WO2012005491A1 - Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving of time information broadcasting using power line broadcasting - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving of time information broadcasting using power line broadcasting Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012005491A1
WO2012005491A1 PCT/KR2011/004902 KR2011004902W WO2012005491A1 WO 2012005491 A1 WO2012005491 A1 WO 2012005491A1 KR 2011004902 W KR2011004902 W KR 2011004902W WO 2012005491 A1 WO2012005491 A1 WO 2012005491A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal
time information
power line
time
information broadcast
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Ceased
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PCT/KR2011/004902
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French (fr)
Inventor
Young Beom Kim
Sam Yong Woo
Myung Soo Kim
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Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
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Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
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Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020100064716A external-priority patent/KR101083724B1/en
Priority claimed from KR1020100064715A external-priority patent/KR101083723B1/en
Application filed by Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science filed Critical Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
Publication of WO2012005491A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012005491A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L25/00—Baseband systems
    • H04L25/38—Synchronous or start-stop systems, e.g. for Baudot code
    • H04L25/40—Transmitting circuits; Receiving circuits
    • H04L25/49—Transmitting circuits; Receiving circuits using code conversion at the transmitter; using predistortion; using insertion of idle bits for obtaining a desired frequency spectrum; using three or more amplitude levels ; Baseband coding techniques specific to data transmission systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B3/00—Line transmission systems
    • H04B3/54—Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
    • H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
    • H04B2203/5404—Methods of transmitting or receiving signals via power distribution lines
    • H04B2203/5416—Methods of transmitting or receiving signals via power distribution lines by adding signals to the wave form of the power source
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to line transmission systems
    • H04B2203/54—Aspects of powerline communications not already covered by H04B3/54 and its subgroups
    • H04B2203/5462—Systems for power line communications
    • H04B2203/5466—Systems for power line communications using three phases conductors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line and a method thereof, and more specifically, to a time information broadcasting apparatus using a power line, in which the time information broadcast signal is overlapped with a power signal of 59 to 60 Hz and transferred to an electronic device or the like.
  • PLC power line communication
  • Broadcasting is a concept contrasting to the communication, and the broadcasting refers to distributing various types of information such as entertainment, intelligence, education and the like so that the unspecified general public having an appropriate receive apparatus may simultaneously view or listen to the information.
  • the invention disclosed in the specification uses a power line, like the power line communication.
  • a power line like the power line communication.
  • PLB power line broadcasting
  • the present invention relates to a time information broadcasting apparatus for loading and transmitting a time information broadcast signal on a power signal of a power line to a variety of devices, and this can be defined as power line time broadcasting (PLTB).
  • PLTB power line time broadcasting
  • the power line broadcasting can perform long distance transmission using a power line based on a low frequency, and if uni-directional information transfer is the only object, the power line broadcasting can further effectively achieve the object compared with conventional power line communication.
  • the power line communication is a wired communication using a power line as a medium, it may affect other wireless facilities due to leakage of radio waves, and a frequency band for exchanging a large amount of data can be a frequency band limited by the radio regulation law in some cases.
  • the power line used for power line communication is not a communication line comprising a single device for a single purpose like a telephone line or an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), but is connected to a variety of devices such as a refrigerator, a TV, and the like at home.
  • ADSL asymmetric digital subscriber line
  • the noise level of a circuit is extremely high and signals are frequently distorted or disconnected, there is a limit in that the power line is inappropriate as a data communication line. Particularly, it is difficult to transfer data through limited signal power, overcoming special environments such as high load, interference, varying impedance, attenuation of signal, and the like.
  • time is a physical quantity that can be measured most accurately. Owing to its accuracy, time information is sufficiently valuable to be utilized in the whole field of industry, and it is important to manage and accurately maintain the time information for its utilization.
  • time information there are standard times managed and maintained by a number of countries for each country, as well as the International Atomic Times (TAI) and Universal Time Coordinated (UTC).
  • TAI International Atomic Times
  • UTC Universal Time Coordinated
  • a reference time of an atomic clock mounted on a satellite of a global positioning system (GPS) is utilized as time information.
  • a UTCK program can be downloaded and used through the Internet, or the time information can be obtained by connecting to a time server in each country through a modem.
  • the time information can be obtained from long-wave broadcasting or shortwave broadcasting.
  • the long-wave or shortwave broadcasting loads and broadcasts information such as a one pulse per second(1PPS), a binary coded decimal (BCD) time code, an audio tone or the like on a carrier frequency.
  • 1PPS one pulse per second
  • BCD binary coded decimal
  • audio tone or the like on a carrier frequency.
  • communication of the shortwave broadcasting mainly uses a space wave, it is difficult to receive the space wave indoor, and receive sensitivity is degraded depending on the state of the ionosphere and the installation location of a receive antenna.
  • time information such as information on national standard time
  • an Internet network or a telephone network are indirect or limited in providing the time information to a variety of electronic products, facilities of a factory, measuring instruments in a laboratory or the like.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a time information broadcasting apparatus using a power line, in which a small amount of data can be uni-directionally broadcasted to a long distance over a power line using a carrier wave of a low frequency band, whereas power line communication needs a carrier wave of a high frequency band in order to bi-directionally transmit a large amount of data.
  • an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line comprising: the power line 100 for transmitting a power signal and the time information broadcast signal; a time information generation means 210 for generating a first signal which is the time information broadcast signal; an encoding means 220 for generating a second signal encoded in a BCD time code based on the first signal; a modulation means 230 for generating a third signal, which is a modulated serial signal, based on the second signal; and a coupling means 240 connected between the modulation means 230 and the power line 100, for outputting and coupling a fourth signal to the power signal through electromagnetic inductive coupling.
  • a method for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line comprising the steps of: generating a first signal which is the time information broadcast signal, by a time information generation means 210 S110; generating a second signal encoded in a BCD time code based on the first signal, by an encoding means 220 S120; generating a third signal, which is a modulated serial signal, based on the second signal, by a modulation means 230 S130; and outputting and coupling a fourth signal to the power signal through electromagnetic inductive coupling, by a coupling means 240 connected between the modulation means 230 and the power line 100 S140.
  • an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line comprising: a filter 710 for receiving a first signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, and extracting a second signal, i.e., a modulated serial signal; a demodulation means 720 for generating a third signal encoded in a BCD time code by demodulating the second signal; a decoding means 730 for decoding the third signal and generating a fourth signal; and a time information acquiring means 740 for acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the fourth signal.
  • an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line comprising: a long wave receiver 810 for receiving a wireless signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal and outputting a demodulated tenth signal; a microprocessor 830 for receiving and decoding the tenth signal, determining existence of error in the power line 600 based on the tenth signal, and outputting an eleventh signal corresponding to existence of error in the power line 600 depending on the determination; a time compensation means 840 for compensating the eleventh signal and outputting a twelfth signal; an amplifier 850 for amplifying the twelfth signal and outputting a thirteenth signal; and a time information acquiring means 860 for acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the thirteenth signal.
  • a method for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line comprising the steps of: receiving a first signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, and extracting a second signal, which is a modulated serial signal, by a filter 710 connected to the power line 600 S210; demodulating the second signal and generating a third signal encoded in a BCD time code, by a demodulation means 720 S220; decoding the third signal and generating a fourth signal, by a decoding means 730 S230; and acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the fourth signal, by a time information acquiring means 740 S240.
  • the power line broadcasting transmits a small amount of data such as time information uni-directionally, long-range power line broadcasting can be easily performed using a carrier wave of a low frequency band.
  • power consumption can be measured from a meter in real-time, and thus the present invention is effective in that a core technique of a smart grid is provided.
  • FIG. 1 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a distribution amplifier.
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing a BCD time code of a standard frequency station, which is a method for distributing a time frequency standard using wireless communication of an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a second embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a distribution amplifier.
  • FIG. 6 and 7 are views showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a second embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a high-pass filter and an amplifier.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a third embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a reference clock signal providing means.
  • FIG. 11 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for wirelessly receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line roughly comprises a power line 100 for transmitting a power signal and the time information broadcast signal, a time information generation means 210, an encoding means 220, a modulation means 230, a coupling means 240, and the like.
  • the time information broadcast signal generated by the time information generation means 210 in an ASCII code method or a serial binary code method is overlapped with the power signal and transmitted to all electronic devices that need the time information broadcast.
  • the power line 100 can transmit a time information broadcast signal on a low frequency signal.
  • an existing power line 100 for supplying power can be used as is and the power signal of the power line 100 generally uses a frequency of 60 Hz, a frequency lower or higher than 60 Hz (e.g., 40 to 70 Hz) can be used.
  • a first signal outputted from the time information generation means 210 may be a time information broadcast signal generated in an ASCII code method or a serial binary code method.
  • the first signal may include a signal having a frequency of about 10 MHz or a one pulse per second(1PPS) in order to provide an RF reference clock signal of an electronic device.
  • the signal having a frequency of 10 MHz may have a frequency higher or lower than 10 MHz (e.g., 5 to 10 MHz), and a frequency of about 10 MHz is outputted in an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the first signal outputted from the time information generation means 210 may transmit the time information broadcast signal through a wired or wireless communication, and a wireless communication means may be further comprised if the time information signal is transmitted through the wireless communication.
  • the first signal outputted from the time information generation means 210 may include a reference time information broadcast signal using a standard time ST or a GPS.
  • a cesium atomic clock of the Length and Time laboratory of Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science may generate a time information broadcast signal.
  • the GPS receive module may generate a time information broadcast signal in the ASCII code method, and at this point, the signal level of the GPS receive module includes RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485.
  • the first signal which is the time information broadcast signal generated in the ASCII code or serial binary code method, preferably includes at least one of second, minute, hour, day, month, and year as time information.
  • the first signal preferably transmits a signal including information on the position of the time information broadcast signal coupled to the power line 100, leap second, daylight saving time, weather, disaster, and the like, together with the time information broadcast signal.
  • a Korean Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO's) code can be inserted as the position information coupled to the power line 100, and the inserted KEPCO's code can be efficiently used for a smart grid.
  • the encoding means 220 encodes the first signal inputted in the ASCII code or serial binary code method. At this time, a second signal outputted from the encoding means 220 is a signal encoded in synchronization with a minute time point of the first signal.
  • a time code of the second signal encoded by the encoding means 220 basically uses an IRIG-H format and is outputted to the modulation means 230.
  • the IRIG-H format is a binary serial code of one minute interval, in which output time of a pulse wave signal corresponding to '0' is 200[ms], output time of a pulse wave signal corresponding to '1' is 500[ms], and output time of a pulse wave signal for recognizing a starting point is 800[ms] (corresponding to a, b, and c in FIG. 3, respectively).
  • the modulation means 230 is a means for receiving the time code encoded in the IRIG-H format by the encoding means 220 and modulating the time code into a specific carrier frequency in order to transmit the time information broadcast signal.
  • a modulation signal can be generated using a phase modulation method or a frequency modulation method.
  • the frequency modulated in the amplitude modulation method is a frequency of tens of KHz that is coupled to a signal of 60 Hz of the power line 100 by the coupling means 240 described below.
  • a distribution amplifier 260 distributes a modulated third signal into signals respectively corresponding to each phase, amplifies the distributed signals, and outputs a 3-1 signal to the coupling means 240 in order to couple the 3-1 signal to a three-phase signal of the power line 100.
  • the coupling means 240 receives the modulated third signal and outputs a fourth signal. At this point, the fourth signal can be coupled to the power signal of the power line 100 through electromagnetic inductive coupling.
  • the coupling means 240 may receive the 3-1 signal distributed and amplified by the distribution amplifier 260 to be coupled to a signal of each phase of the power line 100 and couple the 3-1 signal to each phase of the power line 100 through electromagnetic inductive coupling.
  • the same time information can be obtained at any phase of the three-phase AC signal, from the time information broadcast signal coupled to each phase through electromagnetic inductive coupling, and the same time information broadcast signal can be obtained in a building that is not provided with all of the three phases.
  • the time information generation means 210 performs the step of generating a first signal, i.e., a time information broadcast signal S110.
  • the first signal can be transmitted through a wired or wireless communication, and the step of transmitting and receiving a wireless communication can be further comprised if the first signal is transmitted through the wireless communication.
  • the encoding means 220 performs the step of generating a second signal encoded in a BCD time code based on the first signal including the time information broadcast signal S120.
  • the second signal outputted from the encoding means 220 is a signal encoded in synchronization with a minute time point of the first signal.
  • the modulation means 230 performs the step of generating a third signal, which is a modulated serial signal, based on the second signal encoded in a BCD time code S130.
  • the modulation is performed using any one of amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and frequency modulation, the amplitude modulation is used in an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the signal modulated in the amplitude modulation method has a frequency of tens of KHz.
  • the distribution amplifier 260 may perform the step of distributing the third signal into signals respectively corresponding to each phase of the power line 100, amplifying the distributed signals, and outputting a 3-1 signal to the coupling means 240 S135.
  • the coupling means 240 performs the step of coupling a fourth signal to the power signal through electromagnetic inductive coupling based on the third signal S140. At this point, if step S135 described above is performed, the coupling means 240 couples the time information broadcast signal to each phase of the three-phase signal of the power line 100 through electromagnetic inductive coupling.
  • an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line may roughly comprise a receive apparatus 300 for receiving a time information broadcast signal and providing a time, in addition to the transmission apparatus 200 described above.
  • the transmission apparatus 200 is the same as described above and the receive apparatus 300 is the same as a third embodiment described below, they will not be described.
  • a filter 501 and an amplifier 503 added at one end of the power line 100 will be described in detail.
  • the filter 501 is a means for extracting only a time information broadcast signal modulated to be higher than about 100 Hz among the power signal and the modulated time information broadcast signal coupled to the power line 100.
