Interference Control in a Broadband Powerline Communication System

摘要

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. In various embodiments, the spectrum characteristics are 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.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
determining, by an interference controller comprising a processor, over a first time period, first characteristics of usage of a radio environment over a range of carrier frequencies in a vicinity of a broadband powerline communication system; and compiling a database of the first characteristics of usage comprising:
a geographical area in which a conflicting user interferes with the broadband powerline communication system and a combination of time intervals; andcarrier frequencies used by the conflicting user in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system.