Local area network of serial intelligent cells

• US 7,978,726 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2006
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Original Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Chi H
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOAKYE, ALEXANDER O
• Application Number:
  US11/514,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20060291497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,775 Days
• Field of Search: 370/478, 370/502, 370/295, 370/337, 370/342, 370/479, 370/344, 370/347, 370/436, 370/441, 370/254, 370/463, 370/908
• US Class Current: 370/463
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• 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: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/02 providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/908 Local area network

Abstract

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC'"'"'s interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC'"'"'s is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC'"'"'s to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services. The network can use dedicated wiring, as well as existing wiring as the in-house telephone or electrical wiring.

Claims

1. A device for connection between first and second wirings, the first wiring being connected to bi-directionally carry a first digital data signal in a first digital data frequency band and to also carry a first signal having power frequency distinct from, and lower than, the first digital data frequency band, and the second wiring being connected to bi-directionally carry a second digital data signal in a second digital data frequency band and to also carry a second signal having the power frequency that is distinct from, and lower than, the second digital data frequency band, and the device comprising:

a first connector connectable to the first wiring;

a second connector connectable to the second wiring;

first and second low pass filters coupled to said first and second connectors respectively and operative for substantially passing the first and second power signals respectively;

a first high pass filter coupled to said first connector and operative for substantially passing only signals in the first digital data frequency band;

a first modem coupled to said first high pass filter for conducting the first digital data signal over the first wiring;

a second high pass filter coupled to said second connector and operative for substantially passing only signals in the second digital data frequency band;

a second modem coupled to said second high pass filter for conducting the second digital data signal over the second wiring;

a power supply for receiving power from a local power source, the power supply coupled to both the first and second low pass filters, and the power supply for providing the first and second power signals for transmission from the device onto the first and second wirings respectively; and

a single enclosure housing said filters, said power supply, said modems and said connectors, wherein;

said device is addressable in a local area network.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second wirings are Ethernet wirings.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first power signal is a same type of power signal as the second power signal.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second power signals are DC power signals.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the local power source comprises an electrical power main.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first digital data frequency band is a same frequency band as the second digital data frequency band.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a manually assigned address.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has an automatically assigned address.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has an address assigned by a data unit coupled to the device.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a control block in the single enclosure, the first and second modems being coupled together via the control block.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the control block is configured to control operation of the first and second modems, and the control block is further configured to facilitate communication of the first digital data signal onto the second wiring and/or facilitate communication of the second digital data signal onto the first wiring.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second wirings are Ethernet wirings.

13. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a third connector connectable to a third wiring, the third wiring being adapted to bi-directionally carry a third digital data signal in a third digital data frequency band.

14. The device according to claim 13, further comprising:

a third high pass filter coupled to said third connector and operative for substantially passing only signals in the third digital data frequency band; and

a third modem coupled to said third high pass filter for conducting the third digital data signal over the third wiring.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the third modem is coupled to the first and second modems via the control block that is configured to control operation of the third modem, and the control block is further configured to facilitate communication of the third digital data signal onto either the first wiring or the second wiring.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the third wiring is adapted to also carry a third power signal having a power frequency distinct from, and lower than, the third digital data frequency band.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the first, second and third wirings are Ethernet wirings.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the control block comprises firmware and a processor.

19. A network for respectively coupling first and second serial digital data signals to first and second data units and for powering an AC powered appliance by an AC power signal, said network comprising:

a first AC power wiring comprising two conductors connected for carrying a first AC power signal having an AC power frequency, frequency multiplexed with the first digital data signal in a first digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, the AC power frequency;

a second AC power wiring comprising two conductors connected for carrying a second AC power signal having the AC power frequency, frequency multiplexed with the second digital data signal in a second digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, the AC power frequency;

a first device enclosed in a first single enclosure and connected between said first and second AC power wirings, said first device being operative to pass AC power signals having the AC power frequency and to pass digital data signals between said first and second AC power wirings, said first device further comprising a first port couplable to a first data unit for coupling the first and second digital data signals to the first data unit; and

a second device enclosed in a second single enclosure connected to said second AC power wiring, said second device comprising an AC power connector connectable to power the AC powered appliance, said second device further comprising a second port couplable to a second data unit for coupling the second digital data signal to the second data unit, wherein each of said first and second devices is addressable as part of the network.

20. The network according to claim 19, wherein said first device comprises a second AC power connector connectable to power a second AC powered appliance.

21. The network according to claim 19, wherein the first and second digital data signals are at least in part independent of, or distinct from, each other.

22. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least part of at least one of said first and second AC power wirings is pre-existing AC power wiring in walls of a building.

23. The network according to claim 22, wherein at least one of said first and second devices is connected to at least one of said first and second AC power wirings via an AC power outlet.

