Underground power line communication system and method

• US 20070223381A1
• Filed: 03/27/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Radtke, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,764,943 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/236
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• 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 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0681 Configuration of triggering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

An underground power line is coupled to an overhead power line at a riser pole. In a power line communication system, a first and a second communication device are communicatively coupled to the underground power line at different locations. A third communication device is located in the vicinity of the riser pole. The third communication device is coupled to one of either the underground power line or the overhead power line. The first communication device is configured to transmit data received from said second communication device for reception by said third communication device. The third communication device may include a backhaul link for communicating via a non-power line medium, such as to an upstream node or aggregation point coupled to an IP network.

Claims

22. A method of providing power line communications over a medium voltage (MV) underground power line that includes a first end portion extending above ground that is connected to an overhead power line, comprising:

receiving first data via a non-power line communication link;

coupling the first data to the first end portion of the underground power line;

receiving the first data from the underground power line at a first device coupled to the underground power line, wherein said first device is collocated with a first distribution transformer;

determining whether to transmit the first data over the underground power line or to transmit the data over a low voltage power line; and

transmitting the first data according to said determining.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving the first data transmitted from the first device at second device coupled to the underground power line, wherein said second device is collocated with a second distribution transformer,

determining whether to transmit the first data over the underground power line or to transmit the data over a low voltage power line; and

transmitting the first data according to said determining.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising determining whether to process the first data as a control message.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the first data over a low voltage power line, the method further comprising:

addressing the first data to one of a plurality of user devices communicatively coupled to the low voltage power line.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising sensing the current carried by an energized conductor of a low voltage power line at the first device.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising at the first device transmitting data of said sensed current over the underground power line for reception by a remote computer system.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising

receiving a control message from a remote computer via the underground power line;

transmitting a response to the remote computer via the underground power line.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising

receiving executable program code via the underground power line;

storing the executable program code in memory; and

executing the executable program code.

30. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving second data via the underground power line at the first device;

transmitting the second data over the underground power line;

receiving the second data via the underground power line at a second device;

wherein the second data includes configuration information; and

in response to receiving the second data;

changing one or more configuration parameters at the second device.

31. The method of claim 30, performing power quality measurements at the second device.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising routing data at the first device.

33. The method of claim 22, further comprising performing power quality measurements at the first device.

34. The method of claim 22, further comprising at the first device:

detecting a power outage at the first device; and

transmitting a power outage notification over the underground power line.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising at the first device:

detecting power restoration; and

transmitting a power restoration notification over the underground power line.

36. A method of providing power line communications over a medium voltage (MV) underground power line that includes a first end portion extending above ground that is connected to an overhead power line, comprising:

receiving a plurality of data via a non-power line communication link;

coupling the data to the overhead power line;

receiving the data from the underground power line at a first device coupled to the underground power line, wherein said first device is collocated with a first distribution transformer and wherein the data is included in data signals that propagate from the overhead power line to the underground power line;

transmitting at least some of data over the underground power line;

transmitting at least some of the data over a low voltage power line; and

processing at least some of the data as a command.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising at a second device coupled to the underground power line and collocated with a second distribution transformer:

receiving data transmitted from the first device;

determining whether to transmit the received data over the underground power line; and

determining whether to transmit the received data over a low voltage power line.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

prior to transmitting at least some of the data over a low voltage power line, addressing said to be transmitted over the low voltage power line to one of a plurality of user devices communicatively coupled to the low voltage power line.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

sensing current carried by an energized conductor of a low voltage power line at the first device; and

transmitting data of said sensed current over the underground power line from the first device for reception by a remote computer system.

40. The method of claim 36, further comprising

receiving executable program code via the underground power line;

storing the executable program code in memory; and

executing the executable program code.

41. The method of claim 36, further comprising performing power quality measurements at the first device.

42. The method of claim 36, performing power quality measurements at the first device.

43. The method of claim 36, further comprising at the first device:

detecting a power outage; and

transmitting a power outage notification over the underground power line.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising at the first device:

detecting power restoration; and

transmitting a power restoration notification over the underground power line.

45. A system for providing power line communications over a power distribution system including a plurality of distribution transformers coupled to an underground power line, the system comprising:

a plurality of communication devices communicatively coupled to the underground power line, wherein each of said plurality of communication devices is co-located with a different one of the plurality of distribution transformers;

each of said plurality of communication devices including;

an underground power line port configured to communicate over the underground power line and including a first modem; and

a low voltage power line port configured to communicate over a low voltage power line and including a second modem in communication with said first modem;

an interface device communicatively coupled to the underground power line for communication with at least one of said plurality of communication devices, said interface device including a backhaul interface configured to communicate over a non-power line communication medium;

wherein a plurality of said plurality of communication devices are configured to receive data via the underground power line from another of said plurality of communications device and to transmit at least some of said received data on the underground power line; and

wherein said plurality of communication devices are configured to transmit to, and to receive data from, one or more devices communicatively coupled to low voltage power lines.

49. The system of claim 45 wherein each of said plurality of communication devices comprises a router configured to route data packets.

46-1. The system of claim 48, wherein said executable program code includes a code segment configured to cause said controller to initiate power quality measurements.

47-2. The system of claim 48, wherein said executable program code includes a code segment configured to cause said controller to detect a power outage and, upon detection of a power outage, to cause said controller to transmit a power outage notification over the underground power line.

48-3. The system of claim 48, wherein said executable program code further includes a code segment configured to cause said controller detect a power restoration and, upon detection of said power restoration, to transmit a power restoration notification over the underground power line.

50. A method of providing power line communications over a medium voltage (MV) underground power line, comprising:

transmitting a data packet from an interface device;

receiving a data packet from the power line at a first power line coupled device;

determining a destination address of the data packet at the first device;

if said destination address corresponds to another power line coupled communication device, transmitting said data packet over the power line;

if said destination address corresponds to said first power line coupled communication device, processing the data packet as a control message; and

if said destination address corresponds to a user device, transmitting said data packet over a low voltage power line.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising at a second power line coupled device:

receiving the data packet via the power line from first power line coupled device;

determining a destination address of the data packet;

if said destination address corresponds to another power line coupled communication device, transmitting said data packet over the power line; and

if said destination address corresponds to said second power line coupled device, processing the data packet as a control message.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising routing data at the interface device.

53. The method of claim 50, further comprising routing data at the first power line coupled device.