Toshiyasu Higuma

Network architecture for home energy management system

This paper describes a network architecture for home energy management system (HEMS). To realize HEMS, networked appliances with control/monitor capabilities and home network without new wiring are indispensable. However, appliances with no expansive functions and conventional power-line carrier communication deteriorated by its interference have made it difficult to built advanced HEMS. We propose network architecture to solve these problems. The network capability is divided to, minimum interface software embedded in appliance and a separated network adapter. This architecture gives appliances network-ready capabilities without increasing cost. Dispersed-tone power line communication (DTPLC) was also developed for no-new-wire network. DTPLC modem avoids narrow-band power line noise and co-exists with conventional narrow-band power line communication. Network adapter with DTPLC modem was implemented and the network architecture proved effective in the field evaluation of HEMS.

Practical Solutions for Constructing Ubiquitous Network for Building and home control system

This paper describes practical solutions for constructing a ubiquitous network in building and home control systems. A hybrid network, which consists of a low power ad-hoc wireless network and a power/pipe line communication network with high frequency band dispersed-tone method, is developed. We have constructed appliance control systems by utilizing the proposed hybrid network system and have installed them in an actual building and home to evaluate their reliability and capability. High reliability and capability of the network system have been confirmed through the field test.

Transmission loss and radiated electric field characteristics of transmission medium for ubiquitous network

Transmission loss and radiated electric field characteristics of the pipe-based transmission line as new transmission medium are calculated by using the method of moment, and it is clear that the calculated values almost agreed with measured values. In addition, it is confirmed that the pipe based transmission system can obtain dynamic range of about 69 dB and realize secure transmission, even if the radiated electric field from the pipe-based transmission line comply with the limit of the information technology equipment specified by VCCI.

Characteristic Evaluation of Power Line with Lamp Switch Branch for Power Line Communication

In this paper, we calculated balance-unbalance conversion factor, common mode current and leaked electric field in the power line with branch in high frequency by using the method of moments. A power line in general domestic has diverged variously. Especially, we paid attention to the lamp switch branch, in which only one line of the pair line is lengthened to make an ON/OFF switch. Furthermore, in order to improve the calculation accuracy, we measured lamp switch equivalent circuit for MHz band by the impedance analyzer. In order to confirm the validity of the calculation, we measured these characteristics of the same model beforehand, and compared the measurement value with the calculation value. As the result, the calculation and measurement values are approximated well in these characteristics. And the characteristics of power line with lamp switch branch in the condition of switch on and off are cleared up by these calculation and measurement.