Coupling device connecting multiple pots lines in an HPNA environment

• US 6,778,549 B1
• Filed: 09/22/2000
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Keller, Philip J
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzlo, John
• Application Number:
  US09/667,382
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 370/401-403, 370/445, 370/488, 370/489, 370/502, 370/210, 370/494, 370/465, 370/430, 370/392, 370/352, 710/300, 710/306, 710/307, 379/93.07, 379/399.01, 379/413.02, 379/399, 379/93.05, 379/90.01, 379/220.01, 379/27.01, 379/142, 385/17, 330/282, 330/252, 375/258, 375/222, 375/326, 375/220, 375/261, 375/355
• US Class Current: 370/430
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13302 Magnetic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet

Abstract

A local area data network includes two separate and unique twisted pair telephone networks joined by a coupler to form a common data network. The coupler operates to pass pulse position modulated data signals (PPM) and quadrature amplitude modulate (QAM) data signals between the telephone networks and isolate each plain old telephone service (POTS) signals on one telephone network from the other telephone network.

Claims

1. A local area network comprising:

a) two separate telephone networks, at least one of the networks coupled to a telephone line;

b) a telephone coupled to the network coupled to the telephone line and generating telephone signals;

c) a plurality of network computing devices, each of which is coupled to one of the telephone networks and each of which generates data signals; and

d) a coupling device coupled to each of the telephone networks and operating to pass data signals from one telephone network to the other telephone network and isolate telephone signals on one telephone network from the other telephone network.

2. The local area network of claim 1, wherein the telephone signals include plain old telephone service (POTS) signals in a frequency range of 0.3-3.4 KHz.

3. The local area network of claim 2, wherein the data signals include frames of data modulated onto an analog carrier.

4. The local area network of claim 3, wherein the coupling device includes a first transformer coupled to a first of the telephone networks and second transformer coupled to a second of the telephone networks and a high pass filter coupled between the first and second transformer.

5. The local area network of claim 4, wherein the data signals are modulated onto the carrier utilizing quadrature amplitude modulation.

6. The local area network of claim 5, wherein the plurality of network devices includes devices selected from the group of computers, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, ovens, light fixtures, and sprinkler systems.

7. The local area network of claim 4, wherein the data signals include frames of data modulated utilizing the position of discrete pulses.

8. The local area network of claim 7, wherein the plurality of network devices includes devices selected from the group of computers, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, ovens, light fixtures, and sprinkler systems.

9. The local area network of claim 3, wherein the coupling device includes a band pass filter coupled between a first of the telephone networks and a second of the telephone networks.

10. The local area network of claim 9, wherein the data signals are modulated onto the carrier utilizing quadrature amplitude modulation.

11. The local area network of claim 10, wherein the plurality of network devices includes devices selected from the group of computers, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, ovens, light fixtures, and sprinkler systems.

12. The local area network of claim 9, wherein the data signals include frames of data modulated utilizing the position of discrete pulses.

13. The local area network of claim 12, wherein the plurality of network devices includes devices selected from the group of computers, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, ovens, light fixtures, and sprinkler systems.

14. A method of coupling data between two telephone networks, the method comprising:

a) generating telephone signals on a first telephone network;

b) generating data signals on at least one of the first and a second telephone network;

c) passing data signals between the first telephone network and the second telephone network; and

d) isolating telephone signals on the first telephone network from the second telephone network.

15. The method of coupling data between two telephone networks of claim 14, wherein the step of generating telephone signals includes generating plain old telephone service signals in a frequency range of 0.3-3.4 KHz.

16. The method of coupling data between two telephone networks of claim 15, wherein step of generating data signals includes generating frames of data modulated onto an analog carrier.

17. The method of coupling data between two telephone networks of claim 16, wherein the step of generating data signals includes utilizing quadrature amplitude modulation techniques to modulate the carrier.

18. The method of coupling data between two telephone networks of claim 17, wherein the step of passing data signals includes utilizing a first transformer coupled to the first telephone network and second transformer coupled to the second telephone network and a high pass filter coupled between the first and second transformer.

19. The method of coupling data between two telephone networks of claim 17, wherein the step of passing data signals includes utilizing a band pass filter coupled between the first telephone network and the second telephone network.

20. The method of coupling data between two telephone networks of claim 16, wherein the step of generating data signals includes utilizing pulse position modulation techniques to modulate data utilizing the position of discrete pulses.

21. The method of coupling data between two telephone networks of claim 20, wherein the step of passing data signals includes utilizing a first transformer coupled to the first telephone network and second transformer coupled to the second telephone network and a high pass filter coupled between the first and second transformer.

22. The method of coupling data between two telephone networks of claim 20, wherein the step of passing data signals includes utilizing a band pass filter coupled between the first telephone network and the second telephone network.

23. A coupling device for providing selective coupling between at least two individual telephone networks, the coupling device comprising:

a) a first set of terminals for connecting the coupling device to a first one of the at least two individual telephone networks;

b) a second set of terminals for connecting the coupling device to a second one of the at least two individual telephone networks; and

c) a filter operatively coupled to the first and second set of terminals and tuned to pass there between a predefined band of signal frequencies associated with network data communications and to block there between a predefined band of signal frequencies associated with audio communications.

24. The coupling device of claim 23, wherein the signal frequencies associated with audio communications include plain old telephone service signals in a frequency range of 0.3-3.4 KHz.

25. The coupling device of claim 24, wherein the signal frequencies associated with network data communications include modulated carrier signals with a carrier frequency greater than 1 MHz.

26. The coupling device of claim 25, wherein the filter includes a first transformer coupled to the first set of terminals and a second transformer coupled to a second of terminals and a high pass filter coupled between the first and second transformer.

27. The coupling device of claim 25, wherein the filter includes a first transformer coupled to the first set of terminals and a second transformer coupled to a second of terminals and a band pass filter coupled between the first and second transformer.