JP2010062766A - Plc apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a PLC apparatus capable of performing PLC conforming to power specification constituted in a country or area where the PLC apparatus is actually used and regulation regarding the PLC and PLC equipment (or the PLC apparatus), without emitting strong leakage radio wave of high frequency. <P>SOLUTION: The PLC is performed by superposing a PLC signal on power to be supplied from a power line by the PLC apparatus provided with: a control signal output means for outputting a control signal for controlling output of the PLC signal based on AC supply voltage of the power to be supplied from the power line; an output control instruction means for instructing execution of switching processing of output of the PLC signal based on the control signal; and an output control means for executing the switching processing of output of the PLC signal according to an instruction of the output control instruction means. When setting regarding a power source of the PLC apparatus is different from the supply voltage to be actually supplied, output of the PLC signal is automatically stopped, and/or its output level is changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a PLC device that performs PLC (Power Line Communication: power line carrier communication or power line communication). Specifically, the present invention relates to a PLC device that operates in accordance with power standards and laws and regulations established in countries and regions where the PLC device is used.

  In recent years, in order to supply general commercial power to users, a high-frequency signal (2 MHz to 30 MHz) using an alternating current flowing in a power line (lamp line) running in a building such as a home or office as a carrier wave. ), And PLC (Power Line Communication: power line carrier communication or power line communication) that uses this power line as a communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable has been attracting attention.

  In the PLC, data communication is performed by using a power line stretched inside a building such as a general home or office to supply a power supply voltage, and superimposing a PLC signal on the power flowing through the power line. However, since the power line used as a communication line by the PLC is not originally supposed to flow a high-frequency signal, a high-frequency signal leaks from the power line, and wireless communication is performed using the same frequency band as this high-frequency signal. There are concerns about adverse effects on various equipment and facilities. For this reason, laws and regulations relating to PLC facilities (or PLC devices) for carrying out PLC and PLC in countries (or regions) around the world have been established. For example, Article 44 and Article 46 of the Radio Law Enforcement Rules stipulate that PLC equipment used in Japan must be designated by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications for its type.

In Japan, there are many wooden houses, population density is high, and houses and various facilities are dense. Therefore, it is easy to radiate radio waves from PLC equipment (or PLC equipment) or power lines used for PLC. Easy to come out. Therefore, the laws and regulations established in Japan for PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC equipment) for carrying out PLC are stricter than those in other countries and regions in the EU member countries. For example, as pointed out in Non-Patent Document 1, in Japan, the regulation value of the transmission output of PLC using a frequency band of 15 MHz or more is about 30 db than the regulation value in the United States, in Europe and Korea. It is set to a value lower by about 20 db than the regulation value.
Edited by Nikkei Communication “All about High-Speed Power Line Communication”, Nikkei Business Publications, July 20, 2006, p. 36-37

  However, Japanese laws and regulations that are enforced on PLCs and PLC facilities (or PLC equipment) are not well recognized, and PLC devices that comply with laws and regulations in other countries can be purchased from overseas, such as mail order and Internet auctions. If it is obtained through, it may be used in Japan without checking whether it is a specification that complies with the electric power standards established in Japan and the laws and regulations concerning PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC equipment). is there. As a result, strong leaked radio waves are radiated from power lines connected to PLC devices with overseas specifications that do not conform to power standards and regulations established in Japan, and are used in nearby wireless communication or medical equipment. May have serious adverse effects. In particular, since October 2006, PLC in the frequency band of 2 MHz to 30 MHz has been approved only for indoor use, and wireless communication using a short wave band (3 MHz to 30 MHz) has been superimposed on the power transmitted to the power line. Since the PLC signal and the frequency band to be used overlap, there is a possibility that the PLC signal is significantly affected.

  The present invention provides a power standard and PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC equipment) established in the country or region where the PLC equipment is actually used without emitting strong radio waves with high frequency when using the PLC equipment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a PLC device capable of performing a PLC that conforms to laws and regulations related to the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, a PLC device according to the present invention is a PLC device that performs communication by superimposing a PLC signal on power supplied from a power line, and based on the AC supply voltage of the power, Control signal output means for generating and outputting a control signal for controlling the output of the PLC signal, and changing the output level of the PLC signal and switching the output of the PLC signal on / off based on the control signal Output control command means for instructing execution of at least one of the output control command means, and according to a command from the output control command means, at least one of the change of the output level of the PLC signal and the switching of the output of the PLC signal On / Off Output control means for executing one of them.

  With this configuration, in the PLC device of the present invention, the normal mode (normal operation) and the sleep mode (off of PLC signal output) are automatically performed based on the AC supply voltage of the power actually supplied to the PLC device. Alternatively, by changing to the power select mode (PLC signal output level change), it is possible to automatically change the PLC signal output level, switch the PLC signal output On / Off, or the like. For this reason, a strong leaked radio wave is radiated by superimposing a PLC signal with a large transmission output on the power line that does not comply with the laws and regulations established in the country (or region) where the PLC device is actually used. It is possible to prevent occurrence of problems due to radio wave interference such as radio waves leaked by the PLC adversely affecting wireless communication and communication devices, facilities, and medical devices in nearby areas. In addition, the PLC signal output switching process (switching the output On / Off and / or changing the output level) is performed automatically, so that the PLC conforming to the laws and regulations can be easily performed without the user being aware of it. be able to.

  Further, the PLC device of the present invention is a set country (or set region) in which the use of the PLC device is set in advance and / or a prohibited country (or prohibited region) in which the prohibition of use of the PLC device is set in advance. Management information storage means having PLC management information that conforms to laws and regulations relating to PLC in at least one of the countries (or regions), wherein the output control command means is based on the control signal and the PLC management information Further, it may be configured to instruct execution of at least one of changing the output level of the PLC signal and switching On / Off of the output of the PLC signal.

  With this configuration, in the PLC device of the present invention, the power established in the country (or region) where the PLC device is actually used based on the AC supply voltage of the power actually supplied to the PLC device. It is possible to automatically change the output level of the PLC signal, switch the output of the PLC signal On / Off, or the like so that the PLC signal when using the PLC conforms to the standards and regulations. For this reason, a strong leaked radio wave is radiated by superimposing a PLC signal with a large transmission output on the power line that does not comply with the laws and regulations established in the country (or region) where the PLC device is actually used. It is possible to prevent occurrence of problems due to radio wave interference such as radio waves leaked by the PLC adversely affecting wireless communication and communication devices, facilities, and medical devices in nearby areas. In addition, the PLC signal output switching process (switching the output On / Off and / or changing the output level) is performed automatically, so that the PLC conforming to the laws and regulations can be easily performed without the user being aware of it. be able to.

  In the PLC device of the present invention, the PLC management information is established in one country (or region) selected from the set country (or set region) or the prohibited country (or prohibited region). The control voltage may be generated based on a comparison result between the supply voltage and the threshold voltage, while having a threshold voltage based on a standard value of the AC voltage of the power standard.

  With this configuration, when a PLC device with unknown specifications such as settings relating to supplied power or PLC signal output settings is used, the power supply based on the AC supply voltage of the power actually supplied to the PLC device is used. It is automatically determined whether the PLC device is used in a set country (or set region) or whether the PLC device is used in a prohibited country (or prohibited region). Based on the determination result, it is possible to automatically change the output level of the PLC signal, switch the output of the PLC signal On / Off, and the like. For this reason, a strong leaked radio wave is radiated by superimposing a PLC signal with a large transmission output on the power line that does not comply with the laws and regulations established in the country (or region) where the PLC device is actually used. It is possible to prevent occurrence of problems due to radio wave interference such as radio waves leaked by the PLC adversely affecting wireless communication and communication devices, facilities, and medical devices in nearby areas. In addition, the PLC signal output switching process (switching the output On / Off and / or changing the output level) is performed automatically, so that the PLC conforming to the laws and regulations can be easily performed without the user being aware of it. be able to.

  Furthermore, the PLC device of the present invention further includes supply voltage conversion means for converting the supply voltage of AC into a conversion voltage of DC, and the control signal output means generates a reference voltage for DC based on the threshold voltage. Based on the comparison result of the value of said 1st input voltage and the value of said 2nd input voltage while a voltage generation means and DC 1st input voltage and 2nd DC input voltage are input. Voltage comparison means for generating the control signal, a DC voltage based on the supply voltage is input to the voltage comparison means as the first input voltage, and the reference voltage is the second input The conversion voltage may be used as the DC voltage that is input as a voltage to the voltage comparison unit and is based on the supply voltage.

  With this configuration, the reference voltage generated based on the value of the conversion voltage, which is a DC voltage based on the supply voltage, and the threshold voltage is compared with the AC supply voltage actually supplied to the PLC device of the present invention. The PLC device of the present invention is actually used in a country other than the prohibited country (or prohibited area) or is used in the prohibited country (or prohibited area) based on the result. Can be automatically determined. When it is determined that this PLC device is used in a country other than the prohibited country (or prohibited area), the normal operation is performed in the normal mode, and it is determined that the PLC device is used in the prohibited country (or prohibited area). If it is, the sleep mode (PLC signal output off) or the power select mode (PLC signal output level change) is automatically set to at least the PLC signal output off (stop) or the present invention. The output level of the PLC signal is selected and changed so as to conform to the power standards and laws and regulations established in the country (or region) where the PLC equipment is actually used. Therefore, PLC devices with specifications designed and manufactured so as to conform to the power standards established in countries (or regions) other than prohibited countries (or prohibited regions) and the laws and regulations related to PLCs and PLC devices. However, even if it is brought in with unknown specifications and used in a prohibited country (or prohibited area), the transmission output will not be compatible with the laws and regulations established in that prohibited country (or prohibited area). A large PLC signal is superimposed on the power line to prevent the strong leaked radio waves from being radiated, and the leaked radio waves from the PLC using the PLC equipment are used for wireless communication and communication equipment and facilities in nearby areas. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems due to radio wave interference such as adversely affecting medical devices. In addition, the PLC signal output switching process (PLC signal output level change and / or PLC signal output On / Off switching) is performed automatically, so the user is unaware of the regulations. PLC can be performed easily.

  In the PLC device according to the present invention, the control signal output means further receives a first voltage of DC and a second voltage of DC, and the value of the first voltage and the value of the second voltage. Voltage difference detecting means for outputting a differential voltage having a difference value as a voltage value, and integrating circuit means for outputting an integrated voltage having a voltage value obtained by integrating the value of the differential voltage with respect to time, and For the DC voltage based on the supply voltage, the integrated voltage is input to the voltage comparison means as the first input voltage instead of the conversion voltage, and the conversion voltage is the voltage difference as the first voltage. The reference voltage generation means is input to the detection means, the DC first reference voltage based on the threshold voltage, and a DC second reference voltage whose voltage value is set based on the configuration of the integration circuit means, And generating the first reference voltage , It is input to the voltage difference detecting means as said second voltage, the second reference voltage may be configured to be input to the voltage comparing means as said second input voltage.

  With this configuration, a comparison between the AC supply voltage actually supplied to the PLC device of the present invention and the threshold voltage is generated based on the value of the conversion voltage, which is a DC voltage based on the supply voltage, and the threshold voltage. An integrated voltage having a voltage value obtained by integrating the difference between the converted voltage value and the first reference voltage value with respect to time, and the second reference voltage. Based on the comparison result with the voltage, it is automatically determined whether the PLC device of the present invention is used in a prohibited country (or prohibited area) or in a prohibited country (or prohibited area). be able to. Therefore, in the PLC device of the present invention, the supply voltage of power supplied from the power line due to lightning strikes, etc. causes a significant voltage drop instantaneously called an instantaneous power failure, and the supply voltage temporarily shows a voltage abnormality. Even if the voltage abnormality occurs, the PLC device of the present invention is actually prohibited in the country (or prohibited area) without affecting the comparison result between the normal AC supply voltage that should be supplied and the threshold voltage. It can be automatically and accurately determined whether it is used in other countries or in a prohibited country (or prohibited area), even if the supply voltage temporarily shows a voltage abnormality It is possible to prevent malfunction of the PLC device.

  In the PLC apparatus of the present invention, the control signal output means further includes voltage attenuation means for outputting a DC attenuation voltage obtained by attenuating the conversion voltage as well as the conversion voltage being input. The configuration may be used instead of the conversion voltage.

  With this configuration, the AC supply voltage that is actually supplied to the PLC device of the present invention can be converted into a DC decay voltage having a voltage value lower than the voltage value of the internal power supply. This comparison can be made by comparing the value of the reference voltage and the value of the attenuation voltage based on the threshold voltage generated using the internal power supply of the PLC device of the present invention. Since the reference voltage can be generated using the internal power supply of the PLC device of the present invention, the circuit configuration can be simplified, which is effective for the manufacturing cost and miniaturization of the PLC device.

  In the PLC device of the present invention, the threshold voltage is based on the standard value of the AC voltage in the power standard established in one country (or region) selected from the prohibited countries (or prohibited regions). It is set and conforms to the law in one of the prohibited countries (or prohibited areas) or the set countries (or set areas) based on the control signal and the PLC management information. The configuration may be such that at least one of the change of the output level of the PLC signal to the output level and the on / off switching of the output of the PLC signal are performed.

  In this case, in the PLC device of the present invention, the minimum value of the standard value of the AC voltage in the power standard established in the set country (or set area) is set in the prohibited country (or prohibited area). It is set to be larger than the maximum value of the standard value of the AC voltage in the power standard.

  With these configurations, it is possible to automatically and accurately determine whether the PLC device of the present invention is used in a prohibited country (or prohibited region). When it is determined that the PLC device of the present invention is not used in the prohibited country (or prohibited area), the normal operation is performed in the normal mode, and it is determined that the PLC device is used in the prohibited country (or prohibited area). In such a case, it automatically enters a sleep mode (PLC signal output off) or a power select mode (PLC signal output level change), or at least PLC signal output off (stop), or The output level of the PLC signal is selected and changed so as to comply with the power standards and laws and regulations established in the prohibited country (or prohibited area). Therefore, PLC devices with specifications designed and manufactured so as to conform to the power standards and the laws and regulations related to PLCs and PLC devices originally defined in countries (or regions) other than prohibited countries (or prohibited regions) Even if it is brought into the prohibited country (or prohibited area) and used in the prohibited country (or prohibited area) without knowing the specification, it is established in the prohibited country (or prohibited area) It is possible to prevent a strong leaked radio wave from being radiated by superimposing a PLC signal whose transmission output is so large that it does not comply with the regulations on the power line. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems due to radio wave interference such as adversely affecting wireless communication and communication devices and facilities, and medical devices. In addition, since the PLC signal output switching process (changing the PLC signal output level and / or switching the PLC signal output On / Off) of the PLC device of the present invention is automatically performed, the user is not aware of it. PLC conforming to laws and regulations can be easily performed.

  In the PLC device according to the present invention, the threshold voltage is an AC voltage in an electric power standard established in one of two countries (or regions) selected from the set countries (or set regions). It is set based on a standard value, and conforms to laws and regulations in the first set country (or set area) or the second set country (or set area) based on the control signal and the PLC management information The configuration may be such that at least one of the change of the output level of the PLC signal to the output level to be performed and the on / off switching of the output of the PLC signal are performed.

  With this configuration, the PLC device of the present invention is based on the comparison result between the supply voltage of the actually supplied power and the threshold voltage set in advance in the PLC device. Whether it is the first set country (or set area) or the second set country (or set area) can be automatically determined. When it is determined that the PLC device is used in the first setting country (or setting area), the power standard established in the first setting country (or setting area) is used to output the PLC signal. When the output level is automatically changed to an output level that complies with laws and regulations and it is determined that the output is used in the second set country (or set area), the output of the PLC signal is changed to the second set country (or It can be automatically changed to an output level that conforms to power standards and laws and regulations established in the setting area.

  In this case, in the PLC device of the present invention, the minimum value of the standard value of the AC voltage in the power standard established in the first setting country (or setting area) is the second setting country (or setting area). ) Is set to be larger than the maximum value of the standard value of the AC voltage in the power standard established in (1).

  As described above, by comparing the supply voltage of the actually supplied power with the threshold voltage set in advance in the PLC device of the present invention, automatically switching the output of the PLC signal On / Off, Since the configuration is such that the output of the PLC signal is changed to an output level that conforms to power standards and laws and regulations established in the country where the PLC device is actually used, the user can set the PLC device (PLC device). Need to be set each time, such as setting the country where the PLC is used, the power standard established in the country where the PLC device is actually used, and the transmission output according to the laws and regulations related to the PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC device). There is no leakage of radio waves due to PLC signals superimposed on power lines, and radio interference in nearby areas, radio communication, communication equipment, facilities, medical equipment, etc. It not at ease surely can be easily performed PLC.

  The PLC device of the present invention is very effective when one of the set country (or set area) and the prohibited country (or prohibited area) is Japan. In this case, the threshold voltage is set to the maximum value (107V) of the AC voltage that the power established in Japan should maintain.

  With this configuration, the PLC device according to the present invention is based on the comparison result between the supply voltage of the actually supplied power and the threshold voltage (107 V), and whether the country where the PLC device is actually used is Japan. It can be determined whether the country (or region) is other than. In addition to switching the PLC signal output On / Off based on the determination result, if it is determined that the PLC device is used in Japan, the PLC signal output is established in Japan. Automatically change to an output level that conforms to the power standards and laws and regulations that are in use, and if it is determined that it is being used in a country (or region) other than Japan, the PLC signal output will be changed to that country other than Japan. (Or region) It is possible to automatically change the output level to comply with established power standards and regulations.

  In this way, by comparing the supply voltage of the electric power actually supplied to the PLC device with the threshold voltage (107 V) preset in the PLC device, the On / Off of the output of the PLC signal is automatically set. Since the configuration is such that the switching and the output of the PLC signal are changed to an output level that conforms to power standards and laws and regulations established in the country (or region) where the PLC device is actually used, PLC device settings (such as setting the country in which the PLC device is used, setting the transmission output in accordance with the power standards established in the country in which the PLC device is used and the laws and regulations related to the PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC device), etc.) Is not necessary each time, leakage of radio waves by PLC signals superimposed on power lines, wireless communication and communication equipment, facilities, medical equipment in nearby areas, etc. It can be easily performed PLC with confidence certainly not of the things that cause radio interference.

  The PLC device of the present invention includes a plurality of the output control means, and each of the plurality of output control means independently changes the output level of the PLC signal and / or turns the PLC signal output On / Off. It may be configured to execute the switching.

  With this configuration, in the PLC device of the present invention, the PLC signal output switching process (PLC signal output level change and / or PLC signal output On / Off switching) is performed in at least two places (transmission output control). Circuit and PLC modulation / demodulation circuit), even if PLC equipment that was originally designed for overseas use was brought into Japan with unknown specifications and used in Japan, leakage due to PLC Electricity established in the country (or region) where the PLC device is actually used without the user's awareness by the automatic processing of the PLC device, more reliably preventing the emission of radio waves and the resulting radio interference It can satisfy standards and regulations. Further, since the output level of the PLC signal just before being superimposed on the power by the power line coupler can be changed in the transmission output control circuit, the output level of the PLC signal is set to the country (or region) where the PLC device is actually used. It is possible to change the output level more accurately to meet the power standards and legal regulations established in

  In the PLC device of the present invention, when the control signal is a digital signal, the PLC signal output switching process (change of the PLC signal output level and / or switching of the PLC signal output On / Off) is performed. It can be made easier.

  According to the configuration of the PLC device of the present invention, in the PLC device that performs communication by superimposing a high-frequency PLC signal on the power transmitted to the power line, for controlling the PLC signal based on the AC supply voltage of the power Control signal output means for generating and outputting a control signal, and executing at least one of changing the output level of the PLC signal and switching the output of the PLC signal On / Off based on the control signal An output control command means for commanding, and an output control means for executing at least one of a change in the output level of the PLC signal and an on / off switching of the output of the PLC signal in accordance with a command from the output control command means It has. The AC supply voltage of commercial power supplied from the power line differs depending on the country (or region) used, but the specifications regarding the power supply (AC supply voltage) of the PLC equipment are AC of the power supplied from the power line. When the PLC device of the present invention is used in a country (or region) different from the supply voltage of the PLC, the PLC device automatically stops the output of the PLC signal, so that the country's power standard, PLC and PLC equipment It is possible to stop the use of a PLC device that does not conform to the laws and regulations related to (or PLC device) and to prevent the leakage of radio waves. Therefore, by superimposing the PLC signal on the power, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of radio wave interference caused by the leaked radio waves radiated from the power line, especially for wireless communication or medical equipment using the same frequency band as the PLC signal. The occurrence of failures can be prevented.

  In addition, when the PLC device of the present invention is used in a country (or region) where the setting related to the power supply of the PLC device is different from the AC supply voltage of the power actually supplied from the power line, the PLC device automatically By selecting and changing the output level of the PLC signal, it conforms to the power standard established in the country or region where the PLC device is actually used, and the laws and regulations related to the PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC device). Thus, it is possible to change the output level of the PLC signal so as to prevent the leakage radio wave from being emitted while maintaining the use state of the PLC. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of radio wave interference caused by the leaked radio wave radiated from the power line by automatically superimposing the PLC signal on the power while using the PLC, and to use the same frequency band as the PLC signal. It can prevent the occurrence of obstacles to communication and medical devices, and conforms to the laws and regulations that do not violate the laws and regulations established in that country and that do not cause leakage of radio waves or cause radio wave disturbances The PLC can be easily used without the user being aware of it.

  Further, based on the value of the DC voltage after rectifying and smoothing the AC supply voltage of the power supplied from the power line, changing the output level of the PLC signal and / or switching the output of the PLC signal On / Off. If this is done, it is not necessary to separately provide a means for newly generating a reference voltage when determining whether to change the output level of the PLC signal and / or switching the output of the PLC signal to On / Off. Cost can be kept lower.

  Further, if the change of the PLC signal output level and / or the switching of the PLC signal output On / Off is performed based on the value obtained by integrating the DC voltage with respect to time, even if the instantaneous power outage occurs in the power line such as an instantaneous power failure. The influence of power supply fluctuation due to a rapid voltage drop can be suppressed, and malfunction of the PLC device of the present invention can be prevented.

  Further, assuming that the country set for the PLC device of the present invention is Japan, even if the PLC device set for overseas countries or each region is used in Japan, the output level of the PLC signal can be changed and / or Alternatively, the output of the PLC signal is switched on / off automatically, and the convenience of the user to the PLC device of the present invention can be improved.

  The present invention is very effective when, for example, PLC (Power Line Communication: power line communication or power line communication) equipment set to specifications conforming to overseas power standards and regulations is used in Japan. . In the following description, the AC voltage value will be described using an effective value unless otherwise specified.

  In each country and region around the world including Japan, the established power standards and the laws and regulations related to PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC equipment) are different, and when using PLC equipment or performing PLC, In addition to obtaining approval for the PLC device, it is necessary that the specification of the PLC device conforms to the power standards and laws and regulations established in the country (or region) where the PLC device is actually used. Table 1 is a table summarizing the nominal values and frequencies of general commercial AC power supply voltages supplied to houses and the like among the power standards defined in each country and region. As shown in Table 1, the highest value of the general AC power supply voltage supplied in each country (or each region) in the world is the AC power supply voltage 250 V supplied in Ghana.

  As shown in Table 1, the nominal value of the AC power supply voltage varies from country to country. The general AC power supply voltage of Japan used for PLC etc. is 100V of single phase, but the value of the general AC power supply voltage in most countries except Japan is 120V or more of single phase. For example, the nominal value of a general AC power supply voltage in North American countries such as the United States of America is 120V, and the nominal value of a general AC power supply voltage in European countries and China is 220V or more.

  Strictly speaking, the AC power supply voltage value of the actual power supplied is allowed to vary within a few percent, and the allowable voltage variation varies in various countries (or regions) around the world. Stipulated in For example, the value of the AC power supply voltage that should be maintained by the power supplied in Japan is stipulated in Article 44 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Electricity Business Law, and a typical commercial AC power supply with a standard value (= nominal value) of 100V The voltage is clearly defined as “a value not exceeding 6 V above and below 101 V” (95 to 107 V). That is, the width of the voltage fluctuation with respect to the AC power supply voltage with a nominal value of 100 V allowed in Japan is regulated as 6 V above and below (approximately 5.9%) with respect to 101 V. These specified values are all shown as effective values.

  On the other hand, the nominal value of the AC power supply voltage specified in most countries (or regions) other than Japan shown in Table 1 is 120V or more, and the allowable value of the voltage fluctuation of the specified AC power supply voltage is It is determined within a range of ± 10% of the nominal value. For example, according to ANSI C84.1 “Electric Power Systems and Equipment Voltage Ratings (60 Hertz)”, an AC power supply voltage generally supplied in the United States is 114 V with respect to a nominal value of 120 V. It is specified that it should be maintained within the range of (110) to 126V (−5% (−8.3%) to + 5% of 120V). Therefore, it can be said that the minimum value of a general commercial AC power supply voltage supplied in most countries (or regions) other than Japan is about 108V (as an effective value). This is higher than 107V, which is the maximum value of AC power supply voltage allowed in Japan. That is, there is a clear voltage difference between the AC power supply voltage supplied in Japan and the AC power supply voltage supplied in other countries (or regions), so even if both are compared, the voltage difference is erroneously determined. There are almost no cases.

Using this, the PLC apparatus of the present invention which is set to the specifications for overseas, the 107V is the maximum value of the AC supply voltage supplied by Japan preset as the threshold voltage V _m, in fact the PLC equipment to when you are using, by causing the comparison to the supply voltage V _ac and the threshold voltage V _m of the power that is actually supplied to the PLC device automatically, in Japan the PLC device, an overseas specification It is possible to automatically determine whether or not it is being used. For example, if it is determined that V _ac > V _m (= 107 V), it is determined that the PLC device is used in a country (or region) other than Japan, and V _ac ≦ V _m (= 107 V) is determined. In such a case, it may be determined that the PLC device is used in Japan.

  Hereinafter, in order to describe the embodiment of the present invention in detail, a PLC adapter that is most commonly used as a PLC device will be described as an example with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
The PLC adapter 1 according to the first embodiment is a communication cable (not connected) that transmits information data of a computer network through a general commercial power supply power line installed in a general home or a building such as an office or a building. This is a PLC device for performing data communication by superimposing a PLC signal on an AC (alternating current) supply voltage of power supplied from a power line. The PLC adapter 1 is manufactured assuming use in one country (or region) other than Japan, for example, the United States of America, and the specifications of the PLC adapter 1 (PLC signal output level, etc.) The setting conforms to the standards and regulations. Therefore, even if the PLC adapter 1 is brought into Japan with unknown specifications and used in Japan, it automatically enters the sleep mode (PLC signal output off) or the power select mode (PLC signal output). For example, the output level of the PLC signal is turned off (stopped) or the output level of the PLC signal conforming to Japanese regulations is selected and changed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PLC adapter according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The PLC adapter 1 obtains power (AC supply voltage V _ac ) from an AC outlet (not shown) connected to a power line (not shown), and transmits and receives a PLC signal, and supplied power. The power line coupler 12 that separates (extracts) the PLC signal superimposed on the power from the power to receive and / or superimposes the PLC signal on the power and transmits the power, and the amplification, A / D conversion, or D / A of the transmitted / received PLC signal AFE (Analog Front End) circuit 13 that performs conversion, modulation and demodulation of a PLC signal to be transmitted and received, and switching processing of the output of the PLC signal (change of the output level of the PLC signal and / or On / of the output of the PLC signal) PLC modem 14 for switching off) and a communication cable connected to an information terminal or a terminal network The LAN interface circuit 15 which functions as an interface between the not shown), a communication cable (with LAN jack 16 to connect the unillustrated), PLC modem 14 and LAN from the power obtained from the power line (supply voltage V _ac) A DC power supply circuit 40 that supplies a DC (direct current) power supply voltage VCC as a power supply to the interface circuit 15 or an external device, and outputs a control signal 17 for controlling a PLC signal output switching process to the PLC modem 14. And. In addition, the PLC adapter 1 has a threshold voltage V _m for determining whether or not it is used in Japan as 107 V (effective value conversion), which is the maximum value of a general commercial AC power supply voltage supplied in Japan. ) Is set.

The AC plug 11 is a connector connected via an AC outlet (not shown) to a power line (not shown) for supplying general commercial power that is stretched in a building such as a general home or office or building. The power (AC supply voltage V _ac ) obtained from the power line is transmitted to the power line coupler 12 and the DC power supply circuit 40, respectively. In addition, a high-frequency PLC signal (for example, 2 MHz to 30 MHz in Japan) superimposed on the power supplied from the power line is transmitted / received via the AC plug 11.

  The power line coupler 12 extracts (separates) the PLC signal superimposed on the power supplied from the power line from the power and outputs the PLC signal to the AFE circuit 13, and also superimposes the PLC signal output from the AFE circuit 13 on the power. To the power line. In the present embodiment, a high-frequency transformer is used for the power line coupler 12, the primary coil side of this high-frequency transformer is connected to the AC plug 11, and the secondary coil side is connected to the AFE circuit 13. In addition, a capacitor or the like is connected between the primary coil of the high-frequency transformer and the AC plug 11 so that a high frequency other than the superimposed PLC signal or an AC overvoltage is not input.

  The AFE circuit 13 removes high frequency noise from the analog PLC signal extracted (separated) by the power line coupler 12 and amplifies the output, and then performs A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion and outputs the result to the PLC modem 14. The PLC signal output from the PLC modem 14 is subjected to D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion and waveform shaping, and then the transmission output is amplified and output to the power line coupler 12. The detailed configuration of the AFE circuit 13 will be described later.

  The PLC modem 14 demodulates the digital PLC signal output from the AFE circuit 13 and outputs it to the LAN interface circuit 15 as a digital data communication signal. The digital data communication signal output from the LAN interface circuit 15 is modulated and output to the AFE circuit 13 as a digital PLC signal. Further, the PLC modem 14 receives the control signal 17 input from the DC power supply circuit 40, selects whether to switch the output of the PLC signal On / Off or change the output level based on the control signal 17, and outputs the PLC signal. If it is selected to switch the output On / Off, the output On / Off of the PLC signal transmitted from the PLC modem is switched, and / or the On / Off of the transmission amplifier circuit 29 of the AFE circuit 13 described later is switched. When it is selected to change the PLC signal transmission / output stop by switching or changing the PLC signal output level, the PLC signal output is changed to the output level based on the control signal 17 inside the PLC modem 14. . The detailed configuration of the PLC modem 14 will be described later. The DC power supply voltage VCC for operating the PLC modem 14 is supplied from the DC power supply circuit 40.

  The LAN interface circuit 15 converts the digital data communication signal demodulated by the PLC modem 14 into an analog signal and transmits it to a communication cable (not shown) via the LAN jack 16 and also to the communication cable (not shown). This is an interface for digitally converting the analog data communication signal being output to the PLC modem 14. The DC power supply voltage VCC for operating the LAN interface circuit 15 is supplied from the DC power supply circuit 40.

  The LAN jack 16 is a connector for connecting a communication cable (not shown) and the PLC adapter 1. The communication cable (not shown) is connected to the LAN jack 16, and the PLC adapter 1 ( The analog data communication signal is transmitted and received between the LAN interface circuit 15) and the communication cable (not shown).

The DC power supply circuit 40 obtains electric power (AC supply voltage V _ac ) from the power line through the AC plug 11 and converts it into the DC power supply voltage VCC, and supplies the DC power to the PLC modem 14 and the LAN interface circuit 15 or an external device. The voltage VCC is supplied. Further, the DC power supply circuit 40 compares the power supply voltage V _ac actually supplied from the power line with the threshold voltage V _m preset in the PLC adapter 1, and transmits the PLC based on the comparison result. A control signal 17 for controlling signal output switching processing (changing the PLC signal output level and / or switching the PLC signal output On / Off) is generated and output to the PLC modem 14. . A detailed configuration of the DC power supply circuit 40 will be described later.

  Next, the AFE circuit 13 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the AFE circuit in this embodiment. The AFE circuit 13 includes a reception A / D conversion circuit 21 that performs high-frequency noise removal, amplification of the output of the PLC signal, and A / D conversion on the received PLC signal, and D / A conversion and transmission of the PLC signal to be transmitted. It has a transmission D / A converter circuit 22 that performs waveform shaping of an analog transmission signal and amplifies transmission output, and an AFE bus 23 that collectively transmits a digitally received PLC signal and a PLC signal to be transmitted. Yes. In addition, since the PLC adapter 1 cannot perform the PLC signal reception operation and the transmission operation at the same time, the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 is turned off while the PLC signal is being received, and the PLC signal is transmitted. During reception, the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 is controlled to be off.

  If the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 (particularly, a transmission amplifier circuit 29 described later) is on while the PLC signal is being received, the high frequency output from the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22. Noise causes noise in the received PLC signal, and the received PLC signal is significantly attenuated. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 operates (On) while the PLC signal is being received, and the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 is controlled to be Off. Yes. In order to reduce power consumption in the AFE circuit 13, the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 operates (On) while the PLC signal is transmitted, and the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 is turned off. It is controlled to become. On / off switching of the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 and the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 is controlled by a CPU 31 of the PLC modem 14 described later.

  The reception A / D conversion circuit 21 includes a reception filter circuit 24 that removes high-frequency noise from the received PLC signal, a reception amplifier circuit 25 that amplifies the output of the noise-removed PLC signal, and an amplified PLC signal. And an A / D converter 26 for performing A / D conversion of the analog line. The high frequency noise is removed from the analog PLC signal output from the power line coupler 12 and amplified, and the analog PLC signal is converted into a digital PLC signal A. / D converted and output to the AFE bus 23. Further, the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 has a PLC described later so that at least the reception amplifier circuit 25 is turned off when the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 is operating (at the time of transmission of the PLC signal). It is controlled by the CPU 31 of the modem 14.

  The reception filter circuit 24 is a frequency filter for removing high-frequency noise contained in the PLC signal output from the power line coupler 12, and has a frequency band other than the frequency band used for the PLC from the PLC signal. High frequency noise is removed. Usually, a low-pass filter or a band-pass filter such as an LC circuit including an inductor and a capacitor is used. If the output level of the high frequency noise is not so high as compared with the output level of the received PLC signal, the output saturation due to the high frequency noise does not occur in the reception amplifier circuit 25. Therefore, the reception filter circuit 24 is connected to the reception amplifier circuit 25. The structure connected to a back | latter stage may be sufficient.

  The reception amplifier circuit 25 amplifies the PLC signal from which high frequency noise has been removed to an output level necessary for A / D conversion, and outputs the amplified signal to the A / D converter 26. The reception amplifier circuit 25 is controlled by a CPU 31 of the PLC modem 14 to be described later so that the reception amplifier circuit 25 is turned off when the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 is operating (when transmitting a PLC signal). The A / D converter 26 A / D converts the amplified analog PLC signal into a digital PLC signal, and outputs it to the AFE bus 23. The digital PLC signal output from the A / D converter 26 is output to the PLC modem 14 via the AFE bus 23.

  Next, the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 includes a D / A converter 27 that performs D / A conversion of the PLC signal to be transmitted, and a transmission filter that shapes the signal waveform of the D / A converted PLC signal. A circuit 28 and a transmission amplifier circuit 29 that amplifies the output of the waveform-shaped analog PLC signal, receives the digital PLC signal output from the PLC modem 14 via the AFE bus 23, and receives the analog PLC signal; D / A conversion into a PLC signal, the signal waveform is shaped and amplified, and output to the power line coupler 12. The transmission amplifier circuit 29 is provided in the PLC modem 14 to be described later so that at least the transmission amplifier circuit 29 is turned off when the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 is operating (when the PLC signal is received). It is controlled by the CPU 31.

  The D / A converter 27 receives the digitally transmitted PLC signal output from the PLC modem 14 via the AFE bus 23, converts it to an analog PLC signal, and outputs it to the transmission filter circuit 28. . The transmission filter circuit 28 is a filter for shaping the signal waveform of the analog PLC signal that has been D / A converted, and outputs the analog PLC signal after shaping the signal waveform to the transmission amplifier circuit 29. Yes.

The transmission amplifier circuit 29 amplifies the waveform-shaped analog PLC signal output level to an output level sufficient to superimpose the output level on the power (AC supply voltage V _ac ). Further, the transmission amplifier circuit 29 is controlled by a CPU 31 of the PLC modem 14 described later so that the transmission amplifier circuit 29 is turned off when the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 is operating (when receiving the PLC signal). . Other than that, when a command to turn off the transmission output of the PLC signal is output from the CPU 31 of the PLC modem 14 to be described later when the PLC signal is transmitted, the transmission amplifier circuit 29 is switched off. The transmission of the PLC signal is stopped. Note that the transmission amplifier circuit 29 is designed so that the output impedance when it is Off is high.

Next, the PLC modem 14 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the PLC modem according to the present embodiment. The PLC modem 14 has a CPU 31, a PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32, and a general-purpose port (not shown), receives a control signal 17, and performs control related to a switching process of the output of the PLC signal, and a PLC-IC 33 (particularly a PLC-IC 33). A data RAM 34 for temporarily storing a large amount of data (PLC signal and the like) handled by the modem circuit 32), a management data table in which data relating to the PLC signal and the notch signal, a threshold voltage V _{m and the} like are recorded, and the CPU 31 A program memory 35 that stores firmware (operational software) and the like, performs modulation and demodulation processing of the PLC signal, receives the control signal 17 input from the DC power supply circuit 40, and receives the control signal 17 On / O of the transmission amplifier circuit 29 of the AFE circuit 13 based on f switching control of, and is carried out switching processing of the output level of the PLC signal (change of the output level of the PLC signal, and / or switching of On / Off of the output of the PLC signal). Note that a notch signal is superimposed on a communication signal to identify a specific frequency (for example, an aeronautical radio frequency) that is prohibited from general use by laws and regulations established in each country (or region). Signal. The frequency to which the notch signal is added (frequency that is prohibited to be used) varies from country to country (or region) and may be obligatory. In Japan, the use of notch signals is recommended, but it is not required and is not regulated by laws and regulations.

  The PLC-IC 33 controls the general-purpose port (not shown) to which the control signal 17 is assigned and the reception / amplification circuit 25 and the transmission amplifier circuit 29 of the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 and the AFE circuit 13 based on the control signal 17. And a PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 for performing modulation processing and demodulation processing of the PLC signal, changing the output level of the PLC signal to be transmitted, switching the output of the PLC signal On / Off, and the like.

  The CPU 31 corresponds to the output control command means of the present invention, and performs calculations related to the modulation and demodulation processing of the PLC signal performed by the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32, controls the operation of the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32, and is a general-purpose port (not shown). On the basis of the control signal 17 received in step 1, the control data table stored in the program memory 35 is referred to select whether to change the output level of the PLC signal or to switch the output of the PLC signal on / off. The selection result is instructed to the transmission amplifier circuit 29 and / or the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32. That is, when the CPU 31 selects the change of the output level of the PLC signal, the output level of the PLC signal is selected based on the management data of the program memory 35 based on the control signal 17, and the PLC signal is changed to the selected output level. When the command to change the transmission output is instructed to the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 and the CPU 31 selects the on / off switching of the output of the PLC signal, this is sent to the transmission amplifier circuit 29 and / or the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32. We are commanding. Needless to say, the CPU 31 may simultaneously issue a command for changing the transmission output of the PLC signal to the selected output level and a command for switching the output of the PLC signal On / Off.

  Further, the CPU 31 operates when the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 of the AFE circuit 13 is operating (when receiving the PLC signal), and when transmitting the D / A conversion circuit 22 (particularly, the transmission amplifier circuit 29). ) Is turned off and when the transmission D / A conversion circuit 22 is operating (when transmitting a PLC signal), the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 (particularly, the reception amplifier circuit). The AFE circuit 13 is controlled so that 25) becomes Off. In addition, when a notch signal for identifying a frequency that is generally prohibited from being used, such as an aeronautical radio frequency, is added to the PLC signal, the CPU 31 is stored in the program memory 35. The PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 is instructed to perform processing such as changing the frequency and / or output level of the notch signal or adding / removing the notch signal.

  The PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 corresponds to the output control means of the present invention, demodulates the PLC signal output from the AFE circuit 13, and, for example, as a data communication signal such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) MII (Media Independent Interface) signal. The data is output to the LAN interface circuit 15. Further, the data communication signal for transmission output from the LAN interface circuit 15 is modulated and output as a PLC signal, and the output level of the PLC signal to be transmitted is changed and / or the output of the PLC signal is turned on according to a command from the CPU 31. / Off is switched. Further, the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 also performs processing such as changing a notch signal added to a PLC signal to be transmitted or newly adding or removing a notch signal based on a command from the CPU 31.

  The data RAM 34 is a memory for temporarily storing data when performing modulation and demodulation processing of the PLC signal of the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 or changing the output level of the PLC signal to be transmitted.

The program memory 35 corresponds to the management information storage means of the present invention, and is a non-volatile memory that stores a management data table for managing PLC signals in addition to firmware for operating the CPU 31. As the program memory 35, a ROM, a hard disk drive, or the like is used. The management data table, and the value of the threshold voltage V _m which is previously set to the PLC adapter 1, the transmission output of the transmission output level (statutory PLC signals PLC signal to be set to the output of the control signal 17 Data on power standards and regulations established in Japan and the United States, data on notch signals recommended or mandated in Japan and the United States (frequency, output level, etc.), etc. have.

Next, the DC power supply circuit 40 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the DC power supply circuit in the present embodiment. DC power supply circuit 40 generates the DC power supply voltage VCC from the supply voltage V _ac in AC, is generated based on the comparison result between the threshold voltage V _m and the supply voltage V _ac set in advance in the PLC adapter 1 A control signal 17 is output, a supply voltage conversion circuit 41 that outputs a conversion voltage V _dc1 obtained by converting an AC supply voltage V _ac to DC, and a conversion adapter V _dc1 output from the supply voltage conversion circuit 41 to a PLC adapter 1, a DC power supply voltage generator 42 for generating a DC power supply voltage VCC to be supplied to a circuit (PLC modem 14, LAN interface circuit 15, etc.) or an external device that requires a DC power supply voltage, and a threshold voltage V _m And a control signal output circuit 50 that outputs a control signal 17 generated based on the comparison result with the voltage V _ac .

The supply voltage conversion circuit 41 corresponds to the supply voltage conversion means of the present invention, and the high frequency removal filter circuit 411 for removing the PLC signal and the high frequency noise from the supply voltage V _ac and the PLC signal and the high frequency noise are removed. and a rectifier circuit 412 for rectifying the supply voltage V _ac, to smooth the supply voltage V _ac which is rectified and a smoothing circuit 413 outputs the converted voltage V _dc1 of DC.

Further, the DC power supply voltage generation unit 42 intermittently switches from the switching circuit 421 to the switching circuit 421 that intermittently switches On / Off of the conversion voltage V _dc1 by an internal switching element (or circuit) (not shown). A power transformer 422 that generates an AC secondary voltage using the energized conversion voltage V _dc1 as a primary voltage; a secondary voltage rectifier circuit 4123 that rectifies the AC secondary voltage generated by the power transformer 422; A secondary voltage smoothing circuit 424 for smoothing the rectified secondary voltage and outputting the DC power supply voltage VCC, and On / Off of the switching element of the switching circuit 421 in order to maintain the value of the DC power supply voltage VCC at a constant value. And a voltage error detection circuit 425 for controlling the switching timing. The DC power supply voltage VCC is set to a value suitable as a DC power supply voltage to be supplied to the PLC modem 14, the LAN interface circuit 15, or an external device, and is usually set within a range of 1V to 24V.

The high-frequency rejection filter circuit 411 is a frequency filter circuit that removes a PLC signal and high-frequency noise from the power supply voltage V _ac supplied from the power line via the AC plug 11, and includes a common mode choke coil and an LC circuit. A low-pass filter or the like is used.

Rectifier circuit 412, the supply voltage V _ac to PLC signals and high-frequency noise is superposed has been removed has been rectified, the full-wave rectifier circuit is utilized in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the forward voltage of the rectifier diode normally connected in the full-wave rectifier circuit is negligible.

The smoothing circuit 413 outputs the converted voltage V _dc1 obtained by smoothing the supply voltage V _ac rectified by the rectifying circuit 412 to the DC power supply voltage generation unit 42 and the control signal output circuit 50. The conversion voltage V _dc1 is equal to the maximum instantaneous value of the supply voltage V _ac of the power supplied from the power line via the AC plug 11, and is obtained from Equation 1. Note that the value of the supply voltage V _ac used in Equation 1 is an effective value as described above.
(Equation 1)

Next, a switching element (or circuit) (not shown) for switching on / off of the DC conversion voltage V _dc1 is connected to the switching circuit 421 of the DC power supply voltage generation unit 42. ) By intermittently energizing the DC conversion voltage V _dc1 to the primary side of the high-frequency transformer 35 by On / Off of power transmission), a pseudo high-frequency current is given to the primary side of the high-frequency transformer 35. In addition, the voltage error detection circuit 425 controls the On / Off switching timing of the switching element (or circuit) (that is, the cycle in which the DC conversion voltage V _dc1 is energized to the primary side of the high-frequency transformer 35). . The power supply transformer 422 of the DC power supply voltage generator 42 generates an AC secondary power supply voltage in the secondary coil by a pseudo high-frequency current that is intermittently energized from the switching circuit 421 to the primary coil. I am letting.

  The secondary voltage rectifier circuit 36 of the DC power supply voltage generator 42 rectifies the AC secondary power supply voltage generated on the secondary side of the high-frequency transformer 35, and a full-wave rectifier circuit is used in this embodiment. . Further, the secondary voltage smoothing circuit 37 of the DC power supply voltage generating unit 42 outputs a DC power supply voltage VCC obtained by smoothing the rectified secondary power supply voltage. The DC power supply voltage VCC is used as a power supply voltage for operating the PLC modem 14 and the LAN interface circuit 15 and a power supply voltage to an external device, and is also output to the voltage error detection circuit 425 and the control signal output circuit 50. Yes.

The voltage error detection circuit 425 of the DC power supply voltage generation unit 42 turns on the switching element (or circuit) of the switching circuit 421 in order to keep the value of the DC power supply voltage VCC generated by the DC power supply voltage generation unit 42 constant. DC power supply voltage VCC output from the secondary voltage smoothing circuit 37, which is a control circuit for controlling the timing of / Off (that is, the cycle in which the DC conversion voltage _Vdc1 is energized to the primary side of the high-frequency transformer 35). On / Off switching of the switching element (or circuit) of the switching circuit 421 is controlled based on the value of.

Next, the control signal output circuit 50, the control signal corresponds to the output means, and outputs a control signal 17 which is generated on the basis of a comparison result between the threshold voltage V _m and the supply voltage V _ac of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control signal output circuit in this embodiment. The control signal output circuit 50 outputs from the supply voltage conversion circuit 41 a reference voltage generation circuit 55 that generates a DC reference voltage V _f based on a threshold voltage V _m preset in the PLC adapter 1 from the DC power supply voltage VCC. An attenuation circuit 51 for outputting an attenuation voltage V _dc2 (≦ VCC) obtained by attenuating the value of the converted voltage V _dc1 below the value of the DC power supply voltage VCC according to the attenuation factor α, and a reference generated by the reference voltage generation circuit 55 A comparator 54 that outputs a voltage V _c− (≦ 0) or V _{c +} (> 0) based on a result of comparing the voltage V _f and the attenuation voltage V _dc2, and a DC power source based on the threshold voltage V _m It outputs a digital signal comprising comparing the results to the ₊ voltage V _c- and V _c output from the comparator based the decompression voltage V _dc2 based on the reference voltage and the supply voltage V _ac generated from the voltage VCC of the PLC signal And outputs to the PLC modem 14 as a control signal 17 for controlling.

The reference voltage generation circuit 55 corresponds to the reference voltage generation means of the present invention, generates a DC reference voltage V _f using the DC power supply voltage VCC generated by the DC power supply voltage generation unit 42, and supplies it to the comparator 54. Output. The DC reference voltage V _f is set based on the threshold voltage V _m of the management data table stored in the program memory 35 of the PLC modem 14. In this embodiment, a reference voltage V _f generated based on an attenuation voltage V _{dc2 obtained} by attenuating a conversion voltage V _dc1 obtained by rectifying and smoothing the supply voltage V _ac in accordance with an attenuation factor α described later, and a threshold voltage V _m. Therefore, the value of the reference voltage V _f generated by the reference voltage generation circuit 55 is set as shown in Equation 2. In addition, since it is generated based on the DC power supply voltage VCC supplied from the DC voltage power supply generation circuit 39, it is set within the range of 0 <V _f ≦ VCC in this embodiment.
(Equation 2)

The attenuating circuit 51 corresponds to the voltage attenuating means of the present invention, attenuates the converted voltage V _dc1 output from the supply voltage converting circuit 41 according to the attenuating rate α, and _{obtains the} attenuating voltage V _dc2 (<V _dc1 ) obtained by Equation 3. Is output.
(Equation 3)

The attenuation voltage V _dc2 is a DC conversion voltage V _dc1 having a value equal to the maximum instantaneous value (√2 × V _ac ) of the AC voltage power supply V _ac (ie, not an effective value) according to the attenuation rate α. The attenuated DC voltage is compared with the DC reference voltage V _f by the voltage difference detection circuit 52. Therefore, the attenuation rate α of the attenuation circuit 51 is set to a value equal to the ratio of the reference voltage V _f to the threshold voltage (= √2 × V _m ) converted to the maximum instantaneous value as shown in Equation 4. . Since the reference voltage V _f is generated based on the DC power supply voltage VCC supplied from the DC voltage power supply generation circuit 39, it is set so that V _f ≦ VCC, and a general device is required. Since the value of the DC power supply voltage VCC to be performed is normally 1V to 24V, the attenuation factor α is set to a value within the range of 6.3 to 151 in the present embodiment.
(Equation 4)

  In the present embodiment, a T-type attenuator (resistance attenuator) including a plurality of resistance elements is used as the attenuation circuit 51. The attenuator can also be realized by resistance voltage division using two resistance elements, but when the attenuation factor is set large, the influence of the variation of the resistance element itself may greatly affect the attenuation factor. In general, a T-type or π-type attenuator using three or more resistance elements is used. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an attenuation circuit (attenuator) including a resistance element. FIG. 6A is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a configuration of a T-type attenuator used in this embodiment, and FIG. 6B is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a configuration of a typical π-type attenuator. .

（数６）

The T-type attenuator shown in FIG. 6A is composed of three resistance elements r ₁ , r ₂ , r ₃ , Z _in is the impedance on the input side of the attenuation circuit 51, and Z _out is the output side It represents the impedance. In this embodiment, it is set resistor elements r _1, r _2, r ₃ of the value of the value determined by Equation 5 and Equation 6, respectively.
(Equation 5)

(Equation 6)

（数６’）

When the π-type attenuator shown in FIG. 6B is used, the values of the resistance elements r ′ ₁ , r ′ ₂ , r ′ ₃ are set to the values obtained by the equations 5 ′ and 6 ′, respectively. That's fine.
(Equation 5 ')

(Equation 6 ')

The comparator 54 corresponds to the voltage comparison means of the present invention, operates using the DC power supply voltage VCC as the power supply voltage, and the attenuation voltage V _dc2 output from the attenuation circuit 51 and the reference voltage V generated by the reference voltage generation circuit 55. _f is compared, and the voltage V _c− (≦ 0) or the voltage V _{c +} (> 0) is output based on the comparison result. That is, the comparator 54 outputs the binarized digital control signal 17 composed of the voltages V _c− and V _{c +} . As the comparator 54, a comparator element such as a comparator circuit or a comparator IC, a buffer or inverter of a digital circuit, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, a comparator circuit using an operational amplifier OPc is used. FIG. 7 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the configuration of the comparator in the present embodiment. Comparator 54 from, in this embodiment 7, an operational amplifier OPc resistance elements R _a, consists R _b, attenuated voltage V _dc2 to the negative terminal of the input side of the operational amplifier OPc is input to the positive terminal resistor element R _a Is a Schmitt trigger circuit in which the reference voltage V _f is input via the input terminal, and the output of the operational amplifier OPc is fed back to the positive terminal on the input side via the resistance element R _b (ie, positive feedback). The operational amplifier OPc is supplied with a DC power supply voltage VCC as a single power supply (not shown). In the present embodiment, the values of the voltages V _c− and V _{c +} output from the comparator 54 are V _c− ≈0V and V _{c +} ≈VCC.

Here, the Schmitt trigger circuit, in the comparison between the voltage V _st of the input voltage V _in and the reference are varied, the value of the input voltage V _in including the value of the voltage V _st of the reference (V _st - ΔV _low ) <V _in <(V _st + ΔV _up ) When the output voltage V _out is maintained, it is a circuit having an output characteristic according to a hysteresis characteristic peculiar to the comparison circuit. . FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the Schmitt trigger circuit. 8A is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the configuration of the Schmitt trigger circuit, FIG. 8B is a graph showing the characteristics of the output voltage of the Schmitt trigger circuit, and FIG. 8C is the Schmitt trigger. It is a graph which shows the hysteresis characteristic of a circuit. FIG. 8D is a graph showing the output voltage characteristics of a comparator having no hysteresis characteristics. Hereinafter, to explain the operation of the Schmitt trigger circuit _{541, (V st -ΔV low)} <V in <(V st + ΔV up) range of voltage values including a reference value of the voltage V _st of represented by ([Delta] V _up + ΔV _low ) is referred to as dead zone, ΔV _{up is referred} to as upper dead zone voltage, and ΔV _low is referred to as lower dead zone voltage. Furthermore, the negative terminal of the input side of the Schmitt trigger circuit 541 having the same configuration as the comparator 54 of the present embodiment, the input voltage V _in that is increasing or decreasing trend with variations as shown in FIG. 8 (B) is input Explain that it is.

（数７ｂ）

Schmitt trigger circuit 541 shown in FIG. 8 (A), as shown in FIG. 8 (B), the relative input voltage V _in that is increasing albeit with a slight voltage variation, V _in <a (V _st + ΔV _up) in a state to output a V _out = V ₊ as the output voltage is, V _out = V as the output voltage in the state of _{(V st + ΔV up) ≦} V in - outputting a. That is, the input voltage V _in voltage value than the voltage V _st of the reference is increased from a low state, within the dead zone, including the value of the reference voltage V _{st (i.e., (V st -ΔV low) <} V in < (V _st + ΔV _up) when in a) holds the output voltage V _out = V _+, the input voltage V _in, V _out = V as the output voltage when a (V _st + ΔV _up) or _- output. On the other hand, the input voltage V _in a downward trend, while with a slight voltage variation, V _out = V as the output voltage in the state of _{(V st -ΔV low) <V} in - but outputs a, V _in ≦ ( In the state of V _st −ΔV _low ), V _out = V ₊ is output as the output voltage. That is, in the dead zone range, including an input voltage V _in voltage value than the voltage V _st of the reference is reduced from a high state value of the reference voltage V _{st (i.e., (V st -ΔV low) <} V in <( when in the V _st + ΔV _up)) the output voltage V _out = V _- holds, and outputs the V _out = V ₊ as the output voltage when the input voltage V _in is equal to or less than (V _st -ΔV _low). Thus, the Schmitt trigger circuit 541 has a hysteresis characteristic as shown in FIG. 8 (C) the history of the value of the input voltage V _in to a change in the value of the output voltage V _out is affected. Further, the values of the upper dead band voltage ΔV _up and the lower dead band voltage ΔV _{low in} the Schmitt trigger circuit 541 shown in FIG. 8A are obtained by Expression 7a and Expression 7b, respectively.
(Equation 7a)

(Equation 7b)

（数７ｄ）

Such hysteresis characteristic, the Schmitt trigger circuit 541, when showing a value close to the value of the voltage V _st of the input voltage V _in the reference, the input voltage V _in by the influence such as noise is changed slightly, the input even if the value of the voltage V _in increases or decreases from the value of the voltage V _st of the reference, the output voltage V _out in response to changes in the input voltage V _in 'as shown in FIG. 8 (D) 'Does not show frequent fluctuations, and a stable output voltage V _out can be obtained. From Equation 7a and Equation 7b, the dead zone (ΔV _up + ΔV _low ) is expressed as Equation 7c, and when ΔV _up = ΔV _{low in} the dead zone (that is, when the reference voltage V _st is the center value of the dead zone). ), The reference voltage V _st is expressed as in Equation 7d. That is, regardless of the value of the reference voltage V _st, the range of the dead zone (ΔV _up + ΔV _low ) is constant, so if the value of the reference voltage V _st is significantly different from the value shown in Equation 7d, The value of the reference voltage V _st deviates greatly from the center value of the dead zone.
(Equation 7c)

(Equation 7d)

（数７ｂ’）

（数７ｃ’）

（数７ｄ’）

Also in the comparator 54 according to the present embodiment, the voltage V _c− or V _{c +} is stably output according to the hysteresis characteristic similar to that of the Schmitt trigger circuit 541. Therefore, the comparator 54 is accompanied by a slight voltage fluctuation of the input voltage V _dc2. There is no worry that the output voltage of the circuit fluctuates frequently and becomes a noise source for other circuits. In the comparator 54 in the present embodiment, the upper dead band voltage ΔV _up , the lower dead band voltage ΔV _low and the dead band (ΔV _up + ΔV _low ) are obtained from Expression 7a ′, Expression 7b ′, and Expression 7c ′. Further, when ΔV _up = ΔV _low in the dead zone (that is, when the reference voltage V _f becomes the center value of the dead zone), the reference voltage V _f is expressed as Equation 7d ′. That is, even in the comparator 54 having the same hysteresis characteristics as the Schmitt trigger circuit 541, _if the value of the reference voltage _Vf is significantly different from VCC / 2, the value of the reference voltage _Vf is greatly deviated from the center value of the dead zone. End up.
(Formula 7a ')

(Formula 7b ')

(Formula 7c ')

(Equation 7d ')

FIG. 9 is a graph showing temporal changes in the attenuation voltage V _dc2 and the voltage value of the control signal in the present embodiment. FIG. 9A is a graph showing the change over time in the attenuation voltage V _dc2 and the voltage value of the control signal when the PLC adapter 1 is used in a country (or region) other than Japan. _These are graphs showing the time-dependent change of the voltage value of the attenuation voltage V _dc2 and the control signal when the PLC adapter 1 is used in Japan. Thus, the comparator 54 compares the value of the attenuation voltage V _dc2 input from the attenuation circuit 51 with the value of the reference voltage V _f , and when V _dc2 > V _f , the PLC adapter 1 is actually other than Japan. outputs a voltage V _c- ≒ 0V indicating the country (or region) that has been determined to be used in, it was determined that the PLC adapter 1 is used in Japan when a V _dc2 <V _f by outputting the voltage V _{c +} ≒ VCC indicating a, generates a control signal 17 is a binarized digital signal consisting ₊ voltage V _c- and V _c, and outputs to PLC-IC 33.

  With the above configuration, in the PLC adapter 1 according to the present embodiment, the control signal 17 indicates whether the PLC adapter 1 is actually used in a country (or region) other than Japan or in Japan. It can be determined automatically. When it is determined that the PLC adapter 1 is used in a country (or region) other than Japan, the normal operation is performed. When it is determined that the PLC adapter 1 is used in Japan, the sleep mode is automatically set. (PLC signal output off) or power select mode (PLC signal output level change), etc., at least PLC signal output off (stop) or PLC or PLC equipment established in Japan (or The PLC signal output level is selected and changed so as to comply with laws and regulations relating to (PLC equipment). Therefore, it was originally designed and manufactured to meet the power standards established in other countries (or regions) other than Japan and the laws and regulations concerning PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC equipment). Even when the specification PLC adapter 1 is brought into Japan with unknown specifications and used in Japan, a PLC signal having a transmission power that is so large that it does not conform to Japanese laws and regulations is superimposed on the power line. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a strong leaked radio wave from being radiated, and the leaked radio wave caused by the PLC using the PLC adapter 1 adversely affects wireless communication and communication equipment, facilities, medical equipment, etc. in nearby areas. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems due to radio wave interference such as effects. In addition, since the PLC signal output switching process of the PLC adapter 1 (changing the PLC signal output level and / or switching the PLC signal output On / Off) is automatically performed, the user is not aware of it. PLC conforming to laws and regulations can be easily performed.

<Second Embodiment>
In the PLC adapter 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention, the DC attenuation voltage V _dc2 based on the supply voltage V _{ac of the} power actually supplied from the power line is compared with the basic voltage V _f based on the threshold voltage V _m. The control signal 17 is generated from the comparison result. However, when an instantaneous large voltage drop called an instantaneous power failure occurs in the supply voltage V _{ac of} power supplied from the power line due to lightning strikes, the conversion voltage V _dc1 and the attenuation voltage V _dc2 are also greatly reduced. Even though the PLC adapter is used in a country (or region) other than Japan, there is a risk that it may be erroneously determined that it is used in Japan, which may cause the PLC adapter to malfunction. It is done. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when a temporary voltage abnormality such as an instantaneous power failure occurs, it is accurately determined whether the PLC adapter is used in a country (or region) other than Japan or in Japan. Therefore, the possibility that the PLC adapter malfunctions due to an instantaneous power failure is eliminated. In the present embodiment, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the control signal output circuit is different. About the structure which is common in 1st Embodiment, while using the same code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control signal output circuit of the PLC adapter according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The control signal output circuit 50a includes a reference voltage generation circuit 55a that generates a first reference voltage V _f1 of DC based on the threshold voltage V _m and a second reference voltage V _f2 of DC described later from the DC power supply voltage VCC, a damping circuit 51a for outputting a smoothing circuit 413 attenuates the voltage obtained by attenuating the output value of the converted voltage V _dc1 below the value of the DC power supply voltage VCC according to the attenuation factor alpha _a from _V dc2a (<VCC), the reference voltage generating circuit A voltage difference detection circuit 52 that outputs the difference between the first reference voltage V _f1 generated at 55a and the attenuation voltage V _dc2a as a DC difference voltage V _s , and a value obtained by integrating the difference voltage V _s with respect to time. Based on the comparison result between the integration circuit 53 that outputs the DC integration voltage V _i and the DC second reference voltage V _f2 generated by the reference voltage generation circuit 55 and the integration voltage V _i , the voltage V _ca− (≦ 0) or out of the V _ca + (> 0) It has a comparator 54a which has been output to the PLC modem 14 a digital signal consisting of ₊ voltage V _ca- and V _ca as the control signal 17a. Also in this embodiment, the PLC adapter 1a, as the threshold voltage V _m for determining whether it is used in Japan, the maximum value of the common commercial AC power supply voltage supplied by Japan A certain 107V (effective value conversion) is set.

Reference voltage generating circuit 55a corresponds to the reference voltage generating means of the present invention, the first reference voltage V _f1 and the second reference voltage using a DC power supply voltage VCC generated by DC power supply voltage generation unit 42 V _f2 is generated, the first reference voltage V _f1 is output to the voltage difference detection circuit 52, and the second reference voltage V _f2 is output to the comparator 54a. The first reference voltage V _f1 of DC is set based on the threshold voltage V _m of the management data table stored in the program memory 35 of the PLC modem 14. In this embodiment, the attenuation voltage V _DC2a obtained by attenuating according attenuation rate alpha _a to be described later converted voltage V _dc1 was rectified, smoothed supply voltage V _ac, the reference voltage V which is generated based on the threshold voltage V _m since compared with _f1, the value of the reference voltage V _f1 generated by the reference voltage generating circuit 55a is set as formula 2a. Since it is generated from the DC power supply voltage VCC based on the threshold voltage V _m , it is set within the range of 0 <V _f1 ≦ VCC in this embodiment.
(Equation 2a)

The second DC reference voltage V _f2 is a reference voltage for determining whether the supply voltage V _ac is larger than the threshold voltage V _m from the value of the integration voltage V _i output from the integration circuit 53. Yes, the value is set based on the configuration of the integrating circuit 53. Although details will be described later, when the integration circuit 53 is an RC integration circuit or an RL integration circuit, the second reference voltage V _f2 is 0 or more and the upper limit value V _imax (> 0) of the voltage that the integration circuit 53 can output. When the integration circuit 53 is an integration circuit using an operational amplifier, the second reference voltage V _f2 is the offset voltage of the operational amplifier (the potential between the differential inputs of the operational amplifier is 0 V). The voltage is set to a value within the range of the voltage output at the time of (1)) and less than the upper limit value V _imax (> 0) of the voltage that can be output by the integration circuit 53.

