Power line communication device and method
First Claim
1. A method of providing communications between one or more user devices and an external power line communication device via low voltage power lines that include internal low voltage (LV) power lines and external low voltage power lines, the method comprising:
- determining that communications over the low voltage power line are degraded; and
enabling repeating of data received from the one of one or more user devices on the low voltage power lines.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power line communication device configured to facilitate communications over a low voltage power line between a downstream user device and an external power line communication device is provided. In one embodiment, the device may include a communication module configured to communicate over a low voltage power line and a controller configured to control the module. The controller is configured to operate the module in a first configuration in which all repeating is disabled; and a second configuration wherein upstream repeating is enabled and downstream repeating is disabled. The controller may transition from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a command received via the low voltage power line or upon determining that a triggering event has been detected such as an unacceptable data rate, error rate, or noise detection. In some embodiments, the device may form part of a utility meter and also transmit utility data to the power line communication device.
34 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method of providing communications between one or more user devices and an external power line communication device via low voltage power lines that include internal low voltage (LV) power lines and external low voltage power lines, the method comprising:
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determining that communications over the low voltage power line are degraded; and
enabling repeating of data received from the one of one or more user devices on the low voltage power lines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 17. The method of claim 17, wherein said determining further comprises recognizing a noise pattern.
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20. A power line communication device configured to facilitate communications over a low voltage power line between a downstream user device and an external upstream device;
- comprising;
a communication module configured to communicate over the low voltage power line;
a controller configured to control said module;
wherein said controller is configured to operate said module in a first configuration in which repeating is disabled; and
wherein said controller is configured to operate said module in a second configuration wherein upstream repeating is enabled and downstream repeating is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- comprising;
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28. A method of providing communications between one or more user devices and an external power line communication device via a low voltage power line, comprising:
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enabling upstream repeating;
subsequent to said enabling upstream repeating, receiving first data in an upstream communication via the LV power line;
transmitting the first data on the low voltage (LV) power line;
receiving second data in a downstream communication via the LV power line; and
not transmitting the second data on the LV power line. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification