Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring communication data over power lines, the power lines comprising multiple phase transmission lines and a neutral line. The method includes inserting the communication data between multiple lines, typically between the different phase lines and the neutral, and combining the communication data from any one of the lines, and transmitting the combined signal to multiple lines in a receiving premises. In this way the signal can be picked up from any power socket at the receiving premises irrespective of what line or phase it may be attached to.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data over power lines between a plurality of communication boxes, wherein each box is coupled to a neutral line such that at least one box can modulate data onto the neutral line and at least a second box can read modulated data off the neutral line. Accordingly, the system enables data to be transmitted over neutral lines, without requiring coupling to hot lines.

Abstract: A method and a communication modem for broadband communication over power transmission lines. The modem includes a coarse level synchronization mapping unit which maintains a regularly updated coarse level clock synchronization map of neighboring communication units with which it is likely to exchange communications; and a second level synchronization unit which utilizes session handshakes and session data capacity to increase the synchronization level with a neighboring communication unit to allow a communication session to be held at a higher modulation level than the coarse level synchronization is able to support.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote detection of discharge on a power line, including a line sampler for obtaining samples of a signal on a power line; a high pass filter for identifying high frequency components of the signal, where the high frequency components are indicative of discharge within the signal; and a reporting unit for reporting identified components as a remote discharge.

Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling a maximal bandwidth limit of one or more clients in a network connecting the clients to a remote point through a plurality of nodes. The method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the traffic through a first node of the network, determining whether the value of the one or more monitored parameters fulfills a predetermined condition, changing the maximal bandwidth limit of one or more clients of the network, responsive to a determination that the value of the one or more parameters fulfills the condition and imposing the maximal bandwidth on the one or more clients by a second node of the network different from the first node.

Abstract: A system and method is herein provided to implement advanced power line communication services. The system may include, for example, a power line modem fitted with BPL core hardware components and BPL core software components, the modem further fitted with a plurality of application specific APIs; and a network management software (NMS) unit adapted to remotely manage the application modules in the power line modem.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to enable automated broadband AMR, optionally in real time. The system may include an Automated Meter Management Server and an Automated Meter Reading Converter, wherein the Automated Meter Management Server utilizes data generated by a Poller Converter and a Name Server, to enable automated data collaboration between Automated Meter Reading meters and a Power Line Communications System.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring communication data over power lines, the power lines comprising multiple phase transmission lines and a neutral line. The method includes inserting the communication data between multiple lines, typically between the different phase lines and the neutral, and combining the communication data from any one of the lines, and transmitting the combined signal to multiple lines in a receiving premises. In this way the signal can be picked up from any power socket at the receiving premises irrespective of what line or phase it may be attached to.

Abstract: A carrier sense multiple access network comprises communication nodes which communicate with other nodes over the network using carrier sense multiple access (CSMA). The nodes further comprise channel support capability to set up multiplex channel connections between specific nodes over the CSMA based network. The network thus may reduce conflict issues raised by CSMA and at the same time improve bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: A method and a communication modem for broadband communication over power transmission lines. The modem includes a coarse level synchronization mapping unit which maintains a regularly updated coarse level clock synchronization map of neighboring communication units with which it is likely to exchange communications; and a second level synchronization unit which utilizes session handshakes and session data capacity to increase the synchronization level with a neighboring communication unit to allow a communication session to be held at a higher modulation level than the coarse level synchronization is able to support.

Abstract: Communication apparatus, comprising: a network of power lines; and first, second and third transceivers, coupled to the network, the first transceiver being adapted to transmit a first signal over the network to the second transceiver within a selected frequency band at a transmission power level sufficiently strong that the first signal can be decoded by the second transceiver, but is attenuated sufficiently when it reaches the third transceiver so that the third transceiver can receive a second signal over the network in the selected frequency band substantially without interference by the first signal.

Abstract: A method of connecting a power line modem to an external network. The method includes receiving, by the power line modem, a plurality of packets directly transmitted from a plurality of neighboring devices connected to the power lines, determining for each of the plurality of neighboring devices, a cost of a route to an access unit, through the neighboring device, responsive to the received packets, and selecting an access unit to service the power line modem, responsive to the determination of the costs.

Abstract: A method for communication over a network of power lines (34), including establishing a communication link within a selected frequency band over the network between a first transceiver (32B) coupled to the network and a second transceiver (32C) coupled to the network. The method further includes transmitting a first signal over the link from the first transceiver to the second transceiver at a transmission power level that is sufficiently strong that the signal can be decoded by the second transceiver, but is attenuated sufficiently when it reaches a third transceiver (32E) coupled to the network so that the third transceiver can receive a second signal over the network in the selected frequency band substantially without interference by the first signal.

Abstract: A method for communication over a network of power lines (34), including establishing a communication link within a selected frequency band over the network between a first transceiver (32B) coupled to the network and a second transceiver (32C) coupled to the network. The method further includes transmitting a first signal over the link from the first transceiver to the second transceiver at a transmission power level that is sufficiently strong that the signal can be decoded by the second transceiver, but is attenuated sufficiently when it reaches a third transceiver (32E) coupled to the network so that the third transceiver can receive a second signal over the network in the selected frequency band substantially without interference by the first signal.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data over lines of power line network comprising: inductively generating opposite polarity currents representing the data on first and second lines of a pair of lines of the network at a first location along the lines that propagate along the lines; and sensing the propagated currents at a second location along the lines.

Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling a maximal bandwidth limit of one or more clients in a network connecting the clients to a remote point through a plurality of nodes. The method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the traffic through a first node of the network, determining whether the value of the one or more monitored parameters fulfills a predetermined condition, changing the maximal bandwidth limit of one or more clients of the network, responsive to a determination that the value of the one or more parameters fulfills the condition and imposing the maximal bandwidth on the one or more clients by a second node of the network different from the first node.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data over lines of power line network comprising: inductively generating opposite polarity currents representing the data on first and second lines of a pair of lines of the network at a first location along the lines that propagate along the lines; and sensing the propagated currents at a second location along the lines.