KR20030037887A - Communication system using repeater function and method therefore - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A communication system using a repeater function and a method therefor are provided to stably transfer information to a node of a desired destination on communication. CONSTITUTION: A control center(2) requests and collects required data by performing information communications with a data collecting unit(6) according to a communication method using various communication medium. The data collecting unit(6) generates a broadcasting packet including destination information designating a node which is supposed to receive information finally among nodes of a plurality of control units(12) connected to a low pressure distribution line(8) fetched from an electronic pole(4), receives various data or information from the control unit(12) of a destination node which has received the packet information, and transfers it to the control center(2). The control unit(12) in a building(10) connected to a reproduction equipment of the building(10) and to the low pressure distribution line(8) receives the broadcasting packet from the data collecting unit(6) and transfers various data information outputted from the reproduction equipment to the data collecting unit(6).

Description

Communication system using repeater function and method thereof {Communication system using repeater function and method therefore}

The present invention relates to a communication system using a repeater function and a method thereof, and more particularly to using a software repeater function so that the desired information can be delivered to a node to a desired destination in communication without deterioration of communication quality. The present invention relates to a communication system using a repeater function and a method thereof.

In general, when information communication is performed through various communication methods through various specific media such as power lines, dedicated communication lines, telephone lines, and air, attenuation of signals according to the distance of the media or various noises introduced from the outside Due to various factors such as noise caused by each node to be communicated or noise caused by communication, impedance mismatch between each node, etc., communication between each node can be performed smoothly without the minimum communication level of communication required. There will be no.

In order to prevent communication quality deterioration due to various factors and to improve communication performance, recently, a device for amplifying communication signals exchanged between nodes to be communicated and raising them to a level at which normal communication can be retransmitted. Hardware repeaters are being applied.

However, in the case of such a hardware repeater, it is possible to raise the level of the communication signal by amplifying the communication signal with respect to the medium between each node to communicate with, but the physical device and the physical device must be additionally provided. Not only is a long time and a high cost to the installation work for the connection, it is difficult to ensure the reliability for establishing a normal communication environment uniformly regardless of the communication medium.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and its object is to apply a software repeat function to a plurality of communication nodes to communicate with each other, and thus it is stable by repeat operation to adjacent nodes even in a poor communication channel. The present invention provides a communication system and method using a repeater function to enable communication.

1 is a view showing a state in which a communication system using a repeater function according to the present invention is applied to a power line communication means,

2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the data collection device shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the control device shown in FIG.

4 is a view showing a structure of a packet exchanged between each node of the data collection device shown in Figure 1 and the control device provided outdoors;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a virtual configuration of a communication channel formed between a data collection device and each node of a control device provided in each outdoor area according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process in which a broadcasting packet from a data collecting device is repeated between nodes according to the communication channel configuration of FIG. 5. FIG.

7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

2: control center, 4: electric pole,

6: data acquisition device, 8: low voltage distribution line,

10: indoors, 12: control unit,

20: external communication device, 22, 72: external device interface,

24,68: memory, 26,70: CPU,

28, 60: signal processing section 30, 62: digital-to-analog conversion section (DAC),

32, 64: output filter, 34, 66: drive circuit,

36, 50: coupling part, 38, 52: analog switch,

40, 54: amplifier, 42, 56: input filter,

44, 58: analog-to-digital converter, 74: external display device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the system of the present invention, a control center for performing information exchange with a remote place through information communication using a communication medium, and information exchange among a plurality of remote places by information communication with the control center. A data collection device for generating a broadcasting packet specifying a node of a desired destination, and a plurality of remote locations each capable of communicating with the data collection device through a communication medium, and receive a broadcasting packet from the data collection device to be adjacent to each other. Provided is a communication system using a repeater function composed of a plurality of control devices for generating packet packet to reach a node of a destination by generating a repeat packet at a node.

