Method and apparatus for attaching power line communications to customer premises
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for modifying a three-phase power distribution network in a building in order to provide data communication by using a Power Line Carrier (PLC) signal to an approximate electrical central location point of the power distribution system remote from the data entry point of the building. A passive coupler device is attached to a centrally located service panel. The passive coupler receives the Power Line Carrier (PLC) signal from the remote entry point in the building and conditions the signal for entry at the service panel onto each phase of the three phase power distribution network.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1-38. -38. (canceled)
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39. A communication network configured to provide communications services over a power-line network residing in a building, the network comprising:
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a communication device;
an electronic network coupled to the communication device and further coupled to the power-line network, wherein the electronic network includes one or more carrier current couplers each providing an electrical interface between the communication device and a respective power wire of the power-line network; and
a plurality of terminals coupled to the power-line network;
wherein the communication device and the plurality of terminals form a communication network having a hub-and spoke network LAN topology over the power-line network with the communication device acting as a hub to rely messages between the plurality of terminals. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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42-1. The communication network of claim 41, wherein the power-line network is a three-phase power network, and wherein the three-phase power network includes at least three power wires each corresponding to a respective phase of the three-phase power network.
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48. A method for interfacing a communication with a power-line network, the method comprising:
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coupling a first communication device to the power-line network; and
providing a at least a first communication signal from the first communication device to a plurality of terminals electrically coupled to the power-line network, wherein the terminals are configured to communicate with the first communication device over the power-line network such that the first communication device and the terminals form a hub-and-spoke LAN topology with the power-line network acting as a communication conduit between the first communication device and the terminals. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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53. A communication network configured to provide communications services over a power-line network residing in a building, the network comprising:
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a communication device;
coupling means for coupling the communication device to the power-line network; and
a plurality of terminals;
wherein the communication device and the plurality of terminals form a communication network having a hub-and spoke network LAN topology using the power-line network and the electronic network as a communication conduit. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56)
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Specification