NO326002B1 - Power system control system - Google Patents

Abstract

A power line control system controls lights (L) over a single supply line (1) by exchange of signals with a control unit (2) using a synchronised preset transmit receive cycle with one time retransmission of data for other lights for a preset number of cycles.

Description

The present invention relates to a control device for electrical devices such as outdoor lighting systems, as well as a method for operating outdoor lighting systems.

Based on the control devices that have been developed in recent years, for the operation of lamps it is possible to form complex lighting systems where the distributed light units can be controlled individually from a central unit. Lighting devices of this kind will e.g. be used in larger buildings, where the various lamp devices are usually firstly connected to the normal power supply network and secondly connected to the central unit via a data bus line. Over this bus line, digital commands are then transmitted from the central unit to the control device for the decentralized light units.

A similar structure is of course also possible with outdoor lighting systems, e.g. for road lighting, but the present difficulty then primarily consists in enabling a transfer of control commands from the central unit to the remotely arranged lighting units. Laying out data bus lines is usually difficult or even impossible due to the relatively large distances and the associated work and cost effort.

Nevertheless, it would also be desirable for outdoor lighting systems to be able to carry out a convenient and comprehensive control of the individual lighting units, e.g. for the purpose of producing needs-appropriate lighting of specific areas, events or measures. With the help of this, such lighting convenience can also increase safety. In addition to this, communication between the light units and a central unit also contributes to a reduction in the need for monitoring and to energy savings. This presupposes above all that the light units can be controlled individually and that a communication-friendly system is created which also makes it possible to achieve intentional status and fault detection as well as feedback of detected faults.

An alternative possibility for data transmission, without the need for an additional data bus line, exists in the so-called power line technology. Based on this, the current and voltage supply lines themselves are used for data transmission, with the normal mains frequency of 50 Hz superimposed on a modulated, much higher carrier frequency. This carrier frequency then contains in coded form the information to be transmitted, which is then decoded by assigned receivers. Such a power line method is already used in certain lighting systems for building lighting and other internal control systems in houses, in which case the internal power grid is also used for data transmission. An overview of the different modes of operation and possibilities within the power line technology can be derived from the book "Powerline Kommunikation" by Klaus Dostert, Franzis Verlag GmbH. The basis that exists here is then not repeated in the present description.

Methods for transmitting digital information over power supply networks are further described in DE 40 01 265 A1, DE 40 01 266 A1, EP 0 634 842 A2 and EP 0 200 016 A2. Furthermore, a method is known from EP A2 0 893 941 for controlling electrical devices, for example for road lighting, where a main module programs slave modules which are part of the electrical consumers. Information transmission takes place by modulating the operating voltage by preferably fading out individual or several half-waves.

FR A 2 734 118 shows a device for the remote control and monitoring of electric lamps where the exchange of information takes place over the power supply network by means of a two-way, modulated carrier signal and where each lamp unit is equipped with a device for receiving and forwarding the information that is not specifically intended for the lamp unit in question. This solution provides an increased transfer speed.

For outdoor lighting systems, however, the use of a power line method is problematic to the extent that very large distances can occur between transmitter and receiver as well as significant temperature fluctuations. Due to the resultant attenuation and interference of the relevant signals, it is not immediately ensured that the information is received and transferred in the correct manner. For reliable operation of the existing facility, it is nevertheless essential to have a data transfer which entails a high degree of security against undetectable transfer errors. Based on this, it must then be taken into account that the maximum permissible signal level (dB|iV) is limited by established norms. In Europe, e.g. The CENELEC standard EN 50065 is valid since 1991, and according to this, for private use of the present frequency range from 95 kHz to 148.5 kHz, which then e.g. is available for internal building installations, permitted with a maximum input level of 116 dB|iV (=631 mV effective value). In the frequency range between 9 kHz and 95 kHz, which is reserved for energy supply measures, the maximum permissible signal level decreases from 134 dBuV (=5 V) to 122 dBjiV (=1.25 V). This relatively strong limitation makes it difficult to create a facility for remote control of light units by means of power line communication. Naturally, these problems do not only exist with lighting systems, but in connection with all electrical devices in outdoor areas.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to specify a control device for the operation of electrical units in outdoor areas, and where the data transmission takes place by means of a power line process and thereby ensures reliable and error-free communication. In addition to this, versatile and disturbance-free operation must be enabled, e.g. of lamps.

This purpose is achieved by means of the methods and devices defined in the independent patent claims.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling electrical appliances, especially lamps and lighting devices or units which are connected to a common power supply network. These electrical appliances exchange information via a power line process over the power supply network and the electrical appliances are synchronized with each other in such a way that they receive, respectively send out, information in predetermined sending and receiving cycles.

The invention is characterized by the fact that such a sending and receiving cycle is divided into at least two time periods, of which a first time period is provided for the transmission of control commands, or interrogation commands to the electrical devices, and that a further time period, which is temporally separated from the first time section, is provided for the transmission of operating or status information from the electrical appliances.

Below, each electrical unit acts as a so-called repetitive transmission unit, as it sends received information within a certain transmitter and receiver cycle, and which is referred to in the following as a telegram, again releases the power supply network within a direct or indirect consecutive sending and receiving cycle.

The consequence of this method is that a telegram entered at any point in the power supply network avalanche-like improves uniformly over the network as a whole, until it is finally received by the addressed electrical unit. Preferably, the whole thing can be arranged so that an electrical appliance unit only forwards a telegram in the event that this telegram is not exclusively intended for the relevant electrical unit itself.

By synchronizing the electrical units in relation to each other, it is ensured that no extinction of an identical telegram sent out from two neighboring electrical units takes place. This also ensures reliable data transmission over longer distances. Likewise, a higher data transmission rate is also achieved as the electrical units, by their repetition function, can send out different telegrams isochronously in different areas of the network. As this takes place without a signal strength assessment, the method according to the invention excels in particular in that a higher data throughput is achieved in this way with a lower error rate.

According to a further developed embodiment, it can be ensured that the electrical apparatus units send out a continuing information for a predetermined number of mutually consecutive sending and receiving cycles into the power supply network. This increases the transmission security. In addition to this, it can be ensured that the electrical units are able to immediately recognize once received and forwarded telegrams, so that at a later time they no longer forward a telegram that has once been received. This prevents telegrams from running through the network in endless loops. This recognition can e.g. is made possible by a suitable indexing (index number etc.) of the telegrams.

The data transmission preferably takes place by means of a phase modulation of the carrier frequency (so-called Phase Shift Keying - PSK). Such an embodiment is distinguished by a very low vulnerability to disturbances. A synchronization of the various light units then takes place by monitoring the mains frequency.

This aspect of the invention also applies to a control device for electrical apparatus units, especially for lamp units, and which is connected to a common power supply network, whereby the control device at least has a control unit that can also be connected to the power supply network as well as sending and receiving units, which then at using a power line method can exchange information with the control unit over the power supply network and each can be assigned to an electrical unit. These sending and receiving units are in the manner described above synchronized in relation to each other and, according to the invention, exhibit transmission units for passing on received information. Such a control system can possibly be applied as additional equipment for already existing lighting systems for outdoor areas.

Furthermore, this invention also applies to a lamp unit for a lighting system, which then consists of several lamp units which are connected to a common power supply network, whereby these lamp units have a sending and receiving unit, which constitutes an interface unit in accordance with the power line method. The sending and receiving unit is then designed in such a way that it can exchange information within predetermined sending and receiving cycles, during which it exhibits an amplifying transmission function for the transmission of the information, as it forwards received information within a certain sending and receiving cycle within a immediately following or subsequent transmit and receive cycle.

A second aspect of the present invention concerns the time structure of the data transfer. The data or telegrams to be transmitted can thus be divided into different groups in accordance with their functions. So-called system telegrams provide e.g. so that the lamp units can register in the system or possibly log out. In addition to this, the task of these system telegrams is to exchange data, e.g. address data, measurement data, operating data or error data between a control unit connected to the network and the lamp units. In addition, so-called application telegrams will be used, with the help of which the light units are brought to perform a specific function, e.g. to turn on or to change its brightness. As these application telegrams contain the actual control commands for operating the lamp units and setting their brightness, these telegrams have a higher priority than the previously mentioned system telegrams.

A second possibility for division consists in the different telegrams being divided in accordance with their targets into forward telegrams, backward telegrams and l-(interruption) telegrams. Such telegrams are then referred to as forward telegrams which are sent out from a control unit and are addressed to one or more lamp units. These constitute e.g. brightness commands, switch-on and switch-off commands, inquiries etc. Return telegrams, in contrast, constitute information, which is sent back from the lamp units in response to a forward telegram to the relevant control unit. Below, it can e.g. revolve around status information, transmission of measurement values or the like. Preferably, such a return telegram is only sent from the lamp unit when it has previously been encouraged to do so in a corresponding forward telegram. Finally, an I-telegram can then be sent from a lamp unit when a special event has taken place inside the lamp unit, e.g. a lamp defect, which must then be reported to the control center as soon as possible.

According to the second aspect according to the present invention, in a method for controlling electrical apparatus units, in particular lamp units, which can then exchange information over the entire common power supply network by means of a power line process, the condition that the transmission of this information finds place synchronized in mutually consecutive sending and receiving cycles, whereby a sending and receiving cycle is divided into at least two time sections, which will be referred to below as channels. A first time period is then determined for the transmission of control commands or interrogation commands to the electrical apparatus units, while the second time period, which is temporally separated from the first time period, is assigned to the transmission of operating or status information emanating from the electrical apparatus units.

Within one time cycle, a forward telegram and a return telegram can thus be accurately transmitted from any participant. If the following e.g. from the control unit, a system telegram is sent as a forward telegram to a specific lamp unit, e.g. to inquire about its current status, it is not necessary to wait for a response from the lamp unit in the form of a returned telegram before sending a further forward telegram, as the transmission of forward and return telegrams takes place independently of each other. Below this, high transmission rates can then be achieved even with longer durations for individual telegrams, as several telegrams can be transmitted at the same time.

The application telegrams preferably have a higher priority. In contrast to this, routine system telegrams for cyclical polling of the lamp units' operating states preferably run in the background. If it should be necessary for the control unit to send out a specific control command to a lamp unit, then this control unit will for this purpose interrupt the cyclical sending of interrogation commands.

Preferably, a transmission and reception cycle is even divided into three time periods, where the third time period is determined for the transmission of event messages, which are then sent out from an electrical unit, possibly a lamp unit. This asynchronous channel then ensures that these special event messages can be communicated to the control unit as soon as possible.

This second aspect according to the invention also applies to a control device for electrical apparatus units, possibly lamp units, and which exhibits sending and receiving units, by means of which these apparatus units can be supplied with information in accordance with a power line process for operating the electrical units from a control unit above the power supply network, under which these transmitting and receiving units are electrically synchronized with each other in the manner described above and a transmitting and receiving cycle is divided into at least two subsections, one of which time sections is determined for the transmission of control commands and inquiries to an electrical unit and the second, temporally separated time section is intended for the transmission of operating or status information from an electrical apparatus unit to the control unit.

Finally, this second aspect of the subject matter of the invention also applies to a lamp unit with an interface over which the operating information in connection with a power line process can be transferred over its power supply, whereby this interface is designed in such a way that within pre-determined sending and receiving cycles it receives, respectively sends out information over the power supply network, and where a sending and receiving cycle is divided into at least two time periods, of which one time period is reserved for the transmission of control commands and interrogation commands to the lamp units and the other time period is intended for the sending of operating or status information from the lamp units.

A third aspect according to the present invention finally concerns the ability of the lamp units to continue working independently during a disruption of the data transmission or failure to receive new commands. This is achieved according to the invention by a lamp unit storing at least part of the received information which, in the form of control commands, applies to the lamp unit's brightness control and independently repeatedly executes these stored commands, to the extent that they do not contain any different sounding information. The stored commands thus form an action list which is continuously further processed by the lamp unit, so that possible independent operation is ensured.

Collectively, it is then possible to adapt the light units in their autonomous working methods to the actual present day and season, as commands with a relative time indication with respect to the sun's height can be transmitted. Such a command can e.g. contain an instruction that ten minutes before sunset the lamp units must be switched on at 50% of their maximum brightness. To this end, the lamp units know their location data and contain an internal clock to determine the current time and date information. On the basis of this information, the lamp units can calculate the relevant sun height and thus also the actual time for execution of the relevant command.

A completion of this concept further consists in the fact that the light units are equipped with different sensors, which are able to perceive certain environmental parameters, such as e.g. the light conditions or the temperature conditions. This information can also be transmitted as corresponding information to a central unit when the various light units operate independently.

This third aspect according to the invention finally also concerns a lamp unit with an interface through which the present operating information with respect to a power line process can be transferred over its power supply, the lamp units having a storage for storing the information received in question, and which will then apply as control commands for brightness control of the units, and under which the lighting units are structured in such a way that they can execute these stored commands on their own, to the extent that the data storage does not contain any different sounding information.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, after which:

fig. 1 indicates an overall presentation of an outdoor lighting system

fig. 2 shows a diagram of the different communication levels in an embodiment of the lighting control system according to the invention,

fig. 3 shows a section of the outdoor lighting system according to the invention,

fig. 4 is a schematic sketch indicating the division of a transmit and receive cycle into three different channels, and

fig. 5 to 8 indicate a schematic representation of the transmission of propagation of telegrams within a network.

Based on these examples, the invention will refer to an outdoor lighting system, whose lamp units are controlled in accordance with the present invention. Today, the invention can be generally used for electrical appliances which are connected to a common power supply network and are controlled via this network. This can include active devices such as ventilators and the like as well as passive devices, e.g. sensors. In particular, it is conceivable to implement a network of sensors that transmit their measurement data to a central unit via the common power supply network.

In the following, first with reference to fig. 1 and 2 the overall structure of the lamp control device for controlling an outdoor lighting system will be described. The outdoor lighting system shown in fig. 1 then consists of several street lights L, which are connected to a common power supply network 1. Above this power supply network 1, the lamp units L are also connected to a network coupler 2, which then constitutes a local control unit for the outdoor lighting system. This mains coupler 2 then has the task of transmitting commands or the lamp units L, thereby e.g. to switch these on or off or to change their brightness in a specified way. In addition to this, the mains coupler 2 can ensure that the lamp units L report back information regarding their own status or measurement values recorded by the lamp units L. The communication between the mains coupler 2 and the lamp units 1 takes place using a power line method which will be described in detail later.

