Power line communication apparatus and method of using the same
First Claim
1. A communication device for communicating data around a transformer, the transformer having a first winding coupled to a first conductor and a second winding coupled to a second conductor, the communication device comprising:
- a first conductor interface communicatively coupled to the first conductor and comprising a first modem;
a second conductor interface communicatively coupled to the second conductor and comprising a second modem;
a controller communicatively coupled to said first conductor interface and said second conductor interface and comprising a processor and a memory; and
wherein said first conductor interface and said second conductor interface form at least a portion of a data path between the first conductor and the second conductor bypassing the transformer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a communication device for use with a power line communication system. One embodiment of the present invention forms a bypass device and comprises a LV coupler, a LV signal conditioner, a controller, a MV modem, a first MV signal conditioner, an isolator, a second MV signal conditioner, and a MV coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A communication device for communicating data around a transformer, the transformer having a first winding coupled to a first conductor and a second winding coupled to a second conductor, the communication device comprising:
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a first conductor interface communicatively coupled to the first conductor and comprising a first modem;
a second conductor interface communicatively coupled to the second conductor and comprising a second modem;
a controller communicatively coupled to said first conductor interface and said second conductor interface and comprising a processor and a memory; and
whereinsaid first conductor interface and said second conductor interface form at least a portion of a data path between the first conductor and the second conductor bypassing the transformer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A bypass device for communicating data around a transformer, the transformer having a primary winding coupled to a medium voltage power line and a secondary winding coupled to a low voltage power line, the bypass device comprising:
a low voltage interface communicatively coupled to the low voltage power line and comprising;
a first filter, an first amplifier in communication with said first filter, and a first modem in communication with said first amplifier;
a medium voltage interface communicatively coupled to the medium voltage power line and comprising;
a second filter, a second amplifier in communication with said second filter, a second modem in communication with said second amplifier, and a controller in communication with said medium voltage interface and said low voltage interface and comprising;
a memory storing program code therein, and a processor configured to execute said program code. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A communication device for communicating data around a transformer, the transformer having a primary coupled to a medium voltage power line and a secondary coupled to a low voltage power line, the communication device comprising:
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a first coupling device communicatively coupled to the medium voltage power line;
a first modem in communication with said first coupling device; and
a first media access controller in communication with said first modem. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method of using a transformer bypass device to communicate data over a power distribution system comprising a medium voltage power line and a low voltage power line electrically coupled together by a transformer, the method comprising:
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receiving a first data packet from the medium voltage power line;
determining a first destination address of said data packet;
comparing said first destination address of said first data packet with at least one address; and
transmitting said first data packet through the low voltage power line if said first destination address corresponds to said address. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification