High frequency network communications over various lines

• US 6,396,392 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Satius Holding, Inc. (Satius, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wire21, Inc.
• Inventors: Abraham, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/576,981
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01,310.02,310.03,310.06,310.07,538
• US Class Current: 370/282
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/0266 Arrangements for providing Galvanic isolation, e.g. by means of magnetic or capacitive coupling

Abstract

An apparatus for high frequency electrical line communication includes a transmitter, a receiver, a modem, and a coupler at each of two or more locations along an electrical line. The couplers have capacitive circuits serially connected with an air-core or dielectric-core transformer. The capacitive circuits resonate with the transformer at a preselected frequency. The coupler eliminates noise and is matched to the characteristic impedance of the line at the preselected frequency, which linearizes communication on the line and allows high speed data and voice communication over long distances.

Claims

1. A communications apparatus for communicating electric signals through one or more electric lines having a characteristic impedance comprising:

a modulator which modulates the electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal having a first preselected frequency greater than or equal to 200 MHz;

a transmitter operatively connected to the modulator and having an output impedance, said transmitter transmitting the modulated carrier signal;

a first coupler connected between the electric line and the transmitter, said coupler matching the output impedance of the transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without significant phase distortion;

a receiver having an input impedance, said receiver receiving the modulated carrier signal;

a demodulator electrically connected to the receiver, said demodulator producing a demodulated carrier signal having a second preselected frequency greater than or equal to 200 Mhz by demodulating the modulated carrier signal;

a second coupler connected between the electric line and the receiver for matching the input impedance of the receiver to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and communicating the modulated carrier signal to the receiver without significant phase distortion;

the first coupler comprising a first transformer having a non-magnetic core, said transformer communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without substantial phase distortion, and a coupling capacitor, that resonates with the transformer at the preselected frequency;

the second coupler comprises a second transformer having a non-magnetic core which communicates the modulated carrier signal to the receiver without substantial phase distortion, and a coupling capacitor which resonates with the transformer at the preselected frequency;

the first coupler comprising;

a first conductive plate;

a second conductive plate spaced apart from the first conductive plate by the non-magnetic core;

a capacitor adapted to be connected between the first conductive plate and the electric line, wherein the first conductive plate and the capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected bandwidth;

the second coupler comprising;

a first conductive plate;

a second conductive plate spaced apart from the first conductive plate by the non-magnetic core; and

a capacitor adapted to be connected between the first conductive plate and the electric line, wherein the first conductive plate and the capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected bandwidth.

2. The communications apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first transformer and the second transformer are air-core transformers.

3. The communications apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first transformer and the second transformer are dielectric-core transformers.

4. The communications apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first transformer and the second transformer are solid-state transformers.

5. The communications apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first preselected frequency and the second preselected frequency are greater than or equal to 1 GHz.

6. The communications apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electric signals are Ethernet signals.

7. The communications apparatus of claim 6 wherein the electric signals are selected from the group comprising 10 Mbps Ethernet signals, 100 Mpbs Ethernet signals and 1 Gbps Ethernet signals.

8. The communications apparatus of claim 6 wherein the electric signals are connected to a network backbone via an Ethernet HUB/switch.

9. The communications apparatus of claim 8 wherein the network backbone is selected from the group comprising the Internet, an Ethernet wide area network (WAN), an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a telephone or telecommunications center, and a television broadcasting station.

10. A communications apparatus for communicating electric signals through one or more electric lines having a characteristic impedance comprising:

a modulator which modulates the electric signals to produce a modulated carrier signal having a preselected frequency greater than or equal to 200 MHz;

a transmitter operatively connected to the modulator and having an output impedance, said transmitter transmitting the modulated carrier signal;

a coupler connected between the electric line and the transmitter, said coupler matching the output impedance of the transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line and communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without significant phase distortion;

said coupler comprising;

a transformer having a non-magnetic core; and

a coupling capacitor that resonates with the transformer at the preselected frequency; and

said transformer comprising;

a first conductive plate;

a second conductive plate spaced apart from the first conductive plate by the non-magnetic core;

and the capacitor being adapted to be connected between the first conductive plate and the electric line, wherein the first conductive plate and the capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected bandwidth.

11. The communication apparatus of claim 10 wherein the electric line is selected from the group comprising high-voltage power lines, medium-voltage power lines, low-voltage power lines, coaxial cables, twisted pair lines and phone lines.

12. The communications apparatus of claim 10 wherein the transformer is an air-core transformer.

13. The communication apparatus of claim 12 wherein the transformer comprises:

a primary coil having a first diameter;

a secondary coil having a second smaller diameter, said second coil extending coaxially within the primary coil such that an air gap is created between the primary coil and the secondary coil; and

a capacitor adapted to be connected between the primary coil and the electric line, wherein the primary coil and the capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected bandwith.

14. The communications apparatus of claim 10 wherein the transformer is a dielectric-core transformer.

15. The communications apparatus of claim 14 wherein the core of the transformer is filled with a resin material.

16. The communications apparatus of claim 10 wherein the transformer is a solid-state transformer.

17. The communications apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate separated by chip material.

18. The communications apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are circular in shape.

19. The communications apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are formed directly in a chip by deposition of metallic layers onto the chip.

20. The communications apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are formed from doped silicon.

21. The communications apparatus of claim 12 wherein the transformer comprises:

a first metal pipe having a first diameter;

a second metal pipe having a second smaller diameter, said second pipe extending coaxially within the first pipe such that an air gap is created between the first pipe and the second pipe; and

a capacitor adapted to be connected between the first pipe and the electric line, wherein the first pipe and the capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected bandwidth.

22. The communications apparatus of claim 10 wherein the electric signals are Ethernet signals.

23. The communications apparatus of claim 22 wherein the electric signals are selected from the group comprising 10 Mbps Ethernet signals, 100 Mpbs Ethernet signals and 1 Gbps Ethernet signals.

24. The communications apparatus of claim 10 wherein the preselected frequency is greater than or equal to 1 Ghz.

25. The communications apparatus of claim 22 wherein the electric signals are connected to a network backbone via an Ethernet HUB/switch.

26. The communications apparatus of claim 25 wherein the network backbone is selected from the group comprising the Internet, an Ethernet wide area network (WAN), an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a telephone or telecommunications center, and a television broadcasting station.

27. A communications apparatus for communicating electric signals through one or more electric lines having a characteristic impedance comprising:

a first modem which produces a first modulated carrier signal having a first preselected frequency greater than or equal to 200 MHz and demodulates a second modulated carrier signal having a second preselected frequency greater than or equal to 200 MHz;

a first transmitter having an output impedance, said transmitter connected to the first modem and transmitting the first modulated carrier signal;

a first receiver having an input impedance, said receiver connected to the first modem and receiving the second modulated carrier signal;

a first coupler connected between the electric lines and the first transmitter and the first receiver, said first coupler matching the output impedance of the first transmitter and the input impedance of the first receiver to the characteristic impedance of the electric lines and communicating the first and second modulated carrier signals without substantial phase distortion;

a second modem which produces the second modulated carrier signal and demodulates the first modulated carrier signal;

a second transmitter having an output impedance, said transmitter connected to the second modem and transmitting the second modulated carrier signal;

a second receiver having an input impedance, said receiver connected to the second modem and receiving the first modulated carrier signal; and

a second coupler connected between the electric lines and the second transmitter and the second receiver, said second coupler matching the output impedance of the second transmitter and the input impedance of the second receiver to the characteristic impedance of the electric lines and communicating the first and second modulated carrier signals without substantial phase distortion.

28. The communications apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first and second couplers each comprise two LC circuits.

29. The communications apparatus of claim 28 wherein each of the LC circuits comprises at least one capacitor connected in series with the electric lines and a transformer having a non-magnetic core.

30. The communications apparatus of claim 29 wherein the transformer is an air-core transformer.

31. The communications apparatus of claim 29 wherein the transformer is a dielectric-core transformer.

32. The communications apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first preselected frequency and the second preselected frequency are greater than or equal to 1 GHz.

33. The communications apparatus of claim 27 wherein the electric signals are Ethernet signals.

34. The communications apparatus of claim 33 wherein the electric signals are selected from the group comprising 10 Mbps Ethernet signals, 100 Mpbs Ethernet signals and 1 Gbps Ethernet signals.

35. The communications apparatus of claim 33 wherein the electric signals are connected to a network backbone via an Ethernet HUB/switch.

36. The communications apparatus of claim 35 wherein the network backbone is selected from the group comprising the Internet, an Ethernet wide area network (WAN), an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a telephone or telecommunications center, and a television broadcasting station.

37. A coupler for use in a communications apparatus for communicating electric signals through one or more electric lines having a characteristic impedance, said coupler comprising:

a solid-state transformer having a primary side;

a capacitor adapted to be connected between the primary side and the electric line, wherein the primary side and the capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected bandwidth.

38. A method for communicating electrical signals to one or more electric lines having a characteristic impedance comprising:

producing a modulated carrier signal having a preselected frequency greater than or equal to 200 Mhz;

transmitting the modulated carrier signal using a transmitter having an output impedance; and

coupling the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without significant phase distortion using a coupler that matches the output impedance of the transmitter to the characteristic impedance of the electric line;

said coupler comprising a transformer having a non-magnetic core, said transformer communicating the modulated carrier signal to the electric line without significant phase distortion; and

a coupling capacitor that resonates with the transformer at the preselected frequency,

said transformer comprising;

a first conductive plate;

a second conductive plate spaced apart from the first conductive plate by the non-magnetic core;

and said coupling capacitor being connected between the first conductive plate and the electrical line, wherein the first conductive plate and the capacitor are matched to the characteristic impedance of the electric line at a preselected bandwidth.

39. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the electric line is selected from the group comprising high-voltage power lines, medium-voltage power lines, low-voltage power lines, coaxial cables, twisted pair lines and phone lines.

40. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the transformer is an air-core transformer.

41. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the transformer is an dielectric core transformer.

42. The communications method of claim 41 wherein the core of the transformer is filled with a resin material.

43. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the transformer is a solid-state transformer.

44. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the electric signals are Ethernet signals.

45. The communications method of claim 44 wherein the electric signals are selected from the group comprising 10 Mbps Ethernet signals, 100 Mbps Ethernet signals, and 1 Gbps Ethernet signals.

46. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the preselected frequency is equal to or greater than 1 GHz.

47. The communications method of claim 44 wherein the electric signals are connected to a network backbone via Ethernet HUB/switch.

48. The communications method of claim 47 wherein the network backbone is selected from the group comprising the Internet, and Ethernet wide area network (WAN), and Ethernet local area network (LAN), telephone or telecommunications center, and a television broadcasting station.

49. The communications methods of claim 38 wherein the conductive plates are generally rectangular in shape.

50. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the conductive plates are generally square in shape.

51. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the first conductive plate and second conductive plate are separated by chip material.

52. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are generally circular in shape.

53. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are formed directly in a chip by deposition of metallic layers onto the chip.

54. The communications method of claim 38 wherein the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate are formed from doped silicone.