KR100515476B1 - Power line communication network, subnet, method for setting up the subnet and, electronic appliance connected to the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for establishing a communication network and a subnet that can easily detect and deal with duplicate use of home codes that appear after the creation of a subnet in a power line communication network.

According to the present invention, there is provided a subnet (SubNet), and a node included in the subnet (Node), each of the nodes includes an identifier storage means for storing all the home code registered and used; Packetizing means for packetizing the home data by including the home code; And a transceiver for broadcasting the data packet packetized by the packetization means, wherein the transceiver identifies a subnet to which the node broadcasting the data packet belongs by the home code included in the received data packet. When the first node broadcasts a home code usage request message, the node which stores the same home code as the request home code in the identifier storage means is homed. A communication network is provided which uses a power line as a communication medium, characterized by broadcasting a code not allowed message (Nack).

Description

A communication network using a power line, a subnet of the network and a method of creating such a subnet, and an electric and electronic application device connected to the subnet {Power line communication network, Subnet, Method for setting up the subnet and, Electronic appliance connected to the same}

The present invention relates to a communication network configured by using an open communication medium, and more particularly, a communication network that can easily detect and act early on the duplication of a home code appearing after the creation of a subnet in a powerline communication medium. It is about.

Here, the open communication medium refers to a communication medium in which the communication medium is not only distributed within the control range but extends to the outside of the control range such as a power line, so that nodes within the control range and nodes outside the control range can communicate. it means.

In addition, the term subnet refers to a communication network including electrical and electronic application devices that are accommodated and communicated within a specific control range, such as, for example, a home network of a home, by using an open communication medium such as a power line. Each application device connected to such a subnet will be referred to as a node.

The present invention proposes such a communication network, a subnet forming part of the communication network, and an electric and electronic application device configured to be used as a node of the subnet.

The invention also proposes a method in which a node on such a network creates a subnet that forms part of that network.

Power line communication (PLC) in home networking for interconnecting and centrally controlling all electrical and electronic application devices in the home has been in the spotlight due to the need for wiring separate communication media.

In home networking using powerline communication, all electrical and electronic devices within the control range send and receive data packets over the powerline using transceivers called carrier-current transmitters, and through gateways to external devices such as the Internet. Connecting to telecommunications networks is recognized as a viable solution.

By the way, the power line is not a closed network within the control range, but is an open network branched from a power station to many homes, and the communication method on such a network is mainly a broadcasting method without using a router. Is used. As a result, data packets broadcast from one device within the control range reach not only the other device within the control range but also other devices outside the control range. In other words, a data packet broadcast from a device housed in one home network reaches a device housed in a home network of another neighboring home, and the receiving device deserves the instructions or information contained in that data packet. Accepting will cause great confusion.

One of the proposed methods to solve the above problem is to install a blocking filter to prevent the leakage of data through the power line in the indoor entry portion of the power line. However, this method also has a cost problem for installing a blocking filter, and in some cases, it is difficult to determine a proper installation location, and due to the possibility of leaking through a non-power line such as a telephone line and the limitation and malfunction of the performance of the filter. There is also a problem, which is not a complete solution.

Thus, according to current mainstream technology, a data packet broadcasted by devices accommodated in a home network includes an identifier (ID) commonly referred to as a home code, and the receiving device identifies the broadcasting device by this identifier. A method of confirming and selecting the data has been proposed. In this way, all devices housed in the same home network must use the same identifier. That is, a process of setting an identifier is essential for a device accommodated in a home network to communicate with other devices within a control range.

The conventional identifier setting method uses a hardware operation means such as a dip switch. In this way, the user must manipulate the dipswitch to match the identifier used in the home network of the home before the user plugs in the device. Since most users are not good at such operations, it is a hassle for device sellers to visit the user's home to check and match the identifier. Also, unfortunately, if the identifier chosen during the construction of one home network is the same as the identifier of another home network within the reach of the data packet broadcast over the powerline, there is no way to find it immediately. not.

