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    • 专利摘要:
    variable symbol period detection and assignment. these are methods, systems and apparatus, which include computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically selecting symbol periods for communications signals and retrieving symbols from the communications signals. in one aspect, a method includes receiving a plurality of communications signals over a plurality of different communications channels and determining symbol period end times for communications signals used in a power line communication network (PLC). a determination is made that a present time coincides with an end of a sample period for communications signals and that an end of the symbol period for communications signals received over at least one of the communications channels is coincident with the time gift. in turn, data representing a symbol received over each communications channel is provided for which an end of the symbol period is coincident with the present time.
    公开号:BR112013010750B1
    申请号:R112013010750-2
    申请日:2011-11-01
    公开日:2022-01-11
    发明作者:Damian Bonicatto；Stuart Haug
    申请人:Landis+Gyr Technologies, Llc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Related patent document
    [001] This patent document claims priority to patent application no. serial U.S. 12/916,852, filed on November 1, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by way of reference in their entirety. background
    [002] This descriptive report refers to data communications.
    [003] Service providers use distributed networks to provide services to customers over large geographic areas. For example, communications companies use a distributed communications network to provide communications services to customers. Similarly, energy companies use a network of power lines and meters to supply energy to customers across a geographic region and receive data back on energy usage.
    [004] These service providers are dependent on the proper operation of their respective networks to release services to customers and receive data back in relation to the services provided. For example, the service provider may wish to access daily usage reports in order to effectively bill its customers for resources that are consumed or otherwise used by the customers. Therefore, it is important that data specifying resource usage and other information be transmitted and/or received reliably at specified intervals.
    [005] In power line communication (PLC) networks, terminals on the network (e.g. meters, load control switches, remote service switches, and other terminals) can provide up-to-date information (e.g. energy consumption and/or terminal operating status information) through data transmission over power lines. The amount of data required to be transmitted by each terminal may differ based on the information that is required to be provided by the terminal. For example, a first terminal may be required to transmit updated information every 5 minutes, while another terminal may be required to transmit updated information only once a day. Additionally, the channels over which the terminals communicate have several different channel characteristics (eg, center frequency, bandwidth, and/or noise signal amplitude).
    [006] Due to the varying amounts of data that can be transmitted by different terminals, as well as differences in channel characteristics, it can be difficult to select a single symbol period (i.e., a period over which a symbol is transmitted) that facilitates efficient data transmission to each terminal. Additionally, channel characteristics can vary significantly over time, such that the symbol periods that are selected for terminals at one point in time may not provide adequate performance at another point in time. summary
    [007] In general, an innovative aspect of the subject described in this specification can be incorporated into methods that include the actions of receiving a plurality of communications signals over a plurality of different communications channels, each of the communications signals having a symbol period over which a symbol is transmitted; for each communications channel, determine symbol period end times for communications signals received over the communications channels, each symbol period end time being determined based on a symbol period for communications signals received over the communications channel and a reference time; determining that a present time coincides with an end of a sample period for communications signals, the sampling period being a period not exceeding a minimum symbol period for communications signals; determining that an end of the symbol period for communications signals that are received over at least one of the communications channels is coincident with the present time; and providing data representing a received symbol over each communications channel for which an end of the symbol period is coincident with the present time.
    [008] As exemplified in the following discussion of power line communication (PLC) networks, these and other modalities are directed at or include systems, apparatus, and corresponding computer programs configured to perform the actions of the methods, encoded in devices. of computer storage.
    [009] Each of these and other modalities may optionally include one or more of the following features. The methods may additionally include the action of accumulating energy from each of the communications signals over the sample period. Providing data representing the symbol may include providing, for each bit of the symbol, a magnitude of the accumulated energy for the bit over the sample period.
    [010] The accumulation of energy from each of the communications signals comprises accumulating, over the sample period, the energy received over each different part of the spectrum that is included in the communications channel, in which each different part of the spectrum corresponds to one or more bits of the o symbol.
    [011] The methods may additionally include the action of determining the sample period using symbol periods for communications signals. The determination of the sample period may include the actions of identifying a shorter symbol period for the communications signals; and selecting the sample period to be a divisor of the shortest symbol period and all other sample periods for communications signals received over any one of the plurality of communications channels.
    [012] The methods may additionally include the action of selecting, for each communications channel, a symbol period for communications signals received over the communications channel, the symbol period being selected based on a signal-to-noise measurement for communications signals that are received over the communications channel. The methods may further include selecting a sample period for the communications signals, wherein selecting a symbol period comprises selecting a symbol period which is a multiple of the sample period.
    [013] Receiving a plurality of communications signals may include the actions of receiving first communications signals over a first communications channel, first communications signals having a first symbol period; and receiving second communications signals over a second communications channel, the second communications signals having a second symbol period that is different from the first symbol period.
    [014] Determining that a symbol period end for communications signals that are received over at least one of the communications channels is coincident with the present time may include the actions of determining that the present time is coincident with a end of the first symbol period for the first communications signals; and determining that the present time is not coincident with an ending time of the second symbol period for the second communications signals.
    [015] Providing data representing the symbol may include providing data representing a first symbol that has been received over the first communications channel, with the first symbol being represented by an amplitude of energy accumulated over the symbol period. for the first communications signals.
    [016] The methods may additionally include the actions of accumulating energy from the second communications signal over one or more subsequent sample periods; determining, at the end of each subsequent sample period, whether the end of the symbol period for the second communications signals coincides with the end of the next sample period; and providing data representing a second symbol received over the second communications channel at the end of the next one or more sample periods that is coincident with an end time of the second communications signals. The methods may additionally include the action of determining the present time based on an amount of elapsed time relative to the reference time.
    [017] The methods may additionally include the actions of receiving the reference time from a substation processing unit; and receiving, from a data store, symbol period end times for the communications signals. The methods may additionally include the actions of determining a first power measurement for first communications signals received over a first communications channel, wherein the first power measurement is determined over one or more first power periods. symbol for early communications signals; determining that the first power measurement for the first communications signals does not meet a power measurement threshold; and in response to the determination that the first power measurement does not meet the power measurement threshold, adjusting the first symbol period based on the first power measurement.
    [018] The particular modalities of the subject described in this descriptive report can be implemented in order to realize one or more of the following advantages. Each of the symbols that is transmitted for different periods of time can be retrieved by a data processing apparatus. Terminals that communicate with a single data processing apparatus may each be assigned a different symbol time. Symbols can be retrieved more reliably from terminals by increasing the symbol period for terminals for which a signal-to-noise measurement is less than a threshold. Symbol periods can be dynamically adjusted to compensate for changes to signal characteristics.
