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Communication nodes and sensor devices configured to use power line communication signals, and related methods of operation

  • US 9,722,665 B2
  • Filed: 05/06/2014
  • Issued: 08/01/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a communication node, the method comprising:

  • transmitting, using a Mid Voltage (MV) electric distribution network corresponding to voltages between about 4,000 Volts and about 69,000 Volts, a first power line communication signal from the communication node to a sensor device that is at or adjacent an electric grid device;

    receiving, using the Mid Voltage (MV) electric distribution network corresponding to voltages between about 4,000 Volts and about 69,000 Volts, from the sensor device a second power line communication signal that is responsive to the first power line communication signal, at the communication node;

    determining a distance between the communication node and the electric grid device by measuring an electrical parameter of the second power line communication signal, at the communication node; and

    transmitting, from the communication node to an electric utility head end system, a value representing the distance, via a local area network or a wide area network,wherein the electric utility head end system determines coordinates for the electric grid device by using (i) a GPS measurement of the communication node and (ii) the value representing the distance between the communication node and the electric grid device, andwherein the electric grid device is on a distribution line.

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