Method and apparatus for providing inductive coupling and decoupling of high-frequency, high-bandwidth data signals directly on and off of a high voltage power line
First Claim
1. A method for communicating high-frequency data signals through power lines comprising:
- de-coupling first data signals representing first data from the power line by inductance;
conditioning the first data signals to provide the first data;
coupling the first data to a first end of a fiber optic cable that is sufficient to isolate power line voltages if such voltages are conducted to the fiber optic cable;
receiving second data from the fiber optic cable;
conditioning the second data to form second data signals; and
coupling the second data signals to the power line by inductance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is drawn to an electrically “closed” method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data signals over a high voltage power line. Inductive coupling is employed for coupling and decoupling the data signal directly on to and off of a single power line wire. An exemplary device includes a high frequency inductive coupling toroid for data signals, a second (50-60 Hz) inductive coupling toroid for providing power, signal conditioning electronics for the receive and transmit signal, a fiber optics interface for electrical isolation purposes, and a weather-proof enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the toroids are hinged for ease of installation on a power line. A pair of such couplings on either side of a fiber-optic isolator can be used to bridge transformers.
670 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for communicating high-frequency data signals through power lines comprising:
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de-coupling first data signals representing first data from the power line by inductance;
conditioning the first data signals to provide the first data;
coupling the first data to a first end of a fiber optic cable that is sufficient to isolate power line voltages if such voltages are conducted to the fiber optic cable;
receiving second data from the fiber optic cable;
conditioning the second data to form second data signals; and
coupling the second data signals to the power line by inductance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for communicating data over a power line, comprising:
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de-coupling a first data signal comprising first data from the power line by inductance;
demodulating said first data signal;
transmitting said first data through a fiber optic cable that is sufficient to isolate power line voltages if such voltages are conducted to the fiber optic cable;
receiving second data from the fiber optic cable;
modulating at least one carrier signal with the second data to provide a second data signal; and
coupling said second data signal to the power line by inductance. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for communicating high-frequency data signals through power lines comprising:
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de-coupling first data signals representing first data from the power line by inductance;
conditioning the first data signals to provide the first data; and
coupling the first data to a first end of a fiber optic cable that is sufficient to isolate power line voltages if such voltages are conducted to the fiber optic cable. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification