TWI444082B

TWI444082B - Wireless access point

Info

Publication number: TWI444082B
Application number: TW100113482A
Authority: TW
Inventors: Kuo Feng Huang; Yung Cheng Lin
Original assignee: Wistron Neweb Corp
Priority date: 2011-04-19
Filing date: 2011-04-19
Publication date: 2014-07-01
Also published as: TW201244520A

Description

無線接取器Wireless accessor

本發明係有關於一種無線接取器，且特別有關於一種結合電力線通訊之無線接取器。The present invention relates to a wireless access device, and more particularly to a wireless access device that combines power line communication.

傳統上，網路傳輸不是靠電話線路就是靠網路線路來進行資料傳送。然而，現今有一種電力線通訊(Power Line Communication，PLC)技術，其是利用現有基礎的電力線/電纜來承載(carry)聲音或資料信號，例如電話、影像等資料。Traditionally, network transmission is not based on telephone lines or on network lines. However, today there is a Power Line Communication (PLC) technology that utilizes existing basic power lines/cables to carry sound or data signals, such as telephones, images, and the like.

電力線通訊技術是把資料信號轉換成高頻的信號，並藉由現有的電力線網絡傳送給一般的使用者。換言之，電力線通訊是利用既有的電力線來傳送數據或是資訊。電力線通訊技術屬於一種分享介面的技術，因此在一建築物中，不同房間中的個人終端機(例如電腦、電話等)，可以透過該建築物中的電力線來進行相互連結和分享頻寬。因此，使用者無需重新架設網路，而是可直接使用已經存在於家中的電力線來作為網路。此外，除了不需要重新鋪設網路線路之外，電力線網路所蓋的地區範圍遠大於其他種載體的線路，例如電話線路或是網路線路等。Power line communication technology converts data signals into high frequency signals and transmits them to the average user through the existing power line network. In other words, power line communication uses existing power lines to transmit data or information. Power line communication technology is a technology for sharing interfaces. Therefore, in a building, personal terminals (such as computers, telephones, etc.) in different rooms can interconnect and share bandwidth through power lines in the building. Therefore, the user does not need to re-establish the network, but can directly use the power line already existing in the home as the network. In addition, in addition to the need to re-route the network lines, the area covered by the power line network is much larger than that of other types of carriers, such as telephone lines or network lines.

本發明提供一種無線接取器，設置於一建築物之一牆壁。上述無線接取器包括：至少一天線；一Wi-Fi模組，用以經由上述天線與一第一通訊裝置進行資料傳輸；一電力線通訊模組，耦接於上述Wi-Fi模組以及上述牆壁之一電力線之間，其中上述電力線於上述建築物中形成一通訊網路，以便上述第一通訊裝置透過上述通訊網路與一第二通訊裝置進行資料傳輸；以及，一連接介面，耦接於上述電力線，用以提供一電力至外部之一裝置。The invention provides a wireless accessor disposed on a wall of a building. The wireless access device includes: at least one antenna; a Wi-Fi module for transmitting data to the first communication device via the antenna; a power line communication module coupled to the Wi-Fi module and the foregoing Between one of the power lines of the wall, wherein the power line forms a communication network in the building, so that the first communication device transmits data through the communication network and a second communication device; and a connection interface is coupled to the A power line that provides a power to one of the external devices.

為讓本發明之上述和其他目的、特徵、和優點能更明顯易懂，下文特舉出較佳實施例，並配合所附圖式，作詳細說明如下：The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more <RTIgt;

實施例：Example:

第1圖係顯示根據本發明一實施例所述之無線接取器(access point，AP)100。無線接取器100包括天線110A、110B與110C、Wi-Fi模組120、電力線通訊模組130、連接介面140、交流對直流轉換器(AC/DC)150、開關160以及濾波器170。濾波器170耦接於電力線通訊模組130以及連接介面140與電力線180之間，其係用來濾掉電力線180上的雜訊。在此實施例中，連接介面140為一電源插座。FIG. 1 shows a wireless access point (AP) 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The wireless accessor 100 includes antennas 110A, 110B, and 110C, a Wi-Fi module 120, a power line communication module 130, a connection interface 140, an alternating current to direct current converter (AC/DC) 150, a switch 160, and a filter 170. The filter 170 is coupled between the power line communication module 130 and the connection interface 140 and the power line 180 for filtering out noise on the power line 180. In this embodiment, the connection interface 140 is a power outlet.

