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2351 results about "Power-line communication" patented technology

Power-line communication (PLC) carries data on a conductor that is also used simultaneously for AC electric power transmission or electric power distribution to consumers. It is also known as power-line carrier, power-line digital subscriber line (PDSL), mains communication, power-line telecommunications, or power-line networking (PLN).

Surface wave power line communications system and method

The present invention provides a system for operating a power line communications system that employs surface wave communications and conducted communications. The system is comprised of a plurality of network elements, which may take the form of repeaters, communication interface devices, backhaul devices, medium voltage transducers, distribution points, aggregation points, and others. In one embodiment, surface waves are communicated over the medium voltage power lines and the conducted communications are communicated via the low voltage power lines to and from customer premises.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Reliable, long-haul data communications over power lines for meter reading and other communications services

A system, method and computer program product provides for power line communications (PLC) over electric power lines includes a device mountable near an electrical distribution transformer (DT) to provide a high speed interface and communicates with one or multiple access devices, which provide low speed interfaces for analog signals or digital signals over RS 232, RS 485, optical, wireless and Ethernet. The device transmits data to / from these access devices over the electric lines to other repeaters over one or more wires of an electrical line or over multiple lines, and serves to strengthen and improve signal quality. Upon detecting a wire or line is having problems carrying data, the data is sent over other wires, and upon power line failures, wireless backup to mobile / GSM and WiMax networks is utilized. The device permits utilities and others to read electric meters, monitor the power quality of the distribution grid and detect power losses / failures / outages, and permits telecom service providers and others to provide a communications link to cell phone towers, WiFi Access Points and enable broadband Internet and telephony in rural, remote or sparely populated areas.
Owner:POWERMAX GLOBAL

Power line communication system and method of using the same

The communication system of one embodiment is for communicating data through a power distribution system having a medium voltage power line and low voltage power line and comprises a first device comprising a first wireless transceiver, a first modem in communication with the first wireless transceiver and the medium voltage power line. The system may also comprise a second device comprising a second wireless transceiver in wireless communication with the first wireless transceiver; and a second modem in communication with the second wireless transceiver and the low voltage power line.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Communications system for providing broadband communications using a medium voltage cable of a power system

A broadband service communication system using an MV cable for conveying RF signals in a network segment, which includes a distribution center (PLT controller) and a plurality of power line telecommunication (PLT) stations. The PLT controller has a distribution modem for conveying downstream and upstream RF signals to and from the PLT stations through the MV cable via couplers. Each PLT station has a modem for conveying the downstream and upstream RF signals via couplers and for conveying media signals to one or more customer premises equipment (CPE) via, e.g. wireless links. The PLT controller controls each PLT station regarding upstream communications transfer of all downstream communications and also controls. The PLT controller can be connected via a router to a WAN to convey media signals to and from the WAN. Repeaters and interlinks are used to join multiple network segments.
Owner:AMPERION

Home entertainment, security, surveillance, and automation control system

A system and method of home entertainment, security, surveillance, and automation control includes a plurality of remote devices, a display device, and various user input devices capable of receiving a home user's commands. The system further includes a main control unit capable of controlling and programming the system, and a communication link capable of transferring various data and control signals between the main unit and the plurality of remote devices. The home user's command enables to select the remote devices, to transmit various automation control signals, and to establish exchanges of various data between the main control unit and at least one of the plurality of remote devices. Finally, the communication link between the main control unit and the remote devices includes power line communication network over existing home AC power line. The home user is also able to control and communicate with the system at remote location over the Internet.
Owner:LEE PAUL K +1

Power line communication system and method of operating the same

The present invention provides a system for operating a power line communications system that is comprised of a plurality of network elements, which may take the form of repeaters, bypass devices, backhaul devices, wireless backhaul devices, enhanced bypass device, communication interface devices and others. In one embodiment, two groups of network elements in the same electrical distribution system are isolated except selected communication link.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Power line communications device and method

In one embodiment, a power line communication system network element is provided that provides communications to one or more user devices. The device may also receive data from one or more sensors, such as current sensors, a voltage sensor, a video camera, a temperature sensor, a barometer, a motion sensor, a level sensor, and / or a vibration sensor. The device may include a controller that receives commands that relate to the collection and transmission of the sensed data via a medium voltage power line.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Civil defense alert system and method using power line communication

This invention pertains to the use of power line communication in a civil defense alerting system. The idea encapsulates the use of existing technology both in power line communication via a power line modem and network data transfer and applies it to an area to which it has never before been applied. Substantial improvement to both is developed through this invention as the prior art had never included or addressed the need for and ability to communicate over the power lines when no electrical power was flowing from the utility. The invention demonstrates that through a communications network it is possible for a system user to activate a single warning alerter device or a multitude of warning alerter devices that are connected to a standard power distribution network. Overall, this invention provides governmental users a more comprehensive and more fail-safe method and process f warning the public of risks, potentially hazardous situations, and safety instructions to minimize the loss of life and injury.
Owner:BURNS T D +1

RFID based security network

A security network for a building using at least one RFID reader to communicate with at least one RFID transponder to provide the radio link between each of a number of openings and a control function capable of causing an alert in the event of an intrusion. A gateway provides an interface between the security network and various external networks. The control function can be located in either or both of the RFID reader and the gateway. The RFID transponder is connected to an intrusion sensor. The gateway can communicate with the RFID reader using active RF communications, power-line communications protocol, or hardwire connection. The RFID transponder can contain an energy store. The RFID reader contains means for transferring power to an RFID transponder for the purpose of charging any energy store. The security network can contain more than one RFID reader.
Owner:ADT US HLDG INC

Power line communication rate limiting system and method

InactiveUS20070002771A1Rate limiting quality of service (QoS) controlError preventionTransmission systemsQuality of serviceRate limiting
A power line communications device that may provide rate limiting and quality of service control is provided. The device may include a first modem in communication with one or more user devices via a low voltage power line subnet and a second modem communicatively coupled to a second communications medium. The device also may include a controller in communication with the first and second modems and a computer readable medium encoded with instructions to control the operation of the controller. The controller may rate limit data to and / or from a destination and / or source based one or more parameters such as the destination address, the source address, the type of data, temporal parameters, and other criteria. In addition, the controller may implement QoS for data and transmit QoS parameters to power line modems to allow the power line modems to perform QoS.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

System, Device and Method for Providing Power Line Communications

A system, method and device for providing a power line communication system via an ad hoc network protocol is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting and receiving Alive Notifications via a power line. Each Alive Notification may include data identifying an interface of the transmitting power line node and information identifying an interface of one or more other power line nodes from which the transmitting node has previously received an Alive Notification and reliability information all such nodes. The method may further include regularly transmitting and receiving topology information and routing information via the power line and updating topology and routing information in memory. The method may further include selecting a route to a network for transmission of data based on the routing information stored in memory, wherein the selected route includes the fewest hops and satisfies reliability requirements. The method may further include identifying a first power line node that comprises the first hop of the selected route and transmitting data to the first power line node.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Hybrid power line wireless communication system

In a hybrid communication system a wireless communication link is maintained between a power line communication medium and a non-power line communication medium. Wireless communication is established within an unlicensed frequency band and monitored for quality. If the quality falls below a threshold, a wireless communication link is established within a licensed frequency band. The wireless link may be maintained between a power line communication system (PLCS) backhaul point and an internet protocol (IP) network access point, and / or between a PLCS endpoint communication interface and a premises communication device.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Power Line Communication Interface Device and Method

A system for providing communications with a plurality of power distribution equipment via a broadband over power line communication system that provides broadband internet access to a plurality of consumers is provided. In one embodiment, the system may include a computer system having executable program code executable to generate control messages for controlling the plurality of power distribution automation equipment and a plurality of interface devices, wherein each interface device is communicatively coupled to one or more of the plurality of power distribution equipment. The computer system may be configured to transmit control messages to the plurality of power distribution equipment via a communication path that includes the broadband over power line communication system and the plurality of interface devices.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Hybrid power line wireless communication network

A hybrid power line wireless communication system may include an access controller and plurality of communication nodes that each may include a wireless access point coupled to a power line communication device. The wireless access points may provide wireless broadband communications to one or more user devices while the power line communication devices may provide low voltage power line broadband communications. The access controller remotely manages the wireless access points by sending control messages to the communication nodes. Control messages may traverse a power line, a non-power line medium, and / or a wireless medium. Control messages may include information relating to encryption parameters, transmission power levels, communication channels, access control, and other such parameters.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Interference control in a broadband powerline communication system

