RELIABLE, LONG-HAUL DATA COMMUNICATIONS OVER POWER LINES FOR METER READING AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
First Claim
1. A system for providing power line communications, comprising:
- a repeater for repeating power line communication signals, the repeater comprising a module system operable to provide an alternative communications connection; and
a coupler system operable to provide a communications interface between the repeater and an electric power line, the coupler system comprising a plurality of insulation and impedance sleeves,wherein the repeater is operable to repeat received power line communication signals and transmit repeated power line communication signals having a strengthened signal to noise ratio.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and computer program product provides for power line communications (PLC) over electric power lines includes a device mountable near an electrical distribution transformer (DT) to provide a high speed interface and communicates with one or multiple access devices, which provide low speed interfaces for analog signals or digital signals over RS 232, RS 485, optical, wireless and Ethernet. The device transmits data to/from these access devices over the electric lines to other repeaters over one or more wires of an electrical line or over multiple lines, and serves to strengthen and improve signal quality. Upon detecting a wire or line is having problems carrying data, the data is sent over other wires, and upon power line failures, wireless backup to mobile/GSM and WiMax networks is utilized. The device permits utilities and others to read electric meters, monitor the power quality of the distribution grid and detect power losses/failures/outages, and permits telecom service providers and others to provide a communications link to cell phone towers, WiFi Access Points and enable broadband Internet and telephony in rural, remote or sparely populated areas.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A system for providing power line communications, comprising:
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a repeater for repeating power line communication signals, the repeater comprising a module system operable to provide an alternative communications connection; and a coupler system operable to provide a communications interface between the repeater and an electric power line, the coupler system comprising a plurality of insulation and impedance sleeves, wherein the repeater is operable to repeat received power line communication signals and transmit repeated power line communication signals having a strengthened signal to noise ratio. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16)
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20. A meter interface unit operable to provide remote meter reading, comprising:
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a meter data port operable to communicate with a meter, the meter connected to a load side of an electric power line; and a processing system to receive meter data signals from the meter through the meter data port, to convert the received meter data signals to power line communication signals and to transmit the power line communication signals to a line side of the electric power line. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 64, 65)
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31. An electrical power line monitoring system, comprising:
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a sensor to measure at least one energy-related parameter of an electrical power line; and an interface unit coupled to the sensor to receive measurements from the sensor, the interface unit comprising; a data port operable to communicate with the sensor; a processing system to receive the measurements from the sensor through the data port, to convert the received measurements to power line communication signals and to transmit the power line communication signals over the electric power line. - View Dependent Claims (32, 34, 35, 61, 62, 63)
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56. A power monitoring system, comprising:
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a sensor to measure at least one parameter of a power distribution device, a power generation device, or a power storage device connected to an electrical power line; and an interface unit coupled to the sensor to receive measurements from the sensor, the interface unit comprising; a data port operable to communicate with the sensor; and a processing system to receive the measurements from the sensor through the data port, to convert the received measurements to power line communication signals and to transmit the power line communication signals over the electric power line. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60)
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Specification