在無線接取器100中，開關160耦接於電力線180以及交流對直流轉換器150之間，因此當開關160被導通時，交流對直流轉換器150會根據電力線180上的交流電力(市電)來產生直流信號DC1與直流信號DC2。在此實施例中，直流信號DC1與直流信號DC2分別可視為電力線通訊模組130以及Wi-Fi模組120的操作/工作電壓。因此，當交流對直流轉換器150提供直流信號DC1與直流信號DC2至電力線通訊模組130以及Wi-Fi模組120時，電力線通訊模組130以及Wi-Fi模組120會分別被啟動且開始工作。電力線通訊模組130可將承載在電力線180上的高頻信號轉換成數據流Data，並提供至Wi-Fi模組120。接著，透過天線110A、110B或110C，Wi-Fi模組120可將來自電力線通訊模組130的數據流Data傳送至同樣配備有Wi-Fi模組之任何無線通訊裝置。另一方面，Wi-Fi模組120亦可將由天線110A、110B及110C所接收之射頻信號轉換成數據流Data，並經由電力線通訊模組130傳送至電力線180上，以便透過電力線180傳送至其他通訊裝置。在第1圖中，無論開關160是否導通，連接介面140與電力線180之間的連接都不會受到影響。因此，當連接介面140為電源插座時，連接於電源插座140上的電器在開關160為開啟或是關閉的情況下，都可正常工作。在其他實施例中，連接介面140可以是設置於牆壁之燈座或是電源開關。當連接介面140為燈座時，則連接於燈座140上的燈具之操作亦不會受到開關160的影響。In the wireless accessor 100, the switch 160 is coupled between the power line 180 and the AC to DC converter 150, so when the switch 160 is turned on, the AC to DC converter 150 is based on the AC power (mains) on the power line 180. To generate DC signal DC1 and DC signal DC2. In this embodiment, the DC signal DC1 and the DC signal DC2 can be regarded as the operation/operating voltage of the power line communication module 130 and the Wi-Fi module 120, respectively. Therefore, when the AC-to-DC converter 150 provides the DC signal DC1 and the DC signal DC2 to the power line communication module 130 and the Wi-Fi module 120, the power line communication module 130 and the Wi-Fi module 120 are respectively started and started. jobs. The power line communication module 130 can convert the high frequency signal carried on the power line 180 into a data stream Data and provide it to the Wi-Fi module 120. Then, through the antennas 110A, 110B or 110C, the Wi-Fi module 120 can transmit the data stream Data from the power line communication module 130 to any wireless communication device that is also equipped with a Wi-Fi module. On the other hand, the Wi-Fi module 120 can also convert the RF signals received by the antennas 110A, 110B, and 110C into a data stream Data, and transmit the data to the power line 180 via the power line communication module 130 for transmission to the other through the power line 180. Communication device. In Fig. 1, the connection between the connection interface 140 and the power line 180 is not affected regardless of whether the switch 160 is turned on or not. Therefore, when the connection interface 140 is a power socket, the appliance connected to the power socket 140 can work normally when the switch 160 is turned on or off. In other embodiments, the connection interface 140 can be a lamp holder or a power switch disposed on a wall. When the connection interface 140 is a lamp holder, the operation of the lamp attached to the lamp holder 140 is not affected by the switch 160.

第2A圖係顯示第1圖中無線接取器100的前視圖。同時參考第1圖及第2A圖中，相較於一般的電源插座，無線接取器100的前蓋(面板)更包括開關160可供使用者進行切換，其中開關160上具有指示燈165，其係用來指示開關160是否導通。當開關160被導通時，無線接取器100內的電力線通訊模組130以及Wi-Fi模組120會被啟動，於是鏈接(link)到無線接取器100的無線通訊裝置便可透過電力線180進行資料傳送。此外，無論開關160是否導通，連接介面140都可提供電力至連接於電源插座140上的電器。Fig. 2A is a front view showing the wireless accessor 100 in Fig. 1. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, the front cover (panel) of the wireless accessor 100 further includes a switch 160 for the user to switch, wherein the switch 160 has an indicator light 165. It is used to indicate whether the switch 160 is turned on. When the switch 160 is turned on, the power line communication module 130 and the Wi-Fi module 120 in the wireless access device 100 are activated, so that the wireless communication device linked to the wireless access device 100 can pass through the power line 180. Data transfer. Moreover, regardless of whether the switch 160 is conductive, the connection interface 140 can provide power to an electrical appliance that is coupled to the power outlet 140.

第2B圖係顯示第1圖中無線接取器100的後視圖。在第2B圖中，天線110A、110B與110C被設置在無線接取器100的周圍，其中天線的數量、種類及設置位置可根據實際應用需求而決定。舉例來說，可使用印刷天線來降低無線接取器100的殼體尺寸。Fig. 2B is a rear view showing the wireless accessor 100 in Fig. 1. In FIG. 2B, the antennas 110A, 110B, and 110C are disposed around the wireless accessor 100, wherein the number, type, and setting position of the antennas can be determined according to actual application requirements. For example, a printed antenna can be used to reduce the housing size of the wireless picker 100.

第2C圖係顯示第1圖中無線接取器100的側視圖。如第2C圖所顯示，無線接取器100的殼體係嵌入於牆壁200中，其中無線接取器100的前蓋210係覆蓋於牆壁200的表面。此外，在無線接取器100中，電力線160的配線方式是由各個國家所制訂。例如，電力線160可包括火線、中性線及接地線等。此外，如第2A-2C圖所顯示，藉由將天線隱藏在無線接取器100中，無線接取器100的外觀與一般電源插座無異。Fig. 2C is a side view showing the wireless accessor 100 in Fig. 1. As shown in FIG. 2C, the housing of the wireless accessor 100 is embedded in the wall 200, wherein the front cover 210 of the wireless accessor 100 covers the surface of the wall 200. Further, in the wireless pick-up 100, the wiring pattern of the power line 160 is determined by each country. For example, the power line 160 may include a live line, a neutral line, a ground line, and the like. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2A-2C, by hiding the antenna in the wireless accessor 100, the appearance of the wireless accessor 100 is no different than a typical power outlet.

