Last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network having virtual local area network functionality
First Claim
1. A method or providing communications over a plurality of low voltage power line subnets of a power distribution system to a plurality of groups of subscriber interface devices, wherein each subnet comprises one or more low voltage power lines connected to a distribution transformer and extending to one or more subscriber residences and wherein each group of subscriber interface devices receives communications service via a respective different low voltage subnet, the method comprising:
- providing a power line communications device coupled to each of the plurality of low voltage subnets;
establishing non-power line communications between each of a multitude of the power line communication devices and a remote network;
establishing a plurality of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN), wherein each of the plurality of VLANs comprises one of the power line communications devices and a multitude of subscriber interface devices that are connected to the same low voltage subnet;
with a first subscriber interface device, receiving first data from a first subscriber device;
storing in a memory of the first subscriber interface device a VLAN identifier;
formulating a first data packet with the first subscriber interface device that includes at least a portion of the first data and the first VLAN identifier;
transmitting the first data packet over the VLAN to a first power line communications device with the first subscriber interface device;
receiving the first data packet that includes the first VLAN identifier and the at least a portion of the first data;
modifying the first data packet to remove the first VLAN identifier to provide a second data packet; and
transmitting the second data packet to a remote destination via the remote network.
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0 Petitions
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
52 Claims
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1. A method or providing communications over a plurality of low voltage power line subnets of a power distribution system to a plurality of groups of subscriber interface devices, wherein each subnet comprises one or more low voltage power lines connected to a distribution transformer and extending to one or more subscriber residences and wherein each group of subscriber interface devices receives communications service via a respective different low voltage subnet, the method comprising:
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providing a power line communications device coupled to each of the plurality of low voltage subnets; establishing non-power line communications between each of a multitude of the power line communication devices and a remote network; establishing a plurality of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN), wherein each of the plurality of VLANs comprises one of the power line communications devices and a multitude of subscriber interface devices that are connected to the same low voltage subnet; with a first subscriber interface device, receiving first data from a first subscriber device; storing in a memory of the first subscriber interface device a VLAN identifier; formulating a first data packet with the first subscriber interface device that includes at least a portion of the first data and the first VLAN identifier; transmitting the first data packet over the VLAN to a first power line communications device with the first subscriber interface device; receiving the first data packet that includes the first VLAN identifier and the at least a portion of the first data; modifying the first data packet to remove the first VLAN identifier to provide a second data packet; and transmitting the second data packet to a remote destination via the remote network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49)
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19. A method of providing communications over a plurality of low voltage power line subnets of a power distribution system to a plurality of groups of subscriber interface devices, wherein each subnet comprises one or more low voltage power lines connected to a distribution transformer and extending to one or more customer residences and wherein each group of subscriber interface devices receives communications service via a respective low voltage subnet, comprising:
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storing in a memory a plurality of VLAN identifiers in association with a plurality of different subscriber interface devices communicatively coupled to a plurality of different VLANs; receiving a data packet via a remote network having a payload intended for the first subscriber device; determining a first VLAN identifier corresponding to the first subscriber device, at least in part, by accessing one or more VLAN identifiers stored in memory; formatting one or more data packets with the payload and the first VLAN identifier for transmission to the first subscriber interface device; and transmitting the one or more data packets with the payload and the first VLAN identifier to the first subscriber interface device via a data path that includes a low voltage power line. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 50, 51, 52)
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28. A power line communication device for communicating over power lines by transmitting outgoing data toward a remote network received from for one or more communication devices communicatively coupled to a power line at one or more subscriber residences, comprising:
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a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) data packet switch; a memory storing a plurality of VLAN identifiers in association with a plurality of different communication devices that form part of one or more VLANs; wherein said VLAN data packet switch is configured to receive outgoing VLAN data packets that include a VLAN identifier and to formulate new outgoing data packets by at least removing the VLAN identifier in the outgoing VLAN data packets; a power line Local Area Network (LAN) interface communicatively coupled on a first side to the VLAN data packet switch and configured to be communicatively coupled on a second side to a power line to receive outgoing VLAN data packets therefrom; an upstream interface communicatively coupled on a first side to the VLAN data packet switch and configured to communicate via a second side with an upstream device; wherein said upstream interface is configured to transmit the new outgoing data packets to the upstream device; and a processor communicatively coupled to the VLAN data packet switch, wherein the processor is configured to execute a plurality of instructions that causes the device to establish a VLAN via the power line LAN interface with at least one communication device at a subscriber residence. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 45)
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37. 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; a power line Local Area Network (LAN) interface communicatively coupled on a first side to the VLAN data packet switch and configured to be communicatively coupled on a second side to a power line to transmit data packets processed by the VLAN data packet switch; a device interface communicatively coupled on a first side to the VLAN data packet switch and having a plurality of ports configured to be communicatively coupled to a plurality of user devices; a processor communicatively coupled to the VLAN data packet switch; wherein the processor executes a plurality of instructions that causes the power line gateway to establish communication via the power line; a memory communicatively coupled to the VLAN data packet switch and configured to store a different VLAN identifier in association with each of the plurality of ports; and wherein said VLAN data packet switch is configured to; receive first data from a first subscriber device via a first port; access the memory to determine a first VLAN identifier associated with the first port; and formulate one or more data packets that include the first data and the first VLAN identifier. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46)
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Specification