    [019] The details of one or more modalities of the subject described in this descriptive report are presented in the attached drawings and in the description below. Other features, aspects and advantages of the subject will become apparent from the description, drawings and claims. Brief description of drawings
    [020] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example network environment in which terminals transmit data.
    [021] Figure 2 is a graph that illustrates times at which symbols from different channels are sampled.
    [022] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an example SPU that includes a symbol apparatus.
    [023] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example process to acquire symbols that have different symbol periods.
    [024] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example process to dynamically adjust a symbol period for communications signals.
    [025] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example computer system that can be used to facilitate variable symbol period detection assignment.
    [026] Reference numbers and similar designations in the different drawings indicate similar elements. Detailed Description
    [027] A symbol period that is used by a terminal for transmitting data over a power line communications system can be selected based on an amount of data to be transmitted by the terminal and a signal-to-noise measurement ( e.g. Eb/No) for communications signals that are received from the terminal over a channel (i.e., a portion of spectrum). The amount of data can be determined, for example, based on updated meter information (e.g. power readings, voltage readings, meter operating state information, meter state information and/or other information provided by the meter) that are being provided by the terminal. The symbol period can also be selected, for example based on a refresh rate (eg every 10 minutes, every hour) at which each new symbol must be transmitted by the terminal.
    [028] With reference to exemplary power line communication (PLC) networks, different terminals in the PLC network can be assigned different symbol periods and the symbol period for an individual terminal may change over time. As described in more detail below, these different symbol periods specify different periods (eg, amounts of time) over which symbol energy is accumulated prior to symbol processing. Therefore, the times over which power to symbols from each terminal is collected before symbol processing may differ.
    [029] As described in detail below, once a symbol period has been selected for the terminal, the signal characteristics (e.g., signal amplitude, signal to noise ratios, signal energy over time) of transmissions from the terminal and/or channel characteristics (e.g. noise base measurements or available bandwidth) can be monitored continuously or periodically, and different symbol periods can be dynamically selected to the terminal in response to changes in signal and/or channel characteristics.
    [030] A symbol apparatus receives symbols from multiple terminals that can each transmit symbols over different symbol periods that can each span one or more sample periods. The symbol apparatus iteratively determines, at the end of each sample period, whether the end of the symbol period for each symbol coincides with the end of a current specified time interval. If the end of the symbol period for a particular symbol coincides with the end of the current sample period, the symbol apparatus may transfer the energy accumulated for the particular symbol to a data processing apparatus (e.g., a decoder). ) that processes the symbol (e.g. retrieves and/or registers the symbol). However, if the symbol apparatus determines that the end of the unit range for another symbol does not coincide with the end of the current specified range, the symbol apparatus allows the energy for the second symbol to continue to accumulate at least until the end of a next specified interval.
    [031] The following description describes the selection and detection of symbol periods by a symbol rate apparatus which is coupled to a network management apparatus. However, the symbol rate apparatus may be an integral component of the network management apparatus. Additionally, the symbol rate apparatus may also be implemented such that the symbol rate apparatus is coupled (or is an integral component of) a terminal or other data processing apparatus that receives, processes and/or retransmits symbols that are received from other terminals.
    [032] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example network environment 100, in which terminals 102 transmit data. Network environment 100 includes a service network 101 in which a plurality of terminals 102a to 102f are coupled (e.g., communicatively coupled) to substation processing units 104a, 104b. Terminals 102 may consist of any device capable of transmitting data in the network environment 100. For example, terminals 102 may be meters on a utility network, computing devices, set top television terminals, or telephones that transmit data on the network. 101. The description that follows refers to terminals 102 as energy meters in a power distribution network. However, the description that follows is applicable to other types of terminals 102 in utility networks or other networks. For example, the following description is applicable to gas meters and water meters which are respectively installed in gas and water distribution networks.
    [033] Terminals 102 can be implemented to monitor and report various operating characteristics of the service network 101. For example, in a power distribution network, meters can monitor characteristics related to the use of energy in the network. Example characteristics related to grid power usage include total or average power consumption, power surges, power outages, and load changes, among other characteristics. In gas and water distribution networks, meters can measure similar characteristics that are related to gas and water usage (eg pressure and total flow).
    [034] Terminals 102 report operating characteristics of network 101 over communications channels. Communications channels are parts of the spectrum over which data is transmitted. The center frequency and bandwidth of each communications channel may depend on the communications system in which they are implemented. In some implementations, communication channels for utility meters (e.g. energy, gas and/or water meters) may be implemented in power line communication networks that dynamically allocate the bandwidth available in accordance with an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) spectrum allocation technique or other channel allocation technique. (e.g., time division multiple access, code division multiple access, and other frequency division multiple access techniques).
    [035] When terminals 102 are implemented as energy meters in a power distribution network, the energy meters transmit report data that specifies up-to-date meter information which may include measurements of total energy consumption, power over a specified period of time, peak power consumption, instantaneous voltage, peak voltage, minimum voltage, and other measurements related to energy consumption and energy management (eg, load information). Each of the power meters may also transmit state data that specifies a state of the power meter (e.g., that it operates in a normal operating mode, emergency power mode, or other state, such as a recovery state. that follows an interrupt state).
    [036] In some implementations, symbols 106 (ie, one or more bits) that include report and/or status data are transmitted intermittently or continuously over a specified symbol period. A symbol period consists of a period of time over which a particular symbol is transmitted. A symbol period for each symbol transmitted by a power meter may be less than or equal to the time interval (ie, 1/refresh rate) at which updated meter information is required to be provided.
    [037] For example, it is assumed that a particular meter is required to provide meter information updated every 20 minutes (ie the update rate specified for the meter). In this example, a meter might transmit a symbol that represents at least a portion of the first set of meter information updated for twenty minutes, and then transmit another symbol that represents a next set of meter information updated for subsequent twenty minutes. The refresh rate for a meter can be specified by a network administrator based on, for example, the types and amounts of updated meter information being received from the meter, a customer's preferences (for example, a power) to whom the data is being provided and/or channel characteristics of the channel over which the data is being transmitted. A refresh rate of 20 minutes is used for example purposes, but other refresh rates (eg, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour, or 1 day) can be used.
    [038] In Figure 1, terminals 102a to 102c and 102d to 102f transmit symbols 106 over communications channels to substation processing units 104a, 104b, respectively. A substation processing unit (SPU) consists of a data processing apparatus that receives communications from terminals to manage the service network 101 or for transmission to a network management apparatus 112 and/or over a network. 110. For example, an SPU (e.g., 104a) may include a receiver that receives symbols (e.g., 106a, 106b) from terminals (e.g., 102a-102c) and records data from the symbols. An SPU may also take action based on the data received from the terminals and transmit the symbols to a network management apparatus 112 that manages the service network 101. The SPUs 104a, 104b may transmit the individual symbols (e.g., 106a, 106b) or generate a consolidated packet 108 that includes data from multiple symbols 106 received from terminals 102a-102f.
    [039] In some implementations, a single SPU (e.g. 104a) may be configured to receive 106 tokens from thousands of terminals and transmit 106 tokens to a network management apparatus 112. A network management apparatus 112 consists of a data processing apparatus that processes communications that are received from SPUs 104a, 104b and/or controls aspects of the service network based, at least in part, on information extracted from symbols 106 that have been received at from SPUs 104a, 104b.
    [040] For example, in a PLC network, the network management apparatus 112 may receive data indicating that energy usage is significantly higher in a particular part of a power network than in other parts of the power network. Based on this data, the network management apparatus 112 can allocate additional resources to that particular part of the network (i.e., load balance) or provide data that specifies that there is increased energy usage on that particular part of the power network.
    [041] In some implementations, the network management apparatus 112 provides data to user devices 118 that can be accessed, for example, by the network operator, maintenance personnel and/or customers. For example, data identifying the increased energy usage described above can be provided to a user device 118 accessible by the network operator, which can in turn determine appropriate action in relation to the increased usage. Additionally, data identifying a usage time measurement and/or a peak demand measurement may also be provided to user device 118. Similarly, if there is a power outage, network management apparatus 112 may provide data to user devices 118 that are accessible by clients to provide information regarding the existence of the outage and potentially provide information estimating an outage duration.
    [042] The data network 110 can be a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), the Internet, or any other communications network. The data network 110 may be implemented as a wireless or a wired network. Wired networks can include any limited media networks that include, but are not limited to, networks implemented using metallic wire conductors, fiber optic materials, or waveguides. Wireless networks include all free space propagation networks that include, but are not limited to, networks implemented using radio wave and free space optical networks. Although only two SPUs 104a, 104b and a network management appliance 112 are shown, the service network 101 may include many different SPUs that can each communicate with thousands of endpoints and many different network management appliances that can , each communicate with multiple SPUs.
    [043] Symbols (eg 106a, 106b) from a particular terminal (eg 102a) can be transmitted over one of thousands of communications channels in a PLC system. For example, each terminal can be assigned a particular channel using OFDMA or another channel allocation technique. Channel assignments for terminals 102a-102c, 102d-102f that communicate with particular SPUs 104a, 104b can be stored, for example, in a communications data store 114 that is accessible to network management apparatus 112e/ or SPUs 104a, 104b. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, the communications data store 114 can maintain an index of terminals (e.g. EP1-EPi), the channel that each respective terminal has been assigned to (C1-Ci), and the SPU ( for example, SPU1-SPUx) which is responsible for receiving symbols transmitted by the respective terminals.
    [044] An SPU may use channel assignments, for example, to determine which terminal has transmitted symbols 106 that are received over each of the communications channels. In turn, the SPU can register (i.e., store) the symbols 106 based on the identity of the terminal that transmitted the symbols 106. For example, using channel assignments, the SPU 104b can determine that terminal 102d has channel 1 has been assigned. In this example, when SPU 104b receives symbol 106b over channel 1, SPU 104b may record symbol 106b in memory as a symbol for terminal 102d.
    [045] When terminals 102a-102f are installed in service network 101, terminals 102a-102f can each be assigned a symbol period. The symbol period that is assigned to a particular terminal can be selected, for example, based on signal characteristics (e.g., signal amplitude) of the communications signals that represent the symbols and are received at an SPU, relative to the amplitude of the noise base that is present on the channel over which communications signals are being received. For example, the symbol period can be selected so that the Eb/No accumulated over the unit range for the terminal exceeds a specified signal-to-noise threshold.
    [046] In some implementations, the symbol period that is selected for use by a particular terminal is proportional to a distance of the terminal from an SPU (or other data processing apparatus) that receives symbols from the terminal. For example, as the distance between a terminal and an SPU increases, the communications signals that are transmitted by the terminal will generally be more attenuated. Therefore, assuming that the transmit power of the terminal remains relatively constant, it will generally take longer to accumulate enough energy to recover symbols from the communications signals that are transmitted by the terminal as the distance between the terminal and the SPU increases.
    [047] As noted above, the token period for each terminal on the service network 101 can be assigned by the network administrator. For example, when the terminal is installed on network 101, the terminal may be configured to transmit symbols over an initial symbol period. The token period can also be specified by an SPU with which the terminal communicates and/or network management apparatus. For example, the SPU or network management apparatus 112 can analyze signal characteristics of communication signals that are received from the terminal and transmit data to the terminal that specifies a symbol period that the terminal should use to transmit reliably the symbols over the service network 101.
    [048] Data specifying the symbol period that the terminal should use can be iteratively provided to the terminal to dynamically adjust the symbol period used by the terminal. For example, if the noise base amplitude for the channel over which the terminal is transmitting communication signals increases, the reliability with which the symbols are retrieved may decrease. Increasing the symbol period that the terminal uses will increase the probability that the symbol is reliably recovered from the communications signals, due to the fact that the amount of accumulated energy generally increases with an increase in symbol period.
    [049] Each terminal can be independently assigned a symbol period, so that different terminals can transmit symbols over different symbol periods. For example, terminal 102a may transmit each symbol over a unit interval of 5 minutes, while terminal 102b may transmit each symbol over a unit interval of 20 minutes. Once a terminal is assigned a symbol period, the symbol period may be stored in communications data store 114 and indexed (i.e., associated with) the terminal and/or the channel over which the symbols from from the terminal are received.
    [050] The network management apparatus 112 and/or the SPUs 104a, 104b can access the communications data store 114 to identify the token period that has been assigned to the terminal. Using the symbol period, the SPUs 104a and 104b can determine how long power from each of the terminals should accumulate in order to recover the symbol 106 that is transmitted by the terminal.
    [051] As described in greater detail with reference to Figure 3, each SPU may include a symbol apparatus which determines, for each channel, times at which the symbol periods for each terminal are ending and causes the energy that received from the terminal is accumulated until the end of the symbol period for the terminal. Continuing with the above example, the symbol 150 apparatus for SPU 104a can cause the power for the symbol 106a that is received from the terminal 102a to accumulate for 5 minutes, since the symbol period for the terminal 102a is of 5 minutes. Similarly, token-to-SPU apparatus 104a can accumulate power to token 106b received from terminal 102b over 20 minutes, since token period to terminal 102b is 20 minutes.
    [052] Figure 2 is a graph 200 illustrating communications signals having different symbol periods. The graph includes a present time indicator 201 and a sample period indicator 202. The sample period indicator 202 includes a start sample mark 203 at t=0, and sample marks 204a-204c, which represent, each, respective sample period end times (eg, t=1, t=2, and t=3) for sample periods 206a-206c. Each of the sample periods 206a-206c consists of a period during which communications signals are accumulated over communications channels 208a-208c. For example, as the present time elapses from start mark 203 to sample mark 204a (e.g., from t=0 to t=1), the energy from communications signals received over communications channels 208a-208c will be continuously (or periodically) accumulated.
    [053] When the present time coincides with the end of the sample period 208a (that is, when the present time reaches t=1, which is the end time of the sample period for the sample period 208a, as shown in Fig. seated by sample mark 204a), symbol apparatus 150 determines whether the present time is also coincident with symbol period end times 210a-210c for any of communications channels 208a-208c (i.e. for communications signals that are received over the respective communications channels).
    [054] For example, at t=1, symbol apparatus 150 can compare present time t=1 to symbol period end times 210a-210c for each of communications channels 208a-208c. This comparison will reveal that communications channel 208b has a symbol period end time 210b-1 that is coincident with the present time, but that the other communications channels 208a and 208c do not have symbol period end times that are coincident. with the present tense. Thus, at t=1, the apparatus of symbol 150 will provide additional processing of energy from channel 208b that has accumulated over the first sample period 206a, but will not provide energy that has accumulated from channel 208a or 208c. Power from communications signals received over channel 208b may be supplied to a data processing apparatus which retrieves a symbol from the accumulated power. For example, the accumulated energy may be supplied to a data processing apparatus which demodulates the accumulated energy to recover the encoded data.
    [055] As the present time progresses from t=1 to t=2, energy from incoming communications over all communications channels 208a-208c will continue to accumulate. Due to the fact that the accumulated energy from channel 208b was supplied at time t=1, the accumulated energy to channel 208b can be reset to a reference energy value (e.g. energy=0) such that that, at t=2, the energy accumulated for channel 208b (i.e., relative to the reference energy value) will only be the energy that has accumulated over the second sample period 206b. Since the energy accumulated from communications channels 208a and 208c was not provided at the end of the first sample period 206a (i.e., at t=1), the energy that is accumulated for each of these channels over the second period sample will be aggregated (e.g. summed) with the energy that was accumulated over the first sample period 206a.
    [056] When the present time coincides with the end of the second sample period 206b (that is, when the present time reaches t=2, which is the end time of the sample period for the second sample period, as represented by the sample mark 204b), the symbol apparatus 150 again determines whether the present time t=2 is coincident with the symbol period end times 210a-210c for the communications channels 208a-208c (i.e. for the signals of communications that are received over the respective communications channels).
    [057] For example, at t=2, symbol apparatus 150 may determine that each of communications channels 208a and 208b has a symbol period end time 210a and 210b-2, respectively, that is coincident with the present time t=2, but that 208c does not have the symbol period end time which is coincident with the present time. Thus, at t=2, symbol apparatus 150 will supply, for further processing (e.g., symbol recovery), energy from channel 208a that has been accumulated from communications signals received both over the first sample period 206a and over the second sample period 206b, as well as energy that has been accumulated from communications signals received over channel 208b during the second sample period 206b. However, apparatus of symbol 150 will not supply power that has been accumulated from communications signals received over channel 208c. Once the accumulated energy for channels 208a and 208b is provided, the apparatus of symbol 150 can adjust the accumulated energy for channels 208a and 208b to the reference energy value (e.g., energy=0), and continue to accumulate energy from communications signals that are received over all channels 208a-208c.
    [058] When the present time reaches t=3 (i.e., coincides with the end of the third sample period 206c), the symbol apparatus 150 can determine which of the communications channels has a symbol period end time that is coincident with the end of the sample period (and the present time), as described above. For example, at the end of the third sample period 206c, symbol apparatus 150 may determine that channels 208b and 208c each have a symbol period end time 210b-3 and 210c, respectively, that is coincident with the end of the present tense t=3. Based on this determination, the symbol apparatus 150 can supply the energy that has been accumulated from communications signals received over channel 208b during the third sample period 206c. The symbol apparatus 150 may also supply energy that has been accumulated from communications signals received over channel 208c during the first, second and third sample periods 206a-206c.
    [059] As noted above, a single SPU can receive symbols from thousands of different endpoints in a network and over thousands of different channels. Also noted above, the symbols that are received over each different channel may have a different symbol period. Therefore, a symbol apparatus 150 can be configured to determine, for thousands of different channels and at the end of each sample period, which channels have symbol period end times that coincide with the end of the present time, and supply the energy accumulated from these symbols for further processing.
    [060] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an example SPU 104 that includes an apparatus of symbol 150. The apparatus of symbol 150 is coupled to integrators 302 that accumulate power for symbols 106 (i.e., as represented by signal signals). communications) that are broadcast over the channels as described below. Symbol apparatus 150 monitors the present time and when the present time coincides with the end of a sample period, determines whether the end of a symbol period for any of the symbols 106 that are received from the service network 101 is coincident with the end of the sample period. When the symbol period end time for a symbol coincides with the present time, the symbol apparatus causes integrators 302 that have been accumulating power for the symbol to supply the accumulated power to a symbol processor 304 which recovers the symbol. symbol.
    [061] In some implementations, each integrator 302 accumulates energy that is received over a specified portion of spectrum, which is referred to as a tone or a subchannel. Each symbol is represented by communications signals that are transmitted over one or more tones, and the set of tones over which communications signals representing the symbol are transmitted is referred to as the channel over which the symbol is transmitted. transmitted and/or received. The tones that define a particular channel can be allocated using OFDM or another spectrum allocation technique as described above, and a channel need not be defined by a set of contiguous tones.
    [062] The tones that define each channel and the integrators that accumulate energy for these tones can be stored in the communications data store 114 and indexed according to the channel and/or terminal from which the symbols 106 will be received. For example, communications data store 114 may include data 306 that specifies that integrators 1 through 3 (i.e., I1 through I3) have been assigned to accumulate received energy over tones defining channel 1, while integrators 4 through 6 (i.e. I4 through I6) have been assigned to receive the accumulated energy received over the tones defining channel 2.
    [063] The 306 data may also include data specifying the symbol periods for symbols that are received over each of the communications channels. A symbol period can be specified, for example, as an amount of time over which the symbol period spans (for example, 10 minutes). The symbol period can also be specified as a number of sample periods over which the symbol period spans. For example, the symbol period associated with (i.e., indexed according to) channel 1 is expressed as 2 (i.e., SP=2 in Figure 3), which indicates that the symbol period for symbols received over the channel 1 consists of 2 sample periods.
    [064] In some implementations, symbol period end times for each symbol period may be stored in communications data store 114. For example, a reference time (e.g. 12:00 am) may be specified, and the symbol period (or symbol rate) can be used to determine symbol period end times for each of the communications channels (for example, 12:10 am, 12:20 am ... 11:50 pm, 12:00 am).
    [065] Symbol apparatus 150 may access or otherwise obtain data 306 and use data 306 to cause integrators 302 to supply accumulated energy for each channel at the end of symbol periods associated with the respective channels . For example, if the symbol period for symbols received over channel 1 is expressed as 2 sample periods, symbol apparatus 150 can cause integrators that accumulate power for channel 1 (e.g., Integrator1, Integrator2 and Integrator3) provide the accumulated energy and/or 308 tone amplitudes (i.e., data specifying an amplitude of accumulated energy for each tone in a set of one or more tones) to the 304 symbol processor at the end of sample periods alternating. Symbol processor 304 may store accumulated energy and/or tone amplitudes 308 in one or more memory locations 310 that are associated with channel 1, and, in turn, decode the symbol with use. of accumulated energy and/or 308 tone amplitudes.
    [066] Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example process 400 for acquiring symbols that have different symbol periods. Process 400 is a process whereby symbol period end times are determined for communications signals that are received over different communications channels. The energy for communications signals is accumulated over a sample period. At the end of the sample period, a determination is made whether an end of a symbol period for any of the communications signals coincides with the end of the sample period (and/or the present time). Energy continues to accumulate for communications signals that do not have a symbol period end time that is coincident with the end of the sample period (and/or the present time), while data representing a symbol is provided for communications signals that have a symbol period end time that is coincident with the end of the sample period (and/or the present time).
    [067] Process 400 may be implemented, for example, by token apparatus 150, SPU 104, and/or network management apparatus 112 of Figure 1. In some implementations, token apparatus 120 consists of an apparatus process that includes one or more processors that are configured to perform actions of the process 400. In other implementations, a computer-readable medium may include instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the actions of the process 400.
    [068] A plurality of communications signals are received over a plurality of different communications channels (402). In some implementations, communications signals that are received over each different channel have a symbol period over which a symbol is transmitted over the channel. As described in more detail with reference to Figure 5, the symbol period for communications signals that are transmitted over the channel can be selected, for example, based on a signal-to-noise measurement (e.g., measured on an receiver, such as an SPU) for signals that are received over the channel.
    [069] Signal-to-noise measurements may vary on a channel-by-channel basis, for example based on the distance of a terminal from an SPU. Therefore, symbol periods may vary on a per channel basis. For example, first communications signals (e.g., from a first SPU) may be received over a first communications channel, while second communications signals (e.g., from a second SPU) may be received. over a second communications channel (for example, which is different from the first communications channel). In this example, first communications signals (e.g., signals received over channel 208a of Figure 2) may have a different symbol period than second communications signals (e.g., signals received over channel 208c of Figure 2). Therefore, the times at which communications signals representing symbols received over the first communications channel are recorded or provided for further processing will differ from the times at which communications signals representing symbols received over the second communications channel communications are recorded or provided for further processing.
    [070] Symbol period end times are determined for communications signals that are received over each of the communications channels (404). In some implementations, each symbol period end time is determined based on a symbol period for communications signals received over the communications channel and a reference time.
    [071] The reference time is a time from which symbol periods, sample periods, symbol period end times, sample period end times, the present time and/or other times are determined or measured. For example, the reference time can be adjusted to consist of 12:00am Greenwich Mean Time (“GMT”), such that present time can be determined as an amount of time that has elapsed since 12:00am GMT. (that is, the present GMT). Similarly, in this example, sample period end times can be determined by using the reference time as the start time for the first sample period, and by adjusting the GMT time at which each sequential sample period ends as a end time of sample period. Symbol period end times can also be determined in a similar way as sample period end times.
    [072] The reference time can be received, for example, from a substation processing unit. For example, the substation processing unit may periodically transmit a signal to the terminals indicating that the present time coincides with the reference time. In this example, each terminal can then start transmitting symbols at the reference time and continue transmitting a next symbol when the present time coincides with the end of the symbol period for the symbol. Reference time can also be received from other devices, such as a device that is part of a global positioning system or a device that is capable of receiving WWV broadcasts from the national institute of standards and technology.
    [073] In some implementations, each of the endpoints may use a time reference to ensure that any time deviation is maintained with a deviation threshold. For example, in a PLC network, the terminals can use 60Hz power as a time reference (eg phase lock at a 60Hz reference). As described above, symbol period end times may be stored in a data store, and retrieved or otherwise obtained by an SPU or other data processing apparatus.
    [074] Power is accumulated from communications signals over a sample period (406). Energy can be independently accumulated for each different part of the spectrum (ie each tone) that is included in each communications channel. For example, as described above with reference to Figure 3, a different integrator can be used to accumulate the energy that is received over each tone. In some implementations, the energy that is received over each tone during the sample period corresponds to the magnitude of one or more bits of the symbol being transmitted by a terminal.
    [075] A sample period consists of a period of time over which communications signals are accumulated. In some implementations, the sample period is a period that does not exceed a minimum symbol period for communications signals and can be determined using symbol periods for communications signals. For example, the sample period can be set equal to a minimum period (i.e., a shorter symbol period) over which a symbol is transmitted over one of the communications channels.
    [076] The sample period can be specified, for example, by a network administrator or determined by a data processing device that selects a sample period that has sample period end times that coincide with each time. symbol period end for symbols received over communications channels. In some implementations, the sample period is selected to be a period that is a divisor of the shortest symbol period and all other sample periods for communications signals that are received over communications channels. In some implementations, the sample period can be selected and then used to select symbol periods for communications signals, where the symbol periods are each a multiple of the sample period (for example, 1 x period sample period or 2 x sample period).
    [077] It is determined whether the present time coincides with an end of a sample period for communications signals (408). In some implementations, the present time is compared with the sample period end times to run the determination. For example, a set of sample period end times can be maintained, and compared to the present time. When the present time corresponds to a sample period end time, it is determined that the present time coincides with the end of a sample period. A counter that is phase locked with the 60Hz line (e.g. a phase of the 60Hz line) can also be used to provide a signal to the symbol apparatus when the end of a sample period is reached. When the end of a sample period does not coincide with the present time, energy continues to accumulate (406).
    [078] In response to the determination that the present time coincides with the end of a sample period, it is determined whether an end of a symbol period for communications signals received over at least one of the channels is coincident with the present time. (410). As described above, communications signals that are received over two different communications channels may have two different symbol periods, such that the symbol period end times may differ. Therefore, the present time may be coincident with a symbol period end time for communications signals that are received over a channel, while it is not coincident with another symbol period end time for other communications signals that are received over a channel. are received over another communications channel.
    [079] With reference to the above example, it is assumed that the first communications signals (e.g. signals received over channel 208a of Figure 2) and second communications signals (e.g. signals received over channel 208c of Figure 2) are respectively received over two different communication channels. In this example, it can be determined that the present time is coincident with the end of the first symbol period for the first communications signals, while it is not coincident with the end of the second symbol period for the second communications signals. Energy continues to accumulate (406) over one or more subsequent sample periods for communications signals that do not have a symbol period end time that is coincident with the end of the sample period (or the present time) and the determination can be made iteratively after each of the sample periods.
    [080] Data representing a symbol received over each communications channel is provided for which it is determined that an end of the symbol period is coincident with the present time (412). In some implementations, the data that is provided is data representing magnitudes of the one or more bits (e.g., tone magnitudes) that are received over each tone on the channels, as described above with reference to Figure 3.
    [081] Continuing with the example above, the data that is provided in response to the determination that the end of the first symbol period is coincident with the end of the sample period (or the present time), the data that represents the amplitude of the energy that has accumulated over the symbol period (and potentially earlier symbol periods), may be provided to a data processing apparatus which can decode or otherwise retrieve the symbol.
    [082] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example process 500 for dynamically adjusting a symbol period for communications signals. Process 500 is a process whereby an initial symbol period is selected for communications signals. A determination is made whether a signal-to-noise measurement (or other power measurement) for communications signals meets a power measurement threshold. When the signal-to-noise measurement meets the threshold, the symbol period can remain the same and the signal-to-noise measurement can continue to be monitored. When the signal-to-noise measurement does not meet the threshold, the symbol period can be adjusted (eg, increased), and the signal-to-noise measurement can continue to be monitored. This process can continue iteratively to keep the probability increasing that symbols are reliably retrieved from received communications signals.
    [083] Process 500 is described with reference to increasing symbol periods. However, a similar process can be used to decrease symbol periods when the accumulated energy exceeds a maximum threshold. In this way, the accumulated energy for each channel can be kept in a specific range by dynamically adjusting the channel symbol periods.
    [084] Process 500 may be implemented, for example, by token apparatus 150, SPU 104, and/or network management apparatus 112 of Figure 1. In some implementations, token apparatus 120 is a token apparatus 120. a data processing system that includes one or more processors that are configured to perform the actions of the 500 process. In other implementations, a computer-readable medium may include instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the process actions 500.
    [085] An initial symbol period is selected for communications signals (502). In some implementations, the initial symbol period is selected based on a distance over which communications signals will be transmitted. For example, the initial symbol period can be selected to be directly proportional to a distance over which communications signals are transmitted in a PLC network, since signal losses increase as the distance increases. Alternatively, the initial symbol period may be selected to be directly proportional to the amplitude of a noise base that has been measured on the communications channel over which communications signals will be transmitted.
    [086] In some implementations, the initial symbol period used by terminals to transmit communications symbols may be selected on a group basis, such that terminals in a specified geographic region are configured to use the same initial symbol period. , while endpoints in another geographic region are configured to use another initial symbol period. In these implementations, a distance from the geographic region to a device (eg, an SPU) to which communications symbols are being transmitted is used to select the initial symbol period that is used by the endpoints. Additionally, the terminals can be grouped based on the modulation techniques used, where a number of bits are encoded in each symbol, or using other characteristics.
    [087] A signal-to-noise measurement is determined for the communications signals (504). The signal-to-noise measurement can be determined by (or measured with) an SPU (or other device) that receives the communications signals. In some implementations, the signal-to-noise measurement is determined by determining a power measurement for the first communications signals that are received over a communications channel over the initial symbol period. For example, the energy measurement may be based on a magnitude of signal energy that has been accumulated from the communications signals over the initial symbol period. The energy measurement can also be based on a measurement (e.g. a magnitude) of signal energy accumulated over the symbol period against a measurement (e.g. magnitude) of noise energy that has accumulated over the period of symbol.
    [088] In some implementations, the signal-to-noise measurement can be monitored over a single symbol period and/or multiple symbol periods. For example, the signal-to-noise measurement may be an average (or other statistical measurement) of the magnitude of signal energy relative to the magnitude of noise energy that has accumulated over multiple symbol periods. The signal-to-noise measurement can also be used to determine a signal-to-noise profile (eg, distribution) that characterizes the signal-to-noise magnitude over multiple symbol periods.
    [089] It is determined whether the signal-to-noise measurement meets a power measurement threshold (506). The energy measurement threshold can be specified as an absolute signal energy magnitude or a relative signal energy magnitude (e.g. relative to noise energy magnitude), such that the accumulated signal energy that is accumulated over one or more symbol periods can be compared to the threshold to determine whether the signal-to-noise measurement meets (i.e. is equal to or greater than) the power measurement threshold. The power measurement threshold can also be specified using a signal-to-noise profile. For example, the energy measurement threshold can be specified as a minimum signal energy magnitude that is within one standard deviation of an average signal energy magnitude.
    [090] When the signal-to-noise measurement is determined to meet the power measurement threshold, the signal-to-noise measurement for communications signals may continue to be determined (504) and monitored.
    [091] When it is determined that the signal-to-noise measurement does not meet the power measurement threshold, the symbol period for communications signals may be increased (508). In some implementations, the symbol period is increased by a predefined amount (for example, by a factor of 2 or by a single sample period) and the signal-to-noise measurement is redetermined (504). In these implementations, the signal-to-noise measurement is iteratively increased by the predefined amount until the signal-to-noise measurement meets the power measurement threshold.
    [092] In some implementations, the symbol period may be increased based on a magnitude by which the power measurement threshold exceeds the signal-to-noise measurement. For example, the amount of additional time that will be required to increase the signal-to-noise measurement to a magnitude that meets (or exceeds) the energy threshold can be computed using the signal-to-noise measurement that was determined during one or more more previous symbol periods.
