Apparatus, method and system for range extension of a data communication signal on a high voltage cable
First Claim
1. A reconditioning system for a communication signal using a high voltage (HV) cable and a neutral cable of a power distribution system as a communication channel wherein the HV cable and neutral cable simultaneously distribute electrical power and the communication signal, the system comprising:
- a low-pass filter with two ports coupled to the cables, the filter passing low-freqency electrical power current and blocking the communication signal wherein the low-pass filter is comprised of one or more ferrites coupled around the HV cable; and
a coupler attached to one port of the low-pass filter and attached to an input of a reconditioner wherein the reconditioner receivers the communication signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reconditioning system for extending the reach of a RF communication signal using a high voltage cable and a neutral conductor as a communication channel. A reconditioner of the reconditioning system is either a repeater or a regenerator and is coupled to the high voltage cable using novel high voltage couplers. The system has an isolation filter for segmenting the high voltage cable in order to limit interference of RF signals on different parts of the high voltage cable.
59 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A reconditioning system for a communication signal using a high voltage (HV) cable and a neutral cable of a power distribution system as a communication channel wherein the HV cable and neutral cable simultaneously distribute electrical power and the communication signal, the system comprising:
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a low-pass filter with two ports coupled to the cables, the filter passing low-freqency electrical power current and blocking the communication signal wherein the low-pass filter is comprised of one or more ferrites coupled around the HV cable; and
a coupler attached to one port of the low-pass filter and attached to an input of a reconditioner wherein the reconditioner receivers the communication signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for extending the range of an RF communication system having an RF communication signal wherein a high voltage (HV) cable and a neutral cable of a power distribution system form a communication channel, the method comprising the steps of:
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dividing the HV cable into a first RF segment and a second RF segment wherein the segments are RF isolated;
coupling the first RF segment to a first port a reconditioner;
reconditioning the RF signal; and
coupling a reconditioned signal from a second port of the reconditioner to the second RF segment. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communication system with an apparatus for isolating RF signals on a communication channel formed by a HV cable and a neutral cable of a power distribution system;
- the apparatus comprising;
an upstream source having a first RF signal on the HV cable;
a downstream source having a second RF signal on the HV cable; and
a low-pass filter coupled to the communication channel for electrically isolating the first RF signal from the second RF signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
- the apparatus comprising;
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16. A method for splitting a communication channel into RF isolated segments where the communication channel is formed from a HV cable and a neutral cable of a power distribution system, the method comprising the steps of:
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identifying a first and second end for each segment;
installing one or more ferrites where the ends of each segment meet; and
coupling one or more capacitors between the HV cable and the neutral cable where the ends of the segments meet so that the ferrites and the capacitor form a ladder structure.
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17. A reconditioning system for communication signals using three high voltage (HV) cables and a neutral cable of a power distribution system as communication channels wherein each HV cable and neutral cable simultaneously distribute electrical power and the communication signals, the system comprising:
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a low-pass filter for each of the communication channels, the filters having two ports, the filters pass low-frequency electrical power current and block communication signals wherein each low-pass filter is comprised of one or more ferrites coupled to the HV cables; and
a coupler attached to each of the communication channels for coupling the communication signals to respective input ports of a conditioner wherein the conditioner has multiple output ports for forwarding reconditioned communication signals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for RF by-passing a power factor correction capacitor on a high voltage (HV) cable of a power distribution system and directing a communication signal to a reconditioner, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of ferrites clamped on a cable that couples the HV cable to one terminal of the capacitor; and
a coupler connected to the HV cable for coupling the communication signal to the reconditioner. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for coupling a RF communication signal on a HV transmission cable to a HV distribution cable wherein the cables are power system coupled via a distribution substation:
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isolating the RF communication signal on the transmission cable from the distribution substation;
blocking RF energy from coupling between the distribution substation and the distribution cable; and
coupling a reconditioner to the transmission cable and sending a reconditioned signal to the distribution cable.
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25. A reconditioning circuit for a PLCC where a high voltage (HV) cable and a neutral form a communication channel for a communication signal and where the HV cable simultaneously transports low frequency current for electrical power and the communication signal, the reconditioning circuit comprising:
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a low-pass filter coupled to the HV cable and the neutral;
two RF couplers connected to opposite ends of the low-pass filter;
a reconditioner connected between the other ends of the couplers, the reconditioner comprising at least amplifiers for boosting the communication signals strength. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification