KR20080006162A - A home gateway having a poe function - Google Patents

Abstract

A home gateway mounted with a PoE(Power over Ethernet) function is provided to supply power through a UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable of category-5 and LAN(Local Area Network) ports connected with an IP(Internet Protocol)-based network terminal due to connecting a network device with the home gateway even without supplying separate power. An interface unit(95) mutually connects 2 components by outputting inputted input signals. A main processor(10) conducts overall control by processing the signals outputted from the interface unit(95). A memory(25) stores data signals outputted from the main processor(10). An Ethernet switch unit(40) switches signals inputted from an Ethernet network and the main processor(10). A PoE power module(50) transmits power together with Ethernet signals. A USB(Universal Serial Bus) host controller(60) connects the main processor(10) with a USB.

Description

Home gateway with PI function {A HOME GATEWAY HAVING A POE FUNCTION}

1 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of a conventional home gateway system.

2 is a diagram illustrating an overall system composed of other components connected to a home gateway equipped with a PI function according to the present invention.

3 is a perspective view of a home gateway equipped with a PIE function according to the present invention;

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a home gateway equipped with a PI function of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a home gateway equipped with a PI function of the present invention.

6 shows a UTP cable according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a home gateway front photo.

8 is a rear view of the home gateway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home gateway equipped with a PI function, and in particular, a LAN port (LAN Por-ts) connected to an IP based Network Terminal (UTP Cable), and a category-5 UTP cable of By supplying power together through Category-5), the network devices connected to this home gateway are related to home gateways with a PI function that can be used without a separate power supply.

1 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of a conventional home gateway system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional home gateway system includes a broadcast receiving module 100, a video / audio module 200, a network module 300, a home network module 400, a signal input unit 500, and a main controller. 600, a power supply 700, and a power switching unit 800.

In detail, it is as follows.

The broadcast receiving module 100 includes a predetermined tuner (not shown) for receiving the airwave broadcasting and cable broadcasting signals.

The broadcast reception module 100 does not operate in association with home appliances and electronic products, and has hardware for broadcast reception independently.

The video / audio module 200 operates in conjunction with AV devices such as a television, a video, a DVD device, and an audio device, and receives or processes the video and audio signals from the devices. Send to device and audio device.

For example, when a video and audio signal in MPEG format is applied to the video / audio module 200 from a DVD device, the video / audio module 200 converts the video into an NTSC format that can be received by a television after MPEG decoding. To display.

The network module 300 is a module for connecting a home gateway system to an external Internet network, and typically has a cable modem and an Ethernet card for high speed communication.

The home network module 400 has an interface such as IEEE 1394, USB, and HOME PNA as a module for connecting to and controlling electronic devices in a home.

Such an interface enables data communication with home appliances in the home. In this case, when the interface of the home network module 400 is USB, the home appliance for interfacing therewith must also have a USB interface.

The signal input unit 500 receives a control signal applied from various control devices for remotely controlling the home gateway system according to the present invention.

As a control device capable of applying a control signal to the signal input unit 500, a remote personal computer for controlling a home gateway system through a remote control device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone, and a wired / wireless internet network. Etc.

Here, in order to control the home gateway system using a remote personal computer, the main controller 600 must be connected through the network module 300. Accordingly, the network module 300 must be kept on for 24 hours for remote control.

The main controller 600 controls the components of the home gateway system, that is, the broadcast receiving module 100, the video / audio module 200, the network module 300, and the home network module 400. Control the flow of data between the functional modules 100-400.

For example, when a user wants to watch a broadcast program received by the broadcast receiving module 100, the broadcast signal output from the broadcast receiving module 100 is applied to the video / audio module 200 or the home is connected to the home network module 400. Monitor the operating status of home appliances (monito-ring).

In addition, the main control unit 600 includes a drive driver program for making the respective function modules 100 to 400 stand by. The standby state is a state in which a function module consumes minimal power to operate and is ready to operate immediately according to a user's request.

The standby state is not a state in which power is completely cut off, and only a minimum circuit for responding to a command of the main controller 600 is operated.

For example, when the video / audio module 200 is in the standby state, information about the input format of the video / audio module 200 (eg, MPEG, NTSC, and composite signals), whether the Dolby Surround function is used, Information such as volume information and aspect ratio (for example, 4: 3 ratio, 16: 9 boiling) should be applied to the video / audio module 200 and driven to recognize hardware characteristics of the video / audio module 200. The driver program must be loaded.

