WO2004039013A2

WO2004039013A2 - Active distribution board in a communication network

Info

Publication number: WO2004039013A2
Application number: PCT/EP2003/010992
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörgen Bergmann; Wilhelm Ludolf; Jürgen Kuhnert
Original assignee: Merten Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2002-10-23
Filing date: 2003-10-04
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: DE10249254A1; AU2003268915A1; WO2004039013A3

Abstract

Disclosed is an active distribution board (AV) for data and power, comprising an intelligent data node (13) and several connections (A0-A3) for receiving and distributing data. The distribution boards can be interlinked while the connections transmit both data and a supplied voltage. Each distribution board comprises a line (14) that connects the power connections (S0-S3) to a supply circuit (15) which generates a reduced operating voltage from the supplied voltage. Such active distribution boards allow networks to be further developed and extended in a random manner. The invention is particularly suitable for private local networks or smaller commercial networks.

Description

Active distributor in a communication network

The invention relates to an active distributor for data and electricity in a local communication network.

Commercial networks for data transmission, which work with a high transmission rate of more than IMibit / s, require individual planning of the network structure and careful laying of the data lines from an HF point of view. This creates a tailor-made network that is optimized for the special conditions. At these high transmission rates, all lines must be terminated with the characteristic impedance. Otherwise disturbing signal reflections occur. Planning, execution, operation and service of such network structures are geared towards the needs of the respective commercial user. Passive distribution panels (patch panels) and active distributors, namely signal regenerators such as hubs, switches and routers, which are concentrated in a central room, can be used in such networks are, each active element has its own power supply. As a rule, the power is supplied via installation boxes, which are either built into walls as wall boxes, or via socket strips in the distribution cabinets. Normally, each connected device and each active distributor has its own independent power supply.

In the commercial area, star-shaped cabling structures are often used, which require numerous and extensive cable bundles. These are installed in suspended ceilings, in cavity floors or in cable ducts. Such a type of installation is generally not possible in the private sector. In order to expand existing networks, a connection must be made from the extension point to the central star point in the case of a star-shaped cabling structure, which is reflected in a large number of new cable routings when the network changes. Alternatively, it is possible to use standalone stand-alone devices in a decentralized structure, which leads to a tree structure. However, such a tree structure requires numerous decentralized power supplies that are fed from the normal power grid. In residential and private areas, such stand-alone devices with their necessary power supplies represent disruptive foreign bodies that impair the image of the interior.

Because the data lines must be terminated at the high transmission rates in accordance with the wave resistance, the power supply cannot be implemented with simple means via the data lines. Up to now, the transmission of the supply voltage via data lines has only been possible with bus systems with low bit rates. The invention has for its object to provide an active distributor for data and electricity in a local communication network, which is able to distribute both data and a supply voltage and to pass on to several suitable distributors. In this way, the installation of a second power supply network is to be avoided.

This object is achieved according to the invention with the features specified in claim 1. According to this, an additional line is provided for the power supply of the data node of the distributor and the other distributors, which has a power connection to each data connection and distributes a supply voltage. A converter is connected to this line, which generates a regulated operating voltage for the data node from the supply voltage.

In the distributor according to the invention, a supply voltage that is supplied to one of the power connections is distributed to all other power connections. Each data connection forms a connection pair with a power connection. These connection pairs connect distributors to each other. Either a similar amplifier or any other data device, typically without its own power supply, can be connected to each connection pair. In this way, communication networks can be created in any structure, data lines and supply lines respectively forming a uniform wiring harness that only requires a single connection.

The distributor according to the invention is particularly suitable for communication networks which are used in the private sector, where it is expedient to lay as few cables as possible. The distributor can be designed as a wall installation, where the entire wiring can be plastered. The distributor according to the invention can contain one or more wall exits. In any case, they are contacted with a single plug in order to connect a device.

The supply voltage is not necessarily the same as the operating voltage. It is expedient to have a higher voltage which is distributed in a network formed from distributors, this supply voltage being converted in each distributor into an operating voltage which is suitable for the operation of the data node which forms the core of the distributor. The additional line, shown as a ring line, assigns a power connection to each data connection. So it connects all power connections of the active distributor with each other. It is important that this line generally supplies all power connections with the same supply voltage, which is automatically distributed across the entire network when several identical active distributors are networked, so that the active distributors and possibly also the end devices connected to them receive the supply voltage.

The active distributor according to the invention is particularly suitable for communication networks in the domestic or private sector or in small internal networks in the commercial sector. It can be used to form networks with little effort for cables and wiring, which can be expanded and expanded at any time. In this way, computers and other data delivery devices and / or receiving devices can be connected to the network. The distributor is intended, on the one hand, to be connected to other distributors of the same type in order to form a network and, on the other hand, to connect terminal devices, such as computers, to the data connections. The network cabling can be standardized using the active distributor according to the invention. A network can also be expanded during operation. It can grow with little planning effort and without reconfiguration. The laying technique for the cables is simple and usually follows a tree structure. The distributor can be designed so that it can be inserted into a wall installation box, as is common in electrical installation technology. Furthermore, distributors are to be designed in such a way that they can be used either for surface mounting or in distribution cabinets.