Representative of the prior art is US Patent Publication No. 05471190, "Method and apparatus for resource allocation in a communication network system" filed by Timothy D. Schoechle, Boulder, Colo. If you look at it:

If any home code is generated in the device and the home code is transmitted in a hale manner, the device using the already set home code transmits a Nack signal, and the hale device receives the Nack signal, Duplicates are avoided. In the case of an unused home code, the home code is assigned by recognizing that there is no response (Ack) as a no signal.

However, this method has the following problems.

First, since the unused home code is determined to be a no-signal state without a response, there is always a possibility of a misjudgment when a reception error occurs due to a communication signal or noise of another device.

Second, although the devices are connected due to the characteristics of the power line communication, if a case where communication in a certain region temporarily fails due to an environment due to load variation, a duplicate home code may be set.

Third, since the home code is mostly composed of household units, when electricity is cut off from the entire home for convenience of leakage or other maintenance, it is recognized that the device does not exist and duplicate home codes may be set.

On the other hand, the present invention is applied to the "subnet of the communication network using the power line, the creation method of such a subnet, the electrical and electronic application devices connected to such subnet, and the electrical and electronic application device filed by the applicant on September 17, 2001 Communication module "( Patent Application No. 2001-057314 ) to overcome the limitations and problems of the technical idea.

The present invention establishes a communication network of application devices in a power line communication manner, in which a network of applications is connected to another subnet within a range of data packets broadcasted through an open communication medium such as a power line (hereinafter, simply referred to as an "open communication range"). We want to be able to automatically create our own subnets that don't cause interference.

In addition, the present invention is to propose a communication protocol that can easily detect and act early to duplicate use of the home code appearing after the creation of the subnet.

According to the present invention for solving the above technical problem, there is provided a subnet including at least one node having a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data in a broadcast manner using an open communication medium.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of creating a subnet independent from other subnets within an open communication range at a node connected to an open communication medium.

The node has means for initiating a subnet creation sequence. The initiating means may be comprised of a program that is executed automatically when the node is powered on for the first time. In such a case, it is preferable that the node has a resetting means capable of resuming the subnet creation sequence by initializing the program after the subnet creation. The resetting means may consist of a conventional switch.

The node includes an identifier generating means capable of generating a home code when the subnet creation sequence is initiated.

The transceiver broadcasts an identifier hale signal that includes the generated identifier to check if the generated home code overlaps with an identifier used by another subnet within the open communication range.

The node includes comparison means for comparing the registered home code with the home code included in the identifier hale signal. When the node receiving the identifier hale signal determines that the home code included in the identifier hale signal is different from the registered home code, the node broadcasts an acknowledgment message (Ack: ACKnowledgment) through the transceiver. Broadcast a disallowed message (Nack: Non ACKnowledgment) through

The node that broadcasts the identifier hale signal generates a new home code upon receipt of the disallowed message, broadcasts the identifier hale signal containing the new home code again, and receives a permission message to send the home code to the subnet to which it belongs. Set to your home code.

The subnet creation method provided according to the present invention includes a first step of generating a home code for identifying a subnet to which the first node belongs, when a subnet creation sequence is started; A second step of broadcasting, over a communication network, an identifier Hale signal containing the home code; Each node receiving the broadcast signal in the second step compares the home code included in the received signal with all registered home codes stored therein, and if the same home code exists, a home code disallowed message is present. Broadcasting (Nack) and, if the same home code does not exist, broadcasting a home code permission message (Ack); A fourth step of determining whether a home code permission message or a home code permission message for the identifier hale signal is received while the first node waits for a predetermined time or more; And a fifth step of, when the first node receives the home code usage permission message as a result of the determination of the fourth step, sets the requested home code as a subnet identifier, broadcasts it again, and registers it with other nodes. It includes.

In addition, an address code for identifying a device is also proposed in addition to the home code, and the handling thereof is the same as the home code handling method, or the conventional method is used as it is, except in the present specification. It will not be described in detail.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon reading the description of the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a plurality of nodes composed of various application devices connected using a power line as a communication medium according to the present invention illustrate a subnet in which each household unit is used.

Reference numerals 100 to 109 in FIG. 1 refer to subnets established in respective homes on the power line PL, and an area referred to as OCR is any one accommodated in the subnet 100 of the home exemplarily described in this embodiment. Refers to the range in which the data packet broadcast by the node arrives, that is, the open communication range. Reference numerals 111 to 119 in FIG. 2 refer to nodes, that is, application devices, accommodated in the subnet 100. These applications may be those that are powered from indoor power, including household appliances such as computers, refrigerators, radiators, kitchen appliances, etc., if the subnet 100 is built in a home, as in this embodiment, If built, it may be an electrical appliance used in such a space.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of a communication apparatus used in the node shown in FIG. 2 to perform communication according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 3, the functional configuration of the communication apparatus used for each node is characterized by: a microprocessor 121 for controlling the execution of the communication control program, the initiation means 122 for initiating the subnet creation sequence, and the home. The identifier generating means 123 for generating the code and the address code, the transceiver 124 for broadcasting the identifier hale signal including the home code or the address code on the communication network, and the home code included in the identifier hale signal. A comparison means 125 for comparing each corresponding home code of the subnet to which it belongs, an identifier setting means 126 for setting an identifier accepted by another node on the communication network as an identifier of the subnet to which it belongs, and the set identifier. And identifier storage means 127 for storing.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a receiver side device in an electronic and electronic application device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a transmitter side device.

A process of creating the subnet 100 by the node 111 illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5.

Subnet creation is performed when no subnet is established in the home. In this case, the application device of the node 111 is first connected or no application is connected to the power line of the home. Even if the device is connected, it cannot function as a node because it does not have a transceiver, or if other nodes 112 to 119 are already connected but not capable of executing the subnet creation process, or if there is already one subnet in the home. Even if it is established, it is necessary to establish a separate subnet.

The initiation means 122 for initiating the subnet creation sequence may be a program programmed to start automatically as soon as the power source is connected to the node 111, or may be a start switch configured to be started by the user turning on. More preferably, it is usually configured as a program to implement the plug and play function.

When the process of creating a subnet at the node (hereinafter referred to as 'first node') is started, the identifier generating means 123 of the first node generates an identifier (hereinafter referred to as a 'home code') for identifying the subnet. In operation S501, a temporary home code is generated. In operation S503, the home code is generated with digits or characters within a predetermined number of digits, and the method is already determined and stored in a plurality of home code candidate groups stored in the BIOS. Various methods may be used, such as selecting one of them or using a random number generating means.

On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 4 or 5, in addition to the home code for the identification of the subnet (Address Code) for identifying the devices are also used, this address code is also generated by the identifier generating means 123 In general, the handling thereof is similar to a home code or follows the conventionally well-known method for identifying a device, and is not specifically described except where necessary. On the other hand, the address code is generated with digits or characters within a predetermined number of digits, and the method is generated by appending a unique ID of the node 111 to the previously generated home code, or has already been determined as in the home code generation, so that the BIOS Various methods may be used, such as selecting one of a plurality of stored address code candidate groups or using random number generating means. The unique ID of the node 111 generally uses the product serial number of the corresponding application as it is, but may be generated as a digit or character within a predetermined number of digits, similar to the home code or address code described above.

When generation of the temporary home code and the temporary address code is completed, the transceiver 124 of the first node 111 broadcasts a data packet (identifier hale signal) including the same (S505). The temporary home code of the first node 111 is recorded in the home code position of the data packet constituting the identifier hale signal. Preferably, the header of the data packet includes information indicating that the identifier is a hale signal.

The first node 111 broadcasting the identifier hale signal waits for a predetermined time (step 204) and determines whether a disapproval signal is received (S507).

The broadcasted identifier hale signal includes all other nodes that are currently powered on among nodes of all subnets (hereinafter, referred to as 'other nodes' except for the first node) within an open communication range. It is reached, which is the home code use request message from the other node's point of view.

The other node receiving the home code use request message analyzes the header of the data packet and determines whether the data is a home code use request message (S401). To this end, each other node includes determination means configured to determine whether the data received through the communication network is a home code use request message.

 As a result of the determination, if it is the home code use request message, it is determined whether the temporary home code included in the signal matches the home code (S403).

As a result of the determination, if it matches, the home code disallowed message (Nack) is broadcast through the transceiver of the node (S417). If not, the registration home code registered in the identifier storage means 127 is requested home code. Search for and compare (S405, S407).

On the other hand, in the identifier storage means 127, not only the home code used by itself but also the home code used by other nodes in the vicinity are registered. Not only are you comparing your code with your home code, but you are also comparing the requested home code with all registered home codes.

As a result of the comparison, if the requested home code is the same as the registered home code, the flow advances to step S417. If the requested home code is not the same as the registered home code, a home code permission message (Ack) is broadcasted (S409). After that, in order to perform a more accurate operation, after broadcasting the home code permission message, it is determined whether a collision occurs (S411), if it does not occur, it terminates, and if it occurs, it is again verified whether it is an Ack signal. If it is positive, it ends, and if it is negative, it returns to said step S409.

The above-described verification process is also performed after step S417, which is illustrated in steps S419 and S421.

The above-described verification process, that is, the steps S411 and S423, the steps S419 and S421 are commonly referred to as collision detection blocks, and are mainly applied to the CSMA method, and may not be used in some cases.

On the other hand, after the step S505, the first node 111 determines whether a Nack signal or an Ack signal is received.

As a result of the determination, when the Nack signal is received, the process returns to the step S503 to regenerate the temporary home code. When the Ack signal is received, the identifier setting means 126 sets and determines the temporary home code as a normal home code. This is stored in the identifier storage means 127. (S507 to S513)

Thereafter, this fact is broadcasted on a communication network to broadcast to other nodes that the temporary home code has been set to a normal home code (Notice message) (S515), and other nodes transmit the home code to their own node. It is registered in the identifier storage means.

That is, when receiving the notice message, the other nodes terminate the corresponding home code comparison operation shown in FIG. 4 and register the home code in their identifier storage means.

When an application device is connected to a node belonging to one subnet and the place is to be moved or another subnet is created at the same place, an initialization for deleting the home code or address code stored in the identifier storage means 127 is performed. In this case, the above-described subnet creation sequence must be resumed. For this purpose, each application device, i.e., a node, preferably has a reset switch.

In the subnet configured according to the present invention, a sub-address, such as a region code or a group code, may be set to classify nodes belonging to the subnet regionally or correlatively and give them to nodes belonging to each region or group. This lower address setting sequence can also be configured in a manner similar to the subnet creation sequence described above. On the other hand, the present invention does not limit the range or method of establishing a lower address, and may be formed by any method including a conventionally used method.

The present invention is not limited to any data transmission method except that the present invention can be usefully applied to a communication network that transmits data by broadcasting rather than routing. Thus, any transmission method including frequency division or time division can be used. In each case, each node may include packetization means, encoding means, decoding means, etc., which are suitable for packetizing data appropriately for the selected transmission scheme.

In addition, in this embodiment, the node is described as including the transceiver 124, the identifier generating means 123 and the identifier storing means 127, but the present invention is not limited to this arrangement, the transceiver 124 is The initiating means 122, the identifier generating means 123, the comparing means 125, the identifier setting means 126, the identifier storing means 127, and a microcomputer of the node for controlling the functions of the application device. In addition to the processor, it may be configured in the form of a communication module including not only a separate microprocessor for controlling only a communication function but also other means such as packetization means, encoding means or decoding means for processing transmission data. The transceiver of each node also includes subnet identification means for identifying the subnet to which the node broadcasting the data packet belongs by the home code included in the received data packet.

