JPH0348537A - Optical transmission interface - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to optical interfaces, and in particular, the present invention relates to optical interfaces, and in particular, to coupling between electrical transmission lines and optical transmission lines in order to make optical communication systems coexist with electric communication systems using power superimposition. The invention relates to an optical transmission interface.

[Prior Art] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional optical transmission interface disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-89734.

In the figure, the receiving side of each transmission path (1 a), (2
a) is an interface (hereinafter referred to as I/F).
Optical connectors (11a) and (12) provided in (3)
a), and the transmitting side (lb) of each transmission path, (2
b) is connected to the optical connector (llb), (12b). This optical connector (lla) on the receiving side.
(12a) is an optical switch that is normally in operation (hereinafter referred to as O
S), the optical connector (llb) on the transmitting side via the switching unit (13). (12b).

In addition, the receiving side optical connector (lla), (12a) is
It is connected to the first and second photoelectric converters (hereinafter referred to as O/E) (14a) and (14b) via the switching section of the OS (13), and is connected to the transmitting side optical connectors (1lb) and (12b). )
are connected to the first and second electro-optical converters (hereinafter referred to as E/0) (15a) through the switching section of the OS (13). (1
5b).

Here, the output of the O/E (14a) is supplied to the OR gate (18a) as a first combiner via a buffer circuit (hereinafter referred to as BF), (16a), so that the communication device (17) via the BF (16b), the driver (hereinafter referred to as D
R), (19a) is supplied to the E/O (15a).

On the other hand, the output signal of 0/E (14t)) is BF (1
OR gate (1
8b) and is combined with the transmission signal supplied from the communication device (17) via the BF (16b), and then is sent via the DR (19b) to the E/O (15b).
).

Also, O/E (14a). The outputs of (14b) are combined in an OR gate (18c) as a third combiner, and then sent to the communication device (19c) via DR (19c).
7) as a received signal.

The power supply for the I/F (3) is, for example, an AC power supply AC supplied from a commercial power source, which is connected to a DC power supply D in the power supply unit (21).
After converting to C, it is supplied to each part. Note that the DC power supply DC output from this power supply unit (21) is monitored by a power supply monitoring circuit (22), and this DC power supply DC
When an abnormality occurs in the OS (13), the operation of the OS (13) is stopped and a fail-safe operation is performed.

Next, the operation will be explained. Receiving side (1a) (2a
) is supplied to 0/E (14a). (14
b), each is converted into an electrical signal. and,
The output signals of each 0/E (14a) and (14b) are
OR game} (18c) and then supplied to the communication device (17) as a received signal,
Optical signals supplied from either direction are transmitted to the communication device (17
). In addition, the transmission signal output from the communication device (17) is transmitted through the BF (16b)
E/0 (15a) after branching on the output side of E/0 (15a). (
15b). E/0 (15a), (15b
), the supplied transmission signal is converted into an optical signal and then supplied to the optical connectors (llb) and (12b) on the transmission side via the switching section of the OS (13). As a result, since the transmission signal is transmitted in both directions, for example, this I
It becomes possible to freely transmit and receive data to and from all the various devices connected via /F(3), and data signals can be transmitted and received using exactly the same protocol as when using a transmission bus line using electric lines. .

On the other hand, the output signals of each 0/E (14a) and (14b) are BF (16a). (16c), OR gate (18
a), (18b), and DR (19a). (19b
) via the corresponding electro-optical converter E/0 (15a),
(15b), amplification and waveform shaping are performed in each BF, OR gate, and DR. As a result, even if waveform distortion and level drop occur in the optical signals supplied to the receiving sides (1a) and (2a), after these are corrected, they are relayed as normal waveforms and levels, and the optical signals are relayed to the transmitting side (lb). ). (2b).

However, the I/F (3), for example, receives commercial power AC, converts it into the desired local power V in the power supply section (21), and then supplies it to each section. A power supply monitoring circuit (22) monitors the power source, and when the voltage drops below a predetermined voltage, each switching unit switches the receiving side (1a) of each transmission path to restore the OS (13). (2a) and the sending side (
lb). Since it is directly connected to (2b), there is no hindrance to communication between other devices (fail-safe).
Become something.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Since the conventional optical transmission interface is configured as described above, two optical transmission lines are required for each communication direction.

In addition, in order to prevent communication between other devices from being affected in the event of a station failure, a power supply monitoring circuit or backup power supply and optical precision parts such as optical switches are required, making them extremely expensive. It will end up being put away.

