KR20040013543A - Pc card type power line communication modem - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A PC card type high speed power line communication modem is provided to supply the convenience of installation and use by implementing the high speed power line communication modem with the PC card type. CONSTITUTION: A PC card type high speed power line communication modem includes a PC card female connector(FC), a power line communication port(TP2), a digital communication type power line modem part(32) and a PCMCIA connection part(33). The PC card female connector(FC) is connected to the mail connectors(MC) in the PC card slot. The digital communication type power line modem part(32) receives the power line communication signal by connecting to the power line communication port(TP2), performs the predetermined reception process for the received power line communication signal and performs the transmission process for the transmission signal. And, the PCMCIA connection part(33) performs the data communication with the computer device by connecting the PC card female connector(FC), controls the data conversion and the data storage and supplies the transmission signal to the digital communication type power line modem part(32) by connecting to the digital communication type power line modem part(32).

Description

PC Card Type High Speed Power Line Communication Modem {PC CARD TYPE POWER LINE COMMUNICATION MODEM}

The present invention relates to a PC card type high-speed power line communication modem, and in particular, by implementing a high-speed power line communication modem in the PC card type, such as PCMCIA card, it can provide the convenience of installation and use, and also, the DC power supply device (AC The present invention relates to a PC card type high-speed power line communication modem in which, when the adapter includes a power line communication signal combiner, the use of the AC adapter increases convenience of installation and use.

In general, various communication systems have emerged due to the development of digital communication technology, and these digital communication systems are largely classified into wired communication and wireless communication. In this case, a mixed form of wired and wireless is called power line communication. This can be seen because the wire is called a power line, but a separate new wiring is unnecessary. That is the same effect as wireless communication.

In the past, there have been analog low speed power line communication for control and voice communication, but recently, with the advent of high speed communication network using ADSL and cable modem according to the spread of the Internet, many products around us such as home appliances have been digitized In a situation where the necessity of the network becomes more important, the communication system technology of the digital communication method capable of communication and high speed communication is rapidly developing.

Due to this background, home networking for homes is naturally recognized, and a large market is expected to be formed. Digital high-speed power line communication is expected to play a key role in home communication networks. This is expected to come true.

On the other hand, power line communication adopts Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication method, which uses a plurality of carriers (multi-carriers) having orthogonality to each other (high speed communication uses a bandwidth of 1M or more). A digital modulation scheme for improving the transmission rate and preventing multipath interference, such as a multicarrier modulation scheme using multiple carriers, and the fact that each carrier is orthogonal to each other. . Therefore, the frequency components of each carrier may overlap each other. In addition, the frequency utilization efficiency is high because much more carriers can be multiplexed than the normal frequency division multiplexing (FDM). Serially and parallel-converted encoded data is allocated to each carrier and digitally modulated. More carriers can increase the transmission rate per bandwidth. That is, in the case of the multicarrier method, since the symbol period in each subcarrier can be extended by the number of subcarriers while maintaining the data transmission rate, a simple equalizer having one tap can be used to create a serious frequency selective fading channel by multipath. Can cope well.

1 is a configuration diagram of a general power line communication signal combiner, referring to FIG. 1, a general power line communication signal combiner performs a function of detecting a power line communication signal to be received from a power line or providing a signal to a power line to transmit. Performs a cross-protocol conversion function between a power line transceiver 11 that detects and receives a signal from a power line and provides a transmission signal to the power line, and a power line signal processed by the power line transceiver 11 and data that can be processed by the system. The data connection part 12 is included.

In this case, it is common that the power line communication product type is independent and the data connection type is a bridge type having communication ports such as asynchronous, USB, Ethernet, etc., and this method requires additional installation space and cables. Many inconveniences for the user. In addition, it is very inconvenient when trying to move and use an information device such as a notebook PC.

Meanwhile, in the related art, the power line communication signal combiner and the system integrate an AC adapter for receiving power into one, that is, the power line communication signal combiner is integrated into an AC adapter to provide a power line communication signal. AC adapters with built-in couplers have been proposed.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an AC adapter incorporating a conventional power line communication signal coupler. Referring to FIG. By integrating the power plugs together, they can provide ease of use and secure the competitiveness of the AC adapter.

However, the power line communication signal combiner built in such a conventional AC adapter requires a power line communication modem to perform power line communication.

Conventional power line communication modems are used externally when connected to a computer when implemented as an external modem device, or embedded in a computer when implemented as an embedded modem device.

