SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING APPLICATION PROFILES AND DEVICE CLASSES IN POWER LINE COMMUNICATION (PLC) ENVIRONMENTS
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Abstract
Systems and methods for application profiles and device classes in power line communications (PLCs) are described. In some embodiments, a PLC device has the device class defined by a PHY layer and may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may be configured to store program instructions, which may be executable by the processor to cause the PLC device to communicate with a higher-level PLC apparatus over a power line using a frequency band. The frequency band may be selected based upon an application profile and/or a device class associated with the PLC device. In some implementations, the higher-level PLC apparatus may include a PLC gateway or a data concentrator, and the PLC device may include a PLC modem or the like. Examples of application profiles include access communications, in-premises connectivity, AC charging, and/or DC charging. Device classes may represent a minimum communication data rate and/or an operating frequency band restriction of the PLC device.
7 Citations
37 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A power line communication (PLC) device comprising:
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a physical (PHY layer) defining a device class of the PLC device a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions, and wherein the program instructions are executable by the processor to cause the PLC device to communicate with a higher-level PLC apparatus over a power line using a given frequency band, the given frequency band selected based, at least in part, upon an application profile and the device class of the PLC device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method comprising:
performing, by a power line communication (PLC) apparatus, assigning a first frequency band to a first PLC device configured to communicate over a power line, the first frequency band selected based, at least in part, upon a first application profile and a first device class assigned to the first PLC device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
Specification