According to the method of the present invention to achieve the above object, according to a data collection command from the control center, the data collection device can collect data by performing information exchange with control devices installed at a plurality of remote sites, respectively, through a communication network. A communication method through a communication network, comprising: generating a broadcasting packet by designating a predetermined control device as a destination node in the data collection device, and receiving the broadcasting packet from a plurality of control devices to receive a corresponding node. Determining whether the packet is designated as a node, receiving a packet from the control device according to the node of the destination, receiving the corresponding broadcasting packet, and controlling the device according to a node other than the destination node. Determined to be a packet not specified as a destination node Then, repeating the packet to provide a repeating packet to the other nodes adjacent to the other through the communication network provides a communication method using a repeater function.

Hereinafter, the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing a state in which a communication system using a repeater function according to the present invention is applied to a power line communication means.

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system using a repeater function applied to a power line communication means according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control center 2, a data collection device 6 installed at a pole 4, and a pole ( It consists of a number of control devices 12 directly connected to the low voltage distribution line 8 drawn out from 4) and installed outside the indoor 10.

The control center 2 performs information communication according to the communication method using the data collection device 6 and various communication media, and requests and collects necessary data, for example, remotely powers each indoor 10. Function to perform billing by metering, function of forecasting demand for load management for home appliances provided in each indoor 10, and transmitting various information necessary for customer to be displayed in each indoor 10 , To perform the security and safety management of each indoor (10).

Here, the communication medium according to various communication methods performed between the control center 2 and the data collection device 6 may be an Internet dedicated line network or a general public telephone network capable of TCP / IP communication, wireless communication or wireless Internet communication. This corresponds to a possible mobile communication network.

The data collecting device 6 is installed at a predetermined position of the pole 4, and enables communication of information using various communication media with the control center 2, and a low voltage distribution line drawn out of the pole 4. The low voltage distribution line 8 according to a request for information from the control center 2 in a state in which information is exchanged by power line communication with the control device 12 installed outside each indoor 10 through 8. Through communication with each control device 12 through to collect the necessary data or information from each indoor 10 and transmits to the control center (2).

Here, the data collection device 6 includes a communication modem capable of TCP / IP communication through a general public telephone network or an Internet dedicated line network, or a mobile communication terminal or a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication or wireless Internet type communication through a mobile communication network. At least one of them is installed.

The data collecting device 6 generates a broadcasting packet including destination information designating a node that finally receives information among nodes of a plurality of control devices 12 connected to the low voltage distribution line 8. In addition, various data or information generated from the control device 12 of the destination node receiving the packet information are received and transmitted to the control center 2.

In FIG. 10, the control device 12 of the indoor 10 is connected to a reproducing apparatus (for example, a power meter, an information display device, various home appliances, etc.) of the indoor 10, and is connected to the low voltage distribution line 8. After receiving the broadcasting packet from the data collection device 6 through the low voltage distribution line 8, various data or information output from the reproduction device of each indoor 10 is transmitted to the data collection device 6. .

Here, the control device 12 receives the broadcasting packet from the data collection device 6, determines whether the destination information included in the packet is itself, and includes destination information of another node. While generating a repeat packet to allow the other node to receive the repeat packet, when determining that the destination information is its own, the information contained in the broadcasting packet is reproduced through the indoor reproducing apparatus. And various data or information outputted from the reproduction apparatus are transmitted to the data collection device 6.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the data collecting device shown in FIG. 1, wherein the data collecting device 6 includes an external communication device 20, an external device interface unit 22, and a memory. (24), CPU (26), signal processor (28), digital-to-analog converter (30), output filter (32), drive circuit (34), coupling unit (36), analog switch (38), amplifier ( 40, an input filter 42, and an analog-digital converter 44.

In FIG. 2, the external communication device 20 is for performing information exchange by data communication with the control center 2, and the control center 2 and the data collecting device 6 are connected to a public telephone network. When connected, a communication modem is applied, or when communication is possible by a wireless mobile communication network, a mobile communication terminal or a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication or wireless internet communication is applied.