It connects 2 such as e.g. is arranged in advance in a switch cabinet can

in addition to this, also three in connection with superior management units, e.g. at the central server in an administration system 3, which in the present example in connection with street lighting e.g. can be located in an office for city administration, or in a monitoring center 4 for monitoring the functionality of the entire facility. Communication between the grid coupler 2 and the superior control units 3 and 4 then takes place by means of other data transfer processes and can be divided into several hierarchy levels, as e.g. is indicated in fig. 2. Here, the lowest hierarchy level in the outdoor lighting system consists of several mains couplers 2, each of which is connected via a local power supply network 1 to several lamp units L and can exchange data with these using the present power line process.

The mains coupler 2 is connected via series-connected data lines 5 to a communicator 6, which forms an intermediate level in the operational management structure. As an alternative to the serially connected data lines 5, communication can be established between the communicator 6 and the mains coupler 2 over a radio line connection. Several communicators 6 are finally connected to the central server in the administration facility 3, which then administers the facility as a whole. Communication between the administration facility 3 and the communicators 6 takes place over DFU connections, e.g. over the internet or radio line. In addition to this, a connection can be established with the central service point 4, which is responsible for monitoring and testing the facility's functionality.

An important aspect of the present invention concerns the power line communication between the mains coupler 2 and the lamp units connected to it. Here, a method is used which simply ensures reliable data transmission over the power supply network 1. This will then be discussed in more detail below.

In this connection, Fig. 3 shows a sub-unit in the outdoor lighting system, which then consists of a mains connector 2 and three lamp units Li to U which are connected to it. This connection is established over a power supply network 1, which firstly ensures power supply to the lamp units Li to U, and secondly is used for data transmission. For this purpose, each lamp unit Li to U has a transmitting and receiving unit Si to Sa, which then evaluates the data received over the power grid 1 and possibly passes this on, and also sends back operational information from the relevant lamp unit to the mains coupler 2.

For data transmission, a phase modulation (PSK - Phase Shift Keying) of a high-frequency carrier frequency of e.g. 104.2 kHz, which in turn is superimposed on the mains frequency on the power supply network 1. The information transmitted by means of the PSK modulation is time-wrapped in so-called telegrams, which can be coded from the transmitting and receiving units Si to S3 for the lamp units U to l_3 as well as from the mains switch. Each such telegram corresponds to established conventional rules and contains an address in which participating unit(s) the telegram in question is addressed to. In particular, it is then possible to control the lamp unit Li to I-3 individually or in groups.

The power line process described above is in principle already known and is therefore not to be described in more detail in the following. It is of significant importance, however, that the participating units 2 which are connected to the power supply network and Li to U are mutually synchronized, as it is thereby achieved that the zero crossing of the mains voltage can be used to build up channel grids. This synchronization is thus of importance as it makes it possible to define the different sending and receiving cycles, which can then be divided temporally into separate transmission sections, which in the following will be referred to as channels, as e.g. e.g. is shown in fig. 4. Each transmit and receive cycle is thus delimited by means of the zero crossing of the mains voltage, so that its duration corresponds to the duration of a half-wave of the alternating voltage on the mains.

A complete transmission and reception cycle then consists of three successive channels, namely a forward channel (F channel), a backward channel (B channel) and an intervening interruption channel (l channel). The network synchronization forms the time base for the division into three channels, whereby all three channels are triggered via a forward telegram that is received within the framework of the F channel. A B or I channel only needs to be offered in the event that a forward telegram has been received or the corresponding timer for the lamp units Li to U runs synchronously. Sending and forwarding of telegrams is also only possible for synchronously running sending and receiving units Si to S3. This avoids an unintentional asynchronous transmission from a sending and receiving unit Si to S3 which does not run synchronously. Furthermore, the sending and receiving units Si to S3 are in principle prepared to receive forward telegrams, which then leads to a corresponding synchronization.

Due to the division into the three previously described channels, a forward channel, a backward channel and an I-telegram can be simultaneously transmitted within a transmission cycle. Forward telegrams originate from the mains coupler 2 and are addressed to one or more lamp units Li to L3. Usually the forward telegrams contain a request to the lamp units Li to U to perform a certain process, e.g. switch on or off or assume a specific brightness level. This type of forward telegram thus applies to the brightness control of the outdoor lighting system and is thus referred to as a practical framework. In addition to this, the forward telegram can also contain a request to a lamp unit Li to L3 to maintain its current information status or report back other operating or measurement parameters. As this primarily concerns a data exchange with regard to the plant's functionality, such forward telegrams are also referred to as system telegrams

In contrast, a return telegram originates from a lamp unit U to U and then directs a feedback to the network coupler 2.1 in accordance with this, a lamp unit Li to U only generates a separate return telegram when it beforehand within a forward telegram, more precisely a system telegram, up- required for this. This can e.g. take place within the framework of a routine poll carried out within a Polling mechanism. As this query directly concerns the brightness control of the lamp units Li to U, compared to the user telegrams, they have a lower priority.

It is therefore essential that a lamp unit Li to U only produces a return telegram of its own accord and sends this into the power supply network when the relevant lamp unit has been called upon to do so. This is intended to prevent the lamp units Li to L3 arbitrarily and by themselves from generating telegrams and sending these into the power supply network 1. In contrast, a return telegram that is received within a sending and receiving cycle is in principle continued within a direct or immediately following sending and reception cycle to ensure a feedback to the mains coupler 2. The only condition for a continuation is that the corresponding sending and receiving unit Si to S3 run synchronously with the current lamp units Li to U.

The l-channel is finally used for the purpose of transmitting an unusual event from a lamp unit to the mains coupler 2. This can e.g. be necessary when a peculiar event occurs within a lamp unit l_itil U, e.g. an error or a boundary violation. Such an l-telegram then contains information about the lamp unit Li to U in which the fault in question has taken place, as well as an identification of the event, e.g. regarding what kind of error it is. In contrast to the return channel, this asynchronous l-channel can also be used by a lamp unit U to U when it is not invited to do so in advance, within the framework of a forward telegram. However, it must be something equally important

event. The same conditions apply to the forwarding of an I-telegram as for a return telegram, which means that for such forwarding, the relevant sending and receiving unit Si to S3 must run synchronously with the corresponding lamp units Li to L3.

Based on the possibility that a forward telegram, a return telegram and an I-telegram can be transferred within a sending and receiving cycle, the data throughput is significantly increased, then due to the separated time ranges, e.g. a forward telegram, cannot lead to the suppression or extinguishing of a return telegram. According to this, after it has sent out an inquiry command to a lamp unit Li to I-3, the mains coupler 2 must not wait for a response before it has sent a new command.

This ensures that e.g. a transmitted forward telegram from the mains coupler into the power supply network 1 also really arrives at the intended lamp unit L| to I-3, a special transfer process is used which will be discussed below. The problems with a power line process lie in the fact that the range of a power line network is actually limited due to the maximum permissible transmission level and occurring disturbances as well as the attenuation present. To therefore ensure that information fed into the network is also reliably recognized, a certain minimum value for the signal/noise ratio is, however, necessary. However, due to the physical properties of the power lines, attenuation can occur which results in the signal/noise ratio falling below this minimum value.

The known mechanism of bus systems for resolving collisions, based on which a participant can only transmit undisturbed when a dominant condition is created on the data bus, is then not possible with a power line process. The reason for this lies in the fact that the power supply network cannot be brought into such a dominant state that it can be recognized uniformly for all participants.

The solution to this problem according to the invention then consists in the individual sending and receiving units Si to S3 for the lamp units Li to U acting as so-called forwarding units and a telegram which is not exclusively intended for the relevant units is forwarded synchronously. Such forwarding of a telegram then takes place within a later or immediately following sending and receiving cycle and synchronously with the mains coupler 2 and the other sending and receiving units Si to S3.

If e.g. the mains coupler shown in fig. 3 sends a forward telegram which is intended for the third lamp unit U, then this telegram becomes within the first sending and receiving cycle e.g. exclusively received by the transmitting and receiving unit Si belonging to the directly adjacent lamp unit Li, and not, however, by the transmitting and receiving units S2 and S3 for the subsequent lamp units L2 and L3, as the attenuation in the power supply network 1 is too great for this to take place. In the subsequent sending and receiving cycle, the forward telegram is sent out again from the sending and receiving unit Si for the lamp unit Li into the power supply network 1 and accordingly recognized by the sending and receiving unit S2 for the middle lamp unit L2. Since, however, the telegram is also not intended for the middle lamp unit L2, the telegram is again fed into the power supply network in the subsequent cycle until it is finally received by the sending and receiving unit Sa for the addressed third lamp unit U-

This mechanism thus ensures that a telegram sent from the mains coupler 2 is also actually received in the addressed light unit. This is also the case when the light units are not connected one after the other as indicated, but are connected to each other over the network, so that it is then not necessary to specify the forwarding path for the telegram in advance as it spreads like an avalanche over the entire network.

In the thus described example, the lamp units Li to l_3 thus forward telegrams which have been received within a specific sending and receiving cycle within the immediately following time cycle. Alternatively, there is also the possibility that a telegram is only continued after a certain pause in a later sending and receiving cycle.

To prevent a once-sent telegram from running through the power supply network in repeated loops and thereby being repeated by the sending and receiving units, the telegrams display an index or the like by which they can be uniquely recognized. If this telegram is received again at a later time from a sending and receiving unit that has already previously forwarded the telegram, further forwarding is suppressed. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned example, in the lamp unit U for which the telegram was ordered, the relevant telegram is likewise not forwarded, however then only in the case where the telegram was exclusively intended for this lamp unit. If, however, the program is addressed to a group of lamp units, then each lamp unit will first pass on the telegram, as this is the only way to ensure that all light units actually receive the relevant telegram.

In the example described above, it was assumed that the incoming telegram from the mains coupler 2, respectively the sending and receiving units Si to S3 in the power supply network 1 is only received by the present neighboring units. However, it is also conceivable that an input telegram from the mains coupler 2 in the power supply network 1 is simultaneously received by the sending and receiving units Si and S2 for the two lamp units U and L2lda, both of which are located relatively close to the mains coupler 2. These sending and receiving units Si and S2 will then in the subsequent sending and receiving cycle both feed the telegram into the network. However, since they are mutually synchronized with each other, a mutual cancellation of the emitted signal from the two sending and receiving units Si and S2 is prevented. Thereby, by means of the concept according to the invention, the synchronized reinforced forwarding function is ensured for the individual lamp units, so that an entered telegram at a place in the network is reliably and securely received at the addressed place.

The advantages of the method just described will be discussed in more detail in the following with reference to fig. 1 to 8. Fig. 5 then schematically indicates the forwarding of a forward telegram in a network, where a vertically running axis indicates the time (within the sending and receiving cycle), while the horizontally running axis indicates the distance traveled by the telegram from the point of origin. This distance is then specified in so-called logical repetition steps and then corresponds to the number of repeated repetitions of a received telegram within one cycle as well as its continuation in the immediately following cycle.

In the given example, it is then assumed that a signal emitted from a unit is exclusively received by the adjacent neighboring unit. A double arrow then corresponds to the event that a telegram is sent out on the network, while a circle indicates that a network participant has been made ready for reception. In the given example, e.g. the grid coupler NK in cycle 0 a telegram destined for the grid participant 5, which is received isochronously by the neighboring participant 1.

However, since the telegram is intended for grid participant 5, grid participant 1 sends the telegram in question into the power grid a further time within cycle 1, whereby these are now, however, received by the nearest neighboring participant 2. This also sends the telegram in the following cycle 3 into the grid. At this time, participant 1 as well as participant 3 will send the telegram that is recorded by network participant 2. However, since participant 1 will recognize that it has already forwarded a telegram at an earlier time, the forwarding of the telegram in the following cycle 3 will exclusively be carried out by network participant 3, as network participant 1 preferably suppresses a further transmission. This forwarding of the telegram continues until the telegram has reached the addressed network participant 5, where this is indicated by a triangle.

Essential for the transmission process described is the fact that the network participants who are connected to a power network have a common time frame for sending telegrams. A synchronization can e.g. take place by means of a monitoring of the zero crossings of the mains voltage as well as by means of the telegram itself, as this e.g. is indicated in fig. 6. Below, in cycle 0, a telegram is fed into the network from the network coupler NK, and which, as previously described, spreads over the network and thereby ensures a synchronization of all network participants to the network coupler NK. This synchronization is additionally improved by the fact that the relevant synchronization teagram from the network coupler NK and the additional network participants is sent out in two time cycles that follow each other.

After the grid coupler NK has sent out the synchronization telegram a second time, a certain waiting time is still necessary in the given example with three time cycles, until a new telegram can be sent out to reliably determine that the previously sent signal has already propagated sufficiently and thus a sufficient synchronization has taken place. Also with this new signal, it will then be possible to carry out a certain number of repetitions in order to thereby increase the transmission security.

Fig. 7 now indicates the propagation of a forward telegram as well as the feedback over a return telegram, with all telegrams for improving the transmission security being repeated once.

Within time cycle 0, in the given example, the grid coupler NK sends out a system telegram, which is then addressed to grid participant 3, and this is then encouraged to report operational information. As in the previously stated examples, the forward telegram propagates in such a way that during cycle 2 it is fed from network participant 2 into the network and received by network participant 3, which is again indicated by the inscribed triangle. However, this network participant 3 does not forward this forward telegram in the subsequent time cycles 3 and 4, but instead sends out a return telegram which is addressed to the network coupler NK and contains the corresponding information. This return telegram now propagates in all directions on the network, until finally in time cycle 5 it is repeated by the first network participant and thereby can be received by the network coupler NK. Even earlier, however, the network coupler NK may have sent out an additional forward telegram, since due to the division of a time cycle into three channels, the forward and backward telegrams can run independently of each other in different transmission directions: This example thus makes it clear that when dividing a transmission and reception cycle in three mutually independent channels, the data throughput can be increased.

Fig. 8 finally shows a case where, due to an unusual event, the network participant 4 sends out a large l-telegram, which is then transmitted to the network coupler NK in the manner described above, regardless of the indicated forward or backward telegrams.