The network is usually implemented with a control center, which is installed in a distribution cabinet and forms both a data center and a power center. From this center, preferably one line is laid in each of the rooms and active distributors are installed there, to which the end devices can be connected. In this way, the number of cable runs leading from the central distributor can be kept relatively small, so that the installation effort is low. The sub-distribution in the respective rooms is carried out using lifting or switching elements, expediently in a flush-mounted installation.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that each current connection of the active distributor has a monitoring circuit monitoring the relevant line, which, for example, carries out a current limitation and / or, in the event of an overcurrent, only separates this line line from the supply voltage. This prevents the power supply in the entire network from breaking down in the event of a short circuit at one of the distributors in the network. Much more it is automatically ensured that only the relevant distributor with the corresponding network segment is switched off, while the network remains functional. These security measures also prevent a distributor from drawing too much electricity and heating up excessively. This is particularly advantageous when the distributors are housed in wall boxes because the possibilities of heat dissipation are low in a wall box.

The invention further relates to a local area network which is set up using the active distributors. Such a network has a control center with several connections, each connection being connected to its own network of distributors. The connections of the control center each consist of a data connection and a power connection.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Show it:

1 shows an embodiment of a cabling structure of a local network, which is implemented using the distributors according to the invention,

2 shows a basic circuit diagram of the active distributor with a data node, a ring line for distributing the supply voltage and data connections and power connections,

Fig. 3 shows a phantom circuit for separating data and supply voltage, which are transmitted via a single cable, and Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the center with part of the data network and the power supply.

1 shows a local area network 10, the core of which is formed by a control center 11. In the simplest case, the control center contains only one hub for connecting the individual strands 12 to one another. In addition, measures according to the invention are necessary in this control center in order to supply the active distributors AV with the required supply voltage via the strands 12. This can e.g. through a passive distribution panel (patch panel) with integrated phantom power supply and a corresponding power supply.

As a rule, however, the control center will contain a switch and / or router for performance reasons. The supply voltage required by the active distributors is fed directly into the devices provided for this purpose, or through an additional distribution field with integrated phantom feed. A hub is a simple data splitter that distributes data, so to speak, blindly on the outgoing lines. A switch, on the other hand, is a controlled distributor that selectively forwards data only to selected recipients. A router defines the data connections including the intermediate stations for different networks or multiple connection options.

The control center has several connections A, B, C, D, to each of which a line 12 in the form of a cable can be connected. Each line 12 leads into a room, R1, R2 ... in which a subnetwork SN is installed. Each subnetwork SN can consist of several active distributors AV. Each AV distributor contains several connections ^ A ^ A _a ^. The active distributor AV can be bidirectionally connected to other devices via each of these connections. advise communicate. External devices, for example data transmission devices or data reception devices, can be connected to those connections of the distributor that are not required for the subnetwork SN. The AV distributors are each installed in an installation box, as is used as a flush-mounted box in electrical supply networks. The distributors are connected by cables installed permanently in the room, usually under plaster. This creates your own network installation with data connections, the active distributors of which are supplied with energy from your own network.

Figure 2 shows the structure of an active distributor AV. At its heart, this contains a data node 13, which can be a switch or hub. In any case, the data node contains 13 active amplifiers for data distribution and suitable devices for data management of the incoming and outgoing data. The data node 13 is usually designed as an integrated module.

The connections A ₀ to A _{3 of} the distributor AV each consist of a data connection D ₀ to D ₃ and a power connection S ₀ to S ₃ . A power connection is therefore assigned to each data connection. The power connections S ₀ to S ₃ are connected to one another by a line 14. The distributor contains a supply circuit 15 for generating the operating voltage for the data node 13. While the connecting line 14 and the power connections connected thereto carry a supply voltage of, for example, 24 V, the supply circuit 15 connected to the connecting line 14 generates a lower operating voltage of, for example, 5 from the supply voltage V. The supply voltage and the operating voltage are typically DC voltages. The amount of the delivery voltage can be according to the Line lengths and the voltage losses on the supply lines vary. In contrast, the operating voltage generated by the supply circuit 15 is a stabilized DC voltage. A step-down regulator can be used to convert the supply voltage to the operating voltage, which always produces the desired voltage, regardless of the supply voltage present.

Each of the power connections S ₀ , Sι, S ₂ , S _{3 of} the active distributor can contain a monitoring circuit 16. The level of the current flowing through the relevant power connection is thus monitored. The monitoring circuits 16 are connected to a current manager contained in the data node 13, which carries out corresponding control measures depending on the current and voltage. For example, the current in each of the power connections can be limited to a maximum value. This prevents thermal overloads. If a short circuit occurs at one of the power connections, this is also recognized and leads to the switching off of the power supply concerned. Each monitoring circuit 16 contains a current sensor 17 and a switch 18. Selective switching off of an individual connection prevents the entire network from becoming inoperable in the event of a short circuit or another fault.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, the data and the supply voltage are transmitted via separate lines, which, however, can be combined to form a cable. The distributor has separate or common sockets for inserting the plug of a cable, through which an external device is connected to the network. The data network supplies itself with the necessary supply voltage for the complete sub-distribution. In the present case, the delivery voltage in the Central station 11 (FIG. 1) is generated, however, several power supplies can also be arranged distributed in the network.