  • the filter 501 can be configured using a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter.
  • the filter 501 outputs the extracted time information broadcast signal to the amplifier 503.
  • the amplifier 503 is a means for receiving a signal from the filter 501 and amplifying the modulated time information broadcast signal, which is a means for amplifying a signal when output power of the power signal and the time information broadcast signal included in the power line 100 is low.
  • the amplifier 503 for amplifying the power signal and the time information broadcast signal can be additionally configured at an appropriate position of the power line 100 to improve the output power of the signal.
  • an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line may roughly comprise a power line 600 for transmitting a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, a filter 710, a demodulation means 720, and a time information acquiring means 740.
  • a reference clock signal providing means 750 may be further comprised depending on existence of error in the power line 600.
  • the time information broadcast signal received through the power line 600 is decoded and received in an ASCII code or a serial binary code, and thus time information broadcast is provided to all electronic devices or the like connected to the power line 600, which need time information broadcasting.
  • the filter 710 performs a filtering function for separating the time information broadcast signal from the power signal based on the first signal transmitted from the power line 600. Accordingly, the filter 710 performs a function of extracting the second signal, i.e., a modulated time information broadcast signal separated from the power signal. The filter 710 outputs the extracted second signal to the demodulation means 720.
  • the demodulation means 720 receives the modulated time information broadcast signal separated from the power signal by the filter 710 and outputs a demodulated third signal.
  • the time information broadcast signal can be demodulated using any one of amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and frequency modulation.
  • the third signal demodulated as such is inputted into the decoding means 730.
  • the decoding means 730 decodes the third signal encoded in a BCD time code, which is an output signal of the demodulation means 720, and outputs a fourth signal to the time information acquiring means 740.
  • the third signal encoded in a BCD time code is encoded in the IRIG-H format described in the first embodiment.
  • the decoding means 730 preferably decodes the third signal in synchronization with a minute time point of the time information broadcast signal in order to decode the third signal into an original signal.
  • the decoded fourth signal is a signal decoded in synchronization with a minute time point of the third signal.
  • the fourth signal decoded by the decoding means 230 is decoded in a standard ASCII code method or a serial binary code method and outputted to the time information acquiring means 740.
  • a decoding method can be configured to be simple by using the ASCII code method, not the binary code method, and since it is compatible with an existing computer, the time information broadcasting can be used immediately.
  • the fourth signal preferably includes at least one of second, minute, hour, day, month, and year as a time information broadcast signal.
  • the fourth signal preferably transmits a signal including information on the position of the time information broadcast signal coupled to the power line 600, leap second, daylight saving time, weather, disaster, and the like, together with the time information broadcast signal.
  • a KEPCO's code can be inserted as the position information coupled to the power line 600, and the inserted KEPCO's code can be efficiently used for a smart grid.
  • the decoded fourth signal includes a one pulse per second(1PPS) or a signal having a frequency of about 10 MHz in order to provide a variety of electronic devices with an RF reference clock signal.
  • the signal having a frequency of 10 MHz may have a frequency higher or lower than 10 MHz (e.g., 5 to 10 MHz), and about 10 MHz frequency is outputted in an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the time information acquiring means 740 obtains the time information broadcast signal
  • a variety of equipments and systems may utilize the time information broadcast signal.
  • they can be home appliances such as a refrigerator, an electric rice cooker, a washer, a television, an AV system, and the like, a notebook computer, a home aide robot, or the like in a home.
  • they can be a variety of measuring instruments or industrial devices in a laboratory or a factory, and the time information broadcast signal can be utilized for a variety of electronic devices used in the army.
  • the time information broadcast signal can be applied to a system which requires an accurate time, such as a system used for traffic signals or government offices.
  • the time information broadcast signal can be used for small, medium, and large-sized clocks that can show a standard time or the like at anywhere by extracting time information from the time information acquiring means 740 only if the power line 600 is installed.
  • the reference clock signal providing means 750 may roughly comprise an oscillator 751, a microprocessor 753, a time compensation means 755, and an amplifier 757.
  • the oscillator 751 may provide the microprocessor 753 with a reference clock signal of time information broadcasting. If the reference clock signal is used, although a distorted signal is received at a receiver side, the time compensation means 755 may synchronize time of the time information broadcast signal received through the power line 600 with the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751, and compensate and output the time.
  • a time point represented by the time information broadcast signal can be set to be coincident between the sender side and the receiver side using the outputted time.
  • the oscillator 751 can be configured using a crystal oscillator. The oscillator 751 is synchronized with the time transferred through the power line 600.
  • the microprocessor 753 periodically measures a time difference and calculates a degree of displacement of its own clock. If the displacement is larger than 20 us , the microprocessor 753 synchronizes the clock with the time of the power line 600 by resetting the clock. If the displacement is smaller than 20 us , the microprocessor 753 calculates a time expected to be elapsed to arrive at 20 us , and the clock is automatically reset to be synchronized with the time of the power line 600 whenever the time is elapsed.
  • the microprocessor 753 receives the fourth signal from the decoding means 730, determines existence of error in the power line 600, and outputs a corresponding 4-1 signal depending on existence of error in the power line 600.
  • the microprocessor 753 If it is determined that there is an error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 753 outputs the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751 as the 4-1 signal. Contrarily, if it is determined that there is no error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 753 outputs the fourth signal outputted from the decoding means 730 together with the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751.
  • the microprocessor 753 may calculate the degree of time difference of the oscillator 751 and synchronize the reference clock of the oscillator 751 with the time of the power line 600.
  • the time compensation means 755 receives the 4-1 signal, i.e., the fourth signal and the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751, compensates the time, and outputs a 4-2 signal.
  • the time compensation means 755 can be configured using a PLL circuit (not shown), and the PLL circuit is preferably configured to calculate a phase shift rate of the oscillator 751 and minimize a phase difference.
  • the time compensation means 755 is preferably configured to automatically perform the compensation based on the phase shift rate in order to continuously synchronize the phase.
  • the amplifier 757 according to a third embodiment of the present invention amplifies the 4-2 signal outputted from the time compensation means 755 and outputs a 4-3 signal to the time information acquiring means 740.
  • the filter 710 connected to the power line 600 performs the step of receiving a first signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal and extracting a second signal, i.e., a modulated serial signal S210.
  • the demodulation means 720 performs the step of generating a third signal encoded in a BCD time code by demodulating the second signal S220.
  • the demodulation is performed using any one of amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and frequency modulation as a demodulation method, the amplitude modulation is used in the present invention.
  • the decoding means 730 performs the step of decoding the third signal and generating a fourth signal S230.
  • the decoding means 730 may decode the third signal in synchronization with a minute time point of the time information broadcast signal.
  • the fourth signal is a signal decoded in synchronization with the minute time point of the demodulated third signal.
  • the time information acquiring means 740 performs the step of acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the fourth signal S240.
  • the step of receiving a reference clock signal depending on existence of error in the power line 600 can be additionally provided.