The examples given clearly indicate that a forwarding of telegrams can take place until these are finally received by the relevant addressees. As forward, backward and l-telegrams are propagated independently of each other, high data throughput is thus ensured.

The thus described data traffic using power line communication takes place exclusively between a mains coupler and the lamp units which are connected via a power grid. The further data transfers, on the other hand, take place using other communication techniques, which will be described in more detail below. In order to be able to influence the individual lamp units individually or collectively in groups, the lamp units display an operating address, which is then divided into a corresponding group and individual address. This operating address may then contain special information instructions with regard to the lamp units' geographical location. As indicated in fig. 1, the lamp units in the outdoor lighting system can then be displayed on a graphic surface on an image screen in the central server 3.1 in addition, the state of the individual lamp units can be indicated, e.g. its current brightness status and other information indicating the functional capacity of the individual lamp units.

The production on a graphic surface offers the possibility, in a particularly simple and visible way, to come into contact with a certain part of the lamp units in order to transmit individual commands to them. For this purpose, the desired lamp units, respectively the corresponding area, can be marked using an input device, e.g. a mouse. The lamp units located within the marked area then automatically receive the desired instructions. In this way, the operation of the outdoor lighting system can be controlled in a particularly simple way.

In order to determine the position of the individual lamp units L, the whole can be arranged so that each light contains a suitable GPS receiver, which makes it possible to achieve an accurate position determination. The corresponding data can be fed back over the various communication steps all the way to the central server 3 or the monitoring center 4. However, in order to save the costs for a suitable GPS receiver, however, the whole thing can also be arranged so that the lamp units L, as indicated in fig. 2, can be connected to a suitable GPS device 7, so that e.g. during installation the corresponding location data for the lamp L can be stored.

In addition to this, the stored location data in the lamp units L can also be used for a further function of the lamp units L according to the invention. These have the ability to work independently up to a certain degree of independence in the event that they do not contain any commands. This is then made possible by enabling the lamp units L to work independently as long as no new commands have been received. For this purpose, the lamp units L contain an internal clock that ensures punctual execution of what is on the task list, so that a certain lamp unit L e.g. in the evening at 20.00 independently connects and at 07.00 in the morning disconnects further. The synchronization of the internal clock can e.g. take place using time data that is transmitted over the power grid.

A further improvement of this so-called free-running function is achieved by the fact that no time-fixed commands are transmitted, but exclusively time-relative commands that relate to the current position of the sun. For this purpose, the position data received via the GPS unit 7 can be used together with the time and data indications that can be produced with the help of the clock. Based on this data, the current solar position can be calculated, so that the lamp units L e.g. half an hour before sunset is automatically switched on with a brightness equivalent to 50% of the maximum achievable brightness. At the time of sunset, this brightness can then be changed to a maximum value.

In addition to calculating the position of the sun or alternatively in this, the lamp units L can, however, also have a light sensor 8 of the type indicated in fig. 2 and 3, and whose input signal is taken into account when controlling the brightness of the lamp units L. The data obtained from the light sensor 8 can further be transmitted within the framework of a cyclic query by the central server 3, in order to be able to take consideration of the corresponding information for managing the facility.

In addition to this, the lamp units L can also contain other sensors for recognizing ambient parameters, e.g. the current temperature or the like.

The sensor indicated in fig. 2 and 3 can usually be arranged for recognition of environmental parameters, which can then be taken into account when executing commands. For example, the relevant sensor can also be used to derive the current temperature or the presence of fog. Finally, it would also be conceivable to install a tilt sensor, which could then serve to determine whether the lamp units due to external influences, e.g. an accident or the like, has been injured or brought into a leaning position.

The task list for the previously described free-running function for the lamp units L is, as described, created by the lamp unit L storing the most recently received commands during normal operation. Alternatively, the free-running function can be purposefully implemented so that the lamp units L are immediately added to a corresponding task list at the start of their operation. In conclusion to this, however, no further commands follow. The lamp units L then work independently until they somehow come to contain new commands. Input of a corresponding task list can alternatively also take place over a power line interface to which, for example, is connected to a laptop computer 9 or similar. In this way, the lamp units L can be programmed independently of an outdoor lighting system and then work independently.

The outdoor lighting system according to the invention is thus distinguished by the multifaceted functionality of the individual lamp units, which can then, under the consideration of corresponding environmental parameters, work independently to a high degree, at the same time, however, they will also be suitable for extensive data exchange with other lamp units and a central control unit. Based on the amplifying repetition function for the lamp units, it also becomes possible to achieve a reliable data transmission over large distances on the power grid, without additional data transmission lines being necessary for this purpose.