Here, the information on the input format of the video / audio module 200 (eg, MPEG, NTSC, and composite signals), whether the Dolby Surround function is used, the volume information, and the aspect ratio information are included in the video / audio module 200. The driving driver program must be executed by the main controller 600 in order to control a function module corresponding to a control signal applied to the signal input unit 500.

In addition, the main control unit 600 incorporates a predetermined program for checking the operating state of each of the connected function modules 100 to 500.

The built-in program checks the operating states of the respective function modules 100 to 400 at intervals of a predetermined time (for example, several seconds to several tens of minutes) according to a polling method.

As a result of confirmation, the main controller 600 generates control signals on_off1 and on_off2 for forcibly turning off the function module that is not operated. For example, the control signal on_of-f1 may be configured to turn on a function module when the logic is 'low' or turn off when the logic is 'high'.

In the present embodiment, only the broadcast receiving module 100 and the video / audio module 200 are applied. Therefore, the control signal generated by the main controller 600 is preferably composed of 2 bits.

Here, the control signal on_off1 is a control signal for turning on and off the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the control signal on_off2 indicates a control signal for turning on and off the video / audio module 200.

On the other hand, when the function module is turned off, it can be switched to the standby state because it takes a long time to drive normally.

In this case, the main controller 600 generates two bit control signals stand_by1 and stand_by2 for controlling the broadcast receiving module 100 and the video / audio module 200, respectively.

This operation is determined by a control signal (not shown) applied to the signal input unit 500 through a remote control device, a mobile device, and an internet network, and the user may turn off a function module connected to the home gateway system. It is possible to determine whether to switch to the buy state.

Here, the control signal stand_by1 is a signal for setting the broadcast receiving module 100 in the standby state, and the control signal stand_by2 is a signal for setting the video / audio module 200 in the standby state, To cancel the standby function module set to the by state, switch the logic level of the control signal (eg stand_by1).

For example, if the standby state is set when the control signal stand_by1 is logic 'high', the standby state is released when the control signal stand_by1 is logic 'low'.

The power source 700 supplies a DC power source for driving the home gateway system.

The power switching unit 800 selectively cuts off the power supplied to each function module (for example, a broadcast receiving module and a video / audio module) in response to the control signals on_off1 and on_off2 applied from the main controller 600. do.

However, the conventional home gateway configured as described above is connected to an IP based network terminal device (IP based network terminal device) and has a purpose to supply only stable network services, and thus requires a separate power supply peripheral network device, In particular, the network devices that are installed and used in a difficult power supply has a disadvantage that the use is limited.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the LAN port (LAN Ports) connected to the IP based network terminal (IP based Network Terminal), Category-5 of the UTP cable (UTP Cable of Category-5) By supplying power together through the network, the network device connected to the home gateway has a purpose to provide a home gateway equipped with a PI function that can be used without a separate power supply.

In order to achieve the above object, the home gateway equipped with the PI function of the present invention outputs an input signal, thereby performing an overall control by processing an interface unit connecting two components to each other and a signal output from the interface unit. A main processing unit, a memory unit for storing a data signal output from the main processing unit, an Ethernet switch unit for switching a signal input from the main processing unit and an Ethernet network, located between the Ethernet switch unit and an external LAN port, Ethernet PoE power module for transmitting a signal and power together, and a USB host controller for connecting the main processor and the universal serial bus (USB).

The interface unit is configured to be interoperable with external devices for the RS-232C interface, so as to enable interworking with external devices for the first interface unit and RS-485 interface for converting and outputting an input signal into an RS-232C signal. The second interface unit is configured to convert an input signal into an RS-485 signal and output the converted signal.

The memory unit may include a flash memory for preserving data as it is turned off, and an SDRAM memory for copying and executing information contained in the flash memory when power is applied to the operating system of the system.

The first interface unit is an RS-232C interface integrated circuit (IC).

The second interface unit is an RS-485 interface integrated circuit (IC).

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an entire system including other components connected to a home gateway having a PI function according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 17 denotes a PoE home gateway, and a network camera 11, an IP generation terminal 12, and a VoIP phone 13 are communication products for transmitting and receiving data through Ethernet using IP communication. In general, power consumption is low, and it is possible to supply power using PoE function along with Ethernet signal.

The notebook 14, the PC 15, and the printer 16 are Ethernet products using IP communication. However, the notebook 14, the PC 15, and the printer 16 are not suitable for supplying power through PoE as a product with high power consumption. You have a power supply.

Internally, Ethernet signals for the network camera 11, IP generation terminal 12, VoIP phone 13, notebook 14, PC 15 and printer 16 are connected to the external Internet network through the WAN. do.

In detail, it is as follows.

