Local area network of serial intelligent cells

• US 20070195719A1
• Filed: 04/26/2007
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 8,908,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/276
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/02 providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/908 Local area network

Abstract

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC'"'"'s interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC'"'"'s is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC'"'"'s to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services. The network can use dedicated wiring, as well as existing wiring as the in-house telephone or electrical wiring.

Claims

1. A device for coupling data signals and power to a plurality of cables, for use with at least first, second and third point-to-point cables each comprising at least one twisted wire pair and simultaneously carrying DC power and digital data signals, said device comprising:

a first connector for connecting to one end of said first cable;

a first modem coupled to said first connector for full-duplex serial digital data communication over said first cable;

a first transformer coupled to pass only digital data signals between said first connector and said first modem;

a second connector for connecting to one end of said second cable;

a second modem coupled to said second connector for full-duplex serial digital data communication over said second cable;

a second transformer coupled to pass only digital data signals between said second connector and said second modem;

a third connector for connecting to one end of said third cable;

a third modem coupled to said third connector for full-duplex digital data communication over said third cable;

a power supply for providing DC power; and

a single enclosure housing said first, second and third connectors, said first, second and third modems, said first and second transformers and said power supply,

wherein;

said third modem is coupled to said first modem for passing digital data signals between said third and first cables;

said third modem is coupled to said second modem for passing digital data signals between said third and second cables;

said power supply is coupled to said first and second connectors for supplying DC power to said first and second cables; and

said device is addressable in a network.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source for receiving power from the power source, the power connector being coupled to power at least said power supply.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device enclosure is wall mountable in a building.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein in said twisted wire pair of at least one of said first and second cables is connected to carry only DC power.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein DC power is carried over a respective cable using distinct, dedicated wiring.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the DC power and data signals are carried over the same wire pairs in at least one of said cables.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the DC power and digital data signals are carried frequency multiplexed over at least one of said cables.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device has a manually assigned address

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device has an address assigned by a unit communicating with the device.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said transformers is a center tapped transformer.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further connectable to one or more data terminal equipments (DTE).

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the digital data signals includes a digitized telephony signal.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said device is connectable to a telephone unit

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further addressable in a Local Area Network (LAN).

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one of said modems is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver;

at least one of said connectors is a Local Area Network (LAN) connector; and

at least one cable is a LAN cable.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein:

at least one of said modems is an Ethernet transceiver; and

at least one of said connectors is an Ethernet connector.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the cables is connected to perform packet-based digital data communication.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein communication over said first cable is independent of communication over said second cable.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

said device further functions as a multiplexer; and

at least one of said connectors is connected to a high data rate connection whose bandwidth is multiplexed to at least one other of said connectors.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

digital data carried over the third cable comprises distinct first and second digital data streams; and

said device is operative to pass only the first digital data stream between said first and third cables and to pass only the second digital data stream between said second and third cables.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

said device further functions as a repeater; and

digital data received from a cable in one connector is transmitted to another cable via another connector.

23. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first power coupler coupled to pass only DC power from said power supply to said first connector for coupling DC power into said first cable; and

a second power coupler coupled to pass only DC power from said power supply to said second connector for coupling DC power into said second cable.

24. A system for carrying DC power and digital data signals over multiple cables for use with at least one equipment that is a source or destination of data, said system comprising:

first, second and third devices, each of said devices containing at least one power consuming circuit; and

first and second point-to-point cables in a building, each of said cables comprising at least two conductors, said first cable being connected for coupling said first and second devices to form a first digital data bi-directional communication link and said second cable being connected for coupling said first and third devices to form a second digital data bi-directional communication link;

wherein;

each of said first and second cables is connected to simultaneously carry both power and data signals;

each of said devices is either an equipment that is a source or destination of data, or is connectable to an equipment that is a source or destination of data;

at least a first one of said devices is connectable to a power source for coupling the power source to said first and second cables; and

at least two of said devices are powered only by power carried over the respective cable connected to said devices.

25. The system according to claim 24 wherein at least one of said devices is wall mountable in a building.

26. The system according to claim 24 wherein communication over said first communication link does not preclude communication over said second communication link.

