JPH11205201A - Communication signal coupler and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication signal coupler that controls the S/N of a communication signal so as to be increased by receiving the signals from at least two of power lines (phase line) in which a leakage is generated among three phase lines and coupling the received signals. SOLUTION: This communication signal coupler is composed of a means that receives a radio frequency(RF) signal including at least one component of necessary signals from each of at least two phase lines and a means that weighs the received signals so as to enlarge the necessary signal to (interference + noise) ratio, that is, S/(I+N) ratio. The radio frequency(RF) signal is coupled with the power lines by using weighting devices (WR, WB, WY) and an adder 400. The phase of the received signal is shifted and the amplitude of the received signal is changed through the weighting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication signal coupling device and method for extracting a communication signal from a power line and applying the communication signal to the power line.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to transmit telecommunications signals using a power distribution network or a power transmission network. European Patent Application No. WO 94/0957
2A1 (Norweb) discloses such a transmission network. Providing telecommunications services in this manner is attractive, and in particular the costs of creating a new telecommunications network are greatly reduced, for example the cost of laying cables to each subscriber. Existing power distribution cables are used to transmit telecommunications signals.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a power distribution network configured to transmit telecommunications signals. The main power line enters the transmission network from the 11 kV transmission line 105, and the substation 100 transforms its voltage to 415V, which is supplied to the subscribers S1, S2 and S3 via the cable 120. Base station BS
Couples a communication signal VB, such as a voice signal or a data signal, to a distribution cable 120 at an application point 110. In the subscriber's premises S1, S2 and S3, the telecommunications signal is transmitted and received over a cable using a radio frequency carrier.
Propagated to In the uplink, the communication signal is transmitted from the subscriber's transceiver device TRX to the base station.

[0004]

One of the problems of transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals using electrical distribution cables is due to cable construction. The central portion of the cable is composed of three power lines forming three phases (hereinafter also referred to as phase lines), and each phase line transmits one of the three-phase power.
At radio frequencies, due to the capacitance present between each phase line, a signal coming from one phase line leaks or couples into another adjacent phase line. A phase shift occurs in the process of combining the RF signals. Thus, after the communication signal has propagated on the phase lines, the components of the communication signal on each line will no longer be in phase, but will have different phases and amplitudes. This causes a problem in the receiving device.

[0005] Another problem with transmitting telecommunications signals over power lines is due to interference from electrical devices connected to the power lines. Thermal noise on power lines is usually at much lower levels than other sources of interference, such as broadband interference. Broadband interference occurs periodically, occupying the same frequency as the RF carrier used to transmit the communication signal, and at a level sufficient to degrade the required signal. The interfering signal propagates over the network with the required RF signal, reducing the signal to interference ratio of the base station receiver. Other sources of interference are household electrical equipment, especially electrical equipment with motors, factories using electric machines, street lights, and other roadside equipment. In addition, emissions from external sources, such as wireless transmitters, may be picked up by the network. External sources are a problem especially when part of the distribution network uses overhead lines.

[0006] European Patent Application No. EP006329
6 (Westinghouse) discloses a communication system for a three-phase power distribution network with remote units,
A remote unit in the net has three reception front ends and a demodulator that independently reconstructs three reception signals received from each line.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system for extracting a communication signal carried by a radio frequency (RF) carrier in a power line configured to cause signal leakage between lines. The signal combiner includes means for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal including at least one component of the required signal from each of the at least two phase lines, and a required signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio, ie, S / (I + N)
Means for weighting the received signal so as to increase the ratio.

Preferably, the communication signal coupling device is coupled to an output of the weighting means and has a required signal pair (interference + noise).
It is further configured to include a measurement unit for measuring a weighted signal quantity indicating a ratio, and a control means coupled to the measurement unit for controlling the weighting means to increase a value of the measurement quantity.

Preferably, the weighting means of the communication signal coupling device further includes weighting means for performing in-phase weighting on the received signal, and an adder for adding the weighted signal. Further, the weighting means of the communication signal coupling device is configured to be able to further adjust the amplitude output of the received signal.

[0010] The control means of the communication signal coupling device is configured to perform an iterative technique, whereby the perturbation is performed by the weighting means.