The network camera 11 is a product mainly installed for security and security. After compressing an image of the camera using MPEG image compression format and other compressed image format, the network image is compressed through Ethernet. It is a product to transmit.

The IP generation terminal 12 is a product that is generally installed in an apartment or a private house, and is a product for viewing a video of a visited outsider through a front door camera or the like at an external entrance. In addition, home automation function in the house (door door opening function, crime prevention [motion detection sensor, door opening sensor, etc.], disaster prevention [gas sensor, fire sensor, etc.], interworking with additional call devices (sub video phone, bathroom phone, kitchen TV, etc.) It is a product with built-in functions.

The VoIP phone 13 is a product that makes a phone call through Ethernet, unlike a general COS PSTN phone, and uses voice and video data of the phone using the SIP protocol, the H.323 protocol, and other protocols. It compresses and transmits video, and conversely compresses and restores voice and video signals.

3 is a front view of the home gateway.

Referring to the picture of FIG. 7, the home gateway front picture shows an LED for displaying a status of communication of power and Ethernet, and a reset button in case of malfunction of a system.

Referring to the photograph of FIG. 8, the rear view of the home gateway includes a power input terminal, WAN ports, LAN ports, optics, RS-232 & RS-485 ports, and USB ports from the right. Of the 8 ports, 4 ports are general Ethernet ports and the other 4 ports are PoE Ethernet ports with built-in PoE.

Antennas at the left and right ends are WLAN antennas for implementing a wireless LAN, and a center antenna is an antenna for wireless communication with devices that are interworked with a radio interface such as radio frequency (RF) or ZigBee. .

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a home gateway equipped with a PI function of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the home gateway equipped with the PI function of the present invention outputs an input signal, thereby outputting from the interface unit 95 and the interface unit 95 connecting the two components to each other. A main processing unit 10 for processing signals and performing overall control, a memory unit 25 for storing data signals output from the main processing unit 10, and switching signals input from the main processing unit 10 and an Ethernet network. Located between the Ethernet switch unit 40, the Ethernet switch unit 40 and the external LAN port, the PoE power supply module 50 for transmitting the Ethernet signal and power together, the main processor 10 and the universal serial bus And a USB host controller 60 for connecting the (USB).

In detail, it is as follows.

The interface unit 95 is configured to be interoperable with external devices for an RS-232C interface, and includes a first interface unit for converting an input signal into an RS-232C signal and outputting the external device for an RS-485 interface. It is configured to be interlocked, and includes a second interface unit for converting an input signal into an RS-485 signal and outputting it.

The first interface unit is an RS-232C interface integrated circuit (IC).

The main processor 10 supports two UART interfaces, one of which uses an RS-232C interface IC to use the RS-232C interface. That is, the UART interface converts an input signal into an RS-232C signal through the RS-232C interface IC and outputs it, and is designed to be interoperable with external devices for the RS-232C interface.

The main processor 10 is the most important processor for performing all interfaces and overall control connected to and interlocked with the home gateway device of the present invention. In the home gateway device of the present invention, a universal asynchronous receiver / trans-mitter General purpose asynchronous transmission / reception interface unit, storage unit memory unit (Flash Memory unit, SDRAM Memory unit), Ethernet Switching unit 40, PCI interface unit, device connected to LAN between Ethernet processing unit and LAN port It is composed of PoE unit for supplying power.

The memory unit may include a flash memory unit and an SDRAM memory unit, and the flash memory unit may include a main program, that is, an operating system (OS) for implementing an operation of the system and each system implementation unit. The device driver (Device Driver) and the application program, which is a program for information and interface, are embedded, and the data does not disappear even when power is not applied due to non-volatileness.

The SDRAM memory unit is a temporary storage device that temporarily copies a program to SDRAM for high-speed processing of programs stored in the flash memory unit, executes a program there, or temporarily stores data generated during processing of the program. .

In addition, the UART interface unit is a multi-serial data communication for the purpose of the multi-point communication line and the RS-232C interface, which is one of the external serial data communication protocol for communication between devices having a UART interface It consists of an interface unit that implements one of the protocols, the RS-485 interface.

The PCI interface unit may include a wireless LAN unit to which a wireless LAN (WLAN) device for implementing a wireless LAN is connected, and a USB interface unit for interworking USB devices that are general purpose asynchronous transceiver devices.

The second interface unit is an RS-485 interface integrated circuit (IC).

The other one of the two UARTs supported by the main processor 10 uses an RS-485 interface IC to use the RS-485 interface. That is, the UART interface converts an input signal into an RS-485 signal through the RS-485 interface IC and outputs it, and is designed to be interoperable with external devices for the RS-485 interface.

