【DESCRIPTION】
【Invention Title】
HOME NETWORK SIGNAL RELAY DEVICE IN ACCESS NETWORK
AND HOME NETWORK SIGNAL RELAY METHOD IN ACCESS NETWORK
5 USING SAME
【Technical Field】
The present disclosure relates to a home network signal relay device and a data
relay method using the same in an access network.
【Background Art】
10 Typically, based on a very high bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL)
technology, an uplink/downlink frequency division multiplexing (FDM) scheme has
been used to achieve a transmission speed of up to 100Mbps by applying a maximum of
30MHz frequency band.
In addition, it is difficult to achieve a maximum speed of up to 200Mbps
15 although a bonding or vectoring technology has applied to increase a transmission speed.
It is also difficult to reuse existing local copper wires to provide a data transmission
speed of one gigabyte or more to a subscriber.
Further, excessive installation cost is involved when applying a bonding
technology or switching to FTTH (Fiber to the home) to provide a speed of gigabyte or
20 more. Since an optical subscriber network and a local copper wire section are not
managed together, it is difficult to optimize transmission quality.
【DISCLOSURE】
【Technical Problem】
2
Embodiments of the present disclosure have been made in an effort to propose a
home network signal relay device in an access network in which an optical signal of an
access network can be converted into a home network signal to be transmitted to a
subscriber, and a method for relaying a home network signal using the same in the
5 access network.
【Technical Solution】
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method
may be provided for converting an optical signal into a home network signal by a home
network signal relay device in an access network. The method may include: receiving
10 an optical signal via an optical cable and converting the received optical signal to an
Ethernet signal; classifying and storing the converted Ethernet signal according to a
type of data; converting a frame of the stored Ethernet signal to a frame of a home
network signal; and distributing the converted home network signal to at least one of
relay terminals and user terminals via transmission lines.
15 If a plurality of data packets has the same destination, the converting may
include grouping the data packets of the same destination into one data packet and
converting the one data packet.
If priorities of data packets are different, the converting may include i)
converting data packets having a high priority first, ii) temporarily storing data packets
20 having a comparatively low priority, and converting the stored data packets.
If service types of data are different, the converting may include i) for a
latency-critical service, increasing a priority for immediate processing and performing
conversion, and ii) for a service allowing buffering, grouping streaming data to be
transmitted and the grouped streaming data.
3
The distributing may include receiving the converted home network signal via a
plurality of Tx/Rx units, switching a signal of the Tx/Rx unit depending on a data
transmission speed required by one of the relay terminal and the user terminal, and
matching and transmitting the switched signal according to a transmission line.
5 According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a home
network signal relay device in an access network includes: an optical-to-electrical
converter configured to convert an optical signal into an Ethernet signal and to convert
an Ethernet signal into an optical signal; a frame converter configured to classify and
store the converted Ethernet signal according to a type of data and to convert a stored
10 frame of the Ethernet signal to a frame of the home network signal; and a distributor
configured to distribute and transmit the converted home network signal to at least one
of relay terminals and user terminals.
The frame converter may include a classifier configured to classify the Ethernet
signal according to the type of data, a storage unit including a plurality of buffers for
15 temporarily storing the classified data, a scheduler configured to receive and schedule
the signals stored in the plurality of buffers, and a plurality of converters configured to
convert a frame of Ethernet signal into a frame of home network signal according to the
scheduling.
The distributor may include a plurality of Tx/Rx units configured to
20 receive/transmit the converted home network signal, a switching unit configured to
switch signals of the plurality of Tx/Rx units depending on a data transmission speed
required by at least one of the relay terminals and the user terminals, and a matching
transmitter configured to match the switched signal in accordance with the transmission
line to transmit it to the relay terminals or the user terminals.
4
The device may further include a controller that is configured to control the
frame converter to schedule and convert the Ethernet signal and to synchronize the
distributor to switch the signals of the plurality of Tx/Rx units.
The transmission line may include at least any one of a coaxial cable, a
5 telephone line, or a power line.
The frame converter may convert the frame depending on a destination, a
priority, or a service type of the data packet.
【Advantageous Effects】
According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an optical
10 signal is converted into a home network signal, and the converted signal is transmitted
according to characteristics of a transmission line in a copper wire section where an
access network is introduced. Accordingly, existing copper wire lines can be reused,
and a system can be implemented with a comparatively low cost.
