This application claims priority to International Application No. PCT/DE01/03104 which was published in the German language on Feb. 28, 2002.
The invention relates to a method for transmitting radio-frequency signal information on low-voltage networks and to an arrangement for carrying out the method.
Data transmission of radio-frequency signals on mains cables is known. This allows information to be transmitted in addition to or as an alternative to conventional telephony, which is particularly advantageous since electrical networks with mains connections exist virtually everywhere. Particularly for industrial low-voltage networks with busbar systems and distribution busbars, this results in the capability to set up a dedicated data transmission system.
Typically, power is transmitted in industrial systems via busbar systems, which are in turn fed from a transformer that is located in the immediate vicinity. Loads are connected to the busbar system via outgoer cables in the form of individual cables or distribution busbars. Distribution busbars are in turn longitudinally extended and encapsulated solid conductors with a relatively small cross section, which in manufacturing systems are generally fitted horizontally underneath or above the loads that are to be supplied. Furthermore, distribution busbars have outgoers that are arranged in a specific pattern, and to which the loads can be connected by means of so-called tap-off boxes.
Busbar systems and distribution busbars in low-voltage networks are, for telecommunications purposes, conductors with a very high characteristic impedance in the range of several hundred ohms. In addition, power-feeding busbar systems with their high prospective short-circuit currents and very low impedances represent, in particular, low-impedance shorts for signals in the frequency band from 100 kHz to several MHz, in which, for example, modern powerline communication (PLC) systems operate. Consequently, the levels of signals which are fed into the busbar system directly are highly attenuated. In conjunction with the high interference levels which occur in industrial low-voltage networks, protected data traffic is no longer possible with this type of feed even after comparatively short distances of a few tens of meters.
EP 0 889 602 A2 discloses a data transmission system for transmitting data via at least one electrical power cable, with the data being input and output at the end areas of a power transmission cable. Furthermore, DE 44 18 296 A1 discloses network coupling being provided for data transmission via an electrical distribution network with associated filters to the coupling points. Finally, DE 9 504 587 A1 discloses a two-way communication system for power supply networks in a low-voltage network, in which data is transmitted.
Furthermore, JP 01-221028 A discloses a power cable transmission system (PLC) which has load lines with blocking filters which allow current to pass at the mains frequency (50 or 60 Hz) in order to supply power, but which block radio-frequency signals. Furthermore, a logic circuit which carries out a digital data interchange via so-called special lines is arranged between the PLC units which supply the individual load lines.
The invention reduces the attenuation of the signals during transmission.
According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a method for transmitting radio-frequency signals on low-voltage networks, and a system for same.
In one embodiment of the invention, the signals are not fed in solely via that end of the outgoer cables which is opposite the busbar system but, in fact, signal conditioning is carried out at the same time at the feed points by means of a PLC coupling cable, which ensures that the radio-frequency communications signals have a perfect quality at the feed points. This results in data being interchanged with a good transmission response between modems on various outgoer cables or distribution busbars. A filter which has a high impedance for the radio-frequency communications signals but has a low impedance for the mains frequency avoids any short, thus making a considerable contribution to improving the transmission response.
With one arrangement according to the invention, the telecommunications coupling of the outgoer cables/busbar systems is made via a PLC coupling cable which, if necessary, includes repeaters, that is to say bidirectional amplifiers, and which are connected to the outgoer cables/distribution busbars via PLC coupling units. The PLC coupling units may be capacitive and/or in the form of transformers, or else may include active elements such as amplifiers.
The filter may advantageously comprise a sleeve, which is fitted around the individual conductors of the supply cable and is composed of magnetic material, with the sleeve advantageously being split in order to make it easy to apply without having to disconnect the cable.
Further details and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following description of the figures of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which figures:
In
Outgoer cables or distribution busbars originate from the busbar system. By way of example, the distribution busbars 2 and 2′ are shown. Further outgoer cables or distribution busbars may be provided.
Individual loads 3, 3′, . . . , for example motors, are connected to the outgoer cables/distribution busbars 2, 2′, . . .
In
The PLC coupling units are designed in a known manner to be capacitive or are in the form of transformers. They may also contain further elements from the prior art, in particular such as amplifiers.
In the arrangement shown in
The described arrangement thus results in the signals being fed into that end of the outgoer cable or distribution busbar which faces away from the busbar system. In order to prevent shorting of the busbar system and of the signal feed, a filter 20, 20′, . . . is connected in each of the outgoer cables/distribution busbars. These filters 18, 18′, . . . have a high impedance for signals in the frequency band of the power line, but have a low impedance for the mains frequency, thus avoiding any shorting.
By way of example,
Further embodiments are available as alternatives to
In a corresponding way, a cylinder 40 composed of magnetic material in
The embodiments shown in
The calculation example in the following text makes it evident, particularly for the filter shown in
The reactance is dependent on the relative permeability, which in turn is influenced by the magnetic field strength and hence, in the end, by the current i.
This data results in the following figures:
The above result indicates that the reactance fluctuates as a function of the premagnetization by the 50 Hz current. The above values show that, for a 50 Hz current with a peak value of 1 kA, reactance X is 3 kΩ at the zero crossing and 500 kHz, and is 10 Ω at the peak value of the 50 Hz current. This relationship is taken into account during the design process.
The described arrangement ensures that a radio-frequency short in the busbar system that is used for feeding power is prevented for the power line signals by means of filters. This allows data traffic over longer distances in conjunction with the radio-frequency connection on the outgoer cables and distribution busbars by means of the PLC coupling cable including any signal conditioning in the bidirectional amplifiers/repeaters.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
100 41 702 | Aug 2000 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/DE01/03104 | 8/13/2001 | WO | 00 | 2/21/2003 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO02/17509 | 2/28/2002 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3699272 | Fritz | Oct 1972 | A |
5684450 | Brown | Nov 1997 | A |
5717685 | Abraham | Feb 1998 | A |
5856776 | Armstrong et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
6452482 | Cern | Sep 2002 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
44 18 296 | Nov 1995 | DE |
195 04 587 | Aug 1996 | DE |
0 684 681 | Nov 1995 | EP |
0 889 602 | Jan 1999 | EP |
2 330 455 | Apr 1999 | GB |
01221028 | Sep 1989 | JP |
WO 0154297 | Jul 2001 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20030232599 A1 | Dec 2003 | US |