A broadband powerline communication system is disclosed which makes use of knowledge of the spectrum characteristics of a local radio environment in order to improve the performance of the system. A determination is made of the spectrum characteristics of a radio environment in the vicinity of the broadband powerline communication system that is transmitting data on modulated carrier frequencies. Certain ones of the carrier frequencies otherwise used by the broadband powerline communication system may be masked (i.e., not used) by all or part of the broadband powerline system in order to avoid interference based on the determination. In various embodiments, the spectrum characteristics are determined 1) in advance and used to compile a configuration database comprising frequency masking parameters; 2) by monitoring the local radio environment using the transmitter / receiver nodes of the system; or 3) based upon receipt of an indication from a conflicting user that the user is experiencing interference. Various combinations of these spectrum characteristic determination techniques may also be used.
Owner:AT&T INTPROP I L P

Use of powerlines for transmission of high frequency signals

Communication is provided which includes receiving a transmitted radio signal at a powerline wherein the powerline functions as a receiving antenna for the wirelessly transmitted radio signal. The powerline is coupled to an input of a radio receiver using a coupler to communicate the radio signal to the radio receiver. For calibration purposes a second antenna not coupled to powerline may be used. A method for powerline communication across transformers, open circuit breakers, and other devices is also provided. In addition, a method of monitoring a device connected to a powerline is provided.
Owner:SOLAIRENC LLC

Powerline communication device with adaptable interface

A Power Line Communications (PLC) device includes a processing module, memory, and a communication interface. In a first operation, the PLC device determines that the PLC device will service communications with a first remote PLC device according to a first PLC communication standard and configures the communication interface to service communications according to the first PLC communication standard. In a second operation, the PLC device determines that the PLC device will service communications with a second remote PLC device according to a second PLC communication standard and configures the communication interface to service communications according to the second PLC communication standard, wherein the first PLC communication standard and the second PLC communication standard are differing and incompatible PLC communication standards. The PLC device may also configure the communication interface to service non-PLC communications such as LAN, WAN, WLAN, cable modem, and other communications.
Owner:AVAGO TECH WIRELESS IP SINGAPORE PTE

Method for establishing power line communication link

A method for providing power line communications in a multi-unit building is provided. One embodiment includes determining the quality of a communication link associated with each of a plurality of communication nodes, selecting one of the plurality of communication nodes based, at least in part, on the quality of the communication links associated with the communication nodes; and establishing communications with an external network through the selected one communication node. In addition, in some embodiments at least one of the communication links associated with the plurality of communication nodes includes a non-conductive radio frequency coupled segment.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Power line communication device and method

A power line communication device configured to facilitate communications over a low voltage power line between a downstream user device and an external power line communication device is provided. In one embodiment, the device may include a communication module configured to communicate over a low voltage power line and a controller configured to control the module. The controller is configured to operate the module in a first configuration in which all repeating is disabled; and a second configuration wherein upstream repeating is enabled and downstream repeating is disabled. The controller may transition from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a command received via the low voltage power line or upon determining that a triggering event has been detected such as an unacceptable data rate, error rate, or noise detection. In some embodiments, the device may form part of a utility meter and also transmit utility data to the power line communication device.
Owner:CHEMTRON RES

Power Line Communications Coupling Device and Method

A method and device for providing communications via one or more underground power lines is provided. Underground power lines may comprise a plurality of segments disposed in series with each other and carrying a power having a voltage greater than one thousand volts on an internal conductor, and wherein each segment is coaxial in structure and includes a neutral conductor. In one embodiment, the device may comprise a first inductor having a first end connected to a first node and a second end connected to ground, a second inductor having a first end connected a second node and a second end connected to ground, and a transformer having a first winding having a first end and a second end. The first node may be connected to a neutral conductor of a first segment of the power line and to the first end of the first winding of said transformer. The second node may be connected to a neutral conductor of a second segment of the power line and to the second end of the first winding of said transformer. The transformer comprises a second winding configured to be communicatively coupled to a communication device.
Owner:CURRENT TECH

Breaker box powerline communication device

A Power Line Communications (PLC) device includes a processing module, memory, and a plurality of PLC communication interfaces coupled to the processing module. Each PLC communication interface couples to a respective PLC media segment. The processing module, the plurality of PLC communication interfaces, and the memory are operable to receive a PLC communication from a first PLC device via a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces, process the PLC communication to identify a second PLC device, and transmit the PLC communication to the second PLC device via a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces. The PLC device may include one or more non-PLC interfaces that support non-PLC communications.
Owner:AVAGO TECH WIRELESS IP SINGAPORE PTE

Power Line Communications System and Method

A power line communications system (PLCS) that provides communications to one or more user devices by repeating data packets on the power distribution network is provided. The PLCS may employ any or all of the MV power line conductors and / or the neutral conductor and be dynamically and remotely transitioned to one of a plurality of potential configurations.
Owner:CURRENT TECH
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