[0011] The measuring unit of the communication signal coupling device measures the bit error rate of the weighted signal. When the required signal is not present, the measurement is performed for a predetermined period of the weighted signal. When the carrier of the required signal is present but the modulated signal is not present, the measurement is performed for the predetermined period of the weighted signal. Further, when the test signal is present in the signal, the measurement is performed during the period.

The weighting means of the communication signal coupling device is configured to weight the received signal in a different manner in each of the plurality of periods. Each period is configured to correspond to a time slot on a time-sharing carrier frequency.

[0013] The weighting means of the communication signal coupling device is configured to store a setting for weighting a signal from a specific subscriber coupled to the power line.

The communication signal coupling device of the communication signal coupling device includes:
The communication signal is configured to be applied to at least two phase lines.

[0015] The communication signal combiner is configured to include an antenna coupled to the weighting means and operable to receive interference.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a communication signal is applied to a power line where signal leakage occurs between phase lines,
A communication signal coupling device in which a subscriber is coupled to at least one power line includes: a dividing unit that divides a communication signal; and a unit that applies a divided signal to each of at least two power lines. , At the receiver of the subscriber terminal, each divided signal is weighted to increase the signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio.

[0017] The dividing means of the communication signal coupling device is adapted to respond to the measurement at the subscriber terminal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for extracting a communication signal carried by a radio frequency (RF) carrier in a power line configured to cause signal leakage between the lines is provided. Receiving, from each of the phase lines, a radio frequency (RF) signal containing at least one component of the required signal; and weighting the received signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a communication signal is applied to a power line where signal leakage occurs between phase lines,
A communication signal coupling method in which a subscriber is coupled to at least one power line includes a division method for dividing a communication signal, and a method for applying a division signal to each of at least two power lines. Weights each divided signal in the receiver of the subscriber terminal.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a network according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Substation 100 is connected to subscriber S via a 415 V three-phase network having three phase lines, blue, red, and yellow.
1. Distribute electricity to S2. Although a 415 V three-phase power distribution line is described here as an example, it is clear that the present invention can be applied to a network having other numbers of phase lines or a network operating at another supply voltage. The subscriber receives a single-phase power supply (240V) or a three-phase power supply (415V). Home subscribers typically receive a single-phase power supply. The subscribers along the road are connected to different phase lines. In FIG. 2, subscriber S1 is connected to the red phase line and subscriber S2 is connected to the yellow phase line. By doing so, the load of the network can be distributed in three phases.

Each subscriber is connected to the distribution cable 120 by a branch line 210. Electrical power is supplied to the electrical device via internal wiring within the subscriber's home.

In the down direction, the normal substation 1
At around 00, a telecommunications signal is applied to distribution cable 120 and propagates over cable 120 and reaches subscribers S1, S2, similar to the power supply method described above. In the network adjustment unit 200 located in the subscriber's house, the high-pass filter filters the high-frequency telecommunication signal from the main power, and the filtered signal is supplied to the communication transceiver TRX. In the two-way communication, the telecommunication signal is also sent from the communication transceiver TRX to the base station BS.

The electrical equipment 220 in the subscriber's premises causes interference, which flows in the upstream direction to the base station. The network conditioning unit 200 acts as a filter to attenuate high frequency interference and thus removes some of the interference created in the subscriber's premises, but this attenuation may be inadequate. In some cases, other electrical devices 240, such as street lights, are connected to the cable 120 and cause interference, and the interference propagates on the cable 120 toward the base station.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an example of a three-phase power cable having insulated red, blue, and yellow phase lines. The outer peripheral portion 300 is grounded and operates as a neutral point. At radio frequencies, the mutual capacitance C ₁ ,
C ₂ and C ₃ exist between three phase lines in the cable.
Because of this capacitance, the RF signal on one phase line will combine with the other phase line and appear on the other phase line as an interference signal. In this way, both the required telecommunications signals and unwanted interference are combined. For example, interfering signals originating from the electrical device 240 (see FIG. 2) connected to the blue phase line are coupled to the red and yellow phase lines in the cable. Phase line coupling depends on transmission frequency, cable length,
Depends on cable type and other connection details. Coupling between the phase lines affects the amplitude and phase relationship between the original signal on the first phase line and the signal induced on the second phase line.

Therefore, in the upstream path, the base station BS receives necessary communication signal components of various sizes from each phase line. When interference exists on the network, the base station receives interference signal components of various magnitudes from each phase line.

FIG. 4 shows a typical case on the uplink path when there is no interference. Subscriber S1 is connected to the red phase line. Signal 310 propagates on the red phase line. The coupling (leakage) between the red phase line and the adjacent line is
The signal 311 is shown on a blue line and the signal 312 is shown on a yellow line. Signal 3 on the red line
For 10, the signal on the blue line has a phase shift of φ ₁ ° and the signal on the yellow line has a phase shift of φ ₂ °. Even if the base station simply adds the signals on the red, blue, and yellow lines, the signals on the blue and yellow lines cannot be used completely, and the signal-to-noise ratio tends to deteriorate. Typically, there is a phase shift from 0 ° to 90 ° between the signals on the three lines. The signals may have opposite phases on adjacent lines, in which case simply adding the signals may severely degrade the required signal or even cancel the required signal. This occurs when the terminations connected to the two wires are different. For example, in FIG. 4, transmission on the red line causes a phase shift in the signals on the blue and yellow lines due to a mismatch at the connection point 330 of the service cable connecting the subscriber S1.

In the first embodiment, the power of a received signal can be maximized by shifting the phase of a set of received signals so that they are in phase. For example, it is necessary to -.phi ₁ ° and -.phi ₂ ° respectively shifted the phase of the blue and yellow lines in the case of FIG.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show three typical cases in the upstream path when an interference signal is present on the line. In these examples, weighting (for example, phase shift and / or amplitude weighting for each line) is performed so as to cancel interference and simultaneously leave a necessary signal.
The adaptive algorithm used in the receiver automatically provides an optimal solution to maximize the signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio, ie, S / (I + N).

FIG. 5 shows a case where the required signal and the interference signal are generated on different phase lines. Viewed on the red line, the required signal "3A" is transmitted from subscriber S1 coupled to the red line, and the interfering signal "2B" originates from subscriber S2 coupled to the yellow line. . Viewed on the blue line, the interfering signal "A" is transmitted from subscriber S1 coupled to the red line, and the interfering signal "2B" originates from subscriber S2 coupled to the yellow line. Looking on the yellow line, the required signal "4B" originates from subscriber S2, which is coupled to the yellow line, and the interfering signal "A" is transmitted from subscriber S1, which is coupled to the red line. You. The signal strength after the signal has propagated along the cable 120 to the base station BS is as follows. Blue line: A + 2B Red line: 3A + 2B Yellow line: A + 4B

In a three-phase power line, because the phase lines are coupled to each other, some of the required signal on the red line is induced on the yellow and blue lines, and similarly, the required signal on the yellow line. Some are induced on the red and blue lines. Here, for the sake of clarity, it is assumed that the signal components on each phase line are in phase, but this device can operate regardless of the relationship between the phases of the signal components on the phase lines.

By combining the weighted portion of the signal on the yellow line with the signal on the red line, ie by subtracting 1/2 of the signal on the yellow line from the signal on the red line, ie (3A + 2B) − (A + 4B)
As in the case of /2=2.5A+0B, a state in which the interference signal is canceled is obtained, and therefore, the signal-to-interference ratio can be maximized. In this example, the weight of the amplitude of the yellow line is １ ／ and the weight of the phase is zero.

FIG. 6 shows the case where the wanted and interfering signals originate from different subscribers coupled to the same phase line. Looking on the red line, the required signal "3A" is transmitted from the subscriber S1 coupled to the red line, while
The required signal "3C" comes from another subscriber S3, which is coupled to the red line. Viewed on the blue line, the interfering signal "A" is transmitted from subscriber S1 coupled to the red line, and the interfering signal "2C" originates from subscriber S3 coupled to the red line. Viewed on the yellow line, the interfering signal "A" originates from the subscriber S1 coupled to the red line, while the interfering signal "2C" is derived from the other subscriber S3 coupled to the red line. Sent from The signal strength after the signal has propagated along the cable 120 to the base station BS is as follows. Blue line: A + 2C Red line: 3A + 3C Yellow line: A + 2C

In a three-phase power line, some of the required signals on the red line are induced on the yellow and blue lines because the phase lines are coupled together. Here, for the sake of clarity, it is assumed that the signal components on each phase line are in phase, but this device can operate regardless of the relationship between the phases of the signal components on the phase lines.

By combining the weighted portion of the signal on the yellow line with the signal on the red line, ie by subtracting 3/2 of the signal on the yellow line from the signal on the red line, ie (3A + 3C) -3 (A + 2
As in the case of C) /2=1.5A+0C, a state in which the interference signal is canceled is obtained, and thus the signal-to-interference ratio can be maximized. Blue line amplitude weighting is 3/2
And the phase weighting is zero.

FIG. 7 shows the case where the required signal is transmitted from a subscriber coupled to one of the phase lines and an interference signal is induced from outside. As before, on the red line, the required signal "3A" is transmitted from the subscriber S1 coupled to the red line, and the interfering signal "D" is transmitted to the network, such as a wireless transmitter. Arising from external equipment. Viewed on the blue line, the interfering signal "A" is transmitted from subscriber S1, which is coupled to the red line, and the interfering signal "D" originates from a device outside the network, such as a wireless transmitter. Also, looking on the yellow line, the interfering signal "A" is transmitted from subscriber S1, which is coupled to the red line, and the interfering signal "D" originates from a device outside the network, such as a wireless transmitter. The signal strength after the signal has propagated along the cable 120 to the base station BS is as follows. Blue line: A + D Red line: 3A + D Yellow line: A + D

In a three-phase power line, some of the required signals on the red line and devices outside the network, such as radio transmitters, are induced on the yellow and blue lines because the phase lines are coupled together. Here, for the sake of clarity, it is assumed that the signal components on each phase line are in phase,
This device can operate regardless of the relationship between the phases of the signal components on the phase line.

By combining the weighted portion of the signal on the yellow and blue lines with the signal on the red line, ie by subtracting the signal on the yellow line from the signal on the red line, ie (3A + D) − (A +
As in D) = 2A + 0D, a state in which the interference signal is canceled is obtained, and thus the signal-to-interference ratio can be maximized. In this case, the weighting of the amplitude of the yellow line is 1
And the phase weighting is zero. On the other hand, in this example, the components of the blue line and the yellow line are weighted by the 関 数 function and subtracted, that is,
(3A + D)-(A + D) / 2- (A + D) / 2 = 2A
By performing an operation such as + 0D, noise can be minimized. In this case, the amplitude weighting of the blue and yellow lines is １ ／ and the phase weighting is zero.

An overhead line is easier to pick up radio signals than an underground line. One of the reasons is that the overhead line is not shielded. In such a case, the interference can be canceled by combining a sample of the interference signal generated from the antenna with one or more signals on the phase line of the cable.

FIG. 8 shows an optimum signal combination device described above. The adder 400 has three input terminals, and receives signals from each phase line. Weighting device W _B between each input and the adder, W _R, W _Y is inserted. The control amount of the weighting device may be fixed, or may be controlled by the microprocessor 430. Weighting is performed according to the RF signal. Adder 400 is 3
Output the sum of two inputs. Its output is splitter 41
At 0, the signal is branched into an output signal and a feedback signal. The feedback signal is supplied to the measurement unit 420. The measurement unit measures the signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio, that is, the amount of signal indicating S / (I + N). The relationship between the measured signal and S / (I + N) need not be linear.