  • the microprocessor 753 performs the step of determining existence of error in the power line 600 based on the fourth signal S231.
  • the microprocessor 753 performs the step of receiving the reference clock signal from the oscillator 751 and outputting the 4-1 signal, and if it is determined that there is no error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 753 performs the step of receiving the fourth signal and the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751 and outputting the 4-1 signal S233.
  • the time compensation means 755 performs the step of compensating the 4-1 signal and outputting a 4-2 signal S235.
  • the 4-2 signal outputted when there is an error in the power line 600 is a one pulse per second(1PPS) generated by the time compensation means 755 based on the time compensated just before the power line 600 has an error.
  • the amplifier 757 performs the step of amplifying the 4-2 signal and outputting a 4-3 signal to the time information acquiring means 740 S237.
  • an apparatus for wirelessly receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line may roughly comprise a power line 600 for transmitting a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, a long wave receiver 810, an oscillator 820, a microprocessor 830, a time compensation means 840, an amplifier 850, and a time information acquiring means 860.
  • the time information broadcast signal is received from the power line 600 through a wired communication in the third embodiment, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the time information broadcast signal can be wirelessly received from the power line 600.
  • the long wave receiver 810 wirelessly receives a radio wave from the power line 600 and outputs a tenth signal to the microprocessor 830.
  • the long wave receiver 810 may comprise an antenna 811 for receiving a wireless signal from the power line 600, an RF tuner 813 for selecting a time information broadcast signal based on a signal received from the antenna 811, and a demodulation means 815 for demodulating an output signal of the RF tuner 813 and generating the tenth signal encoded in a BCD time code.
  • the microprocessor 830 decodes the tenth signal received from the demodulation means 815 and determines existence of error in the power line 600 based on the tenth signal. If it is determined that there is an error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 830 receives a reference clock signal from the oscillator 820 and outputs an eleventh signal to the time compensation means 840.

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  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
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Abstract

The present invention relates to a time information broadcasting apparatus using a power line, in which since power line broadcasting uni-directionally transmits a small amount of data such as time information, whereas power line communication needs a carrier wave of a high frequency band in order to bi-directionally transmit a large amount of data, a carrier wave of a low frequency band can be used, and thus long-range power line broadcasting can be easily performed.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING/RECEIVING OF TIME INFORMATION BROADCASTING USING POWER LINE BROADCASTING
The present invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line and a method thereof, and more specifically, to a time information broadcasting apparatus using a power line, in which the time information broadcast signal is overlapped with a power signal of 59 to 60 Hz and transferred to an electronic device or the like.
Communication is a terminology referring to all actions for transmitting and receiving or exchanging information such as symbols, sounds, images and the like between two or more points. Among the communications, power line communication (PLC) is a technique for loading and communicating voices and data on a power signal using a power line for supplying power as a medium.
Broadcasting is a concept contrasting to the communication, and the broadcasting refers to distributing various types of information such as entertainment, intelligence, education and the like so that the unspecified general public having an appropriate receive apparatus may simultaneously view or listen to the information.
The invention disclosed in the specification uses a power line, like the power line communication. However, it can be defined as power line broadcasting (PLB) in that a small amount of data is uni-directionally transmitted and the unspecified general public receives the data. Particularly, the present invention relates to a time information broadcasting apparatus for loading and transmitting a time information broadcast signal on a power signal of a power line to a variety of devices, and this can be defined as power line time broadcasting (PLTB).
Unlike the power line communication, the power line broadcasting can perform long distance transmission using a power line based on a low frequency, and if uni-directional information transfer is the only object, the power line broadcasting can further effectively achieve the object compared with conventional power line communication.
The concept and technique of the power line broadcasting described above need to be introduced due to the following characteristics that the power line communication has.
Since the power line communication is a wired communication using a power line as a medium, it may affect other wireless facilities due to leakage of radio waves, and a frequency band for exchanging a large amount of data can be a frequency band limited by the radio regulation law in some cases.
In addition, the power line used for power line communication is not a communication line comprising a single device for a single purpose like a telephone line or an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), but is connected to a variety of devices such as a refrigerator, a TV, and the like at home.
Accordingly, since the noise level of a circuit is extremely high and signals are frequently distorted or disconnected, there is a limit in that the power line is inappropriate as a data communication line. Particularly, it is difficult to transfer data through limited signal power, overcoming special environments such as high load, interference, varying impedance, attenuation of signal, and the like.
<Necessities of time information broadcasting>
In modern life, time is a physical quantity that can be measured most accurately. Owing to its accuracy, time information is sufficiently valuable to be utilized in the whole field of industry, and it is important to manage and accurately maintain the time information for its utilization.
Among various types of time information, there are standard times managed and maintained by a number of countries for each country, as well as the International Atomic Times (TAI) and Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). In addition, a reference time of an atomic clock mounted on a satellite of a global positioning system (GPS) is utilized as time information.
As a method for obtaining time information in the current stage, a UTCK program can be downloaded and used through the Internet, or the time information can be obtained by connecting to a time server in each country through a modem. In addition, the time information can be obtained from long-wave broadcasting or shortwave broadcasting.
The long-wave or shortwave broadcasting loads and broadcasts information such as a one pulse per second(1PPS), a binary coded decimal (BCD) time code, an audio tone or the like on a carrier frequency. However, since communication of the shortwave broadcasting mainly uses a space wave, it is difficult to receive the space wave indoor, and receive sensitivity is degraded depending on the state of the ionosphere and the installation location of a receive antenna.
Furthermore, even the methods for obtaining time information, such as information on national standard time, through an Internet network or a telephone network are indirect or limited in providing the time information to a variety of electronic products, facilities of a factory, measuring instruments in a laboratory or the like.
Accordingly, it is required to provide a technique for transmitting time information without separately installing dedicated wires, measuring power consumption from a meter in real-time while using previously installed electric facilities as are, executing home automation, and utilizing time information for an industrial site having various measuring instruments or system equipments, a home aide robot, a variety of electronic devices used in the army, and a situation where GPS signals cannot be directly received such as inside a vessel.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a time information broadcasting apparatus using a power line, in which a small amount of data can be uni-directionally broadcasted to a long distance over a power line using a carrier wave of a low frequency band, whereas power line communication needs a carrier wave of a high frequency band in order to bi-directionally transmit a large amount of data.