    [093] Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example computer system 600 that can be used to facilitate variable symbol period detection and assignment as described above. System 600 includes a processor 610, memory 620, storage device 630, and input/output device 640. Each of components 610, 620, 630, and 640 may be interconnected, for example, using a bus. system 650. Processor 610 is capable of processing instructions for execution within system 600. In one implementation, processor 610 is a single-thread processor. In another implementation, processor 610 is a multitasking processor. Processor 610 is capable of processing instructions stored in memory 620 or storage device 630.
    [094] Memory 620 stores information within system 600. In one implementation, memory 620 is a computer readable medium. In one implementation, memory 620 is a unit of volatile memory. In another implementation, memory 620 is a non-volatile memory unit.
    [095] Storage device 630 is capable of providing mass storage for system 600. In one implementation, storage device 630 is a computer readable medium. In a number of different implementations, storage device 630 may include, for example, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or some other large capacity storage device.
    [096] Input/output device 640 provides input/output operations to system 600. In one implementation, input/output device 640 may include one or more network interface devices, for example, an Ethernet card, a serial communication device, for example, and RS-232 port and/or a wireless interface device, for example, and an 802.11 card. In another implementation, the input/output device may include driver devices configured to receive input data and send output data to other input/output devices, e.g. keyboard, printer, and 460 display devices. Other implementations, in However, they can also be used, such as mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices, set-top box television client devices, etc.
    [097] Although an example processing system has been described in Figure 6, the subject implementations and functional operations described in this specification may be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware. -putador, which includes the structures presented in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them.
    [098] The subject modalities and operations described in this specification may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware or hardware, which includes the structures presented in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification may be implemented as one or more computer programs, that is, one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on computer storage media for execution by or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus.
    [099] Alternatively or additionally, program instructions may be encoded in an artificially generated propagated signal, for example a machine generated electromagnetic, optical or electrical signal, which is generated to encode information for transmission to the appropriate receiving apparatus for execution by means of a data processing device. A computer storage medium may be, or be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a serial or random-access memory device or arrangement, or a combination of one or more of the same. Furthermore, although a computer storage medium is not a propagated signal, a computer storage medium may be a source or designation of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagated signal. The computer storage medium may also be, or be included in, one or more separate physical components or media (eg, multiple CDs, discs, or other storage devices).
    [0100] The operations described in this specification may be implemented as operations performed by a data processing apparatus on data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices or received from other sources.
    [0101] The term “data processing apparatus” includes all types of apparatus, devices and machines for processing data, which include, by way of example, a programmable processor, a computer, a system on an integrated circuit, or multiples thereof, or combinations of the foregoing. The apparatus may include special-purpose logic circuitry, for example, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). The apparatus may also include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, for example, code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them. The appliance and execution environment can realize various computing model infrastructures, such as web services, network computing infrastructures, and distributed computing.
    [0102] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, which includes interpreted or compiled languages, declarative or procedural languages, and can be distributed in any form, which includes as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can, but need not, match a file on a file system. A program may be stored in a part of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a tag language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinate files (for example, files that store one or more modules, subprograms, or pieces of code). A computer program may be distributed to run on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one location or distributed across multiple locations and interconnected by a communication network.
    [0103] The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be executed by one or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to perform actions per operation on input data and output generation. Logic processes and flows can also be executed by, and the apparatus can also be implemented as, special-purpose logic circuitry, for example, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). ).
    [0104] Processors suitable for executing a computer program include, by way of example, both special and general purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from read-only memory or random access memory, or both. The essential elements of a computer consist of a processor to perform actions according to instructions and one or more memory devices to store instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, for example magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks or optical disks. However, a computer does not need to have such devices. In addition, a computer can be embedded in another device, for example, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a global positioning system receiver ( GPS), or a portable storage device (for example, a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive), to name just a few. Devices suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, memory devices, and media, which include, by way of example, semiconductor memory devices, e.g. EPROM, EEPROM, and storage devices. flash memory; magnetic disks, eg internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated into, special-purpose logic circuitry.
    [0105] To provide interaction with a user, the subject modalities described in this specification may be implemented on a computer that has a display device, for example, a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (cathode ray display) monitor. liquid crystal), to display information to the user, and a keyboard and pointing device, for example, a mouse or a trackball, through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with a user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, for example, visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, which includes acoustic, oral, or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's client device in response to requests received from the web browser.
    [0106] The subject modalities described in this specification can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, for example, such as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, for example, an application server, or that includes a front-end component, for example, a client computer that has a graphical user interface. System components can be interconnected by any form or means of digital data communication, eg a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), an internetwork (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer to peer).
    [0107] The computing system may include clients and servers. A client and server are often separated from each other and typically interact over a communication network. The client-server relationship appears by virtue of computer programs that run on the respective computers and that have a client-server relationship with each other. In some embodiments, a server transmits data to a client device (eg, for purposes of displaying data and receiving user input from a user interacting with the client device). Data generated on the client device (for example, a result of user interaction) can be received from the client device on the server.
    [0108] Although this specification contains many specific implementation details, they should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of any inventions or what can be claimed, but rather descriptions of specific features to modalities. individuals of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate modalities may also be implemented in combination in a single modality. Conversely, several features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, while features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be eliminated from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed at a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.
    [0109] Similarly, although operations are described in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as a requirement that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve the desired results. In certain circumstances, parallel processing and multi-threading can be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as a requirement of such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the systems and program components described can generally be integrated together into a single software product or bundled into multiple software products.
    [0110] In this way, the particular modalities of the subject have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions cited in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired results. Furthermore, the processes described in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desired results. In certain implementations, parallel and multitasking processing can be advantageous.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [0001]
    1. Method, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: receiving a plurality of communications signals over a plurality of different communications channels through a power line communication network (101), each of the communications signals having a symbol period over which a symbol is transmitted, and the plurality of communication signals including: first communication signals received over a first communication channel (208a), the first communication signals having a first symbol period; and second communications signals received over a second communications channel (208b) which is different from the first communications channel (208a), the second communications signals having a second symbol period which is different from the first symbol period; for each communications channel (208a; 208b), determining respective symbol period end times (210b-1 to 210b-3, 210a) for communications signals received over the communications channels, the symbol period end time being determined based on the respective symbol period for communications signals received over the communications channel and a reference time; determining that a present time coincides with an end of a sample period (206a; 206b; 206c) for communications signals, the sample period being a period not exceeding a minimum symbol period for communications signals; determining that a symbol period end for communications signals being received over at least one of the communications channels (208a; 208b) is coincident with the present time; and providing data representing a symbol (106) received over each communications channel for which an end of the symbol period is coincident with the present time, the data being indicative of a measurement or a magnitude of energy accumulated from each of the communications channels for which the end of the symbol period is coincident with the present time and being accumulated at different times over a respective one or more sample periods until an end of a present sample period is coincident with an end of the respective symbol period spanning the one or more sample periods.