The output of the measurement unit 420 is sent to a microprocessor 430, which executes an algorithm to set an optimal weighting value that maximizes S / (I + N). Measurement unit 420
Measures the amount of S / (I + N) in a digital signal using one of the following methods: (I) Bit error rate (BER) using error detection code
Is measured. (Ii) Measure the eye pattern on the eye waveform. In digital modulation formats, the signal phasor must occupy one of many states at any given time. Departure from such a condition at the appropriate time indicates the presence of interference or noise. (Iii) If the required signal carrier is known to be absent, measure the sum of interference and noise. In a time division duplex format, this situation occurs between a transmit burst and a receive burst. In such a case, the adaptive loop reduces the interference component without being affected by the signal level. (Iv) measuring the post-interference to thermal noise ratio detection (modulated signal) in a particular frequency band, or measuring at a particular time if it is known that the carrier is present but the required signal is not present I do. In this case, the detection before the carrier level can be maximized by minimizing the detection after the noise level. (V) When it is known that a predetermined test signal is included in the signal, the signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio is measured at a specific time. The test signal may be a tone signal or a digital sequence signal as long as the test unit can recognize the test signal.

The method of setting the optimum weight value is based on perturbation. The microprocessor outputs a weighting control signal 1 set, each weighting device W _B, W _R, to control the in-phase component (I) and quadrature component of W _Y (Q). The weighting amplitude and phase are determined by combining the in-phase component and the quadrature component. The perturbation process is performed by setting the weight of one channel (“fixed” channel) to 1 and adding the size of the I and Q weights of the other channel in steps. Fixed channel is arbitrarily selected, can be omitted of the weighting device _{(W B, W R, W} Y) one of By doing. The effect of the perturbation is the measured S / (I
+ N). The algorithm is I and Q
Is performed by changing the value up and down. After performing these four steps, the I value and Q value that optimally affected S / (I + N) are adopted. This process continues until the maximum S / (I + N) value is obtained. The size of each perturbation step may vary.

If there is interference on the line, S / (I +
By setting a weight set that maximizes N), interference can be minimized or canceled.

In the absence of interference (and only thermal noise on the line), the signal level can be maximized by setting a weighting set that maximizes S / (I + N).

In the above two cases, different sets of weights are usually required. The perturbation process is always S / (I + N)
, Thus adapting the set of weights to changing conditions on the line.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication signal coupling device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 9 differs from the device of FIG. 8 in that each input channel (blue, red,
(Yellow) is split by the splitter 440 into two. The first part of the branch signal is
It is supplied to a weighting device. The other part of the branch signal is input directly to the second adder 450. The adder 450
The signal of the same part on the input signal is added to generate an output A. This output A is used by a subsequent receiver while the perturbation process is continued to set an optimal set of weighting values. When the optimal combination of weight values is set, the output B is used. By doing so, it is possible to prevent disturbance of the signal during the perturbation processing.

A base station typically handles one or more calls at a time.
In some calls being processed by the base station, signals input from three lines need to be given a specific weight, and in other calls, different weights are required. The conditions required for these two communication protocols will be described below.

In the CT2 protocol, each call occupies a set of frequency channels, and the channels are alternately used in the front-back direction by time division duplexing to support two-way communication. Each call requires a signal combiner, one combiner for each frequency channel. This is usually the case for any frequency division multiplexed access protocol.

In the DECT protocol, a limited number of frequency carriers are time division multiplexed. One call occupies a pair (or more) of the time slots on the carrier. Other calls occupy different pairs of time slots on the same carrier or different carriers.
Each frequency carrier requires a signal combiner. This is usually the case with any frequency division multiplexed access protocol.

During each time slot, a different value may be applied to the weighting device so that the combiner adapts to a particular call during that time slot. This can be done by storing the weight value corresponding to each time slot in the memory 460 connected to the microprocessor 430, and searching for the weight value at an appropriate time.

Each call requires a set of weighting values necessary to obtain an optimal S / (I + N). This set of weighting values is different for each subscriber and depends on the distance from the base station and the phase line to which the subscriber is coupled. The weight value for each subscriber is stored in a memory 460 connected to the microprocessor 430 and retrieved at the appropriate time. In one approach, a set of weights is stored at the end of a call with a particular subscriber, and the stored weights are retrieved the next time a call begins with that subscriber.
The subscriber's telephone number is suitable as an identifier for labeling a set of weights for subsequent searches.

Using this method, different weights are used to receive data packets from different subscribers, and the packet data is transmitted over the power line.