Claims (20)

1. Method for controlling electrical appliances, in particular lamp devices (L) which are connected to a common power supply network (1), where these electrical appliances exchange information via a power line process over the power supply network (1) and the electrical appliances are synchronized with each other on a in such a way that they receive, respectively send out, information in predetermined sending and receiving cycles, characterized by the fact that such a sending and receiving cycle is divided into at least two time periods, of which a first time period is provided for the transmission of control commands, or interrogation commands to the electrical appliances, as well as a further time section, which is temporally separated from the first time section, is provided for the transmission of operating or status information from the electrical appliances. 2. Procedure as stated in claim 1, characterized in that, during the first time period, a control unit (2) cyclically transmits inquiry commands to the electrical devices connected to the power supply network (1) to inquire about their operating status. 3. Procedure as stated in claim 2, characterized in that the control unit (2) interrupts the cyclical sending of interrogation commands in order to be able to send out a control command to an electrical device. 4. Procedure as specified in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a sending and receiving cycle is divided into three time periods, where the third time period is intended for the transmission of event messages sent out from an electrical device. 5. Procedure as specified in requirements 1 to 4 characterized in that each electrical device sends information that is received within one transmission and reception cycle, back out onto the power supply network (1) within an indirect or direct subsequent transmission and reception cycle. 6. Procedure as stated in claim 5, characterized in that each electrical device sends information that is received within one transmission and reception cycle, back out onto the power supply network (1) either indirectly or directly within a subsequent transmission and reception cycle only in the event that this information is not exclusively intended for the electrical device in question device itself. 7. Procedure as stated in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the electrical device sends information which is to be passed on for a predetermined number of consecutive sending and receiving cycles, into the power supply network (1). 8. Procedure as stated in claims 5 to 7, characterized in that an electrical device does not resend information into the power supply network (1) if the device has already forwarded this information at an earlier time. 9. Method for controlling a lamp device (L) where information for the operation of this device (L) can be transmitted from a power supply (1) from a control unit (2) using a method as stated in to any of the above specified requirements by means of a power line process, characterized in that the lamp device (L) stores at least part of the received information, namely that which applies to control commands for brightness control of the lamp device (L), and repeats this stored command independently to the extent that it does not receive some conflicting information. 10. Procedure as stated in claim 9, characterized in that the control commands sent to the lamp device (L) contain a relative time indication with respect to the position of the sun, from which the lamp device (L) calculates the actual time for carrying out a command. 11. Procedure as stated in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the lamp device (L) takes environmental parameters into account when executing control commands. 12. Procedure as stated in claim 11, characterized in that the lamp device (L) takes account of the light level in the surroundings when executing control commands. 13. Control system for electrical devices, in particular for lamp devices (L), which are connected to a common power supply network (1), where this control system has at least one control unit (2) which can also be connected to the power supply network (1), as well as sending and receiving units (S) which by means of a power line process exchanges information with the control unit (2) over the relevant power supply network (1), and each of which can be assigned to an electrical device, and where the sending and receiving units (S) for the electrical devices are synchronized with each other in such a way that within predetermined sending and receiving cycles they can receive information from the power supply network (1), respectively send out information in this, characterized in that a sending and receiving cycle is divided into at least two time sections, of which one time section is used for the transmission of control commands, respectively interrogation commands to an electrical device, and the second time section, which is temporally separated from the first section, is used for the transmission of operating - and status information from an electrical device to the control unit (2). 14. Control system as stated in claim 13, characterized in that the sending and receiving units (S) for forwarding information have a repeat function, so that the information received in one sending and receiving cycle is sent out again in the power supply network (1) in an indirect or direct subsequent sending and reception cycle. 15. A lamp device which exhibits an interface through which the device can transmit operating information via a power line method via its power supply (1), and where the interface is arranged in such a way that it can receive or send out within pre-determined sending and receiving cycles information on the power supply (1), characterized by the fact that a sending and receiving cycle is divided into at least two time periods, of which one time period is intended for the transmission of control commands, respectively interrogation commands to the lamp device (L) and the other time period is intended for sending operating or status information from the lamp device (L). 16. Lamp device (L) as stated in claim 15, characterized in that the lamp device (L) is provided for use in a lighting system comprising a plurality of lamp devices connected to a common power supply network (1) and that a sending and receiving unit (S) which has an interface for transmitting the information has a repeat function, such that the information received in one transmission and reception cycle is sent out again in the power supply network (1) in an indirect or direct subsequent transmission and reception cycle. 17. Lamp device as stated in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the lamp device (L) has a storage for storing the received information that applies as a control command for brightness control of the lamp device, and in that the lamp device is arranged in such a way that it is able to independently execute these stored commands, possibly also repeatedly, to the extent that it does not contain any conflicting information. 18. Lamp device as stated in claim 17, characterized in that this shows a time indicator, so that the lamp device (L) based on time information is able to calculate the actual time for executing a command based on the location information. 19. Lamp device as stated in claim 17, characterized in that it exhibits a device (7) for storing location information. 20. Lamp device as specified in one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that it has a sensor (8) for recording ambient parameters.