In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
15 optimal signal is converted into the home network signal, and the home network signal
is distributed according to characteristics of data traffic. Accordingly, line usage
efficiency can be improved and a data transmission speed for each subscriber line can
be increased.
【Description of the Drawings】
20 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a home network signal relay system
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a home network
signal relay device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a frame converter
5
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of converting a frame of an Ethernet signal into a
frame of a home network signal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
5 FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a distributor
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a method for relaying a home
network signal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
【Mode for Invention】
10 In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of
the present disclosure have been shown and described, simply by way of illustration.
As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in
various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative
15 in nature and not restrictive, and like reference numerals designate like elements
throughout the specification.
Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the
word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood
to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.
20 In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean
units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by
hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.
In accordance with at least one embodiment, a home network signal relay
device and a method for relaying a home network signal using the same in the access
6
network will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a home network signal relay system according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The diagram of FIG. 1
illustrates a schematic configuration for describing the home network signal relay
5 system. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
Referring to FIG. 1, the home network signal relay system according to the
embodiment includes a plurality of home network signal relay devices 100 and a
plurality of relay terminal 200. Herein the plurality of home network signal relay
devices 100 are connected to a central office device in a telephone office building.
10 In accordance with at least one embodiment, the home network relay system
includes an access network for relaying a signal (or access area) and a home network (or
home area). Herein, the access network relays a signal of Internet network to a
plurality of home sections. In addition, the home network receives a relay signal of the
access network to provide the relay signal to a service provider and a home user’s user
15 terminal (not shown).
The home network signal relay device 100 converts an optical signal received
via an optical cable (A) connected to Internet network or FTTx (Fiber to the x) 10 into
an Ethernet signal and converts the converted Ethernet signal into a home network
signal to transmit the home network signal to the relay terminal 200.
20 The home network signal relay device 100 may convert the home network
signal transmitted from the relay terminal 200 into an Ethernet signal. The home
network signal relay device 100 may convert the converted Ethernet signal into an
optical signal to transmit the optical signal to an external network via the optical cable.
The home network signal relay device 100 transmits the home network signal to
7
the relay terminal 200 via transmission lines (B). In this case, the home network signal
relay device 100 may allow one transmission line to be branched to transmit the home
network signal to the plurality of relay terminals. The home network signal relay
device 100 may allow a plurality of transmission lines (C) to be combined to transmit
5 the home network signal to one relay terminal.
The plurality of relay terminals may be cascaded such that they are connected
to one transmission line branched from the home network signal relay device 100. In
this case, the transmission line includes at least any one of a coaxial cable, a telephone
line, or a power line.
10 The relay terminal 200 transmits the home network signal transmitted from the
home network signal relay device 100 to one or more user terminals (not shown).
In the home network signal relay system according to at least one embodiment
of the present disclosure, since a G.hn technology is applied to a section via which local
copper wires are introduced, the existing copper wire lines can be reused, and it is
15 possible to implement a system that allows a maximum transmission speed of up to
1Gbps for each subscriber line.
Now, a configuration of the home network signal relay device 100 will be
described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a home network signal relay
20 device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The diagram
of FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic configuration for describing a home network signal
relay device. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited
thereto.
Referring to FIG. 2, the home network signal relay device 100 according to an
8
embodiment of the present disclosure includes an optical-to-electrical converter 110, a
frame converter 120, a distributor 130, and a controller 140.
The optical-to-electrical converter 110 receives an optical signal via an optical
cable to convert the received optical signal into an Ethernet signal. The
5 optical-to-electrical converter 110 may receive an Ethernet signal to convert the
received Ethernet signal into an optical signal to output the Ethernet signal or the optical
signal.
The frame converter 120 classifies the Ethernet signal converted from the
optical-to-electrical converter 110 according to a type of data and converts the Ethernet
10 signal into a home network signal.
The distributor 130 distributes and transmits the home network signal to one or
more relay terminals.
The controller 140 controls the frame converter 120 to schedule and convert the
Ethernet signal. The controller 140 synchronizes the distributor 130 to switch a
15 plurality of home network signals and transmits them to the relay terminal.
A frame converter 120 and a distributor 130 will now be described in detail
with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a frame converter according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The diagram of FIG. 3
20 illustrates a schematic configuration for describing the frame converter. However, the
embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.
