Abstract: A system for communications on a bi-directional medium includes a first repeater, a second repeater, a third repeater and a fourth repeater, each of which is coupled to the medium. The first repeater and the second repeater communicate with each other on a first band for transmission from the first repeater to the second repeater, and on a second band for transmission from the second repeater to the first repeater. The second repeater and the third repeater communicate with each other on a third band for transmission from the second repeater to the third repeater, and on a fourth band for transmission from the third repeater to the second repeater. The third repeater and the fourth repeater communicate with each other on the second band for transmission from the third repeater to the fourth repeater, and on the first band for transmission from the fourth repeater to the third repeater.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of components for coupling data between a power line and a communication device. The arrangement includes an inductive coupler that employs a power line conductor as a primary winding, a capacitor connected across a secondary winding of the inductive coupler for creating a resonant circuit with the secondary winding at a frequency within a desired frequency band, and an impedance matching transformer for connecting a communications device to the secondary winding. The resonant circuit has a loaded Q consistent with the desired bandwidth. An alternative arrangement includes a capacitor in series with a conductive cylinder between the power line and the communication device, where the capacitor is for blocking power line voltage while passing a signal between the power line and the communication device, and the conductive cylinder appears as a low inductance to the signal.

Abstract: A method and system are given for a coupling a data signal over a power distribution system. An inductive signal coupler has two windings. The first winding is in series with a line conductor of the power distribution system. A capacitor is connected between the first line conductor and a second line conductor of the distribution system such that the capacitor presents a high impedance to a power signal and a low impedance to a data signal. A communication device is connected to the second winding so that a data signal can be coupled between the communication device and the distribution system.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of components for use in a power line communication system. The arrangement includes a modem for providing an output to a power line, a sensor for sensing a parameter of the output; and a controller for adjusting a power of the output based on a value of the parameter.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of components for use in a power line communication system. The arrangement includes (a) an inductive coupler having a core with an aperture through which a coaxial power cable is routed, where the coaxial power cable has a center conductor and an outer conductor; and (b) a lead being routed through the aperture, where the lead connects the outer conductor to a termination.

Abstract: There is provided a signal coupling apparatus. The signal coupling apparatus includes a circuit having (a) a capacitor for coupling a signal to a power line, and (b) a switch in series with said capacitor. The circuit is for connection between the power line and another circuit. There is also provided a method for using such a signal coupling apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of components for coupling data between a power line and a communication device. The arrangement includes an inductive coupler that employs a power line conductor as a primary winding, a capacitor connected across a secondary winding of the inductive coupler for creating a resonant circuit with the secondary winding at a frequency within a desired frequency band, and an impedance matching transformer for connecting a communications device to the secondary winding. The resonant circuit has a loaded Q consistent with the desired bandwidth. An alternative arrangement includes a capacitor in series with a conductive cylinder between the power line and the communication device, where the capacitor is for blocking power line voltage while passing a signal between the power line and the communication device, and the conductive cylinder appears as a low inductance to the signal.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a power line. The inductive coupler includes a magnetic core for placement about the power line, a coil wound around a portion of the magnetic core, and a semiconducting coating that encapsulates the core and contacts the power line. The signal is coupled to the coil.

Abstract: There is provided a method for blocking a portion of energy of a signal in a power line. The method includes equipping a high frequency magnetic core with a coil, connecting a capacitor across terminals of the coil to create a resonant circuit that resonates at a frequency of the signal, and placing the magnetic core around the power line, at a location where the blocking is desired.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a data signal to a phase line of a power line. The inductive coupler includes a split magnetic core having an aperture formed by an upper magnetic core and a lower magnetic core. The aperture permits the phase line to pass therethrough as a primary winding, the upper magnetic core is for making electrical contact with an outer surface of the phase line, and the lower magnetic core makes electrical contact with the upper magnetic core.

