Intelligent, self-aware powerline conditioning and communication node

• US 20060072621A1
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V. (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: Brion Ebert, Michael Macaluso, Oleg Logvinov
• Inventors: Ebert, Brion, Logvinov, Oleg, Macaluso, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,804,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/480
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

Powerline networks are inherently noisy and subject to power surges, spikes, and other events. Devices exist to combat these issues and protect electrical appliances that are connected downstream from the power sources for theses devices, but these devices usually also severely limit data communication that may also be desired on this network. This invention provides an intelligent, self-aware powerline conditioning and communication node that allows for, or even improves, data communication on the network, and still provides for noise reduction, line filtering, and surge protection for downstream electrical appliances.

Claims

1. A Powerline Communication Node (PCN), comprising of a Powerline Communication Device (PCD) with a Local Power Source (LPS), and further comprising a pass-through power feed that is further equipped with a Power Conditioning Circuit (PCC).

2. The PCC of claim 1, wherein the PCC is capable of filtering out noise from the devices connected to the User Side Power Interface (USPI).

3. The PCC of claim 1, wherein the PCC is capable of improving the channel transfer function, wherein the channel is assumed to be the powerline between one respective PCN and another respective PCN connected at a different point of the powerline infrastructure.

4. The PCC of claim 1, wherein the PCC is capable of performing the functions described in claims 2 and 3.

5. The PCN of claim 1, wherein the PCN is implemented as a plug-in device.

6. The PCN of claim 1, wherein the PCN is implemented as an in-wall outlet.

7. The PCN of claim 1, wherein the PCN is implemented as a power strip.

8. The PCN of claim 1, wherein the PCN is implemented as a surge suppressor strip.

9. The PCN of claim 1, wherein the PCN is implemented as an in-line device.

10. The PCN of claim 1, wherein the PCN mitigates the impacts of the LPS.

11. The PCN of claim 1, wherein the PCN mitigates the impacts of the LPS and devices connected to the USI.

12. The PCN of claim 1, wherein the PCN is capable of performing the functions described in claim 11, and its associated PCC is capable of performing the functions described in claim 4.