Furthermore, since it is necessary to wire the interface and the communication device over a short distance, it becomes necessary to incorporate the interface into the terminal device or install it in an adjacent location. Furthermore, in order to prevent communication between other devices from being affected when the station fails, a power supply monitoring circuit or a backup power supply and an optical switch are required. Therefore, the cost increases due to the use of two optical transmission lines and an optical switch, and the degree of freedom in wiring between the optical transmission line and the electrical transmission line in the transmission line wiring route becomes low.

Therefore, the present invention reduces the number of transmission lines to one, eliminates the need for a power supply monitoring circuit and optical switch, allows the communication device and interface to be installed independently and at any position, and allows optical communication systems to be used. The objective is to obtain an optical transmission interface that can easily connect power superimposed telecommunication systems using the same protocol.

[Means for Solving the Problems] An optical transmission interface according to the present invention is configured to enable bidirectional communication using a single optical fiber, and to transmit a part of an optical signal from a neighboring station to another neighboring station. an optical communication device equipped with an optical branching/coupling circuit and a charging conversion device; an electrical signal injection/output unit that transfers signals between a transmission path of a power superimposed electrical communication system and the optical communication device; and a DC power output section that supplies DC power from the transmission line.

[Operation] In the optical transmission interface of the present invention, the power required by each part is supplied from the electrical transmission line. Furthermore, the electrical signals sent through the electrical transmission line are once converted into optical signals and then supplied to the optical transmission line so that they can be transmitted simultaneously in both directions.

Furthermore, the optical signals supplied from both directions of the main optical transmission line are
After converting it into an electrical signal, it is sent to an electrical transmission line.

[Example] Examples of the present invention will be described below.

First example First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an optical transmission interface according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral (31) denotes an optical transmission line, which is connected to an optical communication device (34) of an optical transmission interface (33) according to the first embodiment of the invention by an optical connector (32). The optical communication device (34) includes, for example, an optical branching/coupling circuit (35) constructed of thin fibers, etc.
Optical/electrical converter (hereinafter referred to as O/E), (36),
It is composed of an electrical/optical converter (hereinafter referred to as E/O), (37). (38) is a pulse width adjustment circuit that adjusts the width of the optical reception signal to a specified value by, for example, being configured with a monostable multi-bilayer circuit, and is an O/E (36) in the optical communication device (34). and E/0
(37). (39) is an air conditioner indoor unit, and (40) is an air conditioner outdoor unit. Air conditioner indoor unit (
39) is connected to the Shokawa Jugen (41), and the internal microcomputer (42) controls the operation according to temperature information supplied from the thermistor (43). In addition, the operating status of each air conditioner and the temperature information of the thermistor (43) are transmitted via the optical transmission interface (33) via an electric transmission line (45) using a power superimposed electric communication system connected to the coupling circuit (44). ) will be sent to.

(46) is a DC power output section of the optical transmission interface (33), which supplies DC power supplied from the air conditioner indoor unit (39) to the optical transmission interface (33). (47) is an electrical signal injection/extraction circuit, which transmits the signal supplied from the electrical transmission line (45) to the E/O (37).
Also, the signal supplied from the optical transmission line (31) is
A process of relaying to the electrical transmission line (45) via E (36) is being executed.

Next, the operation of the optical transmission interface with the above structure will be explained. The operating status or temperature information of the air conditioner is provided by a microcomputer (
42), the signal is superimposed on the DC power source via the coupling circuit (44) and transmitted in both directions via the electrical transmission line (45). The optical transmission interface (33) connects the air conditioner indoor unit (39) to the electrical transmission line (45).
It is supplied with DC power via the DC power supply, and all electrical processing is performed by this DC power supply. The electrical signal received at the optical transmission interface (33) is supplied to the E/0 (37) after its pulse waveform is shaped in the electrical signal injection/extraction circuit (47). E/O
In (37), the converted optical signal is branched in the optical branching/coupling circuit (35) and supplied to the optical transmission line (31), so that it is simultaneously transmitted in both directions to other optical transmission interfaces (Fig. (not shown) is also sent.

Conversely, the optical signal sent via the optical transmission line (31) passes through the optical branching/coupling circuit (35) to 0/E (3
6) and is converted into an electrical signal. The electrical signal converted at this 0/E (36) is divided into two parts, one of which is sent to the pulse width adjustment circuit (38).
The pulse width is adjusted to a specified value. The electrical signals whose pulse widths have been adjusted in this manner are simultaneously transmitted from the E/O (37) to both directions of the optical transmission line (31) via the optical branching/coupling circuit (35). Further, the other of the divided electric signals is supplied to the electric signal injection/extraction circuit (47), so that the electric transmission line (
45) is superimposed on the DC power supply of each air conditioner indoor unit (39).
) will be sent to. As a result, even if the power superimposed telecommunication system and the optical communication system are used in common, data signals can be transmitted and received using the same protocol.