Referring to FIG. 3, the frame converter 120 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure includes a classifier 122, a storage unit 124, a scheduler 126, and a
converter 128.
9
The classifier 122 classifies an Ethernet signal according to a type of data. In
addition, the storage unit 124 includes a plurality of buffers that temporarily stores the
classified data.
That is, the frame converter 120 identifies the type of data such as an Internet
5 signal, a TV signal, or a VOIP signal that is classified by the classifier 122, and
temporarily stores the data in the buffer of the storage unit 124 according to its type.
Subsequently, the scheduler 126 receives the data stored in the plurality of
buffers to schedule the data.
The converter 128 converts the Ethernet signal according to scheduling of the
10 scheduler 126 into a home network signal.
In this case, the converter 128 converts a frame of the Ethernet signal into a
frame of home network signal depending on a destination, priority, or service type of a
data packet.
FIG. 4 exemplary illustrates converting a frame of an Ethernet signal into a
15 frame of a home network signal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of data packets having the same destination or
having a higher priority may be grouped into one data packet for transmission.
For example, when the plurality of data packets have the same destination, the
converter 128 groups the data packets having the same destination to convert them into
20 one data packet. Accordingly, when the scheduler 126 schedules a plurality of data
packets such that they are transmitted to a destination of one subscriber (or user
terminal), the frame converter 120 may group the plurality of data packets into one data
packet to transmit it to the subscriber.
Accordingly, the home network signal relay device 100 according to an
10
embodiment of the present disclosure may group the data packets having the same
destination for transmission, thereby reducing processing delays associated with
overhead processing and thus improving line utilization efficiency.
In addition, when priorities of the data packets are different, the converter 128
5 converts the data packets having a high priority first, temporarily stores the converted
data packets, and converts the data packets having a low priority.
Accordingly, the home network signal relay device 100 according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure schedules the data packets having a high priority
first and temporarily stores the data packets having a low priority in the buffer. Then,
10 the home network signal relay device 100 schedules and outputs the stored data packets
later.
In addition, when service types of the data are different, the converter 128 may
increase a priority of a latency-critical service such that it is immediately processed. For
services allowing buffering for transmission, the converter 128 may group and convert
15 streaming data to be transmitted.
For example, since VoIP is a latency-critical service, its priority is increased for
immediate processing, and IPTV may group and transmit a large amount streaming data
to be transmitted together using a wide bandwidth at a time since it allows buffering.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a distributor according to an
20 embodiment of the present disclosure. The diagram of FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic
configuration for describing the distributor. Accordingly, the embodiments of the
present disclosure are not limited thereto.
Referring to FIG. 5, in accordance with at least one embodiment, the distributor
130 includes a Tx/Rx unit 132, a switching unit 134, and a transmitter 136.
11
The Tx/Rx unit 132 receives a home network signal converted from the
converter 128.
The switching unit 134 switches a plurality of home network signals received
by the Tx/Rx unit 132 according to a data transmission speed required by the relay
5 terminal. In addition, the switching unit 132 reflects various user requirements and
provides an environment for connecting various topologies such as one-to-one,
one-to-many, and many-to-many.
The transmitter 136 matches the switched signal according to the characteristics
of the transmission line and transmits it to the relay terminal. The transmitter 136
10 includes a plurality of matching transmitters 136a to 136x. Such a plurality of
matching transmitters 136a to 136x match and transmit the signal according to the
characteristics of the transmission line in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
Now, an operation of a home network signal relay device 100 for converting an
15 optical signal into a home network signal and distributing the converted signal will now
be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for relaying a home network signal
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this case, the flowchart
below will be described using the same reference numerals in connection with the
20 configurations of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.
Referring to FIG. 6, in accordance with at least one embodiment, the home
network signal relay device 100 receives an optical signal via an optical cable and
converts the received optical signal into an Ethernet signal (S100 and S110).
In addition, the home network signal relay device 100 classifies the converted
12
Ethernet signal according to a type of data and temporarily stores the Ethernet signal in
a buffer (S120).
The home network signal relay device 100 converts a stored frame of the
Ethernet signal into a home network signal via a frame converter 120 (S130). In this
5 case, the frame converter 120 converts the frame in consideration of a destination,
priority, or service type of a data packet.
