Multi-unit power line communications system and method

• US 20060222086A1
• Filed: 03/27/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Frye, Bernard F. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,561,867 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/257
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/58 Repeater circuits

Abstract

A power line communications system and method for multi-dwelling unit structures that provides broadband communications for internet access, voice over IP (VoIP), streaming video, audio, and other high speed applications and services is provided. One example embodiment includes a first communication device comprising an upstream port and a downstream port. The embodiment also includes a plurality of second communication devices with each second communication device configured to provide communications to user devices located on a different floors. The second communication devices may each include a low voltage power line port configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via a low voltage power line and a second port for communicating with the first communication device. The first and second devices may also include router functionality.

Claims

1. A system for providing power line communications to units in a plurality of floors of a structure, wherein each floor includes one or more one low voltage power line;

the system comprising;

a first communication device comprising an upstream port and a downstream port;

a plurality of second communication devices, wherein each of said second communication devices is configured to provide communications to user devices located on a different one of said plurality of floors;

wherein each of said plurality of second communication devices includes a low voltage power line port configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via a low voltage power line;

wherein each of said plurality of second communication devices includes second port; and

wherein each of said second communication devices is communicatively coupled to said first communication device via said second port.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each said second communication device includes a first modem coupled to said power line port and a router communicatively coupled to said first modem.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first communication device includes a router communicatively coupled to said upstream port and said downstream port.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device includes a router communicatively coupled to said upstream port and said downstream port.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said upstream port of said first communication device includes a fiber optic transceiver.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device includes a satellite receiver.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said upstream port of said first communication device includes a first wireless transceiver.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a third communication device coupled to a power line and including a second wireless transceiver configured to communicate with said first communication device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said third communication device is coupled to a medium voltage power line.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third communication device including a wireless transceiver configured to provide communications to a plurality of user devices;

and

wherein said third communication device includes a device port configured to communicate with said first communication device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device is coupled to said plurality of second communication devices via at least one repeater.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device is coupled to said plurality of second communication devices via a low voltage power line.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device is coupled to said plurality of second communication devices via a non-power line medium.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device is located at the structure.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device is located remote from the structure.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third communication device configured to communicate over a medium voltage power line and communicatively coupled to said first communication device.

17. A system for providing power line communications to a plurality user devices in a plurality of units in a plurality of floors of a structure, wherein each floor includes one or more one low voltage power line, the system comprising:

a first communication device comprising an upstream port and a downstream port;

a plurality of second communication devices, wherein each of said second communication devices is configured to provide communications to a different one of said plurality of floors;

wherein each said second communication device includes a second port and a low voltage power line port configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via a low voltage power line;

wherein each said second communication device includes a first modem coupled to said power line port and a router communicatively coupled to said first modem;

wherein each of said plurality of second communication devices is communicatively coupled to said first communication device via said second port;

a third communication device including a first wireless transceiver configured to provide communications to a plurality of user devices; and

wherein said third communication device includes a port configured to communicate with said first communication device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said first communication device includes a router communicatively coupled to said upstream port and said downstream port.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said upstream port of said first communication device includes a second wireless transceiver.

20. A method of providing communications to a plurality of user devices located in a plurality of units in a plurality of floors of a structure, wherein each floor includes one or more one low voltage power lines, the method comprising:

receiving the first data at a first device via a first communication link;

transmitting the first data to one or more of a plurality of second devices from the first device, wherein each of the plurality of second devices is coupled to the low voltage power lines of a different floor of the structure;

receiving the first data at the one or more second devices;

routing the first data at the one or more second devices;

transmitting the first data to one or more user devices via a low voltage power line from the one or more second devices;

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving second data at one of the plurality of second devices;

prioritizing the second data;

transmitting the second from the one second device; and

receiving the second data at the first device.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said the first communication link comprises a wireless link.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said the first communication link comprises a power line link.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein routing the first data comprises providing a first data packet that comprises the first data and a destination address of the one or more user devices.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising at the first device, providing a first data packet that comprises the first data and a destination address of the one or more second devices.