Underground power line communication system and method
First Claim
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.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
53 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (49)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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50. A method of providing power line communications over a medium voltage (MV) underground power line, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53)
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Specification