wherein the authentication information is notified to the other power line communication device connected to an outlet. A method for setting network authentication information to a power line communication device,
Connect the power plug of another power line communication device to the power plug insertion port provided in the power line communication device that is the notification source of the authentication information of the power line communication network, and connect the other power line connected to the insertion port. A method for setting network authentication information, wherein the authentication information is notified to a communication device.

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