Abstract: There is provided a method for protecting loads associated with power distribution system inductive signal couplers. The method includes (a) providing an inductive signal coupler having a first winding in series with a line conductor of a power distribution system, and a second winding having first and second connection terminals, (b) connecting a first terminal of a first fuse to the first connection terminal, and a first terminal of a second fuse to the second connection terminal, a second terminal of each fuse being connected to a communication device, and (c) connecting a first terminal of a first choke to the second terminal of the first fuse, and a first terminal of a second choke to the second of the second fuse, a second terminal of each choke being connected to an electrical ground.

Abstract: There is provided a method for identifying one of a plurality of neutral wires of a power transmission cable. The method comprises (a) applying a signal to a selected neutral wire, at a first point on the power transmission cable, (b) sensing a relative magnitude of the signal on each of the plurality of neutral wires at a second point on the power transmission cable that is remote from the first point, and (c) identifying the selected neutral wire from the relative magnitudes. There is also provided a system for identifying one of a plurality of neutral wires of a power transmission cable.

Abstract: There is provided a coupling circuit for a full duplex modem having a transmitter and a receiver. The coupling circuit includes (a) a first transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, where the primary winding is coupled to the transmitter, (b) a second transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, where the primary winding of the second transformer is coupled to a communications line, and (c) a resistance between a terminal of the primary winding of the first transformer and a terminal of the primary winding of the second transformer. The secondary windings of the first and second transformers are connected in series, with opposing phase, and coupled to the receiver to minimize a level of a signal from the transmitter from reaching the receiver.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive power line data coupler. The coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having a high magnetic permeability at a data communication frequency and being configured to allow a power line of a power distribution system to be routed through the magnetic core to serve as a primary winding, (b) a data signaling circuit that provides a secondary winding through the magnetic core for coupling a data signal between the power line and a communication device, and (c) a choke coil coupled to the data signaling circuit for creating a flux-canceling power frequency current opposite in direction and comparable in magnitude to a power frequency current. The coupler may also include a circuit for sensing a level of current in the power line.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for enabling communication of a data signal via a power transmission cable. The apparatus comprises (a) a first winding for coupling the data signal via a conductor of the power transmission cable, and (b) a second winding, inductively coupled to the first winding, for coupling the data signal via a data port.

Abstract: A method and system are given for a coupling a data signal over a power distribution system. An inductive signal coupler has two windings. The first winding is in series with a line conductor of the power distribution system. A capacitor is connected between the first line conductor and a second line conductor of the distribution system such that the capacitor presents a high impedance to a power signal and a low impedance to a data signal. A communication device is connected to the second winding so that a data signal can be coupled between the communication device and the distribution system.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for enabling communication of a data signal via a power transmission cable. The apparatus includes (a) a first winding for coupling the data signal via a conductor of the power transmission cable, and (b) a second winding, inductively coupled to the first winding, for coupling the data signal via a data port. The apparatus further includes the power transmission cable having a first neutral conductor and a second neutral conductor and apparatus for differential coupling of the data signal to the first and second neutral conductors.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for enabling communication of a data signal via a power transmission cable. The apparatus comprises (a) a first winding for coupling the data signal via a conductor of the power transmission cable, and (b) a second winding, inductively coupled to the first winding, for coupling the data signal via a data port.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for enabling communication of a data signal via a power transmission cable. The apparatus comprises (a) a first winding for coupling the data signal via a conductor of the power transmission cable, and (b) a second winding, inductively coupled to the first winding, for coupling the data signal via a data port.

Abstract: A system for communicating a signal representing the amplitude of a sound signal received at a remotely located transceiver via an optical airlink communication network, the system having an optical transceiver, including an optical receiver and an optical ON/OFF keyed transmitter; a detector coupled to the optical receiver for providing a DC voltage signal output which is substantially proportional to the amplitude of the signal received at the optical receiver; a voltage controlled audio oscillator coupled to the detector for providing an audio output signal of a frequency proportional to the DC voltage signal provided by the detector; a test signal generator for generating a carrier test signal; and a pulse width modulator coupled to the test signal generator, to the voltage controlled audio oscillator, and to the optical transmitter, wherein the pulse width modulator modulates the audio output signal over the carrier test signal to control generation of ON/OFF keyed optical signals by the optical transmit