24. The network according to claim 23, wherein at least one of said first and second enclosures is integrated into, and connected to, the AC power outlet.

25. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least part of at least one of said first and second AC power wirings is outside of a building.

26. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second devices has a manually assigned address.

27. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second devices has an automatically assigned address.

28. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second devices has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said one of said first and second devices.

29. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second devices is pluggable into an outlet, or is attachable to an outlet, or is wall mountable, or is mountable into an outlet opening.

30. The network according to claim 19, wherein the coupling between said first device and the first data unit is based on point-to-point full-duplex communication.

31. The network according to claim 30, wherein digital data communication with the first data unit is Ethernet based.

32. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second devices is further operative to couple the first digital data signal to an additional analog unit, and said network further comprises:

an analog connector connectable to the additional analog unit for coupling an additional analog signal to the analog unit; and

a converter between analog and digital signals coupled to said analog connector for converting between one of the first and second bi-directional digital data signals and the additional analog signal.

33. The network according to claim 32, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

34. The network according to claim 32, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

35. The network according to claim 32, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the additional analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

36. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least one parameter of at least one of said first and second devices is configurable by a data unit connected to said at least one of said first and second devices.

37. The network according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the single enclosures is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to substitute for a standard outlet.

38. A device for coupling digital data between first and second AC power wirings, each AC power wiring being connected for carrying an AC power signal frequency multiplexed with a respective digital data signal, wherein each digital data signal is carried in each AC power wiring in a digital data frequency band and the AC power signal carried in each AC power wiring has an AC power frequency distinct from, and lower than, the digital data frequency band of the digital data signal carried in the same AC power wiring, said device comprising:

a first AC power connector for connecting to the first AC power wiring;

a second AC power connector for connecting to the second AC power wiring;

a high pass filter coupled between said first and second AC power connectors and operative for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band and for substantially stopping signals having the AC power frequency, for passing digital data signals between the first and second AC power wirings; and

a single enclosure housing said high pass filter and said AC power connectors.

39. The device according to claim 38, further comprising a low-pass filter coupled between said first and second AC power connectors and operative for substantially passing only signals having the AC power frequency and for substantially stopping signals in the digital data frequency bands, for passing AC power between the first and second AC power wirings.

40. The device according to claim 38, further operative for coupling the digital data signal carried by the first AC power wiring to a data unit, said device further comprising:

a data connector for connecting to the data unit; and

a second filter coupled between said first AC power connector and said data connector and operative for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency bands and for substantially stopping signals having the AC power frequency.

41. The device according to claim 38, wherein said device is at least in part housed within an outlet, or is pluggable into an outlet, or is attachable to an outlet.

42. The device according to claim 38, wherein said single enclosure is:

wall mountable;

or mountable into an outlet opening;

or structured to replace an existing outlet.

43. The device according to claim 38, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to substitute for a standard outlet.

44. A device for passing digital data between a first digital data signal in a first digital data frequency band and a second digital data signal in a second digital data frequency band, the first and second digital data frequency bands each being distinct from, and higher than, an AC power frequency, and wherein at least the first digital data signal is carried over an AC power wiring, said device comprising:

a first port for coupling to the first digital data signal;

a second port for coupling to the second digital data signal;

a first high pass filter coupled to said first port and operative for substantially passing only signals in the first digital data frequency band and for substantially stopping signals having the AC power frequency;

a first powerline modem coupled to said first high pass filter for conducting the first digital data signal in the first digital data frequency band;

a second high pass filter coupled to said second port and operative for substantially passing only signals in the second digital data frequency band and for substantially stopping signals having the AC power frequency;

a second powerline modem coupled to said second high pass filter for conducting the second digital data signal in the second digital data frequency band; and

a single enclosure housing said filters, said powerline modems and said ports, wherein;

said first and second powerline modems are coupled to each other for passing digital data between said first and second ports; and

said device is addressable in a local area network.

45. The device according to claim 44, further comprising:

a data connector for connecting to a data unit; and

a data transceiver coupled between said data connector and said first powerline modem and operative for coupling the first bi-directional digital data signal to the data unit to effect full-duplex serial digital data communication with the data unit.

46. The device according to claim 44, wherein the digital data communication with the data unit is Ethernet based.

47. The device according to claim 44, wherein the AC power wiring is connected for concurrently carrying an AC power signal having the AC power frequency, said device is further operative for powering an AC powered appliance, and said device further comprises:

an AC power connector for connecting to the AC powered appliance; and

a low pass filter coupled between said first port and said AC power connector and operative for substantially passing only the AC power signal.