To accomplish the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the apparatus comprising: the power line 100 for transmitting a power signal and the time information broadcast signal; a time information generation means 210 for generating a first signal which is the time information broadcast signal; an encoding means 220 for generating a second signal encoded in a BCD time code based on the first signal; a modulation means 230 for generating a third signal, which is a modulated serial signal, based on the second signal; and a coupling means 240 connected between the modulation means 230 and the power line 100, for outputting and coupling a fourth signal to the power signal through electromagnetic inductive coupling.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the method comprising the steps of: generating a first signal which is the time information broadcast signal, by a time information generation means 210 S110; generating a second signal encoded in a BCD time code based on the first signal, by an encoding means 220 S120; generating a third signal, which is a modulated serial signal, based on the second signal, by a modulation means 230 S130; and outputting and coupling a fourth signal to the power signal through electromagnetic inductive coupling, by a coupling means 240 connected between the modulation means 230 and the power line 100 S140.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the apparatus comprising: a filter 710 for receiving a first signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, and extracting a second signal, i.e., a modulated serial signal; a demodulation means 720 for generating a third signal encoded in a BCD time code by demodulating the second signal; a decoding means 730 for decoding the third signal and generating a fourth signal; and a time information acquiring means 740 for acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the fourth signal.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the apparatus comprising: a long wave receiver 810 for receiving a wireless signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal and outputting a demodulated tenth signal; a microprocessor 830 for receiving and decoding the tenth signal, determining existence of error in the power line 600 based on the tenth signal, and outputting an eleventh signal corresponding to existence of error in the power line 600 depending on the determination; a time compensation means 840 for compensating the eleventh signal and outputting a twelfth signal; an amplifier 850 for amplifying the twelfth signal and outputting a thirteenth signal; and a time information acquiring means 860 for acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the thirteenth signal.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, and extracting a second signal, which is a modulated serial signal, by a filter 710 connected to the power line 600 S210; demodulating the second signal and generating a third signal encoded in a BCD time code, by a demodulation means 720 S220; decoding the third signal and generating a fourth signal, by a decoding means 730 S230; and acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the fourth signal, by a time information acquiring means 740 S240.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, since the power line broadcasting transmits a small amount of data such as time information uni-directionally, long-range power line broadcasting can be easily performed using a carrier wave of a low frequency band.
Furthermore, power consumption can be measured from a meter in real-time, and thus the present invention is effective in that a core technique of a smart grid is provided.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a distribution amplifier.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a BCD time code of a standard frequency station, which is a method for distributing a time frequency standard using wireless communication of an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a second embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a distribution amplifier.
FIG. 6 and 7 are views showing the configuration of an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a second embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a high-pass filter and an amplifier.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a third embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a reference clock signal providing means.
FIG. 11 is a view showing the configuration of an apparatus for wirelessly receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereafter described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.
<Configuration of first embodiment>
As shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, an apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a first embodiment of the present invention roughly comprises a power line 100 for transmitting a power signal and the time information broadcast signal, a time information generation means 210, an encoding means 220, a modulation means 230, a coupling means 240, and the like. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the time information broadcast signal generated by the time information generation means 210 in an ASCII code method or a serial binary code method is overlapped with the power signal and transmitted to all electronic devices that need the time information broadcast.
If a power plug is only connected to an outlet of the power line 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention without an additional LAN cable or wireless communication device, the power line 100 can transmit a time information broadcast signal on a low frequency signal. Although an existing power line 100 for supplying power can be used as is and the power signal of the power line 100 generally uses a frequency of 60 Hz, a frequency lower or higher than 60 Hz (e.g., 40 to 70 Hz) can be used.
A first signal outputted from the time information generation means 210 according to a first embodiment of the present invention may be a time information broadcast signal generated in an ASCII code method or a serial binary code method. In addition, the first signal may include a signal having a frequency of about 10 MHz or a one pulse per second(1PPS) in order to provide an RF reference clock signal of an electronic device. Here, the signal having a frequency of 10 MHz may have a frequency higher or lower than 10 MHz (e.g., 5 to 10 MHz), and a frequency of about 10 MHz is outputted in an embodiment of the present invention.
The first signal outputted from the time information generation means 210 may transmit the time information broadcast signal through a wired or wireless communication, and a wireless communication means may be further comprised if the time information signal is transmitted through the wireless communication.
The first signal outputted from the time information generation means 210 may include a reference time information broadcast signal using a standard time ST or a GPS. At this point, in the case of broadcasting standard time information in Korea, a cesium atomic clock of the Length and Time laboratory of Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science may generate a time information broadcast signal. In addition, in the case of the reference time information using a GPS, the GPS receive module may generate a time information broadcast signal in the ASCII code method, and at this point, the signal level of the GPS receive module includes RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485.
On the other hand, the first signal, which is the time information broadcast signal generated in the ASCII code or serial binary code method, preferably includes at least one of second, minute, hour, day, month, and year as time information. In addition, the first signal preferably transmits a signal including information on the position of the time information broadcast signal coupled to the power line 100, leap second, daylight saving time, weather, disaster, and the like, together with the time information broadcast signal. In this case, a Korean Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO's) code can be inserted as the position information coupled to the power line 100, and the inserted KEPCO's code can be efficiently used for a smart grid.
The encoding means 220 according to a first embodiment of the present invention encodes the first signal inputted in the ASCII code or serial binary code method. At this time, a second signal outputted from the encoding means 220 is a signal encoded in synchronization with a minute time point of the first signal.
A time code of the second signal encoded by the encoding means 220 basically uses an IRIG-H format and is outputted to the modulation means 230. As shown in FIG. 3, the IRIG-H format is a binary serial code of one minute interval, in which output time of a pulse wave signal corresponding to '0' is 200[ms], output time of a pulse wave signal corresponding to '1' is 500[ms], and output time of a pulse wave signal for recognizing a starting point is 800[ms] (corresponding to a, b, and c in FIG. 3, respectively).
The modulation means 230 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a means for receiving the time code encoded in the IRIG-H format by the encoding means 220 and modulating the time code into a specific carrier frequency in order to transmit the time information broadcast signal.
Although the time information broadcast signal is modulated using an amplitude modulation method in an embodiment of the present invention, a modulation signal can be generated using a phase modulation method or a frequency modulation method. The frequency modulated in the amplitude modulation method is a frequency of tens of KHz that is coupled to a signal of 60 Hz of the power line 100 by the coupling means 240 described below.
A distribution amplifier 260 according to a first embodiment of the present invention distributes a modulated third signal into signals respectively corresponding to each phase, amplifies the distributed signals, and outputs a 3-1 signal to the coupling means 240 in order to couple the 3-1 signal to a three-phase signal of the power line 100.
The coupling means 240 according to a first embodiment of the present invention receives the modulated third signal and outputs a fourth signal. At this point, the fourth signal can be coupled to the power signal of the power line 100 through electromagnetic inductive coupling. In addition, the coupling means 240 may receive the 3-1 signal distributed and amplified by the distribution amplifier 260 to be coupled to a signal of each phase of the power line 100 and couple the 3-1 signal to each phase of the power line 100 through electromagnetic inductive coupling.
At this point, the same time information can be obtained at any phase of the three-phase AC signal, from the time information broadcast signal coupled to each phase through electromagnetic inductive coupling, and the same time information broadcast signal can be obtained in a building that is not provided with all of the three phases.
<Transmission method of first embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 8, a method of transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to the configuration of the first embodiment will be described.
First, the time information generation means 210 performs the step of generating a first signal, i.e., a time information broadcast signal S110. The first signal can be transmitted through a wired or wireless communication, and the step of transmitting and receiving a wireless communication can be further comprised if the first signal is transmitted through the wireless communication.
Next, the encoding means 220 performs the step of generating a second signal encoded in a BCD time code based on the first signal including the time information broadcast signal S120. At this point, the second signal outputted from the encoding means 220 is a signal encoded in synchronization with a minute time point of the first signal.
Next, the modulation means 230 performs the step of generating a third signal, which is a modulated serial signal, based on the second signal encoded in a BCD time code S130. Although the modulation is performed using any one of amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and frequency modulation, the amplitude modulation is used in an embodiment of the present invention.
The signal modulated in the amplitude modulation method has a frequency of tens of KHz. In addition, after performing the step of generating the third signal S130, the distribution amplifier 260 may perform the step of distributing the third signal into signals respectively corresponding to each phase of the power line 100, amplifying the distributed signals, and outputting a 3-1 signal to the coupling means 240 S135.
Finally, the coupling means 240 performs the step of coupling a fourth signal to the power signal through electromagnetic inductive coupling based on the third signal S140. At this point, if step S135 described above is performed, the coupling means 240 couples the time information broadcast signal to each phase of the three-phase signal of the power line 100 through electromagnetic inductive coupling.
<Configuration of second embodiment>
As shown in FIGs. 4 and 5, an apparatus for transmitting and receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a second embodiment of the present invention may roughly comprise a receive apparatus 300 for receiving a time information broadcast signal and providing a time, in addition to the transmission apparatus 200 described above.
Accordingly, since the transmission apparatus 200 is the same as described above and the receive apparatus 300 is the same as a third embodiment described below, they will not be described. Hereinafter, only a filter 501 and an amplifier 503 added at one end of the power line 100 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGs. 6 and 7, the filter 501 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is a means for extracting only a time information broadcast signal modulated to be higher than about 100 Hz among the power signal and the modulated time information broadcast signal coupled to the power line 100. At this point, the filter 501 can be configured using a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter. The filter 501 outputs the extracted time information broadcast signal to the amplifier 503.
The amplifier 503 according a second embodiment of the present invention is a means for receiving a signal from the filter 501 and amplifying the modulated time information broadcast signal, which is a means for amplifying a signal when output power of the power signal and the time information broadcast signal included in the power line 100 is low. In the case of using the power line, if a distance between a signal transmitted from the transmission apparatus 200 and a signal received at the receive apparatus 300 is long, output power of the signal can be lowered due to distortion of the signal, noises caused by interference, or the like. At this point, in order to transmit a signal of an appropriate output power to the receive apparatus 300, the amplifier 503 for amplifying the power signal and the time information broadcast signal can be additionally configured at an appropriate position of the power line 100 to improve the output power of the signal.
<Configuration of third embodiment>
As shown in FIGs. 9 and 10, an apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a third embodiment of the present invention may roughly comprise a power line 600 for transmitting a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, a filter 710, a demodulation means 720, and a time information acquiring means 740. In addition, a reference clock signal providing means 750 may be further comprised depending on existence of error in the power line 600.
According to the present invention, the time information broadcast signal received through the power line 600 is decoded and received in an ASCII code or a serial binary code, and thus time information broadcast is provided to all electronic devices or the like connected to the power line 600, which need time information broadcasting.
Since the power line 600 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the one described in the first embodiment, it will not be described.
The filter 710 according to a third embodiment of the present invention performs a filtering function for separating the time information broadcast signal from the power signal based on the first signal transmitted from the power line 600. Accordingly, the filter 710 performs a function of extracting the second signal, i.e., a modulated time information broadcast signal separated from the power signal. The filter 710 outputs the extracted second signal to the demodulation means 720.
The demodulation means 720 according to a third embodiment of the present invention receives the modulated time information broadcast signal separated from the power signal by the filter 710 and outputs a demodulated third signal. The time information broadcast signal can be demodulated using any one of amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and frequency modulation. The third signal demodulated as such is inputted into the decoding means 730.
The decoding means 730 according to a third embodiment of the present invention decodes the third signal encoded in a BCD time code, which is an output signal of the demodulation means 720, and outputs a fourth signal to the time information acquiring means 740. At this point, the third signal encoded in a BCD time code is encoded in the IRIG-H format described in the first embodiment.
The decoding means 730 preferably decodes the third signal in synchronization with a minute time point of the time information broadcast signal in order to decode the third signal into an original signal. At this point, the decoded fourth signal is a signal decoded in synchronization with a minute time point of the third signal.
The fourth signal decoded by the decoding means 230 is decoded in a standard ASCII code method or a serial binary code method and outputted to the time information acquiring means 740. Such a decoding method can be configured to be simple by using the ASCII code method, not the binary code method, and since it is compatible with an existing computer, the time information broadcasting can be used immediately.
The fourth signal preferably includes at least one of second, minute, hour, day, month, and year as a time information broadcast signal. In addition, the fourth signal preferably transmits a signal including information on the position of the time information broadcast signal coupled to the power line 600, leap second, daylight saving time, weather, disaster, and the like, together with the time information broadcast signal.
In this case, a KEPCO's code can be inserted as the position information coupled to the power line 600, and the inserted KEPCO's code can be efficiently used for a smart grid.
On the other hand, the decoded fourth signal includes a one pulse per second(1PPS) or a signal having a frequency of about 10 MHz in order to provide a variety of electronic devices with an RF reference clock signal. Here, the signal having a frequency of 10 MHz may have a frequency higher or lower than 10 MHz (e.g., 5 to 10 MHz), and about 10 MHz frequency is outputted in an embodiment of the present invention.
Since the time information acquiring means 740 according to a third embodiment of the present invention obtains the time information broadcast signal, a variety of equipments and systems may utilize the time information broadcast signal. For example, they can be home appliances such as a refrigerator, an electric rice cooker, a washer, a television, an AV system, and the like, a notebook computer, a home aide robot, or the like in a home. In addition, they can be a variety of measuring instruments or industrial devices in a laboratory or a factory, and the time information broadcast signal can be utilized for a variety of electronic devices used in the army. In addition, the time information broadcast signal can be applied to a system which requires an accurate time, such as a system used for traffic signals or government offices. Furthermore, the time information broadcast signal can be used for small, medium, and large-sized clocks that can show a standard time or the like at anywhere by extracting time information from the time information acquiring means 740 only if the power line 600 is installed.
As shown in FIG. 10, the reference clock signal providing means 750 may roughly comprise an oscillator 751, a microprocessor 753, a time compensation means 755, and an amplifier 757.
The oscillator 751 according to a third embodiment of the present invention may provide the microprocessor 753 with a reference clock signal of time information broadcasting. If the reference clock signal is used, although a distorted signal is received at a receiver side, the time compensation means 755 may synchronize time of the time information broadcast signal received through the power line 600 with the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751, and compensate and output the time.