The main processor 10 is responsible for the overall control. As an Xscale Core based processor, clock speeds are available at 266 MHz, 400 MHz, and 533 MHz. In the present invention, 400 MHz products are used.

It also has three network processor engines built in, delivering more powerful performance than any other home network based processor.

The memory unit 25 includes a flash memory for preserving data even when the power is turned off, and an SDRAM memory for copying and executing information contained in the flash memory when power is applied and the operating system of the system starts to operate.

The flash memory contains the main software for implementing the KGW-1000, and the data remains intact even when the power is turned off due to non-volatileness.

The flash memory is connected to the main processor 10 at a 16-bit address. The flash memory has two 16 MByte memories and has a capacity of 32 MBytes.

If additional flash memory capacity is required, two additional 16 MByte memories are mounted on the instrument.

Meanwhile, the SDRAM memory is an auxiliary memory of the KGW-1000. When power is applied and the operating system (OS) of the system starts to operate, the information contained in the flash memory is copied to the SDRAM memory and executed.

Each of the SDRAM memories operates at 16 bits, but by connecting two SDRAM memories in parallel to chip select the IC, the SDRAM memories are operated at 32 bits.

Since each of the SDRAM memory capacities is 32 MBytes, the two are connected, so that the total capacity has 64 MBytes.

If additional SDRAM memory capacity is required, the maximum capacity can be extended to 128 MBytes by using 64 MBytes of memory.

The Ethernet switch unit 40 is a converter for connecting a switching IC, a Fast Ethernet Transceiver IC, and a physical Ethernet Port (RJ-45). According to the present invention, the present invention supports an 8-port LAN through the switching IC, and each port can implement Fiber Optic.

The main processing unit 10 is connected to two multimedia independent interfaces (MII), but after connecting only one MII, the MII port of the remaining main processing unit 10 is the fast Ethernet transceiver integrated circuit (Fast). It is connected to an external wide area network (WAN), which is a separate up-link port by connecting to an Ethernet Transceiver IC, and is realized as a LAN 8 port and a WAN 1 port. .

The PoE power module 50 is located between the switching IC and an external LAN port, and transmits power together with an Ethernet signal.

Each LAN port of the home gateway is composed of four LANs and four LANs, each of which includes PoE functions, but both LAN ports can implement PoE.

A general LAN port is connected to information terminals such as PCs and notebook computers in the home, and a LAN port with a built-in PoE function is an IP generation terminal 12, a network camera 11, or a VoIP phone 13 For each device installation, if you need to be located in a place where you do not want to supply power, use PoE LAN port and supply power along with Ethernet signal so you can easily install and connect peripheral devices.

The USB host controller 50 is a separate USB host controller integrated circuit (USB Host Controller IC) supporting a host mode of USB 2.0.

The interface with the main processor 10 is connected using a PCI interface. The physical connection to the outside is made via an A type USB connector.

Wireless LANs (WLANs) are designed to be removable from wireless LAN cards and support most of the popular WLAN cards.

The present invention supports a wireless LAN (WLAN) in the form of IEEE 802.11a / b / g protocol.

The main processor 10 is connected through a PCI interface, and a socket for physical connection is connected with a mini-PCI socket.

Wireless LAN (WLAN) is supported in a modular form and is installed by mounting a WLAN card in a socket. The WLAN card can be installed as an option.

Current trends include that home networks are becoming more common in homes and offices, where security and security devices and other peripherals are connected into one network.

In installing these peripherals, there are restrictions on the installation site. In the case of a place where power is not supplied or a place where a power connection is not easy, power is supplied with data through an Internet data line (LAN cable, Category-5). It can be supplied together, which can be freed from the constraints of the installation site and the trouble of the installer.

In this system, the Power over Ethernet Home Gateway is connected to the external internet network by WAN, and each LAN port of the home gateway is composed of LAN and general LAN with built-in PoE. It is connected to information terminals such as PCs and laptops in the home, and a LAN port with a built-in PoE function is connected to devices such as an IP generation terminal 12, a network camera 11, or a VoIP telephone 13.

First, the specification of the home gateway for PoE proposed by this system is briefly as follows.

CPU: IXP425 (Based Xscale)

OS: Linux 2.4.20 (QT Library)

LAN 8 ports

PoE  4 ports (4 ports of LAN 8 ports PoE  support)

WAN 1 port

USB: 2 ports

Wireless LAN (Supports 802.11a / b / g)

RS-232 1 port

RS-485 1 port

The physical line used for Internet communication uses UTP cable.