The external device interface unit 22 is for interfacing the CPU 26 with information data exchanged with the control center 2 by the external communication device 20 such that the external communication device ( The interface method is determined according to the communication method and the device type in 20).

The memory 24 generates a broadcasting packet to the control device 12 of each indoor 10 distributed from the low voltage distribution line 8 to communicate with a node of a desired destination (i.e., the specific control device 12). A repeater program that performs a software repeat function is stored so that it is possible.

The CPU 26 is a software repeater program from the memory 24 in accordance with a command for collecting information from the control center 2 received through the external communication device 20 via the external device interface unit 22. It will generate a broadcasting packet containing data specifying the control device of a specific node for the purpose of collecting information.

The signal processor 28 performs an error correction and data reliability check on various data or information received from a reproduction device (eg, a power meter) of each indoor 10 through the low voltage distribution line 8. And outputs the packet information received from the CPU 26 so as to be transmitted through the low voltage distribution line 8.

The digital-analog converter 30 converts the digital packet information received from the signal processor 28 into analog, and the output filter 32 converts the signal including the analog-converted packet information into the low voltage distribution line. Filtering and outputting to the frequency band that can be transmitted through (8), the drive circuit 34 is driven to transmit the filtered packet information signal through the low voltage distribution line (8).

The coupling unit 36 outputs the packet information signal output from the driving circuit 34 through the analog switch 38 by superimposing the power signal of the low voltage distribution line 8 and outputs the low voltage distribution line 8. The communication data or information received from each indoor 10 is separated from the power signal through the analog switch 38 is switched to the amplifier 40 side when receiving the signal through the coupling unit 36 is connected to the signal Impedance matching is performed so that the level can be input as large as possible, and when the packet information signal is transmitted, the output impedance is connected to the driving circuit 34 to allow maximum signal transmission to each node connected to the low voltage distribution line 8. Make small.

In FIG. 2, the amplifier 40 amplifies the received signal input through the analog switch 38 to a level necessary for signal processing, and the input filter 42 is unnecessary for signal processing in the amplified received signal. A frequency band such as noise is filtered, and the analog-digital converter 44 digitally converts the filtered received signal and outputs the digital signal to the signal processor 28.

3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the control device shown in FIG. 1, wherein the control device 12 includes a coupling unit 50, an analog switch 52, an amplifier 54, and an input. Filter 56, analog-digital converter 58, signal processor 60, digital-analog converter 62, output filter 64, drive circuit 66, memory 68, CPU 70 And an external device interface unit 72.

In the same figure, the coupling unit 50 separates and outputs a communication signal of a broadcasting packet received from the data collection device 6 through the low voltage distribution line 8 from a power signal, and outputs the driving circuit ( 66 and various data or information from each indoor 10 outputted through the analog switch 52 are superposed on the power signal of the low voltage distribution line 8, and the analog switch 52 is connected to the coupling unit ( When receiving the signal through 50, the switching is connected to the amplifier 54 to perform impedance matching so as to receive the signal level as large as possible. Reduce the output impedance to allow maximum signal transfer to each node connected to (8).

The amplifier 54 amplifies the communication signal received through the switching of the analog switch 52 to a level necessary for signal processing, and the input filter 56 is a noise such as noise unnecessary for signal processing in the amplified received signal. The frequency band is filtered, and the analog-digital converter 58 digitally converts the filtered received signal and outputs the digital signal to the signal processor 60.

The signal processor 60 processes the broadcast packet information received through the low voltage distribution line 8 and digitally converted by the analog-digital converter 58 to output the signal to the CPU 70, and outputs the signal to the CPU 70. Through the low voltage distribution line 8 through the process of error correction and data reliability check for the various data or information received from the reproduction device (for example, power meter, etc.) of each indoor (10).

The digital-analog converter 62 converts various data or information signals inputted from the signal processor 60, and the output filter 64 converts the analog converted information signal into the low voltage distribution line 8. Filtered and output in a frequency band that can be transmitted through, the drive circuit 66 is driven to transmit the filtered information signal through the low voltage distribution line (8).

In FIG. 3, the memory 68 stores a software repeater program for performing a repeat function by destination information of a broadcasting packet received from the data collecting device 6.

The CPU 70 receives the broadcasting packet from the data collection device 6 through the signal processing unit 60 and generates a repeat packet according to a repeat algorithm by a software repeater program of the memory 68. If it is determined that the destination information of the broadcasting packet is its own, it outputs various data or information from the external reproduction device 74 provided in each indoor 10 to the signal processing unit 60 according to the information command of the packet. .

The external device interface unit 72 is a variety of data or information generated from the external reproduction device 20 (for example, a power meter, an information display device or a home appliance having a communication function, etc.) provided in the indoor 10 (for example, remote Meter reading information, load information of each home appliance, security information, etc.) for the CPU 70 to recognize the interface.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of packets exchanged between nodes of the data collection device shown in FIG. 1 and a control device provided outdoors.

According to FIG. 4, the packet generated from the data collection device 6 includes header information including information necessary for smoothly performing communication, and a service data unit including specific message information. The information has a packet sequence number, packet residual information, probability information, and destination information.

The packet sequence number of the header information has the same value if the message contents of the service data unit are the same, and each control device 12 does not modify the sequence number even when the repeat operation is performed at each node. (I.e., each node) can be prevented from performing the repeat operation more than once for the same packet.

The packet residual information prevents excessive traffic in communication by reducing the number of residual information by "1" each time a node performs a repeat so that the packet is not repeated more than a predetermined number of times. Is 0 and is excluded from the repeat target of each node and is naturally destroyed.

The probability information is a value defined as a percentage of the probability of repeating the packet again in the node receiving the packet, and the value of the probability information can be set small when the number of nodes is large and excessive traffic is expected. If the number of nodes is small and the communication environment is poor and communication between the nodes is not smooth, it is desirable to set it high. For example, when the probability information is defined as 30%, the node receiving the packet (that is, the control device 12) performs a repeat operation with a probability of 30% by its own probability calculation, or 70% The probability of not performing the repeat operation.

The destination information is for designating a node of a destination to which message information should be received. If each node determines that the packet corresponds to itself through the destination information, a message processing routine can be executed, and it does not correspond to itself. If it is determined that the packet is not, the repeat algorithm is performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a virtual configuration of a communication channel formed between a data collection device and each node of a control device provided in each outdoor area according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the data collection device 6 is a master on a communication network. It is assumed that a number of control devices 12, which act as a master node and are distributed by utilizing the low voltage distribution line 8 as a communication line, are arranged from the A node 12A to the O node 120, for example. do.

In addition, the A node 12A to the O node 12O can be communicated with each other by six factors, which are partially communicable due to various factors such as attenuation of a communication signal, influx of noise, and influence of impedance mismatch depending on the communication distance ( Assume that they are separated by Z1 to Z6).

That is, the first communicable area Z1 includes the A node 12A, the B node 12B, the C node 12C, the E node 12E, the G node 12G, the H node 12H, and the I node ( 12I), and the second communication possible area Z2 includes the B node 12B, the C node 12C, the D node 12D, and the F node 12F, and the third communication available area Z3. It includes D node 12D, E node 12E, F node 12F, H node 12H, K node 12K, L node 12L, P node 12P, and the fourth communication. The possible region Z4 includes an I node 12I, an H node 12H, a K node 12K, an M node 12M, and a J node 12J. The fifth communication possible region Z5 includes J. A node 12J, a K node 12K, an L node 12L, an M node 12M, and an N node 12N are included. The sixth communicable area Z6 includes a J node 12J and an M node. Assume that 12M, N node 12N, and O node 12O are included.

In the figure, when the destination information of the broadcasting packet generated from the data collection device 6 designates the O node 12O and the probability information is defined as 30%, for example, as shown in FIG. The broadcasting packet includes the A node 12A, the B node 12B, the C node 12C, the E node 12E, the G node 12G, and the H node included in the first communication area Z1. 12H) and I node 12I, respectively, and each node checks the packet sequence number of the broadcasting packet and proceeds to the repeat algorithm if the repeat is not performed and based on 30% probability information. Through the processing, repeat packets are generated at 30% of nodes, namely, A node 12A, C node 12C, and I node 12I, respectively.

