Last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network having virtual local area network functionality
First Claim
1. A method for operating a last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network to provide high-speed data communication service to a number of power line gateways, the method comprising:
- segregating the number of power line gateways serviced by the last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network into a plurality of groups of power line gateways, wherein each group of power line gateways of the plurality of groups of power line gateways receives high-speed data communication service via a respective utility grid segment;
for each group of power line gateways of the plurality of groups of power line gateways, servicing the group of power line gateways with a respective port of a power line termination module;
for each power line gateway of each group of power line gateways of the plurality of groups of power line gateways, establishing a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) between the power line gateway and a respective port of the power line termination module; and
for each data packet received at the power line termination module that is intended for a serviced power line gateway;
determining a servicing port of the power line termination module for the serviced power line gateway;
determining a VLAN identifier for the serviced power line gateway;
formatting the data packet for transmission to the serviced power line gateway to include the VLAN identifier; and
transmitting the data packet to the serviced power line gateway via the servicing port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power line based communication system includes a power line termination module, a plurality of power line gateways, and a plurality of power line nodes. The power line termination module manages data for local area networks within the power line based communication system. The plurality of power line gateways is arranged in sets of power line gateways, wherein each set of power line gateways constitutes a local area network. Each of the plurality of power line nodes is operably coupled to the power line termination module via a high-speed communication path. In addition, each power line node is operably coupled to set of power line gateways, i.e., to a local area network, via power lines of a local transformer. Each of the power line nodes receives data for its respective LAN from the power line termination module and provides the data to the power line gateways of its LAN via the power lines of the local transformer. Virtual local area networks are enabled between the power line termination module and the power line gateways.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for operating a last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network to provide high-speed data communication service to a number of power line gateways, the method comprising:
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segregating the number of power line gateways serviced by the last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network into a plurality of groups of power line gateways, wherein each group of power line gateways of the plurality of groups of power line gateways receives high-speed data communication service via a respective utility grid segment; for each group of power line gateways of the plurality of groups of power line gateways, servicing the group of power line gateways with a respective port of a power line termination module; for each power line gateway of each group of power line gateways of the plurality of groups of power line gateways, establishing a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) between the power line gateway and a respective port of the power line termination module; and for each data packet received at the power line termination module that is intended for a serviced power line gateway; determining a servicing port of the power line termination module for the serviced power line gateway; determining a VLAN identifier for the serviced power line gateway; formatting the data packet for transmission to the serviced power line gateway to include the VLAN identifier; and transmitting the data packet to the serviced power line gateway via the servicing port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for servicing high-speed data communications to a number of power line gateways over a last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network, the system comprising:
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a plurality of power line nodes, wherein each power line node of the plurality of power line nodes communicatively couples to at least one respective utility grid segment and services a respective group of power line gateways coupled to the at least one respective utility grid segment; and a power line termination module communicatively coupled to the plurality of power line nodes comprising; a high speed interface that communicatively couples to a high-speed data network; a port interface having a plurality of ports, wherein each port of the plurality of ports communicatively couples to at least one respective power line node and services a respective plurality of power line gateways; and a processor that executes software instructions that cause the power line termination module to; establish a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) domain for each of the plurality of ports; for each port of the plurality of ports, assign a unique VLAN identifier to each power line gateway serviced by the port; receive a first data packet from a power line gateway; determine a subscriber address from the first data packet; associate the subscriber address with a VLAN identifier for the power line gateway; receive a second data packet intended for the power line gateway that includes the subscriber address; based upon the subscriber address, determine a VLAN identifier of a power line gateway and a servicing port of the power line termination module corresponding to the subscriber address; format the data packet for transmission to the power line gateway to include the VLAN identifier; and transmit the data packet to the power line gateway via the servicing port of the power line termination module. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A power line node for use in a last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network, the power line node comprising:
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a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) data packet switch having a plurality of ports; a power line Local Area Network (LAN) interface communicatively coupled on a first side to a first port of the plurality of ports of the VLAN data packet switch and communicatively coupled on a second side to a respective utility grid segment of the last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network; a power line termination module interface communicatively coupled on a first side to a second port of the plurality of ports of the VLAN data packet switch and communicatively coupled on a second side to a servicing power line termination module; a processor communicatively coupled to a third port of the plurality of ports of the VLAN data packet switch, wherein the processor executes a plurality of instructions that causes the power line node to; establish communications via the first port with at least one serviced power line gateway; and establish communications via the second port with the servicing power line termination module. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A power line gateway for use in a last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network, the power line gateway comprising:
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a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) data packet switch having a plurality of ports; a power line Local Area Network (LAN) interface communicatively coupled on a first side to a first port of the plurality of ports of the VLAN data packet switch and communicatively coupled on a second side to a servicing utility grid segment of the last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network; a device interface communicatively coupled on a first side to a second port of the plurality of ports of the VLAN data packet switch and communicatively coupled on a second side to a serviced device; and a processor communicatively coupled to a third port of the plurality of ports of the VLAN data packet switch, wherein the processor executes a plurality of instructions that causes the power line gateway to establish communication via the servicing utility grid segment of the last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network with a servicing power line node and a servicing power line termination module. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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Specification