Power line communication apparatus and method of using the same

• US 7,701,325 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Melvin Joseph II
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland; Donnie L
• Application Number:
  US11/763,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20070236340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.11
• US Class Current: 340/870.07
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/483 Installation of aerial type
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5479 using repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5487 cables
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/58 Repeater circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/066 Telephone sets adapted for data transmision

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication device for use with a power line communication system. One embodiment of the present invention forms a bypass device and comprises a LV coupler, a LV signal conditioner, a controller, a MV modem, a first MV signal conditioner, an isolator, a second MV signal conditioner, and a MV coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.

Claims

1. A device for providing communications to one or more user devices by communicating over a power distribution system having a low voltage power line and a medium voltage power line, comprising:

a first modem configured to communicate via the medium voltage power line;

a second modem configured to communicate with the one or more user devices;

a processor in communication with said first modem and said second modem;

a memory communicatively coupled to said processor and storing program code executable by said processor;

a sensor module communicatively coupled to said processor and configured to measure one or more parameters of a power line of the power distribution system; and

wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said first modem to transmit data of the one or more measured parameters over the medium voltage power line.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor module comprises a current measurement circuit configured to measure a current carried by a low voltage power line.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor module comprises a voltage measurement circuit;

and

wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said voltage measurement circuit to measure a voltage of the power line of the power distribution system.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said voltage measurement circuit to measure the voltage according to schedule data stored in said memory.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to store software received via said first modem in said memory.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to execute said software stored in said memory.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to store data traffic information in said memory.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said first modem to transmit data traffic information via the medium voltage power line.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to process commands received via the medium voltage power line.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor module comprises a voltage measurement circuit;

and

said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said voltage measurement circuit to measure a voltage of the power line of the power distribution system and to cause said first modem to transmit voltage data via the medium voltage power line.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to determine whether the measured voltage is outside a predetermined threshold and to cause said first modem to transmit a notification via the medium voltage power line if the voltage is outside of the predetermined threshold.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to assign an address to at least one of the user devices and to cause said second modem to transmit the address to the at least one user device.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to route the transmission of data received via said first modem.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to accord a priority to at least some data received via said second modem based on the type of data.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said second modem is configured to communicate via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said second modem comprises a wireless modem.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to determine power quality data of the power line of the power distribution system and to cause said first modem to transmit said power quality data over the medium voltage power line.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor module comprises a current measurement circuit;

and

said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said current measurement circuit to measure a current of the power line of the power distribution system and to cause said first modem to transmit current data via the medium voltage power line.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to determine whether the current is outside a predetermined threshold and to cause said first modem to transmit a notification via the medium voltage power line if the current is outside of the predetermined threshold.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor module is configured to measure a current carried by the power line of the power distribution system.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said sensor module is further configured to measure a voltage of a low voltage power line of the power distribution system.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said sensor module to measure the voltage and the current according to schedule data stored in said memory.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said first modem to transmit current data and voltage data via the medium voltage power line.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said first modem to transmit current data via the medium voltage power line.

25. The device of claim 20, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to cause said sensor module to measure the current according to schedule data stored in said memory.

26. The device of claim 21, wherein said program code includes a code segment executable to cause said processor to determine a power quality based on data of a measured voltage and data of a measured current.

27. The device of claim 20, wherein the power line comprises a low voltage power line.

28. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor module is configured to measure a power quality of a power line conductor.

29. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor module is further configured to measure a temperature of the device.

30. A method of using a device to provide communications to one or more user devices by communicating over a power distribution system having a low voltage power line and a medium voltage power line, comprising:

receiving downstream data via the medium voltage power line;

transmitting the downstream data to the one or more user devices;

receiving upstream data from the one or more user devices;

transmitting the upstream data via the medium voltage power line;

measuring a parameter of a power line of the power distribution system; and

transmitting data of the measured parameter over the medium voltage power line.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving a command via the medium voltage power line; and

performing an action associated with the command.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein measuring a parameter comprises measuring a voltage of the power line.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

determining that the measured voltage is outside a predetermined threshold; and

transmitting a notification via the medium voltage power line.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the voltage is measured according to schedule data received via the medium voltage power line.

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising

receiving software via the medium voltage power line;

and

storing the software in a memory.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising executing the software.

37. The method of claim 30, further comprising storing data traffic information in a memory.

38. The method of claim 30, further comprising transmitting data traffic information via the medium voltage power line.

39. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

assigning an address to one of the user devices; and

transmitting the address to the one user device.

40. The method of claim 30, further comprising prioritizing transmission of upstream data based on the type of payload of the data.

41. The method of claim 30, wherein said transmitting the downstream data comprises wirelessly transmitting the downstream data.

42. The method of claim 30, wherein said transmitting the downstream data comprises transmitting the downstream data via a low voltage power line.

43. The method of claim 30, further comprising determining a power quality of the power line of the power distribution system.

44. The method of claim 30, wherein measuring the parameter comprises measuring a current carried by the power line.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

determining that the measured current is outside a predetermined threshold; and

transmitting a notification via the medium voltage power line.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein measuring the parameter further comprises measuring a voltage of a low voltage power line.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein measuring the parameter comprises measuring the voltage and the current according to schedule data stored in a memory.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein transmitting data of the measured parameter comprises transmitting current data and voltage data via the medium voltage power line.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein transmitting data of the measured parameter comprises transmitting current data via the medium voltage power line.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein measuring the parameter further comprises measuring the current according to schedule data stored in a memory.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein the power line comprises a low voltage power line.

52. The method of claim 33, further comprising determining a power quality of a power line of the power distribution system.

53. A method of using a device to provide communications to one or more user devices by communicating over a power distribution system having a low voltage power line and a medium voltage power line, comprising:

receiving downstream data via the medium voltage power line;

transmitting the downstream data to the one or more user devices;

receiving upstream data from the one or more user devices;

transmitting the upstream data via the medium voltage power line;

receiving a command via the medium voltage power line;

performing an action associated with the command;

measuring a current carried by a power line of the power distribution system; and

transmitting current data via the medium voltage power line.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

determining that the measured current is outside a predetermined threshold; and

transmitting a notification via the medium voltage power line.

55. The method of claim 53, further comprising measuring a voltage of a low voltage power line.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein said measuring the voltage and said measuring the current comprise measuring the voltage and measuring the current according to schedule data stored in a memory.

57. The method of claim 55, further comprising transmitting voltage data via the medium voltage power line.

58. The method of claim 53, wherein measuring the current comprises measuring the current according to schedule data stored in a memory.

59. The method of claim 53, wherein the power line comprises a low voltage power line.

60. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

receiving software via the medium voltage power line;

storing the software; and

executing the software.