A variant in which the data transfer and the power supply take place over the same lines is shown in FIG. 3. Here, the connection in question, for example connection A _{0, contains} a phantom circuit 20 which connects an outer four-wire line 21 to an inner four-wire line 22. The pair of wires of the four-wire line 21 is connected to the ends of the primary winding of a transformer Ui consisting of the two coils P _x and P ₂ . The coils of the secondary winding are designated SW _X and SW ₂ . The second pair of wires of the four-wire line 21 is in the same way with the primary windings PW _1; PW _{2 of} a transformer U ₂ connected. The secondary windings of the two transmitters form the four-wire line 22, which is connected to the data node 13 as a data connection D ₀ .

The four-wire line 21 sends the data flow in one direction via the first pair of wires and the data flow in the opposite direction via the second pair of wires. Both data flows consist of alternating voltage signals. A further voltage component is superimposed on each pair of wires, which is tapped between the primary windings PWι, PW _{2 of} the transformer U _ι , U ₂ . These voltage potentials form the supply voltage. They are fed to a monitoring circuit 16, the output of which forms the current connection S ₀ , which is connected to the connecting line 14.

A signal line 23 connects the monitoring circuit 16 to the data node 13. On the information line 23, signals about the strength of the delivery current are sent to the data node 13 and there are commands for limiting or switching off of the current at the current connection S ₀ from the data node 13 to the monitoring circuit 16.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which the center 11 has a plurality of connections A for wiring harnesses, each of which contains a data and power supply connection. Each connection A is embedded in a connection unit AE, which is part of the control center 11. The connection unit AE contains elements similar to the active distributors AV, it usually also provides the functions that are available at the respective distributor ports. It checks the current and voltage values for the supply (supply voltage), can disconnect the affected line in the event of a fault and close fault rectification again. If necessary, an error message (signaling) can be issued. The contacting of the outgoing four-wire lines 21 takes place in a pertinent manner either via detachable plug connections or via contact units in insulation displacement or screw terminal technology.

There is a four-wire line 24 in the connection unit AE, which consists of a two-wire line for data transport in one direction and a two-wire line for data transport in the opposite direction. A phantom circuit 20, which contains two transmitters U _x and U ₂ , transmits the data to a four-wire line 21. This four-wire line is superimposed in the manner described by two supply lines 25, 26 different voltage potentials, which are in the control center 11 or in a separate one Device are generated. In this way, both the data transport and the transport of the supply voltage takes place via a cable which contains the four-wire line 21. In the connected distributor, which is shown in Figure 3, supply voltage and data are separated from each other again. A further development of the local network also enables the provision of low-frequency services, for example telephone transmission over the data network.

Claims

1. Active distributor for data and electricity in a local communication network, with a data node (13) having a plurality of data connections (D ₀ , D ₁₇ D ₂ , D ₃ ), characterized in that for the power supply of the data node (13) and Distributor (AV) a connecting line (14) is provided, which has at least one data connection (D ₀ -D ₃ ) a power connection (S ₀ -S ₃ ) and distributes a supply voltage.

2. Active distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that a supply circuit (15) is connected to the connecting line (14), which generates a regulated operating voltage for the data node (13) from the supply voltage.

3. Active distributor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each power connection (S ₀ -S ₃ ) has a monitoring circuit (16) monitoring the current concerned, which carries out a current limitation and / or in the event of an overcurrent, only this power connection from the Disconnects connecting line (14).

4. Active distributor according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that in each case a data connection (D ₀ -D ₃ ) and a power connection (Sι-S ₃ ) are accessible through a common cable connection unit.

5. Active distributor according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the distributor (AV) in an instal- lationsdose is mountable for electrical network installations.

6. Active distributor according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the current is transmitted via the data connections and the data connections each have a phantom circuit (20) for branching off or adding the current connections (S ₀ -S ₃ ).

7. Local network with several active distributors according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that a center (11) with a plurality of connections (A, B, C, D) is provided, each connection having its own network (SN) from distributors (AV) is connected.

8. Local network according to claim 7, characterized in that the center (11) has a current monitoring circuit for each connection, which carries out a current limitation and / or in the event of an overcurrent only switches off this connection.

9. Local network according to claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the center (11) has means which in the event of a malfunction at an output switches this line off and on again after the fault has been rectified.

10. Local network according to one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the control center (11) has means which, in the event of a malfunction at an output, switches this line off and on again after the fault has been rectified and carries out a corresponding signaling.