The attenuating circuit 51a corresponds to the voltage attenuating means of the present invention, and uses a T-type attenuator (resistance attenuator) composed of a plurality of resistance elements as in the first embodiment. (Refer to FIG. _6A .) The conversion voltage V _dc1 obtained from the smoothing circuit 413 is attenuated according to the attenuation rate α _a , and the attenuation voltage V _dc2a (<V _dc1 ) obtained by Equation 3a is output.
(Equation 3a)

Further, the damping voltage V _DC2a is, AC voltage source V maximum value of the instantaneous value of the _ac (√2 × V _ac) to a value equal (i.e., not the effective value) attenuation factor conversion voltage V _dc1 of DC with alpha _a DC voltage attenuated in accordance with the first reference voltage V _f1 of the DC. Therefore, the attenuation factor alpha _a damping circuit 51a, as in Equation 4a, the value equal to the ratio of the first reference voltage V _f1 to maximum threshold voltage in terms of the instantaneous value (= √2 × V _m) Is set. Note that the first reference voltage V _f1 is set to a value within the range of V _f1 ≦ VCC, and the value of the DC power supply voltage VCC required by general equipment is usually 1V to 24V. In the embodiment, the attenuation rate α _a is set in the range of 6.3 to 151.
(Equation 4a)

（数８’）

The voltage difference detection circuit 52 corresponds to the voltage difference detection means of the present invention, and the difference between the attenuation voltage V _dc2a output from the attenuation circuit 51a and the first reference voltage V _f1 output from the reference voltage generation circuit 55a. Is output as the differential voltage V _s . In the present embodiment, as the voltage difference detection circuit 52, a subtraction circuit constituted by a differential amplifier circuit using operational amplifiers OPs is used. FIG. 11 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the configuration of the voltage difference detection circuit in the present embodiment. In the voltage difference detection circuit 52 shown in FIG. 11, the attenuation voltage V _dc2a is input to the negative terminal on the input side of the operational amplifier OPs via the resistance element R ₁ , and the first reference voltage is input to the positive terminal via the resistance element R _3. V _f1 is input and grounded through the resistance element R ₄ . Also, part of the output of the operational amplifier OPs via the resistance element R ₂ is fed back to the negative terminal of the input side. Since the voltage difference detection circuit 52 in this embodiment is a negative feedback circuit, the difference voltage V _s is output with the sign of the value inverted. The value of the differential voltage V _s is obtained by Expression 8, and by making all the values of the resistance elements R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ , and R ₄ equal, the input voltages V _dc2a and V _f1 are _expressed as Expression 8 ′. The difference is output as the value of the differential voltage V _s . Note that the operational amplifier OPs of the voltage difference detection circuit 52 in the present embodiment is supplied with the DC power supply voltage VCC as a single power supply (not shown), but may be configured to use an operational amplifier with two power supplies.
(Equation 8)

(Equation 8 ')

In the voltage difference detection circuit 52 of the present embodiment, a value obtained by inverting the sign of the positive / negative is output. Therefore, when the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan (that is, V _dc2a > V _f1 ) differential voltage V _s output to the V _s <0, and when the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan (i.e., V _DC2a <V _f1 or V _DC2a = differential voltage V to be output to the V _{f1) s} becomes V _s > 0 or V _s = 0.

Actually, when the operational amplifier OPs is used in the voltage difference detection circuit 52 as in the present embodiment, even if the input voltage difference is 0V, the offset voltage (the operational amplifier OPs input potential difference is 0V). Sometimes output voltage) V _sof (> 0) is output. FIG. 12 is a graph showing temporal changes in the attenuation voltage V _dc2a and the differential voltage V _s in the present embodiment. FIG. 12A is a graph showing temporal changes in the attenuation voltage V _dc2a and the differential voltage V _s when the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a graph showing temporal changes in the attenuation voltage V _dc2a and the differential voltage V _s when the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan. As described above, the differential voltage V _s actually output from the voltage difference detection circuit 52 is used when the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan (that is, V _dc2a > V _f1 ). V _s <V _sof , and when the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan (that is, V _dc2a <V _f1 or V _dc2a = V _f1 ), V _s > V _sof or V _s = V _sof It becomes.

However, when a significant voltage drop called instantaneous power failure occurs in the supply voltage V _{ac of} power supplied from the power line due to lightning strikes or the like, the supply voltage V of power supplied from the power line due to the influence of this instantaneous power failure. _{As ac} decreases significantly, the attenuation voltage V _dc2a also decreases significantly. For example, when an instantaneous power failure occurs when the PLC adapter 1a is actually used in a country (or region) other than Japan, it is output from the voltage difference detection circuit 52 due to a significant voltage drop of the attenuation voltage V _dc2a. also the difference voltage V _s varies significantly, for example temporarily differential voltage as shown in FIG. 12 (a) is can vary with V _s ≧ V _sof from V _s <V _sof. At this time, although the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan, there is a risk that it is erroneously determined that the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan. For this reason, the PLC adapter 1a malfunctions. Can be caused. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to eliminate the influence of the instantaneous power failure, the difference voltage V _s is input to the integration circuit 53, and the supply voltage V _ac and the threshold voltage V V are obtained by integrating the difference voltage V _s with respect to time. By determining the voltage difference from _m , it is accurately determined whether the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan or in Japan, so that the PLC adapter 1a appears to be an instantaneous power failure. This eliminates the possibility of malfunction due to temporary voltage abnormalities.

The integration circuit 53 corresponds to the integration circuit means of the present invention, and outputs an integration value with respect to the time of the differential voltage V _s as the integration voltage V _i , and the control signal output circuit 50a is erroneous due to an instantaneous power failure due to a lightning strike. It is connected to the subsequent stage of the voltage difference detection circuit 52 for the purpose of preventing the determination (that is, the PLC adapter 1a from malfunctioning). The integration voltage V _i output from the integration circuit 53 is expressed by Equation 9, and the sign of the integration voltage V _i indicates that V _i > 0 or V _i ≦ 0 with respect to the input differential voltage V _s . maintain. Here, A is an inherent constant determined by the configuration of the integrating circuit 53. The larger the constant A, the more the integrated voltage V _i changes more sensitively to the change in the differential voltage V _s .
(Equation 9)

As the integration circuit 53, a circuit using an operational amplifier, an RC integration circuit composed of a resistance element and a capacitor, or an RL integration circuit composed of an inductance element (coil) and a resistance element can be used. In this embodiment, an integrating circuit using an operational amplifier OPi is used. FIG. 13 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the configuration of the integrating circuit in this embodiment. Voltage difference detection circuit 52 shown in FIG. 13, the positive terminal of the input side of the operational amplifier OPi is grounded, the differential voltage V _s is input via the resistor element R _i to the negative terminal, the capacitor is part of the output of the operational amplifier OPi It is fed back to the negative terminal on the input side via C _i . The operational amplifier OPi is supplied with a DC power supply voltage VCC as a single power supply (not shown). Since the integration circuit 53 of the present embodiment is a negative feedback circuit, the integration voltage V _i is output with the sign of the value inverted as in Expression 9a. Note that C _i in Expression 9a represents the capacitance of the capacitor C _i . In the virtual ground of the operational amplifier OPi, the actual voltage when the integrating circuit 53 (or the operational amplifier OPi to which the DC power supply voltage VCC is supplied as a single power supply (not shown)) is balanced is VCC / 2.
(Equation 9a)

Since the integration circuit 53 of the present embodiment outputs a value obtained by inverting the sign of the sign, the integration voltage V _i output when the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan is V Integral output when the voltage value converges to the upper limit value V _imax (> 0) of the voltage that can be output by the integration circuit 53 after a sufficiently long period of time _i > 0 and used in Japan. The voltage V _i is a voltage value that converges to the lower limit value V _imin (<0) of the voltage that can be output by the integrating circuit 53 after a sufficiently long time has elapsed and V _i ≦ 0. The time until the output integral voltage V _i almost converges to the upper limit value V _imax or the lower limit value V _imin is obtained from the differential voltage V _s and the constant (−1 / (C _i · R _i )) in the equation 9a. Can do.

In practice, since the operational amplifier OPi is used in the integrating circuit 53 of the present embodiment, the offset voltage V _iof of the operational amplifier _OPi is output even if the difference in input voltage is 0V. Therefore, since the initial value of the integrated voltage is V _i = V _iof , the integrated voltage V _{i in} this case is expressed by Equation 9a ′, and the PLC adapter 1a is actually used in a country (or region) other than Japan. The integrated voltage V _i output when used is V _iof <V _i (<V _imax ), and the integrated voltage V _i output when used in Japan is (V _imin <). V _i ≦ V _iof .
(Equation 9a ')

In the present embodiment, for such an integrated voltage V _i , the value of the second reference voltage V _f2 generated by the reference voltage generation circuit 55a is set to a value within the range shown in Equation 10, and V _i If> V _f2, it is determined that the PLC adapter 1a is actually used in a country (or region) other than Japan, and if V _i ≦ V _f2 , it is determined that the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan. is doing.
(Equation 10)

FIG. 14 is a graph showing changes with time of the differential voltage V _s and the integrated voltage V _{i in} the present embodiment. FIG. 14A is a graph showing changes over time in the values of the differential voltage V _s and the integrated voltage V _i when the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan. ) Is a graph showing changes over time in the values of the differential voltage V _s and the integrated voltage V _i when the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan. In both FIGS. 14A and 14B, the voltage fluctuation is such that the positive and negative of the differential voltage V _s is instantaneously reversed due to a sudden fluctuation in the supply voltage V _ac due to a temporary voltage abnormality such as an instantaneous power failure. Even if the integrated voltage V _i is reversed from V _i > V _f2 (or V _i ≦ V _f2 ) to V _i ≦ V _f2 (or V _i > V _f2 ) (or There is almost no risk of lowering. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the PLC adapter 1a malfunctions by erroneously determining whether the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan or in Japan.

_Further , since the initial value of the integrating circuit 53 immediately after power-on of the PLC adapter 1a (that is, t = 0 [sec]) is V _iof , as shown in the graph of the time-dependent change of the integrated voltage V _i in FIG. In addition, when the PLC adapter 1a is actually used in a country (or region) other than Japan, it takes time until V _i > V _f2 . Here, when the time when V _i = V _f2 is t = t _f2 (≧ 0), the time from when the PLC adapter 1a is turned on until the time when V _i = V _f2 is satisfied (that is, 0 ≦ t ≦ t _f2 ). Then, even if the PLC adapter 1a is actually used in a country (or region) other than Japan, it is determined that the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan. The adapter 1a cannot be used normally. Since the time t _f2 becomes longer as the set value of V _f2 is set to a value _farther from V _iof , it is better to set V _f2 as close to V _{iof as} possible. In the PLC adapter 1a of the present embodiment, the output of the PLC signal is set to OFF from the start start time to time t _f2 (that is, 0 ≦ t ≦ t _f2 ).

The comparator 54a corresponds to the voltage comparator means of the present invention, the DC power supply voltage VCC operates as a power supply voltage, a second reference that is generated by the integrated voltage V _i and the reference voltage generating circuit 55a, which is output from the integrating circuit 53 comparing the voltage V _f2, based on the comparison result, and outputs the _ca- voltage V (≦ 0) or the voltage V _{ca +} (> 0). That is, the comparator 54a outputs a binarized digital control signal 17a composed of voltages V _ca− and V _{ca +} . As the comparator 54a, a comparator element such as a comparator circuit or a comparator IC, a buffer or inverter of a digital circuit, or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a comparator circuit using an operational amplifier OPc (see FIG. 7) is used. The integrated voltage V _i is input to the negative terminal on the input side of the operational amplifier OPc, and the positive terminal the second reference voltage V _f2 is input via the resistor element R _a is the feedback to the positive terminal of the input-side output of the operational amplifier OPc via a resistor element R _b (i.e., positive feedback) Schmitt trigger being The circuit is used as the comparator 54a. The operational amplifier OPc is supplied with a DC power supply voltage VCC as a single power supply (not shown). In this embodiment, the values of the voltages V _c− and V _{c +} output from the comparator 54a are V _{ca− ≈0V} and V _{ca + ≈VCC} .

Figure 15 is a graph showing changes with time of the voltage value of the integrated voltage V _i and the control signal in the present embodiment. FIG. _15A is a graph showing temporal changes in the attenuation voltage V _dc2a and the voltage value of the control signal when the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan. B) is a graph showing the change over time in the attenuation voltage V _dc2a and the voltage value of the control signal when the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan. As described above, the comparator 54a compares the value of the integration voltage V _i input from the integration circuit 53 with the value of the second reference voltage V _f2 , and when V _i > V _f2 , the PLC adapter 1a is actually used. _Outputs a voltage V _{ca− ≈0V} indicating that it has been determined that it is used in a country (or region) other than Japan, and when V _i <V _f2 , the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan By outputting a voltage V _{ca + ≈VCC} indicating that the determination has been made, a control signal 17a which is a binarized digital signal composed of the voltages V _ca− and V _{ca +} is generated and output to the PLC-IC 33. .

  With the above configuration, in the PLC adapter 1a in the present embodiment, whether the PLC adapter 1a is actually used in a country (or region) other than Japan or in Japan is determined by the control signal 17a. It can be determined automatically. When it is determined that the PLC adapter 1a is used in a country (or region) other than Japan, the normal operation is performed. When it is determined that the PLC adapter 1a is used in Japan, the sleep mode is automatically set. (PLC signal output off) or power select mode (PLC signal output level change), etc., at least PLC signal output off (stop), or power standards and regulations established in Japan The output level of the PLC signal that conforms to the above is selected and changed. Therefore, overseas specifications that were originally designed and manufactured to comply with the power standards established in other countries (or regions) other than Japan and the laws and regulations concerning PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC equipment). Even if the PLC adapter 1a is brought into Japan with unknown specifications and used in Japan, a PLC signal with a transmission power that is so large that it does not conform to Japanese laws and regulations is superimposed on the power line. To prevent strong leaked radio waves from being radiated, and problems caused by radio wave interference such as the radio leaked by PLC adversely affecting wireless communication and communication equipment, facilities, and medical equipment in nearby areas Can be prevented. In addition, the PLC signal output switching process (changing the PLC signal output level and / or switching the PLC signal output On / Off) is performed automatically. PLC can be performed easily.

Further, according to the present embodiment, even when the supply voltage V _{ac of the} power supplied from the power line due to lightning strikes causes a significant voltage drop called an instantaneous power failure, the PLC adapter 1a is not in Japan. Whether it is used in a country (or region) or in Japan can be accurately determined, so that even if the supply voltage temporarily shows a voltage abnormality, the PLC adapter 1a may malfunction. Can be prevented.

<Third Embodiment>
In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the PLC signal output On / Off is switched by the transmission amplifier circuit 29 of the AFE circuit 13 and the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 of the PLC modem 14 to output the PLC signal. The level is changed by the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 of the PLC modem 14. On the other hand, in the PLC adapter 1b of the third embodiment, the transmission output control circuit 29b of the AFE circuit 13b and the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 of the PLC modem 14 both switch the output of the PLC signal (change the output level of the PLC signal and // PLC signal output On / Off switching). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment, about the structure which is common in 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted while using the same code | symbol.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PLC adapter according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the PLC adapter 1b in this embodiment, the control signal 17 output from the DC power supply circuit 40 is input to the AFE circuit 13b and the PLC modem 14. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the AFE circuit in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the AFE circuit 13b, the control signal 17 is input to the transmission output control circuit 29b of the transmission D / A converter 22b.

  The transmission output control circuit 29b in the present embodiment corresponds to the output control means of the present invention, and a variable gain amplifier, a variable gain amplifier circuit using a general-purpose amplifier, or the like can be used. In the transmission output control circuit 29b in this embodiment, a variable gain amplifier circuit 291 using a variable gain amplifier 292 is used. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a circuit that can be used in the transmission output control circuit of the present embodiment. FIG. 18A is a block diagram showing a configuration of a variable gain amplifier circuit 291 using the variable gain amplifier 292 in the present embodiment. FIG. 18B is an equivalent circuit diagram of a variable gain amplifier circuit 295 that uses a general-purpose amplifier 296.

  The variable gain amplifier circuit 291 (that is, the transmission output control circuit 29b) in the present embodiment includes a control signal D / A converter 293 that converts the control signal 17 into a DC signal 17b, and the converted DC signal 17b and the PLC modem 14. And a variable gain amplifier 292 that performs PLC signal output switching processing (PLC signal output level change and / or PLC signal output On / Off switching) based on the command from the CPU 31.

The control signal D / A converter 293 converts the control signal 17 composed of the voltages V _c− (≦ 0) and V _{c +} (> 0) into a DC signal 17b composed of a DC voltage and outputs it to the variable gain amplifier 292. Yes. (In the present embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the control signal 17 includes voltages V _c− ≈0 V and V _{c +} ≈VCC.)

  The variable gain amplifier 292 changes the output level of the PLC signal by amplifying the transmission output of the PLC signal with a different gain according to the value of the DC voltage indicated by the DC signal 17b or a command from the CPU 31 of the PLC modem 14. ing. On the other hand, if the DC signal 17b (that is, the control signal 17) or the command from the CPU 31 of the PLC modem 14 is a command to turn on / off the output of the PLC signal, the variable gain amplifier 292 On / Off is turned on. Is switched to turn on / off the output of the PLC signal. In some cases, the PLC signal output level change and the PLC signal output On / Off switching control are simultaneously performed. Note that the variable gain amplifier 292 is controlled by the CPU 31 so that the variable gain amplifier 292 is turned off when the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 is operating (when the PLC signal is received). Not too long.

Here, as another configuration of the transmission output control circuit 29b that can be used in the PLC adapter 1b of the present embodiment, for example, a gain is changed using a general-purpose amplifier 296 as shown in FIG. A variable gain amplifier circuit 295 capable of performing the above will also be described. Variable gain amplifier circuit 295, the gain G _o positive terminal input of the (constant value) generic amplifier 296 comprising a grounded, PLC signal is input via the resistor element R _in the negative terminal, a general-purpose amplifier 296 part of the output of an amplifier circuit of the negative feedback that is fed back to the input side via the variable resistor R _c, further comprising in an analog switch 297 for switching the resistance value of the variable resistor element R _c Yes. The analog switch 297 receives a control signal 17 and a command (not shown) from the CPU 31 of the PLC modem 14, and switches the resistance value of the variable resistance element R _c based on the control signal 17, whereby the gain of the variable gain amplification circuit 295 is changed. the G _V is varied as in equation 11, it is subjected to an amplification or change of the output level of the transmission output of the PLC signal.
(Equation 11)

  Further, when the control signal 17 or the command from the CPU 31 of the PLC modem 14 is a command to turn on / off the output of the PLC signal, the PLC signal is switched by switching On / Off of the general-purpose amplifier 296. The output On / Off is switched. In addition, there is a case where the change of the output level of the PLC signal and the on / off switching control of the output of the PLC signal are simultaneously performed. It goes without saying that the general-purpose amplifier 296 is controlled by the CPU 31 so as to be off even when the reception A / D conversion circuit 21 is operating (when receiving the PLC signal).

  Next, the PLC modem 14 in this embodiment will be described. The control signal 17 input to the PLC modem 14 is received by a general-purpose port (not shown) of the PLC-IC 33. Based on the control signal 17 received at the general-purpose port (not shown), the CPU 31 refers to the management data table stored in the program memory 35 and changes the output level of the PLC signal and sets the output of the PLC signal On / Off. The switching is selected and the selection result is instructed to the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 and / or the transmission output control circuit 29b. The PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 performs PLC signal output switching processing (changing the output level of the PLC signal and / or switching On / Off of the output of the PLC signal) in addition to modulating or demodulating the PLC signal.

  With the above configuration, the PLC adapter 1b according to the present embodiment automatically determines whether the PLC adapter 1b is used in a country (or region) other than Japan or in Japan based on the control signal 17. Can be determined. When it is determined that the PLC adapter 1b is used in a country (or region) other than Japan, the normal operation is performed in the normal mode. When it is determined that the PLC adapter 1b is used in Japan, the automatic operation is performed. The power standard is established at least by stopping the output of the PLC signal at least in the sleep mode (PLC signal output off) and / or the power down mode (changing the output level of the PLC signal). It is possible to select an output level of a PLC signal to be transmitted so as to comply with laws and regulations and change the selected output level.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the difference in the output level of the PLC signal allowed in both Japan and the United States is all, such as when the country (or region) other than Japan where the PLC adapter 1b is used is the United States of America. This is particularly effective when there is a large separation across the frequency band. As described in Non-Patent Document 1, the difference in the allowable value of the PLC signal transmission output is virtually 30 dB apart between Japan and the United States, and when this is converted into a voltage value ratio, the PLC in the United States The allowable value of the signal transmission output is about 32 times the allowable value of the PLC signal transmission output in Japan, and when converted into a digital numerical value, the difference is about 5 bits. Therefore, when the gain of the transmission amplifier circuit 29 is fixed as in the PLC adapter 1 (, 1a) in the first to second embodiments, the PLC adapter 1 (, 1a) is used in the United States when used in Japan. Although it is necessary to drop the accuracy of the PLC signal input to the D / A converter 27 of the AFE circuit 13 by about 5 bits as compared to when it is used, the transmission output control circuit of the AFE circuit 13b like the PLC adapter 1b of this embodiment. When the gain of 29b is variable, when the PLC adapter 1b is used in Japan, it is necessary to reduce the accuracy of the PLC signal input to the D / A converter 27 of the AFE circuit 13b (that is, reduce about 5 bits). Therefore, the quantization noise caused by the D / A conversion of the PLC signal in the D / A converter 27 can be reduced. Therefore, since a high-quality PLC signal can be output from the PLC adapter 1b, the PLC adapter 1b according to the present embodiment can perform a high-accuracy PLC without degrading the transmission characteristics of the PLC signal.

  Further, in the PLC adapter 1b of the present embodiment, the PLC signal output switching processing (PLC signal output level change and / or PLC signal output On / Off switching) is performed at two locations (transmission output control circuit 29b). And the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32), even if the PLC adapter 1b, which is originally a specification for overseas use, is brought into Japan without being specified and used in Japan, Emission of leaked radio waves and the occurrence of radio interference due to them are more reliably prevented, and power standards and laws and regulations established in the country (or region) can be established without the user being aware of the automatic processing of the PLC adapter 1b. Can be satisfied. Further, since the output level of the PLC signal just before being superimposed on the power by the power line coupler 12 can be changed in the transmission output control circuit 29b, the use of the PLC signal output level in Japan or the PLC adapter 1b is set. It is possible to more accurately change the output level to conform to the power standards and laws and regulations established in the country (or region).

In the present embodiment, although an analog switch 297 of the variable gain amplifier circuit 295 was configured to switch the resistance value of the variable resistor element R _c, a different resistive elements having a resistance value in place of the variable resistive element R _c A configuration may be employed in which the analog switches are connected in parallel and the connection of the analog switches is switched based on the control signal 17.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, a PLC adapter manufactured and set for use in one country (or region) other than Japan, for example, the United States of America, is actually a country other than Japan ( Or, it is a configuration that automatically determines whether it is used in a region) or in Japan. In 4th Embodiment, the structure of the PLC apparatus of this invention was applied to the PLC adapter 1c of the specification corresponding to two countries (or areas) including Japan. Note that the PLC adapter 1c in this embodiment is used only in one country (for example, the United States of America) arbitrarily selected from Japan and other countries (or regions) other than Japan. We do not use in country (or area).

The PLC adapter 1c of the present embodiment, the management data table stored in the program memory 35 of the PLC modem 14, and the threshold voltage V _m which is previously set to the PLC adapter 1c, is set for the output of the control signal 17c Setting of PLC signal output level (legal PLC signal transmission output regulation value, etc.), data on power standards and regulations established at least in Japan and the United States, at least recommendations and obligations in Japan and the United States Output level that has data (frequency, output level, etc.) related to the notch signal, etc., and conforms to the power standard and legal regulations established in Japan or the United States based on the control signal 17c. Has been changed. Other configurations are the same as those of the first to third embodiments. Also in this embodiment, the PLC adapter 1c, as the threshold voltage V _m for determining whether it is used in Japan, the maximum value of the common commercial AC power supply voltage supplied by Japan It goes without saying that a certain 107V (effective value conversion) is set. In addition, in this embodiment, about the structure which is common in 1st-3rd embodiment, while using the same code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

With the above configuration, the PLC adapter 1c according to the present embodiment has a comparison result between the supply voltage V _ac of the actually supplied power and the threshold voltage V _m (= 107V), as in the first to third embodiments. Based on this, it can be determined whether the country actually using the PLC adapter 1c is Japan or the United States. If it is determined that the PLC adapter 1c is used in Japan, the output of the PLC signal is automatically changed to an output level that conforms to power standards and regulations established in Japan. If it is determined that the product is used in a country other than Japan (ie, the United States), the output of the PLC signal conforms to the power standards and laws and regulations established in the United States as being used in the United States. The output level can be automatically changed.

Thus, by comparing the supply voltage V _ac of the actually supplied power with the threshold voltage V _m (= 107 V) preset in the PLC adapter 1c, the output of the PLC signal is automatically changed to the PLC adapter. Since the configuration is changed to an output level that conforms to the power standards and laws and regulations established in the country (Japan or the United States of America) where 1c is actually used, the user of the PLC adapter 1c Setting (setting of the country where the PLC adapter 1c is used, setting of transmission output conforming to the power standard established in the country where the PLC adapter 1c is actually used and the laws and regulations concerning the PLC and PLC equipment (or PLC equipment), etc. ) Is not necessary each time, and leakage of radio waves from PLC signals superimposed on power lines and wireless communication in nearby areas And communication equipment and facilities, can be easily performed PLC with confidence surely without causing harmful interference to, such as medical equipment.

In the present embodiment, two countries (or regions) arbitrarily selected from countries (or regions) other than Japan are set as the two countries (or regions) supported by the PLC adapter 1c corresponding to the two countries. The threshold voltage V _m may be set based on the power standard of any one country. However, in this case, the value of the supplied AC power supply voltage is large, such as the United States (allowable power supply voltage: 114 (110) to 126 V) and the United Kingdom (allowable power supply voltage: 216 to 253 V). Need to be separated.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  In the embodiment of the PLC device of the present invention, the PLC adapter to which the present invention is applied has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the PLC adapter, but includes, for example, a PLC built-in power strip, a personal computer and its peripheral devices, a router, an audio system, and a television set. Other devices equipped with a PLC function such as a set top box that receives various broadcast signals such as terrestrial broadcasts and satellite broadcasts and converts them into signals that can be viewed on a general television. The present invention can be applied.

In the embodiment of the PLC device of the present invention, the threshold voltage V _m is set to 107 V, which is the maximum value of the general commercial voltage (nominal value 100 V) allowed in Japan, and the PLC adapter ( A configuration that automatically determines whether or not a PLC device is used in Japan has been shown, but by setting a voltage value based on the power standard in any country (or region) other than Japan, The structure which determines automatically whether it is used may be sufficient. In this case, as a general commercial power supply voltage, a North American country such as the United States using a power supply voltage of 120 V or higher and a European country such as the United Kingdom using a power supply voltage of 220 V or higher are set. For example, it is necessary to select two countries (or regions) in which a clear voltage difference is seen in the supplied power supply voltage even in consideration of the range of the fluctuation voltage permitted by law and regulations.

In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the United States has been described as an example of one country (or region) other than Japan where the PLC adapter is used, but the present invention is not limited to this example. World countries (or regions) other than Japan may be set as countries (or regions) where the PLC adapter is used. In that case, in the management data table, the threshold voltage V _m based on the standard value of the AC voltage of the power standard established in Japan or the country (or region) where the use of the PLC adapter is set, or the control Country (or region) where PLC signal transmission output level (regulation value of legal PLC signal transmission output, etc.) to be set for signal output, Japan and / or PLC adapter use is set Data on power standards and laws and regulations established in Japan, etc., data on notch signals recommended or required in Japan and / or countries (or regions) where the use of PLC adapters is set (frequency, output) Level, etc.) are stored.