Subsequently, a distributor 130 of the home network signal relay device 100
distributes the home network signal to one or more relay terminals 200 via transmission
lines (S140). In this case, the distributor 130 may switch the signal of a Tx/Rx unit
10 according to requirements of the relay terminal 200 and the topology. The distributor
130 may match and transmit the switched signal according to the transmission line.
As described above, the home network signal relay device according to at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure may convert the optical signal directly into
the home network signal in an area where local copper wires are introduced and
15 transmit the home network signal according to the characteristics of the transmission
line. Accordingly, the existing copper wire lines can be reused, and a system can be
implemented with a comparatively low cost.
In addition, in accordance with at least one embodiment, the home network
signal relay device converts the data packet into the home network signal according to
20 the type before the transmission. Accordingly, line utilization efficiency can be
enhanced, and the data transmission speed for each subscriber line can be increased.
The foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not
implemented only by an apparatus and a method, and therefore may be realized by
programs realizing functions corresponding to the configuration of the exemplary
13
embodiment of the present invention or recording media on which the programs are
recorded. Such recording media may be executed in a user terminal as well as a
server.
While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently
5 considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended
to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit
and scope of the appended claims.
14
【CLAIMS】
【Claim 1】
A method for converting an optical signal into a home network signal and
relaying the home network signal, by a home network signal relay device in an access
5 network, the method comprising:
receiving an optical signal via an optical cable and converting the received
optical signal to an Ethernet signal;
classifying and storing the converted Ethernet signal according to a type of
data;
10 converting a frame of the stored Ethernet signal to a frame of a home network
signal; and
distributing the converted home network signal to at least one of relay terminals
and user terminals via transmission lines.
15 【Claim 2】
The method of claim 1, wherein the converting includes, if a plurality of data
packets have a same destination, grouping the data packets of the same destination into
one data packet and converting the one data packet.
20 【Claim 3】
The method of claim 1, wherein the converting includes, if priorities of data
packets are different, i) converting data packets having a comparatively higher priority
first, ii) temporarily storing data packets having a comparatively low priority, and iii)
15
converting the temporarily stored data packets later.
【Claim 4】
The method of claim 1, wherein the converting includes, if service types of data
5 are different, i) for a latency-critical service, increasing a priority and immediately
performing conversion, and ii) for a service allowing buffering, grouping streaming data
to be transmitted and converting the grouped streaming data.
【Claim 5】
10 The method of claim 1, wherein the distributing includes:
receiving the converted home network signal via a plurality of Tx/Rx units;
switching a signal of the Tx/Rx unit depending on a data transmission speed
required by one of the relay terminal and the user terminal; and
matching and transmitting the switched signal according to a transmission line.
15
【Claim 6】
A home network signal relay device in an access network, comprising:
an optical-to-electrical converter configured to convert an optical signal into an
Ethernet signal and to convert an Ethernet signal into an optical signal;
20 a frame converter configured to classify and store the converted Ethernet signal
according to a type of data and to convert a stored frame of the Ethernet signal to a
frame of the home network signal; and
a distributor configured to distribute and transmit the converted home network
16
signal to at least one of relay terminals and user terminals.
【Claim 7】
The home network signal relay device of claim 6, wherein the frame converter
5 includes:
a classifier configured to classify the Ethernet signal according to the type of
data;
a storage unit including a plurality of buffers for temporarily storing the
classified data;
10 a scheduler configured to receive and schedule the signals stored in the plurality
of buffers; and
a plurality of converters configured to convert a frame of Ethernet signal into a
frame of home network signal according to the scheduling.
15 【Claim 8】
The device of claim 7, wherein the distributor includes:
a plurality of Tx/Rx units configured to receive/transmit the converted home
network signal;
a switching unit configured to switch signals of the plurality of Tx/Rx units
20 depending on a data transmission speed required by one of the relay terminals and the
user terminals; and
a matching transmitter configured to match the switched signal in accordance
with the transmission line to transmit it to at least one of the relay terminals and the user
terminals.
17
【Claim 9】
The device of claim 8, further comprising a controller configured to control the
frame converter to schedule and convert the Ethernet signal and to synchronize the
5 distributor to switch the signals of the plurality of Tx/Rx units.
【Claim 10】
The device of claim 9, wherein the transmission line includes at least any one of
a coaxial cable, a telephone line, and a power line.
10
【Claim 11】
The device of claim 10, wherein the frame converter converts the frame
depending on a destination, a priority, or a service type of the data packet.