    [0002]
    2. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally comprises: accumulating energy from each of the communications signals over the respective one or more sample periods (206a; 206b; 206c) until the end of the respective sample period present is coincident with the end of the respective symbol period spanning the one or more sample periods, wherein providing data representing the received symbol over each communications channel for which an end of the symbol period is coincident with the present time by providing, for each bit of the symbol, a magnitude of the accumulated energy for the bit over the symbol period.
    [0003]
    3. Method according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that accumulating energy from each of the communications signals comprises accumulating, over the sample period (206a; 206b; 206c), the energy received on each different part of spectrum that is included in communications channels (208a; 208b), wherein each different part of spectrum corresponds to one or more bits of the symbol (106).
    [0004]
    4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it additionally comprises determining the sample period using the symbol periods for the communications signals by: identifying a shorter symbol period for the signals of communications; and selecting the sample period to be a divisor of the shortest symbol period and all other sample periods for communications signals received over any one of the plurality of communications channels (208a; 208b).
    [0005]
    5. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally comprises: selecting, for each communications channel (208a; 208b), a symbol period for the communications signals received over the communications channel, the symbol period being selected based on a signal-to-noise measurement for communications signals that are received over the communications channel.
    [0006]
    6. Method according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally comprises selecting a sample period (206a; 206b; 206c) for the communications signals, wherein the selection of a symbol period comprises selecting a period of symbol that is a multiple of the sample period.
    [0007]
    7. Method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that determining that an end of the symbol period for communications signals being received over at least one of the communications channels is coincident with the present time comprises: determining that the present time coincides with an end of the first symbol period (210) for the first communications signals; and determining that the present time is not coincident with an ending time of the second symbol period for the second communications signals.
    [0008]
    8. Method according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that providing data representing the symbol (106) comprises providing data representing a first symbol that has been received over the first communications channel (208a), the first symbol being represented by an amplitude of energy accumulated over the symbol period for the first communications signals, and the method further including: accumulating energy from the second communications signal over one or more subsequent sample periods (206a; 206b; 206c); at the end of each following sample period, determining whether the end of the symbol period for the second communications signals coincides with the end of the next sample period; and providing data representing a second symbol received over the second communications channel (208b) at the end of the next one or more sample periods (206a; 206b; 206c) that is coincident with an end time of the second communications signals.
    [0009]
    9. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it additionally comprises: receiving the reference time from a substation processing unit; and receiving, from a data store (114), symbol period end times for the communications signals.
    [0010]
    10. Method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it additionally comprises: determining a first power measurement for the first communications signals received over the first communications channel (208a), the first power measurement being determined over one or more first symbol periods for the first communications signals; determining that the first energy measurement for the first communications signals does not meet a threshold energy measurement; and in response to the determination that the first energy measurement does not meet the threshold energy measurement, adjusting the first symbol period based on the first energy measurement.
    [0011]
    11. System, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a plurality of terminals (102a to 102f) that are configured to transmit communications signals over a plurality of different communications channels through a power line communications network (101); a data processing apparatus (104) which is configured to interact with the plurality of terminals (102a to 102f) and to: receive, via the power line communication network (101), communications signals over the plurality of different communications channels including: first communications signals over a first communications channel (208a), the first communications signals having a first symbol period; and second communications signals over a second communications channel (208b) which is different from the first communications channel (208a), the second communications signals having a second symbol period which is different from the first symbol period; for each communications channel (208a; 208b), determining symbol period end times (210b-1 to 210b-3; 210a) for communications signals received over the communications channel based on the respective symbol period for the signals communications received over the communications channel and a reference time; determining that a present time coincides with an end of a sample period (206a; 206b; 206c) for communications signals, the sample period being a period not exceeding a minimum symbol period for communications signals; determining that a symbol period end for communications signals being received over at least one of the communications channels (208a; 208b) is coincident with a present time; and providing data representing a symbol (106) received over each communications channel for which an end of the symbol period is coincident with the present time, the data being indicative of a measurement or a magnitude of energy accumulated from each one of the communications channels for which the end of the symbol period is coincident with the present time and being accumulated at different times over a respective one or more sample periods until an end of a present sample period is coincident with the end of the respective symbol period spanning the one or more sample periods.
    [0012]
    12. System (100), according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the data processing apparatus (104) comprises: a plurality of integrators (302), each integrator being configured to accumulate energy received over a specified tone of a communications channel; and a symbol apparatus (150) coupled to the plurality of integrators (302), the symbol apparatus (150) being configured to cause the integrators (302) for a particular communications channel to supply the accumulated energy in response to the present time being coincident with the symbol period for the communications signals being received over the particular communications channel.
    [0013]
    13. System (100), according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the data processing apparatus (104) is additionally configured to: determine that the present time is coincident with an end of the first symbol period for the first communications signals; determining that the present time is not coincident with an ending time of the second symbol period for the second communications signals; and. providing data representing a first symbol (106) that has been received over the first communications channel, the first symbol (106) being represented by an amplitude of energy accumulated over the symbol period for the first communications signals.
    [0014]
    14. System (100), according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the data processing apparatus (104) is additionally configured to: accumulate energy from the second communications signals over one or more following sample periods ; at the end of each following sample period, determining whether the end of the symbol period for the second communications signals coincides with the end of the next sample period; and providing data representing a second symbol (106) received over the second communications channel at the end of the next one or more sample periods that coincides with an end time of the second communications signals.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    BR112013010750A2|2016-08-09|
    EP2636178A4|2016-12-21|
    EP2636178A1|2013-09-11|
    WO2012061351A1|2012-05-10|
    US20120106664A1|2012-05-03|
    CA2816421C|2019-10-01|
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    CA2816421A1|2012-05-10|
    MX2013004896A|2013-07-15|
    EP2636178B1|2018-08-08|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-18| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2020-05-12| B15K| Others concerning applications: alteration of classification|Free format text: A CLASSIFICACAO ANTERIOR ERA: H04L 5/20 Ipc: H04B 3/54 (2006.01) |
    2020-05-12| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2021-11-09| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2022-01-11| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 01/11/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. PATENTE CONCEDIDA CONFORME ADI 5.529/DF, QUE DETERMINA A ALTERACAO DO PRAZO DE CONCESSAO. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US12/916.852|2010-11-01|
    US12/916,852|US8731076B2|2010-11-01|2010-11-01|Variable symbol period assignment and detection|
    PCT/US2011/058730|WO2012061351A1|2010-11-01|2011-11-01|Variable symbol period assignment and detection|
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