  In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the PLC modulation / demodulation circuit 32 and / or the transmission output control circuit 29b are configured to change the output level of the PLC signal and switch the output of the PLC signal On / Off. However, the configuration may be such that only the change of the output level of the PLC signal or only the on / off switching of the output of the PLC signal is performed, or the change of the output level of the PLC signal and the on / off of the output of the PLC signal. A configuration in which switching of Off is performed simultaneously may be employed.

  In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the PLC adapter is a protection circuit (or element) when a sudden overvoltage is applied, and a protection circuit or element against a fuse or a lightning surge (for example, a varistor or arrester). Etc.) may be further provided. In that case, it is assumed that those protection circuits (or elements) are connected to an optimal part in the PLC adapter such as between the AC plug 11 and the power line coupler 12 and the DC power supply circuit 40.

  In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the frequency of the supplied power (AC power supply voltage) is 50 Hz and / or 60 Hz in each country (or region) around the world. Then, it may be configured to further include a frequency conversion circuit such as an AC / AC converter so that both frequencies can be supported. In this case, the frequency conversion circuit is connected to an optimal part in the PLC adapter such as between the AC plug 11 and the power line coupler 12 and the DC power supply circuit 40.

In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, when the transmission line connecting the AC plug 11, the power line coupler 12 and the DC power supply circuit 40 is not a transmission line suitable for high-frequency signal transmission, this transmission is performed. Leaked radio waves may be emitted from the wire. Since this leakage radio wave is generated due to a common mode current (here, a current flowing in a transmission line for transmitting the AC supply voltage V _ac ), the AC plug 11, the power line coupler 12, and the DC power supply circuit A common mode choke filter (or choke coil) for blocking leaked radio waves may be connected between the terminal 40 and the like.

  In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the PLC modem 14 and the LAN interface 15 may require a plurality of power supplies. Therefore, in order to generate a plurality of power supply voltages, a subsequent stage of the DC power supply voltage generation unit 42 is used. Other power supply circuits such as a DC / DC converter may be added as appropriate.

  In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the rectifier circuit 412 of the supply voltage conversion circuit 41 and the secondary voltage rectifier circuit 423 of the DC power supply voltage generator 42 are configured to perform full-wave rectification. Any other rectifier circuit such as a half-wave rectifier circuit may be used.

In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the threshold voltage V _m preset in the PLC adapter is stored in the management data table of the program memory 35 of the PLC modem 14. The voltage generation circuit may be provided with a memory and stored in the memory. Further, a newly provided external input means is connected to a program memory or a reference voltage generation circuit or a memory provided in the reference voltage generation circuit, and a value of the threshold voltage V _m is input or selected as necessary. The threshold voltage V _m may be set.

  In the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the voltage difference detection circuit 52 uses a differential amplifier circuit (see FIG. 11) using operational amplifiers OPs, but other subtraction circuits and comparator circuits having different configurations. Further, a configuration using a comparator element such as a comparator IC, a buffer of a digital circuit, an inverter, or the like may be used.

In the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the integrating circuit 53 uses an inverting amplifier circuit (see FIG. 13) using an operational amplifier OPi, but an RC integrating circuit composed of a resistance element and a capacitor, or A configuration using an RL integrating circuit including an inductance element (coil) and a resistance element may be used. In this case, since the threshold value for determining the integrated voltage V _i is 0 V, the value of the reference voltage input to the positive terminal of the comparator is in the range of 0 to V _imax (or V _{imin ˜0} ). If possible, a value close to 0V may be set.

  In the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the comparator uses a positive feedback type differential amplifier circuit (see FIG. 7) using an operational amplifier OPc as a comparator circuit. However, the operational amplifier OPc is an open loop. A circuit having another configuration used in the above may be used. In addition, a configuration using a comparator element such as a comparator circuit or a comparator IC, a buffer of a digital circuit, an inverter, or the like may be used. Further, the control signal output from the comparator may be an analog signal.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the example in which the present invention is applied to the PLC adapter set to the overseas specification has been described. However, the PLC device of the present invention is not limited to this, and Japan The present invention may be applied to a PLC device set to the specification for the device. With this configuration, when a PLC device for Japan is mistakenly used overseas, the PLC signal transmission is automatically stopped and / or the PLC signal output is actually used in the country where the PLC device is actually used. Because the output level is changed to comply with the power standards and laws and regulations established in (or in the region), problems such as radio wave interference caused by PLC or actual use of PLC equipment without the user being aware It is possible to prevent infringement of laws and regulations established in a country (or region).

  According to the PLC device of the present invention, when an overseas PLC device is mistakenly used in Japan, the transmission of the PLC signal is stopped or the output of the PLC signal conforms to the power standards and regulations established in Japan. By changing to a suitable output level, it is possible to prevent infringement of Japanese laws and regulations concerning PLC. In addition, it is possible to prevent the strong leaked radio waves from being radiated, and to prevent problems caused by radio wave disturbances such as the radio leaked by the PLC adversely affecting the wireless communication and communication equipment and facilities in the nearby area, as well as medical equipment. Occurrence can be prevented. In addition, the PLC signal output switching process (PLC signal output level change and / or PLC signal output On / Off switching) is performed automatically, so the user is unaware of the regulations. PLC can be performed easily.

These are block diagrams which show the structure of the PLC adapter in 1st Embodiment. These are block diagrams which show the structure of the AFE circuit in 1st Embodiment. These are block diagrams which show the structure of the PLC modem in 1st Embodiment. These are block diagrams which show the structure of the DC power supply circuit in 1st Embodiment. These are block diagrams which show the structure of the control signal output circuit in 1st Embodiment. These are figures which show the structure of the attenuation circuit (attenuator) which consists of resistance elements. These are equivalent circuit diagrams which show the structure of the comparator in 1st Embodiment. These are figures for demonstrating a Schmitt trigger circuit. These are graphs which show temporal changes of the attenuation voltage and the voltage value of the control signal in the first embodiment. These are block diagrams which show the structure of the control signal output circuit of the PLC adapter in 2nd Embodiment. These are equivalent circuit diagrams which show the structure of the voltage difference detection circuit in 2nd Embodiment. These are graphs which show temporal changes of the attenuation voltage and the differential voltage in the second embodiment. These are the equivalent circuit diagrams which show the structure of the integration circuit in 2nd Embodiment. These are the graphs which show the time-dependent change of the differential voltage and the integral voltage in the second embodiment. These are graphs showing the time-dependent change of the integrated voltage and the voltage value of the control signal in the second embodiment. These are block diagrams which show the structure of the PLC adapter in 3rd Embodiment. These are block diagrams which show the structure of the AFE circuit in 3rd Embodiment. These are figures which show the structure of the circuit which can be utilized for the transmission output control circuit in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 (, 1a, 1b, 1c) PLC adapter (PLC equipment)
11 AC plug 12 Power line coupler 13, 13b AFE circuit 14 PLC modem 15 LAN interface circuit 16 LAN jack 40 DC power supply circuit 17 (, 17a, 17c) Control signal 17b DC signal 21 D / A converter for reception 22, 22b For transmission A / D converter 23 AFE bus 24 Reception filter circuit 25 Reception amplifier 26 A / D converter 27 D / A converter 28 Transmission filter circuit 29 Transmission amplifier circuit 29b Transmission output control circuit (output control means)
291 Variable Gain Amplifier Circuit 292 Variable Gain Amplifier 293 Control Signal D / A Converter 295 Variable Gain Amplifier Circuit 296 General Purpose Amplifier 297 Analog Switch 31 CPU (Output Control Command Means)
32 PLC modulation / demodulation circuit (output control means)
33 PLC-IC
34 Data RAM
35 Program memory (Management information storage means)
41 Supply voltage converter (Supply voltage converter)
411 High frequency rejection filter circuit 412 Rectifier circuit 413 Smoothing circuit 42 DC power supply voltage generator 421 Switching circuit 422 Power supply transformer 423 Secondary voltage rectifier circuit 424 Secondary voltage smoothing circuit 425 Voltage error detection circuit 50 (, 50a) Control signal output circuit ( Control signal output means)
51 T-type attenuation circuit (Voltage attenuation means)
51 ′ π-type attenuation circuit 52 voltage difference detection circuit (voltage difference detection means)
53 Integration circuit (Integration circuit means)
54 (, 54a) Comparator (Voltage comparison means)
541 Schmitt trigger circuit 55 (, 55a) Reference voltage generation circuit (reference voltage generation means)
OPs Operational amplifier included in voltage difference detection circuit 52 OPi Operational amplifier included in integration circuit 53 OPc Operational amplifier included in comparator 54 (, 54a)

Claims (14)

A PLC device that performs communication by superimposing a PLC signal on power supplied from a power line,
Control signal output means for generating and outputting a control signal for controlling the output of the PLC signal based on an AC supply voltage of the power;
An output control command means for commanding execution of at least one of changing the output level of the PLC signal and switching On / Off of the output of the PLC signal based on the control signal;
Output control means for executing at least one of a change in the output level of the PLC signal and an on / off switching of the output of the PLC signal in accordance with a command from the output control command means. machine. At least one of a set country (or set area) in which the use of the PLC device is set in advance and / or a prohibited country (or prohibited area) in which a prohibition of use of the PLC device is set in advance (or A management information storage means having PLC management information conforming to laws and regulations concerning PLC in the region),
The output control command means commands execution of at least one of a change in the output level of the PLC signal and an on / off switching of the output of the PLC signal based on the control signal and the PLC management information. The PLC device according to claim 1. The PLC management information is an AC voltage standard value established in one country (or region) selected from the set country (or set region) or the prohibited country (or prohibited region). Having a threshold voltage based on
The PLC device according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is generated based on a comparison result between the supply voltage and the threshold voltage. A supply voltage conversion means for converting the supply voltage of AC into a conversion voltage of DC;
The control signal output means includes
A reference voltage generating means for generating a DC reference voltage based on the threshold voltage;
The first input voltage of DC and the second input voltage of DC are input, and the control signal is based on a comparison result between the value of the first input voltage and the value of the second input voltage. Voltage comparison means for generating
A DC voltage based on the supply voltage is input to the voltage comparison unit as the first input voltage,
The reference voltage is input to the voltage comparison unit as the second input voltage,
The PLC device according to claim 3, wherein the conversion voltage is used as the DC voltage based on the supply voltage. The control signal output means further includes
A voltage difference detecting means for inputting a first voltage of DC and a second voltage of DC and outputting a differential voltage having a difference between the value of the first voltage and the value of the second voltage as a voltage value;
Integrating circuit means for outputting an integrated voltage having a voltage value obtained by integrating the value of the differential voltage with respect to time;
For the DC voltage based on the supply voltage, instead of the conversion voltage, the integrated voltage is input to the voltage comparison unit as the first input voltage,
The converted voltage is input to the voltage difference detecting means as the first voltage,
The reference voltage generating means generates a DC first reference voltage based on the threshold voltage and a DC second reference voltage whose voltage value is set based on the configuration of the integrating circuit means,
The first reference voltage is input to the voltage difference detection unit as the second voltage,
5. The PLC device according to claim 4, wherein the second reference voltage is input to the voltage comparison unit as the second input voltage. The control signal output means further includes
A voltage attenuating means for outputting a DC attenuated voltage obtained by attenuating the converted voltage and receiving the converted voltage;
The PLC device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the attenuation voltage is used instead of the conversion voltage. The threshold voltage is set based on a standard value of AC voltage in a power standard established in one country (or region) selected from the prohibited countries (or prohibited regions),
Based on the control signal and the PLC management information, the output level is set to an output level that complies with laws and regulations in one of the prohibited countries (or prohibited areas) or the set countries (or set areas). The PLC device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein at least one of a change in the output level of the PLC signal and an on / off switching of the output of the PLC signal are performed.   The minimum value of the AC voltage standard value in the power standard established in the setting country (or setting region) is the standard value in the AC voltage standard of power established in the prohibited country (or prohibited region). The PLC device according to claim 7, wherein the PLC device is larger than a maximum value. The threshold voltage is set based on a standard value of an AC voltage in a power standard established in one of two countries (or regions) selected from the set countries (or set regions). With
Based on the control signal and the PLC management information, the PLC signal is output to an output level that conforms to laws and regulations in the first set country (or set area) or the second set country (or set area). The PLC device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein at least one of a level change and On / Off switching of the output of the PLC signal is performed.   The minimum value of the standard value of the AC voltage in the power standard established in the first setting country (or setting area) is the power standard established in the second setting country (or setting area). The PLC device according to claim 9, wherein the PLC device is larger than a maximum value of the standard value of the AC voltage.   The country (or area) of the set country (or set area) and the prohibited country (or prohibited area) is Japan, according to any one of claims 3 to 10. PLC equipment.   The PLC device according to claim 11, wherein the threshold voltage is set to a maximum value of an AC voltage that should be maintained by electric power established in Japan.   A plurality of the output control means, and each of the plurality of output control means independently changes the output level of the PLC signal and / or switches the output of the PLC signal On / Off. The PLC device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.   The PLC device according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is a digital signal.

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