48. The device according to claim 44, wherein said device has a manually assigned address.

49. The device according to claim 44, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

50. The device according to claim 44, wherein said device has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said device.

51. The device according to claim 44, wherein said device is:

at least in part housed within an outlet;

or pluggable into an outlet;

or attachable to an outlet.

52. The device according to claim 44, wherein said single enclosure is:

wall mountable;

or mountable into an outlet opening;

or structured to replace an existing outlet.

53. The device according to claim 44, wherein at least one of said first and second powerline modems is operative for bi-directional digital data signal communication with one or more additional powerline modems of the same type as said one of said first and second powerline modems over the AC power wiring.

54. The device according to claim 44, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to substitute for a standard outlet.

55. The device according to claim 44, further operative for coupling a digitized telephone signal carried as part of the first digital data signal to an analog telephone, said device further comprising:

a telephone connector for coupling an analog telephone signal to the analog telephone; and

a converter coupled between said telephone connector and said first powerline modem for converting between the digitized telephone signal and the analog telephone signal.

56. A device that is part of a local area network in a building for coupling a digital data signal to multiple data units, the local area network including at least part of an existing AC power wiring that is at least in part in walls of the building and is terminated by an outlet, the AC power wiring being connected for carrying the digital data signal frequency multiplexed with an AC power signal having an AC power frequency, said device comprising:

an AC power connector for connecting said device to the AC power wiring;

a powerline modem coupled to said AC power connector for bi-directional digital data signal communication with one or more additional modems of the same type over the AC power wiring;

a first data connector for connecting to a first data unit;

a first data transceiver coupled between said first data connector and said powerline modem and operative for coupling the digital data signal to the first data unit to effect point-to-point full-duplex serial digital data communication with the first data unit;

a second data connector for connecting to a second data unit;

a second data transceiver coupled between said second data connector and said powerline modem and operative for coupling the digital data signal to the second data unit to effect point-to-point full-duplex serial digital data communication with the second data unit; and

a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said powerline modem, said first and second data connectors and said first and second data transceivers, wherein said device is addressable in the local area network.

57. The device according to claim 56, further comprising a high pass filter coupled between said powerline modem and said AC power connector, said high pass filter being operative to substantially pass only the digital data signal.

58. The device according to claim 56, wherein said device has a manually assigned address.

59. The device according to claim 56, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

60. The device according to claim 56, wherein the device has an address assigned by one of the first or second data units connected to the device.

61. The device according to claim 56, wherein said device is at least in part housed within an outlet.

62. The device according to claim 56, wherein said device is pluggable into an outlet or attachable to an outlet.

63. The device according to claim 56, wherein said first data connector and said first data transceiver cooperatively form a first digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard, and wherein said second data connector and said second data transceiver cooperatively form a second digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard.

64. The device according to claim 56, wherein said single enclosure is mountable in a wall opening or in an outlet cavity.

65. The device according to claim 56, further operative to couple the digital data signal to an analog unit, said device further comprising an analog connector connectable to the analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit, and a converter between the analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said powerline modem.

66. The device according to claim 65, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

67. The device according to claim 65, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

68. The device according to claim 65, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

69. The device according to claim 65, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, the analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

70. The device according to claim 56, further operative for coupling a digitized telephone signal carried as part of the digital data signal to an analog telephone, said device further comprising:

a telephone connector for coupling an analog telephone signal to the analog telephone; and

a converter coupled between said telephone connector and said powerline modem for converting between the digitized telephone signal and the analog telephone signal.

71. The device according to claim 56, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to substitute for a standard outlet.

72. A device for coupling a digital data signal carried in a local area network in a building to a data unit and to an analog unit, the network including at least part of an existing AC power wiring that is at least in part in walls of the building and is terminated by an outlet, the AC power wiring being connected for carrying a frequency multiplexed AC power signal and a digital data signal, said device comprising:

an AC power connector for connecting said device to the AC power wiring;

a powerline modem coupled to said AC power connector for bi-directional digital data signal communication over the AC power wiring with one or more powerline modems of the same type;

a data connector for connecting to the data unit;

a data transceiver coupled between said data connector and said powerline modem, said data transceiver being operative for coupling the digital data signal to the data unit for full-duplex serial communication of the digital data signal with the data unit;

an analog connector for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit;

a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said powerline modem and said analog connector; and

a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said powerline modem, said data connector, said data transceiver, said converter and said analog connector, wherein;

said device is addressable in the local area network;

the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon; and

said converter is an analog to digital converter.

73. The device according to claim 72, further comprising a high pass filter coupled between said AC power connector and said powerline modem and operative to substantially pass only the digital data signal.

74. The device according to claim 72, wherein said data connector and said data transceiver cooperatively form a digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard.