27. The system according to claim 24, wherein the same protocol is used on both said first and second communication links.

28. The system according to claim 24, wherein at least part of at least one of said first and second cables is in at least one wall of a building and is connected via an outlet.

29. The system according to claim 24, wherein the DC power and digital data signals are carried in at least one of said cables over separate wires.

30. The system according to claim 24, wherein the DC power and digital data signals are carried in at least one of said cables over the same wires.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein the DC power and digital data signals are carried frequency multiplexed over at least one of said cables.

32. The system according to claim 24, wherein at least one of said devices is addressable in a network.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein said at least one of said devices has a manually assigned address.

34. The system according to claim 32, wherein said at least one of said devices has an automatically assigned address.

35. The system according to claim 32, wherein said at least one of said devices has an address assigned by a data terminal equipment (DTE) communicating with said at least one of said devices.

36. The system according to claim 24, wherein at least one of said communication links is connected to carry a digitized telephony signal.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein at least one of said devices is further a telephone unit or is connectable to a telephone unit.

38. A device for coupling first, second and third cables in a building, each cable comprising at least one twisted wire pair and being connected in a point-to-point configuration, and each cable being connected for carrying a respective one of first, second and third full-duplex digital data signals, said device further being operative for supplying power to at least one of the twisted wire pairs, said device comprising:

a first connector for connecting to the first cable;

a first transceiver coupled to said first connector for full-duplex packet-based point-to-point digital data communication over the first cable;

a second connector for connecting to the second cable;

a second transceiver coupled to said second connector for full-duplex packet-based point-to-point digital data communication over the second cable;

a third connector for connecting to the third cable;

a third transceiver coupled to said second connector for full-duplex packet-based point-to-point digital data communication over the third cable;

a DC power supply coupled to said first and second connectors for supplying DC power to be carried over the first and second cables; and

a single enclosure housing said first, second and third connectors, said first, second and third transceivers and said DC power supply,

wherein;

said first, second and third transceivers are coupled to pass digital data between said connectors for coupling digital data signals between said cables; and

said device is addressable in a network.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein the digital data signals carried over one of the cables is independent of digital data signals carried over the other cables.

40. The device according to claim 38, wherein:

said device is further operative as a multiplexer; and

at least one of said connectors is connected to a high data rate connection whose bandwidth is multiplexed to at least one other of said connectors.

41. The device according to claim 38, wherein:

the digital data signals carried over the third cable comprises distinct first and second digital data streams; and

said device is operative to pass only the first digital data stream between the first and third cables and to pass only the second digital data stream between the second and third cables.

42. The device according to claim 38, wherein:

said device is further operative as a repeater; and

digital data signals received from a cable at one connector is transmitted to another cable via another connector.

43. The device according to claim 38, wherein said device has a manually assigned address.

44. The device according to claim 38, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

45. The device according to claim 38, wherein said device has an address that is assigned by a unit coupled to said device through a local area network.

46. The device according to claim 38, wherein:

the cables are local area network cables; and

said connectors are local area network connectors.

47. The device according to claim 38, wherein:

said connectors are Ethernet connectors; and

said transceivers are Ethernet transceivers.

48. The device according to claim 38, wherein said device is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

49. The device according to claim 38, wherein said device is wall-mountable in a building.

50. The device according to claim 38, wherein said device is mountable into an outlet cavity.

51. The device according to claim 38, further comprising a fourth connector for receiving a power signal, and wherein said DC power supply is connected to be powered by the power signal.

52. The device according to claim 51, wherein:

said fourth connector is connectable to receive an AC power signal; and

said power supply is an AC/DC power supply.

53. The device according to claim 38, wherein the DC power is carried over at least one of the cables using one or more dedicated twisted wire pairs separated from one or more other twisted wire pairs carrying a full duplex digital data signal.

54. The device according to claim 38, wherein DC power and full duplex data signals are carried together over the same wires.

55. The device according to claim 54, further comprising one or more transformers coupled for passing only digital data signals between one of said connectors connected to a cable carrying DC power and the respective transceiver coupled to said one of said connectors.

56. The device according to claim 38, further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control all said modems.

57. The device according to claim 38, further comprising a current limiter coupled between said DC power supply and said first connector for limiting DC current flow into the first cable.

58. The device according to claim 57 wherein said current limiter is a fuse.

59. The device according to claim 57, wherein said device is further operative to measure the DC current supplied to the first cable.

60. The device according to claim 38 further comprising:

a first power/data splitter/combiner coupled between said first connector, said first modem and said DC power supply for passing data only between said first transceiver and said first connector, and for passing power only between said DC power supply and said first connector; and

a second power/data splitter/combiner coupled between said second connector, said second transceiver and said DC power supply for passing data only between said second modem and said second connector, and for passing power only between said DC power supply and said second connector.

61. The device according to claim 38, wherein said device is further operative for on/off control of the DC power from said DC power supply to said first connector.

62. The device according to claim 61, wherein the power control effected by said device is responsive to a digital data signal.

63. A network for coupling digital data signals and DC power, the system comprising:

first, second and third devices, each enclosed in a single enclosure and addressable in the network; and

first and second cables in a building, each of said cables comprising at least one twisted wire pair, each of said cables being connected in a point-to-point configuration, and each of said cables being connected to concurrently carry digital data signals and DC power,

wherein;

said first and second devices are connected by said first cable for full-duplex, packet-based digital data communication between said first and second devices;

said first and third devices are connected by said second cable for full-duplex, packet-based digital data communication between said first and third devices;

the first device further transmits DC power to said first and second cables;

said second device is only powered by DC power carried over said first cable; and

said third device is only powered by DC power carried over said second cable.

64. The network according to claim 63, wherein digital data signals carried over said first cable are independent of digital data signals carried over said second cable.

65. The network according to claim 63, wherein:

said network is further operative as a multiplexer; and

at said first device is connected to a high data rate connection whose bandwidth is multiplexed to at least one of said cables.

66. The network according to claim 63, wherein said network is further operative as a repeater;

and digital data signals received from one of said cables is transmitted to the another one of said cables.

67. The network according to claim 63, wherein at least one of said devices has a manually assigned address.

68. The network according to claim 63, wherein at least one of said devices has an automatically assigned address.

69. The network according to claim 63, wherein at least one of said devices has an address assigned by a unit coupled to said at least one of said devices through a local area network.

70. The network according to claim 63, wherein said cables are local area network cables and are connected using local area network connectors.

71. The network according to claim 63, wherein the digital data communication is Ethernet based.

72. The network according to claim 63, wherein at least one of said devices is further constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

73. The network according to claim 63, wherein at least one of said devices is wall-mountable in a building.

74. The network according to claim 63, wherein at least one of said devices is mountable into an outlet cavity.

75. The network according to claim 63, wherein each of said cables comprises at least one first twisted wire pair connected for carrying DC power and at least one second twisted wire pair, separate from said first twisted wire pair, connected for carrying full duplex digital data signals.

76. The network according to claim 63, wherein said cables are connected for carrying DC power full duplex data signals together over the same wires.

77. The network according to claim 63, further comprising a current limiter for limiting the DC current flowing into said first cable.

78. The network according to claim 77, wherein said current limiter is a fuse.

79. An apparatus for time domain multiplexing/de-multiplexing between a high data rate connection and multiple low data rate connections, for use with point-to-point local area network wiring segments in a building, each segment comprising at least one twisted wire pair and being connected to carry full duplex digital data signals, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of low data rate connectors, each for connecting to a distinct point-to-point local area network wiring segment;

a plurality of low data rate transceivers, each coupled to a respective one of said low data rate connectors, for transmitting and receiving full-duplex serial digital data signals with the respective point-to-point local area network wiring segment;

a high data rate connector for connecting to one of the point-to-point local area network wiring segments; and

a high data rate transceiver coupled to said high data rate connector for transmitting and receiving full-duplex serial digital data signals with the one of the point-to-point local area network wiring segments,

wherein;

said apparatus operative as a time-domain demultiplexer and as a time-domain multiplexer;

digital data signals received from said high data rate connector are divided into multiple distinct streams and each distinct stream is transmitted into one of said plurality of low data rate connectors,

digital data signals received from said plurality of low data rate connectors are combined into a single data stream transmitted to said high data rate connector; and

said apparatus is addressable in a local area network.

80. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said apparatus has a manually assigned address.

81. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said apparatus has an automatically assigned address.

82. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said apparatus has an address that is assigned by a data unit coupled to said apparatus through a local area network.

83. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein each one of said high data rate and low data rate transceivers is operative for point-to-point communication only with a single mating transceiver of substantially the same type.

84. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein each one of said high data rate and low data rate transceivers is a local area network transceiver.

85. The apparatus according to claim 84, wherein each one of said high data rate and low data rate transceivers is an Ethernet transceiver and each one of said low data rate and high data rate connectors is an Ethernet connector.

86. The apparatus according to claim 79, further comprising a single enclosure housing said transceivers and connectors, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

87. The apparatus according to claim 79 further comprising a single enclosure housing said transceivers and connectors, wherein said single enclosure is wall mountable in a building.

88. The apparatus according to claim 79, further comprising a single enclosure housing said transceivers and connectors, wherein said single enclosure is mountable into an outlet cavity.

89. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein at least one of the point-to-point local area network wiring segments is connected to concurrently carry DC power together with the full-duplex digital data signals, and said apparatus further comprises:

an AC power connector for connecting to powerline wiring to receive AC power therefrom; and

an AC/DC power supply connected to said AC power connector to be power fed by the AC power and to supply DC power,

wherein the AC/DC power supply is coupled to at least one of said connectors for feeding DC power onto the wiring.

90. The apparatus according to claims 89, wherein one or more dedicated twisted wire pairs of at least one of the segments are connected for carrying the DC power, which dedicated twisted wire pairs are separated from one or more other twisted wire pairs connected for carrying a full duplex digital data signal.

91. The apparatus according to claim 89, wherein the DC power and a full duplex data signal are carried together over the same twisted wire pairs of at least one of the segments.

92. The apparatus according to claim 89, further comprising a current limiter coupled between said AC/DC power supply and a connector for limiting DC current flowing into the wiring segment connected to said at least one connector.

93. The apparatus according to claim 92, wherein said current limiter is a fuse.

94. The apparatus according to claim 89, wherein said apparatus is further operative to measure DC current supplied to one of the wiring segments.

95. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein at least one of the point-to-point local area network wiring segments is connected to concurrently carry first DC power together with a full-duplex digital data signal, and said apparatus further comprises:

a DC/DC power supply coupled to one of said connectors to be power fed from the first DC power carried over the wiring segment and to supply second DC power,

wherein said DC/DC power supply is coupled to at least one of said transceivers for feeding the transceiver by the second DC power.

96. The apparatus according to claims 95, wherein one or more dedicated twisted wire pairs of at least one of the segments are connected for carrying the first DC power, which dedicated twisted wire pairs are separated from one or more other twisted wire pairs connected for carrying the full duplex digital data signal.

97. The apparatus according to claim 95, wherein the DC power and the full duplex data signal are carried together over the same twisted wire pairs of at least one of the segments.

98. The apparatus according to claim 79, further comprising one or more transformers coupled for passing only a digital data signal between a connector connected to a wiring segment that is also connected to carry DC power and a respective transceiver.

99. The apparatus according to claim 79, further comprising firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control all of said transceivers.

100. A device for configuring a local area network in a building for the transport of power and data signals across a wiring, wherein the wiring includes at least first and second wiring segments, said device comprising:

first and second ports each connected to a respective one of the first and second wiring segments;

first and second data couplers each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, and each having a data signal port operative to pass only a data signal;

first and second modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second data couplers, for full duplex data signal communication with a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;

at least one data interface connector coupled to at least one of said modems and operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data terminal equipment unit;

first and second power couplers each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, and each having a respective one of first and second power signal ports, each power signal port being operative to pass only a power signal;

a power supply coupled to the first power signal port and to at least one of said modems to be powered by the power signal and for powering said first modem; and

means for allowing the communication of a data signal over the first wiring segment to be independent of the communication of a data signal over the second wiring segment, wherein the second power signal port is coupled to the first power signal port.

