Device and method for providing high speed data transfer through a drop line of a power line carrier communication system

• US 5,777,769 A
• Filed: 12/28/1995
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Coutinho, Roy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BACARES, RAFAEL D
• Application Number:
  US08/579,752
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 359/162, 359/171, 359/173, 359/176, 359/179, 359/164, 359/157, 340/310.01, 340/310.02
• US Class Current: 398/171
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• 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 method and device for increasing the bandwidth of a drop line in a power line carrier communication system for facilitating high speed transmission of communication data. The drop line is divided into two sections, each containing both high frequency communication data components and low frequency power components. A high pass filter is provided for passing the high frequency components to a receiver device and a low pass filter is provided for passing the low frequency power components to an electrical system in a residence. The low pass filter is also used for blocking, from the drop line, high frequency noise generated by electrical appliances operating from the electrical system.

Claims

1. A device for use in a communication network for increasing a data transmission rate on a drop line having an entry point and containing a signal having low frequency power components and high frequency data components, said device comprising:

a splitter connected to the drop line for dividing the drop line into a first section and a second section with each said section containing both the low frequency power components and the high frequency data components;

a first filter connected to said first section for removing the low frequency power components therefrom while passing the high frequency data components through said first filter;

a receiver connected to said first filter for receiving said high frequency data components passed through said first filter for input to a terminal device; and

a second filter connected to said second section for removing the high frequency data components from said second section while passing said low frequency power components through said second filter for use by appliances operatively generating high frequency noise, said second filter being positioned proximate the drop line entry point for blocking said high frequency noise and thus inhibiting said high frequency noise from reaching said drop line.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a coupler connected to said drop line.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said coupler and said splitter comprise a single unit.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a transmitter connected to said single unit for providing high frequency data components to said drop line for use by the communication network.

5. The device of claim 2, further comprising a transmitter connected to said first filter for providing high frequency data components to said drop line for use by the communication network.

6. The device of claim 3, further comprising a transmitter connected to said first filter for providing high frequency data components to said drop line for use by the communication network.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein said transmitter and said receiver comprise a common unit.

8. A method for increasing the rate of data transmission on a drop line in a communication network, said drop line having an entry port and containing a signal having low frequency power components and high frequency data components, said method comprising the steps of:

dividing the drop line into a first section and a second section with each said section containing both the low frequency power components and the high frequency data components;

removing the low frequency power components from the first section while passing the high frequency data components;

receiving the high frequency data components passed in said removing step for input to a terminal device;

removing the high frequency data components from said second section while passing the low frequency power components for use by appliances operatively generating high frequency noise; and

blocking, at a location proximate said entry port, the high frequency noise from said second section so as to avoid transferring the high frequency noise to the drop line.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of removing the high frequency components and said step of blocking the high frequency noise comprise a single step.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step providing, through a transmitter, high frequency data components to said drop line for transmission by the communication network.