75. The device according to claim 72, wherein said device has a manually assigned address.

76. The device according to claim 72, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

77. The device according to claim 72, wherein said device has an address that is assigned by said data unit connected to said device.

78. The device according to claim 72, wherein said device is pluggable into an outlet or attachable to an outlet.

79. The device according to claim 72, wherein said single enclosure is mountable into a wall opening or an outlet cavity.

80. The device according to claim 72, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

81. The device according to claim 72, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, said analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

82. The device according to claim 72, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to substitute for a standard outlet.

83. A device for coupling signals between first and second point-to-point wiring segments and AC power wiring, each wiring segment comprising at least one twisted wire pair, the AC power wiring being connected to carry a first bi-directional digital data signal in a digital data frequency band and an AC power signal at an AC power frequency distinct and below said first digital data frequency band, said device comprising:

an AC power connector for connecting to the AC power wiring;

an high pass filter coupled to said AC power connector and operative for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;

a powerline modem coupled to said high pass filter for packet-based bi-directional digital data communication over the AC power wiring;

a first data connector for connecting to said first wiring segment;

a first data transceiver coupled to said first data connector for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication over said first wiring segment;

a second data connector for connecting to said second wiring segment;

a second data transceiver coupled to said second data connector for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication over said second wiring segment;

a low pass filter coupled to said AC power connector and operative for substantially passing only the AC power frequency;

a power supply including an AC/DC converter coupled to said low pass filter for being powered from said AC power signal, the power supply further coupled to DC power said powerline modem and said first and second data transceivers; and

a single enclosure housing said filters, said connectors, said power supply and said powerline modem;

wherein;

said first data transceiver is coupled to said powerline modem for passing data between said first wiring segment and the AC power wiring;

said second data transceiver is coupled to said powerline modem for passing data signals between said second wiring segment and the AC power wiring; and

said device is addressable in a local area network.

84. The device according to claim 83, wherein:

the first and second wiring segments are LAN cables;

said first and second data transceivers are LAN transceivers;

and said first and second data connectors are LAN connectors.

85. The device according to claim 84, wherein:

said LAN transceivers are Ethernet transceivers;

said LAN connectors are Ethernet connectors; and

communication over the first and second LAN cables substantially conforms to Ethernet protocol.

86. The device according to claim 83, wherein said device is further operative to AC power an AC powered appliance from the AC power signal, and said device further comprises:

an AC power socket for connecting to the AC powered appliance; and

a second low pass filter coupled between said AC power connector and said AC power socket and operative for substantially passing only the AC power frequency in order to pass the AC power signal between the AC power wiring and the AC powered appliance.

87. The device according to claim 83, wherein said device has a manually assigned address.

88. The device according to claim 83, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

89. The device according to claim 83, wherein said device has an address assigned by a data unit communicating with said device.

90. The device according to claim 83, in combination with an outlet in which at least a part of said device is housed.

91. The device according to claim 83, wherein said device is pluggable into, or attachable to, a power outlet.

92. The device according to claim 83, wherein said single enclosure is wall mountable, or mountable into a power outlet opening, or structured to replace an existing outlet.

93. The device according to claim 83, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard power outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard power wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in a power outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to substitute for a standard power outlet.

94. The device according to claim 93, wherein at least one parameter of said device is configurable by a data unit connected thereto.

95. The device according to claim 83, further comprising:

an analog connector connectable to an analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit; and

a converter between analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said first powerline modem.

96. The device according to claim 95, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

97. The device according to claim 95, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

98. The device according to claim 95, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

99. The device according to claim 95, wherein the analog unit is an analog telephone unit, said analog connector is a telephone connector, and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

100. The device according to claim 95, wherein said analog connector is coupled to said power supply and to the analog unit for powering the analog unit from said power supply.

101. The device according to claim 83, wherein said device is further operative to allow the communication over the first wiring segment to be independent of the communication over the second wiring segment.

102. The device according to claim 83, wherein:

said device further functions as a multiplexer;

said AC power wiring is connected for carrying first and second signals;

said device is connected to pass only the first signal between the AC power wiring and the first wiring segment; and

said device is connected to pass only the second signal between the AC power wiring and the second wiring segment.

103. The device according to claim 102, wherein the first and second signals are digital data signals time multiplexed over the AC power wiring.

104. The device according to claim 103, wherein the AC power wiring is connected to a high data rate connection whose bandwidth is multiplexed to the first and second wiring segments.

105. The device according to claim 83, wherein said first and second data connectors are coupled to receive DC power from said power supply, for supplying a DC power signal to be concurrently carried over the wiring segments with the digital data signals.

106. The device according to claim 105, wherein the DC power signal is carried over dedicated wires in the wiring segments.