第3圖係顯示根據本發明一實施例所述之無線接取器的應用示意圖，其係描述於建築物300中使用複數無線接取器以及電力線所構成之通訊網路。建築物300包括房間A以及房間B，其中房間A與B各具有複數個無線通訊裝置。如第3圖所顯示，房間A包括電腦310以及手機320，而房間B包括電腦330以及手機340。在第3圖中，由於房間A與房間B之間相隔了許多房間或是受到建築物300的牆壁結構影響，若將傳統的接取器(AP)擺放在房間A，則房間B的電腦330以及手機340與房間A的傳統接取器之間的無線信號容易被衰減，因而造成通訊不正常。因此，藉由將本發明實施例所揭露之無線接取器100A與100B分別設置在房間A的牆壁200A以及房間B的牆壁200B，則每個房間內的無線通訊裝置便可透過裝設在該房間之無線接取器以及遍佈於建築物300的電力線180來進行資料傳輸。舉例來說，透過無線接取器100A、電力線180以及無線接取器100B，在房間A的使用者可將電腦310的多媒體檔案傳送至房間B的手機340，以供位於房間B的使用者進行觀看。3 is a schematic diagram showing the application of a wireless accessor according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is described in a building 300 using a plurality of wireless accessors and a power line. Building 300 includes room A and room B, with rooms A and B each having a plurality of wireless communication devices. As shown in FIG. 3, room A includes a computer 310 and a mobile phone 320, and room B includes a computer 330 and a mobile phone 340. In Fig. 3, since room A is separated from room B by a lot of rooms or by the wall structure of building 300, if a conventional accessor (AP) is placed in room A, the computer of room B The wireless signal between 330 and the conventional access device of the mobile phone 340 and the room A is easily attenuated, thereby causing the communication to be abnormal. Therefore, by providing the wireless accessors 100A and 100B disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention in the wall 200A of the room A and the wall 200B of the room B, the wireless communication device in each room can be installed in the room. The wireless access device of the room and the power line 180 distributed throughout the building 300 are used for data transmission. For example, through the wireless accessor 100A, the power line 180, and the wireless accessor 100B, the user in the room A can transfer the multimedia file of the computer 310 to the mobile phone 340 of the room B for the user located in the room B. Watch.

如先前所描述，將本發明實施例所述之無線接取器嵌入在建築物的牆壁中並與牆壁上的插座等設施做結合，便可透過建築物牆壁中的原有電力線形成密集的通訊網路，且不需增加額外的網路佈線成本。As described in the foregoing, the wireless access device according to the embodiment of the present invention is embedded in a wall of a building and combined with a facility such as a socket on the wall to form a dense communication network through the original power line in the wall of the building. Road without additional network cabling costs.

雖然本發明已以較佳實施例揭露如上，然其並非用以限定本發明，任何所屬技術領域中具有通常知識者，在不脫離本發明之精神和範圍內，當可作些許之更動與潤飾，因此本發明之保護範圍當視後附之申請專利範圍所界定者為準。Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100、100A、100B‧‧‧無線接取器100, 100A, 100B‧‧‧ wireless accessor

110A、110B、110C‧‧‧天線110A, 110B, 110C‧‧‧ antenna

120‧‧‧Wi-Fi模組120‧‧ Wi-Fi module

130‧‧‧電力線通訊模組130‧‧‧Power Line Communication Module

140‧‧‧連接介面140‧‧‧Connection interface

150‧‧‧交流對直流轉換器150‧‧‧AC to DC converter

160‧‧‧開關160‧‧‧ switch

165‧‧‧指示燈165‧‧‧ indicator light

170‧‧‧濾波器170‧‧‧ filter

180‧‧‧電力線180‧‧‧Power line

200、200A、200B‧‧‧牆壁200, 200A, 200B‧‧‧ walls

210‧‧‧前蓋210‧‧‧ front cover

310、330‧‧‧電腦310, 330‧‧‧ computer

320、340‧‧‧手機320, 340‧‧‧ mobile phones

A、B‧‧‧房間A, B‧‧ room

第1圖係顯示根據本發明一實施例所述之無線接取器；第2A圖係顯示第1圖中無線接取器的前視圖；第2B圖係顯示第1圖中無線接取器的後視圖；第2C圖係顯示第1圖中無線接取器的側視圖；以及第3圖係顯示根據本發明一實施例所述之無線接取器的應用示意圖，其係描述於建築物中使用複數無線接取器以及電力線所構成之通訊網路。1 is a diagram showing a wireless accessor according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2A is a front view showing the wireless accessor in Figure 1; Figure 2B is a rear view showing the wireless accessor in Figure 1; 2C is a side view showing the wireless accessor in FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the application of the wireless accessor according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is described in the building using a plurality of wireless devices. A communication network composed of an access device and a power line.