However, in the conventional power line communication modem, an external power line modem requires an external installation space, and there is inconvenience in use. In the case of an internal power line modem, the internal power line modem must be embedded so that the size and weight of the computer main body are increased. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention by implementing a high-speed power line communication modem in the PC card type, such as PCMCIA card, PC card type high speed that can provide convenience of installation and use To provide a power line communication modem.

1 is a block diagram of a general power line communication signal coupler.

2 is a configuration diagram of an AC adapter incorporating a conventional power line communication signal coupler.

3A and 3B are configuration diagrams of a card type high speed power line communication modem according to the present invention.

4 is a block diagram of a digital communication high speed power line modem unit of FIG. 3A.

5 is a configuration diagram of the PCMCIA connection unit of FIG. 3A.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

20: AC adapter 30: card type power line communication modem

31: DC / DC conversion unit 32: digital communication power line modem unit

33: PCMCIA Connection PC: Computer

321: reception filter unit 322: reception amplifier unit

323: A / D conversion unit 324: Receive signal processing unit

325: data interface 326: transmission signal processing unit

327: D / A conversion section 328: Transmission filter section

329: transmission amplifier 331: PCMCIA control

332: interface conversion unit 333: card information memory unit

TP1, TP2: Communication port PP1, PP2: Power port

As a technical means for achieving the above object of the present invention, the present invention provides a PC card type power line communication modem suitable for use by connecting to a male connector in a PC card slot of a computer device, wherein the male connector in the PC card slot is used. A PC card female connector for connecting to the card; A DC / DC conversion unit connected to the PC card female connector and converting the PC DC power supplied thereto to a predetermined PC card DC power; Power line communication ports; It is connected to the DC / DC converter to receive a DC power supply, is connected to the power line communication port to receive a power line communication signal, performs a predetermined reception process of the received power line communication signal, and transmits a predetermined signal A digital communication power line modem unit performing a transmission process; And a DC power supply connected to the DC / DC converter, connected to the PC card male connector to communicate data with the computer device, and also controls data conversion and data storage. A PCMCIA connection unit for connecting to the modem unit and providing a transmission signal to the digital communication system power line modem unit; Characterized in having a.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the PC card type high-speed power line communication modem according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings referred to in the present invention, components having substantially the same configuration and function will use the same reference numerals.

A feature of the present invention is a card type high-speed power line communication in information equipment (Note PC, Desk top PC, etc.) in consideration of the case where the AC adapter used in the notebook PC has a built-in power line communication signal combiner. When communicating with a modem, convenience of installation and use is provided.

Here, the PC card connector (PC card connector) is a connector for inserting a PC card into a PC card slot of a small portable computer, etc., and technically, a 68-pin female connector (female) arranged in two rows on a PC card. Refers to the male connector in the PC card slot that supports the connector. However, it is often used in the same sense as the PC card slot, which is a place to insert a PC card. In addition, PC card is used as an extended storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a peripheral device of an ultra-compact computer that conforms to the standards set by the PCMCIA, an industry group led by the United States. By IC memory card, such a PC card is a credit card size (54 x 85.6 mm) card designed to be inserted into a standard slot of PCMCIA. In addition, PC card standard specifications include Class I cards (Type I Card, thickness 3.3mm, applicable to memory-related peripheral devices), Class II cards (5mm thickness, modem or fax, etc.) and Class III cards (thickness 10.5). mm, applied to a rotary communication device such as a wireless communication device or a hard disk), and the PC card of the present invention can be embodied by all kinds of cards such as I, II and III.

3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of a card type high-speed power line communication modem according to the present invention, and FIG. 3A is a state diagram before inserting the card type high-speed power line communication modem of the present invention into a computer device. 30C is a storage space inside the computer device into which the card type high-speed power line communication modem 30 of the present invention is inserted. 3B is a state diagram after inserting the card type high-speed power line communication modem of the present invention into the computer device.

3A and 3B, a PC card type high-speed power line communication modem according to the present invention is a PC card type power line communication modem suitable for use by connecting to a male connector MC in a PC card slot of a computer device. PC card female connector (FC) for connecting to male connector (MC) in the card slot and PC card female connector (FC) for connecting, and converting the PC DC power supplied through this into a predetermined PC card DC power It is connected to the DC / DC converter 31, the power line communication port TP2, and the DC / DC converter 31 to receive DC power, and is connected to the power line communication port TP2 to supply power line communication signals. A digital communication system power line modem unit 32 which receives the received power line communication signal, performs a predetermined reception process, and transmits a transmission signal by a predetermined transmission process, and the DC / DC conversion unit 31. Connect to the DC power supply And connect to the PC card female connector FC to perform data communication with the computer device, control data conversion and data storage, and connect to the digital communication power line modem unit 32 for digital communication. And a PCMCIA connection unit 33 for providing a transmission signal to the system power line modem unit 32.

The DC / DC converter 31 receives PC power from a power supply of a computer device that supplies power input from a DC power supply of the AC adapter 20 to PC power. The power supply required for the modem 30, for example, 3.3V or 5V, is supplied.

The PC card female connector FC is implemented as a 68 pin including a power pin, a control signal pin, a data pin, and an address pin when the PCMCIA connector is applied as a PCMCIA type.

4 is a configuration diagram of the digital communication type high-speed power line modem of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the digital communication type power line modem unit 32 passes through a reception band of a signal input from the power line communication port TP2. A reception filter 321 for removing out-of-receive noise, a reception amplifier 322 for amplifying a reception signal input from the reception filter 321 with a set gain, and the reception amplifier 322. An A / D converter 323 for converting an analog received signal input from the digital signal into a digital signal, and a received signal processor for performing a predetermined demodulation and decoding process on the received signal input from the A / D converter 323. 324 and data for converting a signal input from the received signal processing unit 324 to the PCMCIA connection unit 33, and converting a signal from the PCMCIA connection unit 33 to a next stage by converting the signal. Interface 325, a transmission signal processor 326 for performing a predetermined encoding and modulation on the transmission signal input from the data interface 325, and a digital transmission signal input from the transmission signal processor 326 as analog transmission. A D / A converter 327 for converting into a signal, a transmission filter 328 for passing out a transmission signal input from the D / A converter 327 into a transmission band and removing out-of-band noise; And a transmission amplifying section 329 for amplifying the transmission signal input from the transmission filter section 328 with a set gain.

The frame control FEC code and data FEC encoding process are FEC encoding processes for recovering original data loss, and OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulation process distributes data over a large number of carriers spaced apart from each other at a correct frequency. Modulation is performed. Correspondingly, frame control FEC decoding and data FEC decoding and OFDM demodulation are performed.

5 is a configuration diagram of the PCMCIA connection unit of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 5, the PCMCIA connection unit 33 controls a connection operation between a computer device and a PC card through the PC card female connector FC. 331 and an interface conversion unit 332 which mutually converts a data connection method for data input / output through the PC card female connector FC under the control of the PCMCIA control unit 331, and the PCMCIA control unit. Under the control of 331, the card information memory unit 333 is connected to the computer device via an address bus and a data bus via the PC card female connector FC and stores related information necessary for the PCMCIA connection operation. do.

Operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail below based on the accompanying drawings.

The card type high speed power line communication modem 10 according to the present invention is implemented as a PC card type to be suitable for use in a computer, in particular a notebook computer, the card type high speed power line communication modem 30 of the present invention Inserted into the storage space 30C, the PC card female connector FC of the card type high-speed power line communication modem 30 is connected to the male connector MC in the PC card slot of the notebook, and the power line communication signal coupler is incorporated. The power connector of the AC adapter may be connected to the power terminal of the notebook computer, and the communication port TP1 of the AC adapter may be connected to the communication port TP2 of the card type high-speed power line communication modem 30 of the present invention. The operation of the case will be described as follows.

First, referring to FIG. 3, the DC / DC converter 31 of the card type high-speed power line communication modem 30 of the present invention connects to the PC card female connector FC connected to the male connector MC in the PC card slot. The PC DC power supplied through the PC is converted into a predetermined PC card DC power (3.1V or 5V) and supplied to the digital communication power line modem unit 32 and the PCMCIA connection unit 33, and accordingly, the digital communication power line The modem unit 32 and the PCMCIA connection unit 33 perform each operation as follows.

The digital communication system power line modem unit 32 receives a power line communication signal through the power line communication port TP2 and performs the predetermined reception process on the received power line communication signal to provide the PCMCIA connection unit 33. In addition, the transmission signal input from the PCMCIA connection unit 33 performs a predetermined transmission process to provide the power line communication signal combiner of the AC adapter 20 through the power line communication port TP2.

The PCMCIA connector 33 communicates data with the computer device via a PC card female connector FC connected to the male connector MC in the PC card slot, and also controls data conversion and data storage. And transmits a transmission signal to the digital communication power line modem unit 32.