A time point represented by the time information broadcast signal can be set to be coincident between the sender side and the receiver side using the outputted time. The oscillator 751 can be configured using a crystal oscillator. The oscillator 751 is synchronized with the time transferred through the power line 600.
The microprocessor 753 periodically measures a time difference and calculates a degree of displacement of its own clock. If the displacement is larger than 20us, the microprocessor 753 synchronizes the clock with the time of the power line 600 by resetting the clock. If the displacement is smaller than 20us, the microprocessor 753 calculates a time expected to be elapsed to arrive at 20us, and the clock is automatically reset to be synchronized with the time of the power line 600 whenever the time is elapsed.
The microprocessor 753 according to a third embodiment of the present invention receives the fourth signal from the decoding means 730, determines existence of error in the power line 600, and outputs a corresponding 4-1 signal depending on existence of error in the power line 600.
If it is determined that there is an error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 753 outputs the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751 as the 4-1 signal. Contrarily, if it is determined that there is no error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 753 outputs the fourth signal outputted from the decoding means 730 together with the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751.
The microprocessor 753 may calculate the degree of time difference of the oscillator 751 and synchronize the reference clock of the oscillator 751 with the time of the power line 600.
If the microprocessor 753 determines that there is no error in the power line, the time compensation means 755 according to a third embodiment of the present invention receives the 4-1 signal, i.e., the fourth signal and the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751, compensates the time, and outputs a 4-2 signal.
At this point, the time compensation means 755 can be configured using a PLL circuit (not shown), and the PLL circuit is preferably configured to calculate a phase shift rate of the oscillator 751 and minimize a phase difference. The time compensation means 755 is preferably configured to automatically perform the compensation based on the phase shift rate in order to continuously synchronize the phase.
The amplifier 757 according to a third embodiment of the present invention amplifies the 4-2 signal outputted from the time compensation means 755 and outputs a 4-3 signal to the time information acquiring means 740.
<Receive method of third embodiment>
A method for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to the configuration of the third embodiment will be described with reference FIG. 12.
First, the filter 710 connected to the power line 600 performs the step of receiving a first signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal and extracting a second signal, i.e., a modulated serial signal S210.
Next, the demodulation means 720 performs the step of generating a third signal encoded in a BCD time code by demodulating the second signal S220. Although the demodulation is performed using any one of amplitude modulation, phase modulation, and frequency modulation as a demodulation method, the amplitude modulation is used in the present invention.
Next, the decoding means 730 performs the step of decoding the third signal and generating a fourth signal S230. In this step, the decoding means 730 may decode the third signal in synchronization with a minute time point of the time information broadcast signal. Accordingly, the fourth signal is a signal decoded in synchronization with the minute time point of the demodulated third signal.
Next, the time information acquiring means 740 performs the step of acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the fourth signal S240.
On the other hand, between the step of generating the fourth signal S230 and the step of acquiring the time information broadcast signal S240, the step of receiving a reference clock signal depending on existence of error in the power line 600 can be additionally provided.
First, the microprocessor 753 performs the step of determining existence of error in the power line 600 based on the fourth signal S231.
Next, if it is determined that there is an error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 753 performs the step of receiving the reference clock signal from the oscillator 751 and outputting the 4-1 signal, and if it is determined that there is no error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 753 performs the step of receiving the fourth signal and the reference clock signal of the oscillator 751 and outputting the 4-1 signal S233.
Next, the time compensation means 755 performs the step of compensating the 4-1 signal and outputting a 4-2 signal S235. At this point, the 4-2 signal outputted when there is an error in the power line 600 is a one pulse per second(1PPS) generated by the time compensation means 755 based on the time compensated just before the power line 600 has an error.
Finally, the amplifier 757 performs the step of amplifying the 4-2 signal and outputting a 4-3 signal to the time information acquiring means 740 S237.
<Configuration of fourth embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 11, an apparatus for wirelessly receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention may roughly comprise a power line 600 for transmitting a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, a long wave receiver 810, an oscillator 820, a microprocessor 830, a time compensation means 840, an amplifier 850, and a time information acquiring means 860.
Although the time information broadcast signal is received from the power line 600 through a wired communication in the third embodiment, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the time information broadcast signal can be wirelessly received from the power line 600.
Since the configuration in the embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment except the long wave receiver 810 and the microprocessor 830, it will not be described, and only the long wave receiver 810 and the microprocessor 830 will be described.
The long wave receiver 810 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention wirelessly receives a radio wave from the power line 600 and outputs a tenth signal to the microprocessor 830. The long wave receiver 810 may comprise an antenna 811 for receiving a wireless signal from the power line 600, an RF tuner 813 for selecting a time information broadcast signal based on a signal received from the antenna 811, and a demodulation means 815 for demodulating an output signal of the RF tuner 813 and generating the tenth signal encoded in a BCD time code.
The microprocessor 830 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention decodes the tenth signal received from the demodulation means 815 and determines existence of error in the power line 600 based on the tenth signal. If it is determined that there is an error in the power line 600, the microprocessor 830 receives a reference clock signal from the oscillator 820 and outputs an eleventh signal to the time compensation means 840.
While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
100: Power line
200: Transmission apparatus
210: Time information generation means
220: Encoding means
230: Modulation means
240: Coupling means
260: Distribution amplifier
300: Receive apparatus
501: Filter
503: Amplifier
600: Power line
710: Filter
720: Demodulation means
730: Decoding means
740, 860: Time information acquiring means
750: Reference clock signal providing means
751, 820: Oscillator
753, 830: Microprocessor
755, 840: Time compensation means
757, 850: Amplifier
810: Long wave receiver
811: Antenna
813: RF tuner
815: Demodulation means

Claims (18)

  1. Transmission apparatus. An apparatus for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the apparatus comprising:
    the power line 100 for transmitting a power signal and the time information broadcast signal; a time information generation means 210 for generating a first signal which is the time information broadcast signal; an encoding means 220 for generating a second signal encoded in a BCD time code based on the first signal; a modulation means 230 for generating a third signal, which is a modulated serial signal, based on the second signal; and a coupling means 240 connected between the modulation means 230 and the power line 100, for outputting and coupling a fourth signal to the power signal through electromagnetic inductive coupling.
  2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a distribution amplifier 260 for distributing the third signal into signals respectively corresponding to each phase of the power line 100, amplifying the distributed signals, and outputting a 3-1 signal to the coupling means 240 in order to couple the 3-1 signal to a three-phase signal of the power line 100.
  3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second signal outputted from the encoding means 220 is encoded in synchronization with a minute time point of the first signal.
  4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first signal includes at least one of year, month, day, hour, minute, and second as time information, or information on at least one of a position of the time information broadcast signal coupled to the power line 100, leap second, daylight saving time, weather, and disaster.
  5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second signal includes pulse wave signals respectively corresponding to '0' and '1' and a pulse wave signal for recognizing a starting point, and if a time frame of the second signal is one minute, output time of the pulse wave signal corresponding to '0' is 200[ms], output time of the pulse wave signal corresponding to '1' is 500[ms], and output time of the pulse wave signal for recognizing a starting point is 800[ms].
