US 8,804,797 B2 · Interference control in a broadband powerline communication system

Abstract

A broadband powerline communication system is disclosed which makes use of knowledge of the spectrum characteristics of a local radio environment in order to improve the performance of the system. A determination is made of the spectrum characteristics of a radio environment in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies. Certain ones of the carrier frequencies otherwise used by the broadband powerline communication system may be masked (i.e., not used) by all or part of the broadband powerline system in order to avoid interference based on the determination. The spectrum characteristics may be determined 1) in advance and used to compile a configuration database comprising frequency masking parameters; 2) by monitoring the local radio environment using the transmitter/receiver nodes of the system; or 3) based upon receipt of an indication from a conflicting user that the user is experiencing interference. Various combinations of these spectrum characteristic determination techniques may also be used.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for controlling interference in a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by the broadband powerline communication system, the method comprising:

compiling a database of a plurality of characteristics of usage of a spectrum by a plurality of conflicting users in a vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system, wherein the plurality of characteristics of usage of the spectrum by the conflicting users in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system comprises:
a list of particular time intervals during which the spectrum is used by each of the plurality of conflicting users;
a list of carrier frequencies used by each of the plurality of conflicting users;
a geographical area in which each of the plurality of conflicting users interferes with the broadband powerline communication system;
and
a combination of a particular time interval and a particular carrier frequency used by each of conflicting users in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system;
generating a schedule of use of the spectrum by each of the plurality of conflicting users based on each of the plurality of characteristics of usage;
and
masking a carrier frequency at one of the transceiver nodes based on the schedule.

6 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a processor;
and
a memory to store computer program instructions, the computer program instructions for controlling interference in a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by the broadband powerline communication system, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
compiling a database of a plurality of characteristics of usage of a spectrum by a plurality of conflicting users in a vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system, wherein the plurality of characteristics of usage of the spectrum by the conflicting users in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system comprises:
a list of particular time intervals during which the spectrum is used by each of the plurality of conflicting users;
a list of carrier frequencies used by each of the plurality of conflicting users;
a geographical area in which each of the plurality of conflicting users interferes with the broadband powerline communication system;
and
a combination of a particular time interval and a particular carrier frequency used by each of conflicting users in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system;
generating a schedule of use of the spectrum by each of the plurality of conflicting users based on each of the plurality of characteristics of usage;
and
masking a carrier frequency at one of the transceiver nodes based on the schedule.

9 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer program instructions for controlling interference in a broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies not used exclusively by the broadband powerline communication system, which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

compiling a database of a plurality of characteristics of usage of a spectrum by a plurality of conflicting users in a vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system, wherein the plurality of characteristics of usage of the spectrum by the conflicting users in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system comprises:
a list of particular time intervals during which the spectrum is used by each of the plurality of conflicting users;
a list of carrier frequencies used by each of the plurality of conflicting users;
a geographical area in which each of the plurality of conflicting users interferes with the broadband powerline communication system;
and
a combination of a particular time interval and a particular carrier frequency used by each of conflicting users in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system;
generating a schedule of use of the spectrum by each of the plurality of conflicting users based on each of the plurality of characteristics of usage;
and
masking a carrier frequency at one of the transceiver nodes based on the schedule.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interference control in a broadband powerline communication system

Life of this patent

Interference control in a broadband powerline communication system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18