Powerline communication apparatus and methods

• US 20080316004A1
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Frederick J. Kiko
• Original Assignee: Frederick J. Kiko
• Inventors: Kiko, Frederick J.
• Application Number:
  US11/820,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20080316004A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/310.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

A system, associated components, and methods for improving powerline communications between electrical devices in, for example, a home or office setting. In one embodiment, a control module provides electrical command signals to a plurality of devices coupled to a powerline. A transformer operatively coupled to the control module and is configured to capacitively couple through its center tap to a non-signal line to provide a communication path to the plurality of devices. The transformer configuration provides a low noise communication path for the electrical command signals. Methods for installing and operating the aforementioned system and components are also described.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a controller device to provide electrical command signals to a plurality of devices coupled to a powerline; and

wherein said controller is operatively coupled to a non-signal line to provide a communication path to the plurality of devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said operative coupling comprises a transformer operatively coupled to the controller device and configured to capacitively couple through its center tap to the non-signal line.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-signal line comprises at least one safety ground.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-signal line comprises at least one neutral line.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a choke coupled between the non-signal line and a neutral line to provide a substantially electrically isolated summing node.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the non-signal line comprises at least one safety ground.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wire clamp to bundle a plurality of safety ground lines to create at least one isolated summing node.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an inductive device coupled between the wire clamp and a neutral termination to create an isolated summing node to tie together a plurality of safety ground lines.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ferrite core coupled to the non-signal line to create an inductive termination of the non-signal line to a neutral line.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ferrite core comprises two half cores that couple about the non-signal line to create a low noise communication path.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-signal line and at least one signal line are utilized to communicate with the plurality of devices.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frequency compensation network to provide an increased voltage level to upper frequency band signals than those of lower frequency band signals.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a frequency compensation network that is operatively coupled to a primary winding of the transformer to provide an increased voltage level to upper frequency band signals than those of lower frequency band signals.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a module configured to communicate electrical signals to a plurality of electrical devices coupled to a power line; and

a first transformer having a primary and a secondary winding and turns ratio a/b;

wherein the turns ratio a/b comprises a frequency dependant portion to provide a high impedance termination network and to allow the module to communicate with substantially similar performance in both a receive mode as a transmit mode.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the module comprises an HPCC module, and the first transformer comprises an existing transformer.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is adapted to operate on a 24V system.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the secondary winding comprises a shunt capacitance used to flatten a frequency response of the electrical signals, to be resonant with leakage inductance of the first transformer, and to suppress spurious RF signals.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a current source coupled between the high impedance termination network and the module to maintain high impedance level and generate high drive current for reverse transmission.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the module comprises:

a controller device;

a second transformer operatively coupled to the controller device and configured to capacitively couple through a center tap to a safety ground line to provide a communication path to the plurality of electrical devices and to provide a reduce system noise floor;

a wire clamp adapted to bind adjacent safety ground lines; and

a choke coupled between the wire clamp and a connection node to a neutral line;

wherein the wire clamp provides a substantially electrically isolated summing node for the adjacent safety ground lines.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a controller device to provide electrical command signals to a plurality of devices coupled to a powerline; and

a transformer operatively configured to provide a frequency dependant turns ratio to the plurality of devices to provide increased voltage levels to higher frequency signals than that of a lower frequency signal band.

21. An apparatus comprising:

a command control module to communicate with at least one electrical device; and

a notch detection circuit adapted to communicate a sweep signal across a designated frequency band, to measure a receive input response, and to determine an impedance across the designated frequency band; and

an appliance filter adapted to shift outside the designated frequency band at least a portion of the receive input response that comprises a low impedance response.

22. A method comprising:

communicating with a command control module to a plurality of electrical devices;

scanning with a noise detection circuit a power level of a receive circuit coupled to the command control module; and

signaling a self-installer to place a first appliance filter on at least one of the plurality of electrical devices detected as having a high noise level.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the steps of:

measuring a level of electrical signals from inside a unit communicated to outside of the unit;

signaling a self-installer to place a second appliance filter on at least one of the plurality of electrical devices detected communicating to outside of the unit a high leakage signal.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second appliance filter comprises:

(i) at least two ferrite core adapters disposed about external connectors; and

(ii) a capacitive device adapted to operatively couple and detachably connect between the at least two ferrite core adapters.

25. A filter apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of terminals;

at least one capacitor disposed electrically between two of said terminals;

a plurality of ferrite elements, each of said elements being disposed substantially proximate respective ones of said terminals; and

at least one insulating substrate having apertures through which a portion of each of respective ones of said terminals project.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said filter apparatus is used in a metering application and is adapted to substantially prevent at least some noise from passing between the interior and exterior of a premises power system.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said terminals each comprise a substantially unitary metallic piece that is folded to form a receptacle for a terminal pin or blade.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said terminals each further comprise a clip adapted to fit over at least a portion of said folded terminal and provide at least some degree of tension or resistance for said pin or blade when inserted into said receptacle.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein at least two of said terminals are coupled to said capacitor via a crimp or solder joint.

30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said ferrite elements comprise molded high permeability ferrite cores having an aperture formed therein, at least a portion of respective ones of said terminals being disposed within said aperture.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said ferrite elements each produce an inductance of approximately 5-10 uHy.

32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said at least one substrate comprises two insulating wafers that sandwich at least a portion of the terminals and their associated ferrites and the capacitor.