NON-INTRUSIVE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COUPLING POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS SIGNALS TO A POWERLINE NETWORK

• US 20090207924A1
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Original Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Inventors: CHAN, TAT KEUNG
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,152 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/260
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6463 using twisted pairs of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6473 Impedance matching
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

A powerline system including non-intrusive coupling for powerline communications. The system has a powerline module couple to a data connection. In a specific embodiment, the powerline module is configured to process a first data signal in a first format to a second data signal in a second format, which is an OFDM format capable of being configured for transmission through one or more powerline cables. The system has a physical socket coupled to the powerline module. In a specific embodiment, the physical socket has a female connector device, which includes at least a first connector and a second connector. In a specific embodiment, the first connector and the second connector are electrically coupled to the second data signal in the second format. The system also has a male connector device, which is inserted into the female connector device. The male connector includes at least a first male connector and a second male connector are coupled respectively to the first connector and the second connector. In a specific embodiment, a first wire coupled to the first male connector and a second wire coupled to the second male connector. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a twisted pair of wires including at least the first wire and the second wire. Preferably, the twisted pair of wires extend from the male connector and have a length of no greater than fifty feet, but can be other lengths depending upon the specific embodiment.

Claims

1. A powerline system including non-intrusive coupling for powerline communications, the system comprising:

a powerline module couple to a data connection, the powerline module being configured to process a first data signal in a first format to a second data signal in a second format, the second data signal in the second format is an OFDM format;

a physical socket coupled to the powerline module, the physical socket comprising a female connector device, the female connector device including at least a first connector and a second connector, the first connector and the second connector being coupled to the second data signal in the second format;

a male connector device, the male connector device being inserted into the female connector device, the male connector including at least a first male connector and a second male connector coupled respectively to the first connector and the second connector;

a first wire coupled to the first male connector;

a second wire coupled to the second male connector;

a twisted pair of wires including at least the first wire and the second wire, the twisted pair of wires extending from the male connector and having a length of no greater than fifty feet;

a loop configured from the first wire connected to the second wires and extending as the twisted pair of wires, the first wire coupled to the first male connector and the second wire coupled to the second male connector;

a first powerline cable;

a second powerline cable coupled to the first powerline cable;

a first inductive coupling device coupling a first portion of the first wire within a vicinity of the loop to the first powerline cable;

a second inductive coupling device coupling a first portion of the second wire within a vicinity of the loop to the second powerline cable;

a first mechanical hinge and connector device configured to couple the first inductive coupling device to the portion of the first wire within the vicinity of the loop without causing physical damage to the portion of the first wire; and

a second mechanical hinge and connector device configured to couple the second inductive coupling device to the portion of the second wire within the vicinity of the loop without causing physical damage to the portion of the second wire.

2. The powerline system of claim 1 further comprising a first magnetic coil coupled to a second portion of the first powerline cable to suppress the second data signal.

3. The powerline system of claim 2 wherein the first magnetic coil is firmly attached to the second portion of the first powerline cable to suppress the second data signal.

4. The powerline system of claim 1 further comprising a second magnetic coil coupled to a second portion of the second powerline cable to suppress the second data signal.

5. The powerline system of claim 3 wherein the second magnetic coil is firmly attached to the second portion of the second powerline cable.

6. The powerline system of claim 3 wherein the first powerline cable is coupled to the second powerline cable to form a loop at a first end, the first powerline cable including the second portion of the first powerline cable having the suppressed second data signal, the second powerline cable including the second portion of the second powerline cable having the suppressed second data signal;

whereupon the loop transmits the second data signal through the first powerline cable and the second powerline cable.

7. The powerline system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical junction box comprising the first powerline cable and the second powerline cable.

8. The powerline system of claim 1 wherein the male connector device comprises an RF 45 connector.

9. The powerline system of claim 1 wherein the male connector device comprises a twisted pair of wires, a second twisted pair of wires, a third twisted pair of wires, and a fourth twisted pair of wires.

10. The powerline system of claim 1 wherein the loop comprises a termination end, the termination end comprising a crimp or a mechanical connector.

11. A method of converting a powerline into a telecommunication network, the method comprising:

providing a powerline module couple to a data connection, the powerline module being configured to process a first data signal in a first format to a second data signal in a second format, the second data signal in the second format is an OFDM format, the powerline module being coupled to a physical socket, the physical socket comprising a female connector device, the female connector device including at least a first connector and a second connector, the first connector and the second connector being coupled to the second data signal in the second format;

coupling a male connector device into the female connector device, the male connector including at least a first male connector and a second male connector coupled respectively to the first connector and the second connector, the first male connector being coupled to a first wire, the second male connector being coupled to a second wire, the first wire and the second wire being configured as a twisted pair of wires extending from the male connector and having a length of no greater than fifty feet, the twisted pair comprising a loop configured from the first wire connected to the second wire;

coupling a first portion of the first wire within a vicinity of the loop to the first powerline cable using a first inductive coupling device comprising a first mechanical hinge and connector device configured to couple the first inductive coupling device to the portion of the first wire within the vicinity of the loop without causing physical damage to the portion of the first wire; and

coupling a first portion of the second wire within a vicinity of the loop to the second powerline cable using a second inductive coupling device comprising a second mechanical hinge and connector device configured to couple the second inductive coupling device to the portion of the second wire within the vicinity of the loop without causing physical damage to the portion of the second wire.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the data connection is from a Layer 3 switch, the Layer 3 switch having an input/output port coupled to the data connection.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the coupling of the first portion of the first wire and the coupling of the first portion of the second wire are provided using a non-intrusive process.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the first inductive coupling device comprises an open position and a closed position.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the second inductive coupling device comprises an open position and a closed position.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the data connection is an Ethernet connection.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising transferring the second data signal from the second wire to the second powerline cable.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising transferring the second data signal from the first wire to the second powerline cable.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the data connection is provided by a Layer 3 switching device.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the Layer 3 switching device comprises a QoS process.

21. The method of claim 11 wherein the powerline module is provided within a housing of the Layer 3 switching device.

22. The method of claim 11 wherein the powerline module is coupled to the data connection via an Ethernet cable coupled to a Layer 3 switching device.

23. The method of claim 11 wherein the portion of the first wire is undamaged and substantially retains an overlying first insulating material and the portion of the second wire is undamaged and substantially retains an overlying second insulating material.