The motivation and features of the present invention are summarized as follows.

The reason for comparing the request home code with not only its own home code but also the home codes of other nodes except itself used and registered as follows is as follows. Recently, power line communication has been frequently used in home networks in an environment in which a large number of households are incomparable with conventional apartments such as residential buildings.

In such a large-generation dense residential environment , home networks using power line communication frequently generate interference with each other. Therefore, the conventional network creation method (for example, the method disclosed in US Pat. No. 5471190 ) prevents such interference. Lack of work is a common problem in the industry.

In addition, due to the improvement of living standards and the rapid rise of summer temperature, the power consumption in midsummer is rapidly increasing (overloading of cooling equipment), and the situation in which power is cut off due to instantaneous overload has also occurred. In addition, since such a power cut situation is caused by an overload, a situation in which only a part of a number of home network components existing within an open communication range is mainly turned off.

In the event of interference and unexpected power interruption in a large-scale, dense residential environment, a more efficient and rapid method of overcoming this should be taken.

As proposed in the present invention, each other node registers all the home codes being used with each other, and each node compares and broadcasts each other when there is a home code request, thereby more accurately detecting a home code or home. Code setting errors can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the power line communication method has been described as an example, but all of them are applicable to the broadcasting type communication of all the open communication media, but are not excluded. In particular, even in the case of RF (radio frequency) radio communication scheme can be communicated by the method proposed in the present invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be changed, changed or adjusted from the above-described embodiments without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications, variations or modifications as falling within the scope of the invention.

A communication network constructed in accordance with the present invention does not cause interference with other subnets within an open communication range when nodes in one subnet transmit data in a broadcast manner. The network also makes it easy to detect and act early on the duplication of home codes that appear after the creation of a subnet.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a communication network constructed on a power line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of one subnet constituting the communication network shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric and electronic application device used in a representative node among nodes belonging to the subnet illustrated in FIG. 2.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a receiver side device of an electronic and electronic application device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a transmitter side device in an electronic and electronic application device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (15)

In a communication network composed of open communication media, Include at least one subnet (SubNet), Each of the subnets includes at least one node, Each of the nodes includes a home code used by the node and a home code (all home codes registered and used) used by nodes other than themselves (other nodes) to identify the subnet. Storage means; Packetization means for packetizing a home code in transmission data; And a transceiver configured to broadcast a data packet packetized by the packetization means. Including, The transceiver includes: subnet identification means for identifying a subnet to which a node broadcasting the data packet belongs according to a home code included in the received data packet; Equipped with When any one of the nodes (first node) broadcasts a home code use request message, the other nodes that receive the message have the same home code as the request home code included in the received message in their identifier storage means. If it's on the list of saved home codes, broadcast a home code disapproval message (Nack), A node that does not store the same home code as its requested home code in its identifier storage means broadcasts a home code permission message (Ack), When the first node receives the home code usage permission message (Ack), the request home code is set to a subnet identifier, and then broadcasted again to register each node with its own identifier storage means. A network consisting of open communication media. The method of claim 1, The identifier storing means includes an address code for identifying a device and stores the packet; the packetizing means includes the address code for packetization, and the transceiver stores the data packetized by the packetizing means. Broadcast the packet, And said nodes identify devices using said address code. The method of claim 1, When the first node receives a home code disallowed message, the identifier generating means of the first node generates a temporary home code again, and the transceiver of the first node includes a home code generated again by the identifier generating means. And an open communication medium for broadcasting the identifier hale signal on the communication network. The method of claim 1, Wherein said open communication medium is a power line communication scheme. The method of claim 1, The open communication medium is a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication system, characterized in that. In a subnet (SubNet) forming a part of a communication network composed of open communication medium and including at least one node (Node), Each node stores an identifier that stores the home code used by itself and the home code (all home codes registered and used) used by nodes other than itself (other nodes) to identify the subnet. Way; Packetization means for packetizing a home code in transmission data; And a transceiver for broadcasting a data packet packetized by the packetizing means. Including, The transceiver includes: subnet identification means for identifying a subnet to which a node broadcasting the data packet belongs according to a home code included in the received data packet; Equipped with When any one of the nodes (first node) broadcasts a home code use request message, the other nodes that receive the message have the same home code as the request home code included in the received message in their identifier storage means. If it's on the list of saved home codes, broadcast a home code disapproval message (Nack), A node that does not store the same home code as its requested home code in its identifier storage means broadcasts a home code permission message (Ack), When the first node receives the home code usage permission message (Ack), the request home code is set to a subnet identifier, and then broadcasted again to register each node with its own identifier storage means. Subnet. The method of claim 6, The identifier storing means includes an address code for identifying a device and stores the packet; the packetizing means includes the address code for packetization, and the transceiver stores the data packetized by the packetizing means. Broadcast the packet, And said nodes identify devices using said address code. The method of claim 6, When the first node receives a home code disallowed message, the identifier generating means of the first node generates a temporary home code again, and the transceiver of the first node includes a home code generated again by the identifier generating means. And broadcast the identifier hale signal on a communication network. In an electrical and electronic application device configured to be used as a node of a subnet (SubNet) forming a part of a communication network composed of an open communication medium, Initiation means for initiating a subnet creation sequence; An identifier generating means for generating a temporary home code for identifying a subnet to which the subnet creation sequence is initiated by the initiating means; A transceiver configured to broadcast an identifier hale signal including a home code generated by the identifier generating means on a communication network; Identifier storage means for storing a home code that is being used and a home code (all home codes that are registered and used) used by neighboring nodes to identify a subnet; Comparison means for comparing the home code included in the identifier hale signal broadcast by the transceiver with a home code stored in its identifier storage means; And Identifier setting means for setting a home code that accepts use as an identifier of a subnet to which the home code belongs; Including, The transceiver broadcasts a home code disallowed message (Nack) on the communication network if the home code included in the identifier hale signal is included in the home code list stored in the identifier storage means as a result of the comparison by the comparing means. Broadcasts a home code permission message (Ack) on the network, if not included, When the transceiver receives a home code usage permission message, the request home code is stored in the identifier storage means and the identifier setting means is set to an identifier of the subnet to which the transceiver belongs, and then other nodes set the home code to the subnet identifier. And re-broadcasting the data packet including the home code on a communication network so as to be registered. The method of claim 9, The identifier generating means regenerates a temporary home code when the transceiver receives a home code disallowed message, And the transceiver broadcasts an identifier hale signal including a home code generated by the identifier generating means on a communication network. The method according to claim 9 or 10, The identifier storing means includes an address code for identifying a device, and stores the identifier code. The transceiver broadcasts an identifier hale signal including the address code on a communication network. And said nodes identify devices using said address code. A method of creating a subnet (SubNet) in which a node (first node) on a communication network composed of open communication media forms part of such a communication network, A first step of generating a temporary home code for identifying a subnet to which the first node belongs when the subnet creation sequence is started; A second step of broadcasting, over a communication network, an identifier Hale signal containing the home code; Each node receiving the broadcast signal in the second step compares the home code included in the received signal with all registered home codes stored therein, and if the same home code exists, a home code disallowed message is present. Broadcasting (Nack) and, if the same home code does not exist, broadcasting a home code permission message (Ack); A fourth step of determining whether a home code permission message or a home code permission message for the identifier hale signal is received while the first node waits for a predetermined time or more; And As a result of the fourth step, when the first node receives the home code usage permission message, setting the requested home code as a subnet identifier and broadcasting it again to register the other nodes with the home node; Subnet creation method comprising a. The method of claim 12, And if the first node receives a home code disallowed message as a result of the determination of the fourth step, returning to the first step. The method of claim 12, And the open communication medium is a power line communication method. The method of claim 12, The open communication medium is a radio frequency (RF) radio communication method characterized in that the subnet creation method.