As described above, the coupling device is used in the base station to optimally combine uplink signals on the power line. Returning to FIG. 1, the base station BS
In addition, since interference is received not only from the cables 130 and 140 but also from the cables 130 and 140, interference at the base station becomes a greater problem. However, the coupling device may be installed in the subscriber's house for the down route. For this, the subscriber must be coupled to at least two power lines. This can be achieved successfully in a three-phase connected house, such as an apartment complex.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication signal coupling device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Embodiment 1
And 2 were used to improve the uplink transmission quality at the base station using a set of weighting devices, but using this set of weighting devices to improve the downlink transmission quality at the base station. May be used to improve FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a communication signal coupling device according to Embodiment 3, which is similar to the configuration in FIG. 4 in which a subscriber is coupled to a red line. Coupling between the blue and red lines or between the yellow and red lines results in a phase shift of φ ₁゜ and φ ₂そ れ ぞ れ, respectively. At the base station, signals 320, 321, 322
Is applied to each line in the same phase, signals 321 and 322 having a phase shift of φ ₁ φ and φ ₂に 対 し て with respect to the signal 320 on the red line leak to the red line. At the base station, for example, the signal on the red line and 90 ° and -9
By applying signals out of phase by 0 ° to the blue and yellow lines, subscriber S1 receives the in-phase principal component and the leaked component, and the leaked components cancel each other out, so that the maximum signal power Can be received.

One of the methods for realizing the above is to use the uplink weight value for downlink transmission. To do this, the coupling device of FIG. 8 may be used in reverse. Returning to FIG. 8 again, the downstream signal is added to the adder 400.
(This adder, when the signal is passive, operates as a splitter in reverse) is applied to the branches the signal into three, weighting device W _B, W _R, it is weighted by W _Y. On the other hand, another splitter and weighting value may be used for downlink transmission.

When the same weight value is used for both transmission directions, the weight value in the down direction changes according to the change in the weight value in the up direction.

Instead of using the same weight value in both transmission directions, the S / M measured at the subscriber terminal and reported to the base station
The measured value of (I + N) may be used. A terminal operating based on the CT2 protocol has an RSSI reporting device, which feeds back to the base station when there is no interference on the line. However,
When there is interference on the line, the RSSI measurement cannot distinguish between the required signal power and the interfering signal power, so S / (I +
Instead of maximizing N), there is a tendency to increase the total signal power.

[0057]

According to the communication signal coupling device of the first aspect of the present invention, a radio frequency (RF) signal containing at least one component of a required signal is received from each of at least two phase lines. Means and a means for weighting the received signal, so that the required signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio,
That is, the S / (I + N) ratio can be increased. That is, the required communication signals sent to the device via the combined path are optimally combined, with the effect of compensating for phase shifts that occur during the combining process. Further, when both a necessary communication signal and an unnecessary communication signal are present on the first phase line, the interference on the first phase line is canceled using the interference on the second phase line, or minimized. can do.

The communication signal coupling device is configured to weight the received signal in a different manner in each of the plurality of periods, and each of the periods is provided with a time-sharing signal.
Because it is configured to correspond to time slots on the carrier frequency, it can support each of a plurality of time-sharing carrier frequencies such as, for example, the Digital European Cordless Telephone (DECT) protocol, and the facility can be connected between a plurality of subscribers Since they can be shared, the required equipment amount can be minimized.

Further, by including an antenna coupled to the weighting means and operating to receive interference, the communication signal coupling device of the present invention can be effectively used particularly in an overhead power line where RF interference signals are easily received. Can be used.

According to the communication signal coupling device of the second aspect of the present invention, the communication signal coupling device includes a dividing means for dividing the communication signal and a means for applying the divided signal to each of at least two power lines, wherein the dividing means is a subscriber. In the terminal receiver, each divided signal is configured to be weighted, so that the interference signal can be effectively canceled, and therefore, the signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio can be increased.

The weighting means of the communication signal coupling device is configured to have a memory for storing a setting for weighting a signal from a specific subscriber coupled to the power line, so that all adaptive processing is performed. Rather, it is possible to immediately establish an almost optimal combination of received signals, such as the value used for the last call with the subscriber.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional power distribution network for transmitting telecommunication signals.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a power distribution network for explaining the invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of a typical distribution cable.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of signal leakage occurring between lines in the invention of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of upstream signal leakage in the invention of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of upstream signal leakage in the invention of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing still another example of uplink signal leakage in the invention of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication signal coupling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication signal coupling device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of signal leakage in a downlink direction according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: Substation, 105: Power line, 110
... application point, 120, 130, 140 ... power line (or cable), 200 ... network adjustment unit, 210 ... branch line, 220, 240 ... electric device, 30
0 ... outer peripheral part, 330 ... connection point, 400, 450 ... adder, 410, 440 ... splitter, 420 ... measurement unit, 430 ... microprocessor, 460 ... memory , 600 ... communication signal coupling device, TRX ... _{transceiver, W B, W R, W} Y ··· weighting device, S1, S2, S
3 ... subscriber, BS ... base station

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuation of front page (71) Applicant 390023157 THE WORLD TRADE CEN TRE OF MONTREAL, MON TREAL, QUEBEC H2Y3Y 4, CANADA

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A communication signal combiner for extracting and applying a communication signal carried by a radio frequency (RF) carrier in a power line configured to cause signal leakage between lines: at least two phase lines. Means for receiving, from each, a radio frequency (RF) signal containing at least one component of the required signal; and a required signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio, ie, S / (I
+ N) means for weighting the received signal so as to increase the ratio. 2. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising: a measurement unit coupled to an output of the weighting means for measuring a weighted signal amount indicating a required signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio; and the measurement unit. And control means for increasing the value of the measurand by controlling the weighting means. 3. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 1, wherein said weighting means further includes weighting means for weighting the received signal in phase, and an adder for adding the weighted signal. A communication signal coupling device characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 3, wherein said weighting means can further adjust the amplitude output of the received signal. 5. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 2, wherein the control means performs an iterative technique, whereby perturbation is performed by the weighting means. 6. The communication signal combining device according to claim 2, wherein the measuring unit measures a bit error rate of the weighted signal. 7. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 2, wherein the measuring unit measures the weighted signal for a predetermined period when a required signal is not present. Communication signal coupling device. 8. The communication signal combining device according to claim 2, wherein the measuring unit determines a weighted signal when a required signal carrier is present but no modulated signal is present. A communication signal coupling device for performing a measurement during a period. 9. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 2, wherein the measuring unit performs the measurement during a period when the test signal is present in the signal. Signal coupling device. 10. The communication signal combining device according to claim 1, wherein said weighting means weights the received signal in a different manner in each of a plurality of periods. Signal coupling device. 11. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 10, wherein: each of said periods corresponds to a time slot on a time sharing carrier frequency. 12. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 10, wherein said weighting means includes a memory for storing a setting for weighting a signal from a specific subscriber coupled to a power line. Communication signal coupling device 13. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the communication signal coupling device applies the communication signal to at least two phase lines. 14. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the communication signal coupling device is coupled to a weighting means,
A communication signal combining device comprising an antenna operative to receive interference. 15. A communication signal coupling device in which a communication signal is applied to a power line in which signal leakage occurs between phase lines and a subscriber is coupled to at least one power line. And a means for applying a divided signal to each of at least two power lines, wherein the dividing means weights each divided signal in a receiver of a subscriber terminal. 16. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 15, wherein: said dividing means operates with the same setting as the coupling device of claim 1. 17. The communication signal coupling device according to claim 15, wherein: said division means responds to a measurement at a subscriber terminal. 18. A method for extracting and applying a communication signal carried by a radio frequency (RF) carrier in a power line configured to cause signal leakage between lines: from each of at least two phase lines. A communication signal combining method, comprising: receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal including at least one component of a required signal; and weighting a received signal. 19. A communication signal combining method in which a communication signal is applied to a power line in which signal leakage occurs between phase lines and a subscriber is coupled to at least one power line. And applying a split signal to each of the at least two power lines, wherein the splitting step weights each split signal in a receiver of the subscriber terminal and provides a signal-to- (interference + noise) ratio. Communication signal combining method characterized by increasing the number of communication signals. 20. A power line communication system comprising at least one of the communication signal coupling device according to claim 1 and the communication signal coupling device according to claim 15.