  6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a filter 501 connected at one end of the power line 100, for extracting the time information broadcast signal; and an amplifier 503 for amplifying the time information broadcast signal passing through the filter 501.
  7. Transmission method. A method for transmitting a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the method comprising the steps of: generating a first signal which is the time information broadcast signal, by a time information generation means 210 S110; generating a second signal encoded in a BCD time code based on the first signal, by an encoding means 220 S120; generating a third signal, which is a modulated serial signal, based on the second signal, by a modulation means 230 S130; and outputting and coupling a fourth signal to the power signal through electromagnetic inductive coupling, by a coupling means 240 connected between the modulation means 230 and the power line 100 S140.
  8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising, after performing the step of generating a third signal S130, the step of distributing the third signal into signals respectively corresponding to each phase of the power line 100, amplifying the distributed signals, and outputting a 3-1 signal to the coupling means 240 in order to couple the 3-1 signal to a three-phase signal of the power line 100, by a distribution amplifier 260 S135.
  9. Receive apparatus (wired). An apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the apparatus comprising: a filter 710 for receiving a first signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, and extracting a second signal, i.e., a modulated serial signal; a demodulation means 720 for generating a third signal encoded in a BCD time code by demodulating the second signal; a decoding means 730 for decoding the third signal and generating a fourth signal; and a time information acquiring means 740 for acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the fourth signal.
  10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a microprocessor 753 for determining existence of error in the power line 600 based on the fourth signal and outputting a 4-1 signal corresponding to existence of error in the power line 600 depending on the determination; a time compensation means 755 for compensating time of the 4-1 signal and outputting a 4-2 signal; and an amplifier 757 for amplifying the 4-2 signal and outputting a 4-3 signal to the time information acquiring means 740.
  11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fourth signal outputted from the decoding means 730 is decoded in synchronization with a minute time point of the third signal.
  12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the encoded third signal includes pulse wave signals respectively corresponding to '0' and '1' of the BCD time code and a pulse wave signal for recognizing a starting point, and if a time frame of the encoded third signal is one minute, output time of the pulse wave signal corresponding to '0' is 200[ms], output time of the pulse wave signal corresponding to '1' is 500[ms], and output time of the pulse wave signal for recognizing a starting point is 800[ms].
  13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fourth signal includes at least one of year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, or information on any one of a position of the time information broadcast signal coupled to the power line 600, leap second, daylight saving time, weather, and disaster as convenience information.
  14. Receive apparatus (wireless). An apparatus for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the apparatus comprising: a long wave receiver 810 for receiving a wireless signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal and outputting a demodulated tenth signal; a microprocessor 830 for receiving and decoding the tenth signal, determining existence of error in the power line 600 based on the tenth signal, and outputting an eleventh signal corresponding to existence of error in the power line 600 depending on the determination; a time compensation means 840 for compensating the eleventh signal and outputting a twelfth signal; an amplifier 850 for amplifying the twelfth signal and outputting a thirteenth signal; and a time information acquiring means 860 for acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the thirteenth signal.
  15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the long wave receiver 810 comprises: an antenna 811 for receiving the wireless signal; an RF tuner 813 for selecting a time information broadcast signal based on a signal received from the antenna 811; and a demodulation means 815 for demodulating an output signal of the RF tuner 813 and generating the tenth signal encoded in a BCD time code.
  16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the eleventh signal includes a signal decoded by the microprocessor 830 and a reference clock signal of an oscillator 820, or the reference clock signal of the oscillator 820.
  17. Receive method. A method for receiving a time information broadcast signal using a power line, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first signal from the power line 600 which transmits a power signal and a modulated time information broadcast signal, and extracting a second signal, which is a modulated serial signal, by a filter 710 connected to the power line 600 S210; demodulating the second signal and generating a third signal encoded in a BCD time code, by a demodulation means 720 S220; decoding the third signal and generating a fourth signal, by a decoding means 730 S230; and acquiring the time information broadcast signal based on the fourth signal, by a time information acquiring means 740 S240.
  18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising, between the step of generating the fourth signal S230 and the step of acquiring the time information broadcast signal S240, the steps of: determining existence of error in the power line 600 based on the fourth signal, by a microprocessor 753 S231; receiving a reference clock signal from an oscillator 751 for providing the reference clock signal of the time information, and outputting a 4-1 signal if the microprocessor 753 determines that there is an error in the power line 600, or receiving the fourth signal and the reference clock signal and outputting a 4-2 signal if the microprocessor 753 determines that there is no error in the power line 600, by the microprocessor 753 S233; compensating time of the 4-1 signal and outputting a 4-2 signal, by a time compensation means 755 S235; and amplifying the 4-2 signal and outputting a 4-3 signal to the time information acquiring means 740, by an amplifier 757 S237.
PCT/KR2011/004902 2010-07-06 2011-07-05 Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving of time information broadcasting using power line broadcasting Ceased WO2012005491A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2010-0064716 2010-07-06
KR1020100064716A KR101083724B1 (en) 2010-07-06 2010-07-06 Receiver, transmitter / receiver, method and recording medium of visual information broadcasting using power line
KR10-2010-0064715 2010-07-06
KR1020100064715A KR101083723B1 (en) 2010-07-06 2010-07-06 Transmission apparatus, transmission and reception apparatus, transmission method and recording medium of visual information broadcasting using power line

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5712614A (en) * 1995-05-09 1998-01-27 Elcom Technologies Corporation Power line communications system
KR20020049441A (en) * 2000-12-19 2002-06-26 엘지전자 주식회사 Cable Broadcasting System using Electric Power Line
JP2004150892A (en) * 2002-10-29 2004-05-27 Neikusu:Kk Time synchronization signal transmitting apparatus, time synchronization signal receiving apparatus, and time synchronization signal carrier system
KR20040094997A (en) * 2003-05-06 2004-11-12 삼성전기주식회사 Broadcasting receiving system using hight speed power-line communication
KR20070104763A (en) * 2006-04-24 2007-10-29 삼성전자주식회사 Set-top box for power line communication, and power signal and video signal supply method to TV

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5712614A (en) * 1995-05-09 1998-01-27 Elcom Technologies Corporation Power line communications system
KR20020049441A (en) * 2000-12-19 2002-06-26 엘지전자 주식회사 Cable Broadcasting System using Electric Power Line
JP2004150892A (en) * 2002-10-29 2004-05-27 Neikusu:Kk Time synchronization signal transmitting apparatus, time synchronization signal receiving apparatus, and time synchronization signal carrier system
KR20040094997A (en) * 2003-05-06 2004-11-12 삼성전기주식회사 Broadcasting receiving system using hight speed power-line communication
KR20070104763A (en) * 2006-04-24 2007-10-29 삼성전자주식회사 Set-top box for power line communication, and power signal and video signal supply method to TV

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