Second Embodiment FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing an optical transmission interface which is a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, (31) to (47) are structural parts that are the same as or correspond to the structural parts of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 2, (51) is an RZ signal conversion circuit composed of, for example, a counter and a flip-flop;
) is a pulse width adjustment circuit composed of, for example, a monostable multivibrator, and (53) is a pulse width fixing circuit composed of, for example, a monostable multivibrator, which fixes the width of the optical reception signal to a specified value. (54) is an OR circuit. R
The Z signal conversion circuit (51) is the E/0 of the optical communication device (34).
(37) and the electrical signal injection/extraction circuit (47) via an OR circuit (54), and the pulse width adjustment circuit (52) is connected to the 0/E ( 36)
and the electrical signal injection/extraction circuit (47), and the pulse width fixing circuit (53) is connected between the O/E (36) and E/0 (37) of the optical communication device (34). is connected to via an OR circuit (54). Then, the electrical signal injection/extraction circuit (47) extracts the signal supplied from the electrical transmission line (45), relays it to the RZ signal conversion circuit (51), and also outputs the signal supplied from the optical transmission line (31). The signal is sent to the electrical transmission line (4) via the pulse width adjustment circuit (52).
5) is being executed.

Next, the operation of the optical transmission interface according to the above structure will be explained. However, descriptions of operations common to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

This optical transmission interface (33) also receives DC power from the air conditioner indoor units (three) via the electric transmission line (45), as in the first embodiment, and this DC power supplies all electrical processing is carried out. The optical transmission interface (33) of this second embodiment transmits electrical signals output from the electrical signal injection/extraction circuit (47).
After converting the RZ signal speed and pulse width into the RZ signal defined by the following formulas (I) and (II) in the Z signal conversion circuit (51), E/0 (
37). Note that the operation of this E/O (37) is the same as in the first embodiment.

B=kl / ((X/S) +771 ・(I)
Formula t=k2 x ((X/S) +77) =-
(II) In the above equation, B: RZ signal speed Conversely, the optical signal sent via the optical transmission line (31) is converted into an electrical signal at the O/E (36), and then divided into two parts, one of which is supplied to the pulse width fixing circuit (53). and its pulse width is fixed to a specified value. The electrical signal whose pulse width has been fixed in this way is simultaneously transmitted in both directions of the optical transmission line (31) from the E/O (37) via the OR circuit (54) to the optical branching/coupling circuit (35). Sent. Further, the other of the divided electric signals is sent to a pulse width adjustment circuit (52), where it is converted and adjusted into a transmission signal for the electric transmission line (45). Then, the converted electrical signal is supplied to the electrical signal injection/extraction circuit (47), and is superimposed on the DC power supply of the electrical transmission line (45) in the same way as in the first embodiment. II (39).

As described above, in this second embodiment, the electrical signal injection/extraction circuit (47) extracts a transmission signal from the electrical transmission line (45), and the extracted electrical signal is sent to the RZ signal conversion circuit (5).
In step 1), the RZ signal is converted into an RZ signal with synchronization below the maximum transmission speed determined by the maximum distance between optical communication devices, etc., and has a specified pulse width, and this converted RZ signal is sent to the OR circuit (54).
is supplied to the E/O (37) which functions as a phototransmitting electric element, and is supplied to the optical transmission line (
31). Further, a pulse width adjustment circuit (52) receives a pulse signal from the output end of the 0/E (36) which functions as a photodetector, and transmits the pulse width to an electrical transmission line (45).
The adjusted transmission signal is injected into the electrical transmission path (45) by the electrical signal injection/extraction circuit (47).

As a result, in this second embodiment, data signals can be transmitted and received using the same protocol, even if the power superimposed electrical communication system and the optical communication system are used in common, as in the first embodiment. In addition, if the optical transmission interface (33) of this second embodiment is used, the electrical transmission line (45)
Since the range of signal conversion between an electrical signal, which is a transmission signal, and an optical signal, which is a transmission signal, by the optical transmission line (31) is expanded compared to the first embodiment, the range of application is further expanded.

Here, a signal transmission system when the optical transmission interfaces of the first and second embodiments described above are used in an air conditioner will be explained. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an entire example of a signal transmission system for an air conditioner using the optical transmission interface used in the embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals and symbols as in the first and second embodiments indicate the same or corresponding parts.