Referring to FIG. 4, the operation of the digital communication type high-speed power line modem unit 32 will be described in detail. The reception filter unit 321 of the digital communication type power line modem unit 32 includes the power line communication port TP2. Pass through the reception band of the signal input from the signal, remove the noise outside the reception band, and then the reception amplifier 322 amplifies the reception signal input from the reception filter unit 321 with a set gain, and then The A / D converter 323 converts the analog received signal input from the receive amplifier 322 into a digital signal. The received signal processor 324 performs frame control FEC decoding, data FEC decoding, and OFDM demodulation on the received signal input from the A / D converter 323. Such frame control FEC decoding, data FEC decoding, and OFDM demodulation are general functions, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the data interface 325 of the digital communication type high-speed power line modem unit 32 converts a signal input from the received signal processing unit 324 and transmits the signal to the PCMCIA connection unit 33 and the PCMCIA connection unit 33. The transmission signal from the transmission signal is converted and transmitted to the transmission signal processing unit 3267.

The transmission signal processor 326 performs a frame control FEC code, a data FEC code, and an OFDM modulation process on the transmission signal input from the data interface 325, and then the D / A converter 327 Converts the digital transmission signal input from the transmission signal processing unit 326 into an analog transmission signal, and then the transmission filter unit 328 converts the transmission signal input from the D / A conversion unit 327 into the transmission band. Pass and remove out-of-band noise. In addition, the transmission amplifier 329 amplifies a transmission signal input from the transmission filter unit 328 to a set gain and provides the power signal to the power line communication signal combiner of the AC adapter 20 through the power line communication port TP2. do.

Referring to FIG. 5, the operation of the PCMCIA connection unit 33 will be described. The PCMCIA control unit 331 of the PCMCIA connection unit 33 connects the computer device to the PC card through the PC card female connector FC. And the interface converter 332 of the PCMCIA connector 33 controls a data connection method for data input / output through the PC card female connector FC under the control of the PCMCIA controller 331. Interconvert The card information memory unit 333 of the interface converter 332 is connected to the computer device via an address bus and a data bus through the PC card female connector FC under the control of the PCMCIA controller 331. And stores related information necessary for the PCMCIA connection operation.

As described above, the schematic internal functional structure of the present invention is composed of a high-speed power line modem function of the digital communication method, a PCMCIA connection function and a DC-DC conversion function for supplying power to the high-speed power line communication unit. When using the high-speed power line communication with the PCMCIA slot of the device for high-speed communication with remote PCs and information devices, the card of the present invention is mounted on the PCMCIA slot of the information device and has a power line communication signal combiner. The power line communication cable provided by the AC Adapter can be connected to the card to provide communication between two devices at a long distance.

Accordingly, the conventional technology is a high-speed power line communication USB and Ethernet bridge, and separates from the AC adapter used in the notebook PC when the high-speed communication between the notebook PC and the desktop PC by power line in the home and SOHO environment Communicate with USB or Ethernet bridge installed. Communication is possible only by connecting a USB cable between a power line communication USB bridge and a computer. On the other hand, according to the present invention, as shown in the drawing, an AC adapter used in a notebook PC is a power line communication signal combiner. When using the built-in notebook PC with a built-in PCMCIA card type power line communication modem card of the present invention can greatly provide the convenience of installation and mobility.

According to the present invention as described above, by implementing a high-speed power line communication modem in the PC card type, it is possible to provide convenience of installation and use, and, furthermore, the AC adapter has a built-in power line communication signal combiner If present, when used with this AC adapter, there is an effect that the convenience of installation and use is further increased.

In addition, from the user's point of view, it is possible to conveniently install and use the network in the home and SOHO, to include mobility when using the notebook PC, and to reduce the burden on the user to configure a separate network. .

The above description is only a description of specific embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various changes and modifications of the configuration are possible from the above-described specific embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims (6)

In a PC card type power line communication modem suitable for connection to a male connector (MC) in a PC card slot of a computer device, A PC card female connector (FC) for connecting to the male connector (MC) in the PC card slot; Power line communication port TP2; A digital communication method power line modem unit for receiving a power line communication signal by connecting to the power line communication port TP2, performing a predetermined reception process on the received power line communication signal, and performing a predetermined transmission process on the transmission signal. (32); And It is connected to the PC card female connector FC to communicate data with the computer device, and also controls data conversion and data storage, and is connected to the digital communication power line modem unit 32 to connect this digital communication power line. A PCMCIA connection unit 33 for providing a transmission signal to the modem unit 32; PC card type high-speed power line communication modem characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital communication power line modem unit 32 A reception filter unit 321 passing a reception band of a signal input from the power line communication port TP2 and removing noise outside the reception band; A reception amplifier unit 322 for amplifying a received signal input from the reception filter unit 321 with a set gain; An A / D converter 323 for converting an analog received signal input from the reception amplifier 322 into a digital signal; A received signal processor 324 for performing a predetermined demodulation and decoding process on the received signal input from the A / D converter 323; A data interface 325 for converting a signal input from the received signal processing unit 324 to the PCMCIA connection unit 33 and converting a signal from the PCMCIA connection unit 33 to the next stage; A transmission signal processor 326 for performing a predetermined encoding and modulation on a transmission signal input from the data interface 325; A D / A converter 327 for converting a digital transmission signal input from the transmission signal processor 326 into an analog transmission signal; A transmission filter unit 328 for passing a transmission signal input from the D / A converter 327 into a transmission band and removing out-of-band noise; And a transmission amplifying section (329) for amplifying the transmission signal input from the transmission filter section (328) with a set gain. The method of claim 1, wherein the PCMCIA connection 33 A PCMCIA control unit 331 for controlling a connection operation between a computer device and a PC card through the PC card female connector (FC); An interface converter 332 which mutually converts a data connection method for data input / output through the PC card female connector FC under the control of the PCMCIA controller 331; Under the control of the PCMCIA control unit 331, a card information memory unit 333, which is connected to an address bus and a data bus with the computer device through the PC card female connector FC, and stores related information necessary for a PCMCIA connection operation. ); PC card type high-speed power line communication modem comprising a. In a PC card type power line communication modem suitable for connection to a male connector (MC) in a PC card slot of a computer device, A PC card female connector (FC) for connecting to the male connector (MC) in the PC card slot; A DC / DC converter 31 connected to the PC card female connector FC and converting the PC DC power supplied through the PC card female connector into a predetermined PC card DC power; Power line communication port TP2; It is connected to the DC / DC converter 31 receives a DC power supply, is connected to the power line communication port (TP2) to receive a power line communication signal, and performs the predetermined reception processing process of the received power line communication signal A digital communication system power line modem unit 32 performing a predetermined transmission process on the transmission signal; And Connected to the DC / DC converter 31 to supply DC power, connected to the PC card female connector FC to perform data communication with the computer device, and to control data conversion and data storage; A PCMCIA connection unit 33 connected to the digital communication power line modem unit 32 and providing a transmission signal to the digital communication power line modem unit 32; PC card type high-speed power line communication modem characterized in that it comprises a. 5. The digital communication system power line modem unit 32 according to claim 4, A reception filter unit 321 passing a reception band of a signal input from the power line communication port TP2 and removing noise outside the reception band; A reception amplifier unit 322 for amplifying a received signal input from the reception filter unit 321 with a set gain; An A / D converter 323 for converting an analog received signal input from the reception amplifier 322 into a digital signal; A received signal processor 324 for performing a predetermined demodulation and decoding process on the received signal input from the A / D converter 323; A data interface 325 for converting a signal input from the received signal processing unit 324 to the PCMCIA connection unit 33 and converting a signal from the PCMCIA connection unit 33 to the next stage; A transmission signal processor 326 for performing a predetermined encoding and modulation on a transmission signal input from the data interface 325; A D / A converter 327 for converting a digital transmission signal input from the transmission signal processor 326 into an analog transmission signal; A transmission filter unit 328 for passing a transmission signal input from the D / A converter 327 into a transmission band and removing out-of-band noise; And a transmission amplifying section (329) for amplifying the transmission signal input from the transmission filter section (328) with a set gain. The method of claim 4, wherein the PCMCIA connection 33 A PCMCIA control unit 331 for controlling a connection operation between a computer device and a PC card through the PC card female connector (FC); An interface converter 332 which mutually converts a data connection method for data input / output through the PC card female connector FC under the control of the PCMCIA control unit 331; Under the control of the PCMCIA control unit 331, a card information memory unit 333, which is connected to an address bus and a data bus with the computer device through the PC card female connector FC, and stores related information necessary for a PCMCIA connection operation. ); PC card type high-speed power line communication modem comprising a.