Power line coupler adapted for use with multiple electric power meters
First Claim
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1. A system for interfacing a power line communications (PLC)-enabled communication device with a power network residing in one or more buildings, wherein the power network includes a first electric power meter and a second electric meter, the system comprising:
- coupling circuitry configured to receive a broadband communication signal from a PLC-enabled communications device, split the broadband communication signal into multiple portions, and inject a first portion of the broadband communication signal onto the load side of the first electric power meter and inject a second portion of the broadband communication signal onto the load side of the second electric power meter.
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Abstract
Devices and system for interfacing a power line communications (PLC)-enabled communication device in a building using three-phase power and two separate electric power meters are disclosed. In various embodiments, the system can include a specially-configured coupler that enables PLC communications signals to pass to all power lines but without interfering with the operation of the electric power meters.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for interfacing a power line communications (PLC)-enabled communication device with a power network residing in one or more buildings, wherein the power network includes a first electric power meter and a second electric meter, the system comprising:
coupling circuitry configured to receive a broadband communication signal from a PLC-enabled communications device, split the broadband communication signal into multiple portions, and inject a first portion of the broadband communication signal onto the load side of the first electric power meter and inject a second portion of the broadband communication signal onto the load side of the second electric power meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for interfacing a power line communications (PLC)-enabled communication device with a power network residing in one or more buildings, wherein the power network includes a first electric power meter and a second electric meter, the method comprising:
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receiving a broadband communication signal from a PLC-enabled communications device; splitting the broadband communication signal into multiple portions; simultaneously injecting a first portion of the broadband communication signal onto the load side of the first electric power meter and injecting a second portion of the broadband communication signal onto the load side of the second electric power meter. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for interfacing a power line communications (PLC)-enabled communication device with a multiple-phase power network residing in one or more buildings, wherein the multiple-phase power network includes a first power phase line, a second power phase line and a third power phase line, and wherein the multiple-phase power network also includes a first electric power meter monitoring a branch of the first power phase line and the second power phase line, and a second electric meter monitoring the second power phase line and a branch of the third power phase line, the system comprising:
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a PLC-enabled communication device; and a coupling means for coupling communications signals from the PLC-enabled communications device to PLC-enabled terminals coupled to each of the power phase lines without causing appreciable leakage between the first and second electric power meters.
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Specification