In Figure 3, the air conditioner is turned on from the central control device (48).
When controlling to N, turn on O to control the air conditioner to ON.
The N signal is sent to the optical transmission interface (33a) via the electrical transmission line (45a). In the optical transmission interface (33a), in the case of the first embodiment, as described in the explanation of FIG.
0 (37), it is converted into an optical signal and sent to the optical transmission line (3
1) and is supplied to another optical transmission interface (33b). On the other hand, in the case of the second embodiment, as described in the explanation of FIG. It is supplied to another optical transmission interface (3 3 b) via the transmission line (31). In the case of the first embodiment, the O/E (36) of the optical transmission interface (33b) converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal, as described in the explanation of FIG. By supplying to the injection/extraction circuit (47), it is supplied to the electrical transmission line (45b). On the other hand, in the case of the second embodiment, as described in the explanation of FIG. 2, after converting and adjusting the received optical signal into an electrical signal for the electrical transmission line (45b), (47) to the electrical transmission line (45b). The air conditioner indoor unit (39) uses a microcomputer (42) to decode the electrical signal supplied via the electrical transmission line (45b), determines that the ON signal is addressed to it, and turns on the air conditioner. do. At this time, for example, if all the electricity supply sources on the first floor are cut off, DC power will not be supplied to the optical transmission interface (33b), but the optical communication device (34) will always transmit a part of the optical signal. Therefore, by switching the optical switch using the power supply monitoring device, there is no need to create a new light guide path for the optical signal.

Conversely, when the air conditioner is turned on using the local remote control (49), information is similarly transmitted to the central control device (48).

Here, in the case of an air conditioner, which is an example of a communication device, the installation location must be installed at an optimal position according to the heat load. Further, it is preferable that the optical transmission interface (33) is installed at an optimal location from the perspective of the transmission system, such as the wiring route and wiring distance.
Air conditioner indoor unit (39) and electrical transmission line (45)
Since it can be installed at any location by connecting it with a power source, and does not require a commercial power source (41), it is extremely convenient to use, for example, as a means for centrally controlling air conditioners in a building.

In each of the above embodiments, the communication device controls an air conditioner, but it may also be a communication device that communicates using a power superimposed electrical communication method, such as lighting equipment.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the optical transmission interface of the present invention allows one optical transmission line to be connected by bidirectional communication using a single optical fiber.
By making it a book and also transmitting a part of the optical signal,
A power supply and optical switch are no longer required. In addition, since communication equipment and optical transmission interfaces can be installed at any location in transmission line wiring, electrical transmission lines and optical paths can be wired freely, and data signals can be sent and received using the same protocol. There is an effect that can be carried out.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an optical transmission interface which is a first embodiment of this invention, FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram showing a first transmission interface which is a second embodiment of this invention, and FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing an optical transmission interface which is a second embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an entire example of a signal transmission system for an air conditioner using the optical transmission interface used in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a conventional optical transmission interface. In the figure, 31: Optical transmission line 33: Optical transmission interface 34: Optical communication device 35: Three optical branching/coupling circuits: Air conditioner indoor unit 44: Coupling circuit 45: Electrical transmission line 46: DC power output section 47: Electricity Signal injection/extraction circuit 51: RZ signal conversion circuit 52: Pulse width adjustment circuit 53: Pulse width fixing circuit 54: OR circuit. Note that in the drawings, the same reference numerals and symbols indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) By being connected by one main optical transmission path, a part of the optical signal sent from one neighboring station is transmitted to the other neighboring station, and a part of the optical signal is guided to the photodetecting element,
and a light branching device configured to guide a portion of the light to the phototransmitting element.
a coupling circuit; and means located between the photodetector electric element and the phototransmission electric element of the optical branching/coupling circuit to detect the received light pulse signal and adjust the width of the light pulse signal to a specified value. an optical communication device; a DC power output unit that outputs DC power from an electrical transmission line of a power superimposed electrical communication system; An optical transmission interface comprising: an electric signal injecting and extracting part for applying an electric signal to the light transmitting electric element. (2) By being connected by one main optical transmission line, a part of the optical signal sent from one neighboring station is transmitted to the other neighboring station, and a part of it is guided to the photoreceptor element,
and a light branching device configured to guide a portion of the light to the phototransmitting element.
a coupling circuit; and means located between the photodetector electric element and the phototransmission electric element of the optical branching/coupling circuit to detect the received light pulse signal and fix the width of the light pulse signal to a specified value. an optical communication device; a DC power output unit that outputs DC power from an electrical transmission line of a power superimposed electrical communication system; 1. An optical transmission interface comprising: an electric signal injecting and extracting section that converts a signal from an RZ signal into an RZ signal and supplies the RZ signal to the light transmitting electric element.