100．．．無線接取器100. . . Wireless accessor

110A、110B、110C．．．天線110A, 110B, 110C. . . antenna

120．．．Wi-Fi模組120. . . Wi-Fi module

130．．．電力線通訊模組130. . . Power line communication module

140．．．連接介面140. . . Connection interface

150．．．交流對直流轉換器150. . . AC to DC converter

160．．．開關160. . . switch

170．．．濾波器170. . . filter

以及as well as

180．．．電力線180. . . power line

Claims

一種無線接取器，設置於一建築物之一牆壁，包括：至少一天線；一Wi-Fi模組，用以經由上述天線與一第一通訊裝置進行資料傳輸；一電力線通訊模組，耦接於上述Wi-Fi模組以及上述牆壁之一電力線之間，其中上述電力線於上述建築物中形成一通訊網路，以便上述第一通訊裝置透過上述通訊網路與一第二通訊裝置進行資料傳輸；一連接介面，耦接於上述電力線，用以提供一電力至外部之一裝置；以及一濾波器，耦接於上述電力線通訊模組、上述電力線以及上述連接介面之間，用以濾掉上述電力線上的雜訊。 A wireless access device is disposed on a wall of a building, comprising: at least one antenna; a Wi-Fi module for transmitting data through the antenna and a first communication device; and a power line communication module coupled Connected to the Wi-Fi module and one of the power lines of the wall, wherein the power line forms a communication network in the building, so that the first communication device transmits data through the communication network and a second communication device; a connection interface coupled to the power line for providing a power to an external device; and a filter coupled between the power line communication module, the power line, and the connection interface to filter out the power Online noise.

如申請專利範圍第1項所述之無線接取器，更包括：一交流對直流轉換器，用以根據上述電力線上的一交流電力，分別提供一第一直流信號以及一第二直流信號至上述Wi-Fi模組以及上述電力線通訊模組；以及一開關，耦接於上述交流對直流轉換器以及上述電力線之間，其中當上述開關導通時，上述第一通訊裝置透過上述電力線通訊模組以及上述電力線與上述第二通訊裝置進行資料傳輸。 The wireless access device of claim 1, further comprising: an AC-to-DC converter for respectively providing a first DC signal and a second DC signal according to an AC power on the power line. And the above-mentioned Wi-Fi module and the power line communication module; and a switch coupled between the AC-DC converter and the power line, wherein when the switch is turned on, the first communication device transmits the power line communication mode The group and the power line and the second communication device perform data transmission.

如申請專利範圍第2項所述之無線接取器，其中上述無線接取器的殼體係內嵌於上述牆壁中，以及上述無線接取器的前蓋係覆蓋於上述牆壁的表面。 The wireless accessor of claim 2, wherein the housing of the wireless accessor is embedded in the wall, and the front cover of the wireless accessor covers the surface of the wall.

如申請專利範圍第3項所述之無線接取器，其中上述無線接取器的前蓋具有一指示燈，用以指示上述開關是否導通。 The wireless access device of claim 3, wherein the front cover of the wireless accessor has an indicator light for indicating whether the switch is turned on.

如申請專利範圍第1項所述之無線接取器，其中上述連接介面為上述牆壁之一電源插座，以及上述裝置為連接於上述電源插座之一電器。 The wireless access device of claim 1, wherein the connection interface is a power socket of the wall, and the device is an electrical device connected to the power socket.

如申請專利範圍第1項所述之無線接取器，其中上述連接介面為上述牆壁之一燈座，以及上述裝置為連接於上述燈座之一燈具。 The wireless pick-up device of claim 1, wherein the connection interface is a lamp holder of the wall, and the device is a lamp connected to the lamp holder.

如申請專利範圍第1項所述之無線接取器，其中上述連接介面為上述牆壁之一電源開關。 The wireless access device of claim 1, wherein the connection interface is a power switch of the wall.

如申請專利範圍第1項所述之無線接取器，其中上述第一通訊裝置以及上述第二通訊裝置係位於上述建築物之不同房間內。 The wireless access device of claim 1, wherein the first communication device and the second communication device are located in different rooms of the building.