Data communication over a power line

• US 6,933,835 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2002
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Kline, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US10/075,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20020118101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/310.07, 340/310.08, 340/870.01, 340/531, 340/539.1
• US Class Current: 375/258
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/483 Installation of aerial type
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5416 by adding signals to the wave form of the power source
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5487 cables
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

A signal is received from a first portion of a power line and at least a portion of the signal is converted to a non-electrically conducting signal. The non-electrically conducting signal may be communicated to a non-electrically conductive communication path. In this manner, the non-electrically conducting signal may have properties that do not provide imminent danger from human contact.

Claims

1. A communication device for communicating data over a power line having a voltage greater than one thousand volts, comprising:

a data signal impedance coupled to the power line;

a data coupler comprising a first port and a second port wherein said first port is coupled to the power line on a first side of the data signal impedance and the second port of said coupler is coupled to the power line on the second side of the data signal impedance;

a modem communicatively coupled to said coupler;

a fiber optic transceiver communicatively coupled to said modem; and

a fiber optic cable communicatively coupled to said transceiver.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a router in communication with said modem.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said router is configured to monitor usage data.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an inductive power coupler configured to inductively couple power from the power signal carried by the power line.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said power coupler is electrically connected to said modem to provide power thereto.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said power coupler is electrically connected to said transceiver to provide power thereto.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said power coupler is connected to said modem through an AC-DC converter.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein said power coupler is comprised of a magnetically permeable material having an aperture through which the power line may traverse.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein said power coupler further comprises a first portion coupled to a second portion via a hinge.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said data coupler is an inductive coupler.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said inductive data coupler is comprised of a magnetically permeable material having an aperture through which the power line may traverse.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said inductive data coupler comprises a toroid.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said inductive coupler comprises a first portion coupled to a second portion via a hinge.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said data coupler is a capacitive coupler.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said modem is configured to communicate over the power line via a wideband signal.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said wideband signal comprises at least one carrier frequency of about fifty megahertz.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein said wideband signal comprises an orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) signal.

9. The device of 8, wherein said power coupler comprises a toroid.