101. The device according to claim 100, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source for receiving power from the power source, the power connector being coupled to pass at least one power signal.

102. The device according to claim 100, further comprising means for mounting said device on a wall.

103. The device according to claim 100, wherein said device is mountable in an outlet.

104. The device according to claim 103, wherein the outlet is one of a telephone outlet and a power outlet.

105. The device according to claim 100, wherein at least one of the power signals is a direct current signal.

106. The device according to claim 100, wherein at least one of the power signals is an alternating current signal.

107. The device according to claim 100, wherein at least one of the power signals is carried over a respective wiring segment using distinct/dedicated wiring.

108. The device according to claim 100, wherein power and data signals are carried frequency multiplexed over at least one of the wiring segments, and at least one of said couplers further comprises a filter.

109. The device according to claim 100, wherein said device is addressable.

110. The device according to claim 109, wherein said device has a manually assigned address.

111. The device according to claim 109, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

112. The device according to claim 109, wherein said device has an address assigned by a data terminal equipment unit connected to said device.

113. The device according to claim 100, wherein at least one of said couplers comprises a center tap transformer.

114. The device according to claim 100, further comprising an enclosure housing at least part of said device within a data terminal equipment unit.

115. The device according to claim 100, wherein at least one of the data signals includes a digitized telephony signal.

116. The device according to claim 100, wherein said device is connectable to a telephone unit.

117. The device according to claim 100, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source for receiving power from the power source, said power connector being coupled to at least one power signal.

118. A network for carrying data and power signals, said network comprising:

first, second and third nodes, each of said nodes containing at least one power consuming circuit; and

first and second wiring segments in a building, each of said segments comprising at least two conductors, said first wiring segment coupling said first and second nodes to form a first bi-directional communication link and said second wiring segment coupling said first and third nodes to form a second bi-directional communication link,

wherein;

at least one of said wiring segments is connected for simultaneously carrying both data and power signals;

said first communication link is connected to carry data independent of data carried by said second communication link;

each of said nodes is connectable to a data terminal equipment unit for coupling the data terminal equipment unit to at least one of said communication links;

at least a first one of said nodes is connectable to a power source for coupling the power source to at least one power signal over one of said wiring segments connected to said first node; and

at least said second node is powered by a power signal carried over said first wiring segment connected to said second node.

119. The network according to claim 118, wherein at least one of the nodes is included in an outlet.

120. The network according to claim 119, wherein at least one of the nodes is included in one of a telephone outlet and a power outlet.

121. The network according to claim 118, wherein at least one of said wiring segments is composed of wiring previously installed in the building.

122. The network according to claim 118, wherein at least one of the wiring segments is one of:

telephone wiring; and

power wiring.

123. The network according to claim 118, wherein the power signal is carried over at least one of said wiring segments using distinct/dedicated wiring.

124. The network according to claim 118, wherein the power and data signals are carried frequency multiplexed over at least one of said wiring segments.

125. The network according to claim 118, wherein at least one of said nodes is addressable.

126. The network according to claim 125, wherein said at least one of said nodes has a manually assigned address.

127. The network according to claim 125, wherein said at least one of said nodes has an automatically assigned address.

128. The network according to claim 125, wherein said at least one of said nodes has an address assigned by a data terminal equipment unit connected to said at least one of said nodes.

129. The network according to claim 118, further comprising an enclosure of a data terminal equipment unit housing at least one of said nodes.

130. The network according to claim 118, wherein at least one of said communication links is connected to carry a digitized telephony signal.

131. The network according to claim 118, wherein at least one of said nodes is further connectable to a telephone unit.

132. The network according to claim 118, further comprising a power connector coupled to receive a power signal carried by said network for powering said at least one power consuming circuit contained in one of said nodes.

133. The network according to claim 118, wherein the power signal.