The UTP cable consists of four twisted pairs called twist pairs. As shown in the UTP cable connection diagram below, the UTP cable is connected to both ends of the cable using an RJ-45 plug. The connected cable is connected to the home gateway and most network devices of the present invention via a LAN.

Almost all network devices have built-in RJ-45 sockets for RJ-45 plugs.

Table 1

Line number One 2 3 4 5 6 7 8  Wiring color Orange white belt Orange Green white belt blue Blue white belt green Brown white belt Brown

Of these, the line actually used for the data line for the network uses four wires: 1 (TX +), 2 (TX-), 3 (RX +) and 6 (RX-). Lines 7, 8 are not used for data transmission over the network.

PoE uses wires 4, 5, 7, and 8, which are not used for data transmission over the network, and power is supplied through these four wires.

The above Power over Ethernet (PoE) block diagram shows that power is directly transmitted through the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th lines of RJ-45.

The home gateway of the present invention can supply power with data to the IP-based terminal device in the above manner.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of PoE, and reference numeral 17 represented by a dotted line indicates a PoE configuration module embedded in the home gateway, and an IP-based terminal 12 represented by a dotted line on the right is connected by PoE. Means an internal PoE configuration module possessed by a device capable of communicating, that is, the network camera 11, the IP generation terminal 12, the VoIP telephone 13, and the like of FIG.

In FIG. 5, four pairs (8 lines in total) connected by a pair represented by RJ-45 represent a category-5 (Category-5) UTP cable connection. That is, it means a UTP cable connection method between the home gateway and the PoE devices.

The actual UTP cable picture is shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a UTP cable connection method, which is a UTP cable connection method commonly used worldwide.

Each line color and line position in the cable and the opposite line color and line position are connected as shown in FIG. 6, and all Ethernet connections (including PoE) connected through the home gateway are connected as shown in FIG. 6.

In general, a wiring method in which both ends of the wiring method match each other is referred to as a direct cable connection. The line colors for the UTP cable connections are detailed in Table 1.

According to the present invention configured as described above, in the case of a place where power is not supplied or a place where power connection is not easy, power can be supplied together with data through an Internet data line (LAN Cable, Category-5). There is an effect that can be freed from the constraints of the place and the hassle of the installer.

Claims (11)

An interface unit for connecting two components to each other by outputting an input signal; A main processor which processes the signal output from the interface unit and performs overall control; A memory unit for storing a data signal output from the main processor; Ethernet switch unit for switching the signal input from the main processing unit and Ethernet network, PoE power module is located between the Ethernet switch unit and the external LAN port, and transmits the Ethernet signal and power together, A home gateway equipped with a PI function including a USB host controller for connecting the main processor and a universal serial bus (USB). The method of claim 1, The interface unit A first interface unit configured to be interoperable with external devices for an RS-232C interface and converting an input signal into an RS-232C signal and outputting the same; A home gateway configured to enable interworking with external devices for an RS-485 interface and including a second interface unit for converting an input signal into an RS-485 signal and outputting the same. The method of claim 1, The memory unit Flash memory to preserve data as it is, The home gateway with a PI function, including an SDRAM memory to copy and execute the information contained in the flash memory when power is applied to the operating system of the system. The method of claim 2, And the first interface unit is a home gateway equipped with a PI function, which is an RS-232C interface integrated circuit (IC). The method of claim 2, And the second interface unit is a home gateway equipped with a PI function, which is an RS-485 interface integrated circuit (IC). The method of claim 3, Each of the SDRAM memories operates in 16 bits, but by connecting two SDRAM memories in parallel to chip select the IC, the home gateway is equipped with a PI function that operates in 32 bits. The method of claim 3, When the SDRAM memory capacity is additionally needed, the home gateway is equipped with a PI function, which can be expanded to 128 MByte by using 64 MByte memory. The method of claim 1, The Ethernet switch unit consists of a switching IC, a Fast Ethernet Transceiver IC, and a physical Ethernet port (RJ-45) for converting a transformer. Home gateway with The method of claim 1, Each LAN port of the home gateway is composed of 4 LANs and 4 LANs, each of which has a built-in PoE function, but all LAN ports are capable of implementing PoE. Home gateway with The method of claim 1, PLAN to which information terminals such as PCs and notebook computers are connected to the general LAN port of the home gateway, and IP generation terminals, network cameras, or VoIP phones are connected to the LAN ports with a built-in PoE function. Home gateway with features. The method of claim 1, The USB host controller is a home gateway equipped with a PI function, which is a separate USB host controller integrated circuit (USB Host Controller IC) supporting a host mode of USB 2.0.

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