In a state in which repeat packets are generated in the A node 12A, the C node 12C, and the I node 12I, respectively, the first communicable area Z1 and the second communicable area Z2 including the node. And the repeat packet is received in the fourth communication available area (Z4), A node 12A, B node 12B, C node 12C, D node 12D, E node 12E, Repeat packets are received from the F node 12F, G node 12G, H node 12H, I node 12I, J node 12J, K node 12K, and M node 12M, respectively. However, since the A node 12A, the C node 12C, and the I node 12I are determined to perform the repeat according to the packet sequence number of the packet, the remaining nodes do not perform any further repeats, and the remaining nodes do not repeat the repeat. Become a candidate.

Nodes B in the first communication range Z1, the second communication range Z2, and the fourth communication range Z4 check the packet sequence number and process the probability information, for example, the B node 12B. ) And F-nodes 12F and J-nodes 12J generate repeat packets, the first to sixth elements including the corresponding B-nodes 12B, F-nodes 12F, and J-nodes 12J. All the nodes in the communication area Z1 to Z6 can receive the repeat packet, and in the node determined that the repeat has been performed according to the check of the packet sequence number, the repeat algorithm is performed instead of stopping the repeat algorithm. In the non-node, the repeat is performed by 30% probability information. For example, the repeat algorithm is performed on the D node 12D, the K node 12K, and the O node 12O, respectively.

In this state, since the destination included in the destination information included in the repeat packet is designated as the O node 12O, in the O node 12O, the environment of the communication channel changes over time or the communication state between the nodes. Even if is changed, the broadcast packet from the data collection device 6 can be normally received by the random repeating operation of each node.

Next, the operation of the present invention made as described above will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a node of a specific control device is designated as a destination among the plurality of control devices 12 of each indoor 10 connected through the low voltage distribution line 8 by information communication with the control center 2 in the data collection device 6. When a broadcasting packet with destination information is generated, the predetermined control device 12 determines whether or not the broadcasting packet is received (step S10).

As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the broadcasting packet from the data collection device 6 is received, the packet sequence number included in the header information of the packet is checked (step S11), and the packet sequence number is determined by the packet sequence number. It is determined whether the broadcasting packet is a packet that has been repeated at the corresponding node (step S12).

As a result of the determination, the predetermined control device 12 determines whether or not the destination for the message of the packet is itself based on the destination information included in the header information of the broadcasting packet (step S13).

In this state, when it is determined that the destination of the packet is not itself, the control device 12 determines whether the packet residual information included in the header information of the packet is greater than "0". If it is determined that the packet residual information is larger than " 0 " (YES in step S14), the packet residual information is reduced (step S15), and a random number is generated by running a software repeat program in the memory 68 (step S16).

On the other hand, the control device 12 determines whether the result of the random number is smaller than the probability information included in the header information of the packet (step S17).

As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the random number result is smaller than the probability information, the packet is repeated to generate a repeat packet (step S18), and the packet sequence number of the packet is added to the processed packet list (step S20).

On the other hand, if it is determined according to the determination result of the step S13 that the destination of the packet message is received by the destination information of the packet, the packet is received (step S19), and then the process proceeds to the step S20. Done.

The present invention having the above-described embodiments can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the technical gist of the present invention, without departing from the technical gist of the present invention. Although the repeat function using the software repeater program is performed, it can be widely applied to modem communication using a public telephone network, Internet communication using a dedicated line network, radio communication using a wireless mobile communication network, or wireless Internet communication. .

