Method of isolating data in a power line communications network

• US 20010045888A1
• Filed: 01/19/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Kline, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,977,578 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/310.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

Isolating data in a power line communications system. Although plural subscribers receive electric power distributed from a common distribution transformer, it is desirable to isolate their branch lines from one another when those branch lines are used to conduct data communications as a supplement to electric power delivery. This isolation of branch lines is implemented in a centralized way at the distribution transformer, or alternatively, in a distributed way at each subscriber'"'"'s premises. These implementations are made using low pass filters (which pass the power but block the data) and power line communications routers or power line communications repeaters.

Claims

1. A system for providing network communications isolation in a branch line connecting a subscriber device at a subscriber premises to a network, the system comprising:

an electric power distribution transformer;

a branch line connected between the transformer and the subscriber'"'"'s premises;

a low pass filter connected in the branch line at a location adjacent the transformer;

a power line communications router connected to the network and coupled to the branch line at a location adjacent the filter, on the subscriber side of the filter;

wherein, when the subscriber device is coupled to the branch line, the subscriber device is coupled to the network and is isolated from the transformer by the filter.

2. A network coupler to provide network communications isolation in a branch line connected to a subscriber premises through an electric power meter, the network coupler comprising:

a low pass filter coupled to the branch line adjacent to the power meter; and

power line communications repeater connected to the branch line across the low pass filter.

3. The network coupler of

claim 2

, wherein the low pass filter is disposed on the subscriber side of the power meter.

4. The network coupler of

claim 3

, wherein the power line communications repeater is connected across both the low pass filter and the power meter.

5. The network coupler of

claim 2

, wherein the low pass filter is disposed on the transformer side of the power meter.

6. The network coupler of

claim 5

, wherein the power line communications repeater is connected across both the low pass filter and the power meter.

7. A network coupler to provide network communications isolation in a branch line connected to a subscriber premises through an electric power meter, the network coupler comprising:

a low pass filter coupled to the branch line adjacent to the power meter; and

power line communications repeater connected to the branch line across both the low pass filter and the power meter.

8. A network isolator to provide network communications isolation in a branch line connected to a subscriber premises through an electric power meter, the isolation being provided between a network located at the subscriber premises a transformer connected to the branch line, the network isolator comprising:

a low pass filter coupled to the branch line adjacent to the power meter, wherein the low pass filter is disposed on the subscriber side of the power meter.

9. A network isolator to provide network communications isolation in a branch line connected to a subscriber premises through an electric power meter, the isolation being provided between a network located at the subscriber premises a transformer connected to the branch line, the network isolator comprising:

a low pass filter coupled to the branch line adjacent to the power meter, wherein the low pass filter is disposed on the transformer side of the power meter.