As described above, according to the present invention, by implementing a repeater function in software without using an additional hardware device, a packet sequence number and a packet remainder are included in packet information exchanged between nodes to communicate using a communication medium. If information and probability information are included in the header and the corresponding packet information is not the node of the destination where the packet information is received, the information is transmitted to the neighboring node so that the information can be reached to the node of the destination. And communication problems due to impedance mismatch can be reduced, and normal communication information can be exchanged, and excessive communication amount can be suppressed when transmitting the corresponding information to adjacent nodes by changing packet residual information or changing probability information. To avoid unnecessary increase in the amount of communication packets for the communication media. In this way, the desired communication can be achieved with a minimum amount of traffic.

Claims (11)

A control center for exchanging information with a remote site through information communication using a communication medium, A data collection device for generating a broadcasting packet specifying a node of a destination to be exchanged information among a plurality of remote places by information communication with the control center; Installed at a plurality of remote sites that can communicate with the data collection device through a communication medium, and receives the broadcasting packet from the data collection device to generate a repeat packet to the adjacent node so that the packet information reaches the destination node Communication system using a repeater function, characterized in that consisting of a plurality of control devices. The communication system using a repeater function according to claim 1, wherein the communication medium is a power line communication medium capable of information communication with a plurality of indoors through a low voltage distribution line. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control device comprises: a coupling unit for separating a broadcasting packet signal from the data collection device received through a communication medium, an analog switch for switching switching according to a transmission / reception state of a communication signal, An amplifier for amplifying a broadcasting packet signal received through the analog switch, an input filter for filtering an unnecessary frequency band of the packet signal, an analog-digital converter for digitally converting the filtered packet signal, and an error of a transmission / reception signal Signal processing unit for performing signal processing for correction and data reliability confirmation, Digital-to-analog conversion unit for analog-to-digital data to be transmitted, Output filter for filtering only the frequency band that can transmit the analog converted signal, Through the communication media for the filtered communication signal A drive circuit driven to be transportable, a memory in which a repeater program for repeating broadcasting packets received through a communication medium is stored, and a repeat according to whether a destination packet of a broadcasting packet received from a communication medium is received by executing a repeater program of the memory A communication system using a repeater function, comprising a central processing unit for performing a packet generation operation. 4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the broadcasting packet includes a packet sequence number, header information including packet residual information, probability information, and destination information. The method according to claim 4, wherein the central processing unit of the control device checks whether the packet has already been processed by the packet sequence number, determines whether to repeat or discard the packet by the value of the packet residual information, and by the probability information. A repeater function using a repeater function, characterized in that to generate a repeating packet by defining a repeat probability of the packet. In a communication method through a communication network to enable the data collection device to collect data by performing information exchange with control devices installed at a plurality of remote sites through a communication network according to a data collection command from a control center, Generating a broadcasting packet by designating a predetermined control device as a destination node in the data collection device; Receiving the broadcasting packet from a plurality of control apparatuses and determining whether the packet is a packet designated as a destination node; When the control apparatus according to the node of the destination determines that the packet is received by the destination node, receiving the broadcasting packet; If the control device according to a node other than the destination node determines that the packet is not designated as a destination node, repeating the packet and generating a repeat packet to other adjacent nodes through the communication network, characterized in that Communication method using. The method of claim 6, wherein in the step of generating a broadcasting packet in the data collection device, And the broadcasting packet is generated by including a packet sequence number, header information including packet residual information, probability information, and destination information. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining whether the broadcasting packet is a packet designated as a destination node, And a plurality of control devices are configured to check the packet sequence number of the packet to determine whether the packet is a processed packet or a packet designated as a destination node. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein if the control device determines that the packet is not designated as a destination node, the step of generating a repeat packet to another adjacent node, And reducing the packet residual information of the header information and generating a repeating packet. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein if the control device determines that the packet is not designated as a destination node, the step of generating a repeat packet to another adjacent node, And if the packet residual information of the header information is " 0 ", destroys the packet. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein if the control device determines that the packet is not designated as a destination node, the step of generating a repeat packet to another adjacent node, And a repeating packet generated by the control device according to the number of nodes corresponding to the probability determined by the probability information of the header information.