Abstract: Apparatus for coupling communication signal modulated radio frequency signals between an electrical power distribution line and the electrical power wiring at a customer's premises which includes a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic energy is inductively coupled to the distribution line and a second transceiver for receiving electromagnetic energy from, and transmitting electromagnetic energy to, the first transceiver. The second transceiver is coupled to the customer's power wiring to receive communication signals from, and to supply communication signals to, the customer's power wiring. The electrical power for the first transceiver can be supplied by inductive coupling to the power line and/or a battery, the battery being a back-up source when both inductive coupling and a battery are present.

Abstract: A portable, pluggable power line communications device provides convenient interfacing and connectivity between separate data networks interconnected over the same conventional electric power conveying media. The power line communications device plugs into a single electrical outlet, and includes a controller that is programmable at the device or remotely. Remote programming is achieved over the same power media to which the communications device is coupled, or by wireless link. The power line communications device controls data communications signal transfer over the common electric wiring of a local network, and conducts high-speed communications and download of multimedia signals from an upstream network controllers using the common electric power media. The data communications signals of the co-existing, different networks are encoded to permit differentiation at the power line communications device.

Abstract: A method for selecting a communication path between two nodes of a powerline network using a link quality assessment algorithm which selects a communication path based on an analysis of historical data regarding the effective throughput of data transmitted between different nodes of the network. The algorithm is also used to select an appropriate gear for such communication based on an analysis of historical data regarding the unit error rates of data transmitted between the two nodes.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for connecting a passive optical network (“PON”) to a power line communications (“PLC”) network using a PLC HeadEnd installed at the PON to provide for distribution of high speed, broadband data communications services available on the PON to the PLC network using high speed, broadband PLC data signals. Where the PLC HeadEnd is installed on a medium voltage power distribution network, a PLC bypass unit is installed at a medium voltage/low voltage power transformer in the PLC network to provide PLC signal connectivity between the MV and LV networks. A PLC residential gateway is installed at each end user facility, such as a home or business, desiring broadband service available on the PON.

Abstract: A plurality of access units, each coupled to a different portion of a medium voltage power line, are also coupled to a broadband signal network for receiving, and supplying, broadband communication signals from and to the broadband network and for receiving, and supplying, communication signals from and to the power line as the transmission path between the access unit and repeaters coupled to the medium voltage power line and lower voltage power lines which supply electrical power to customers' premises. The access units can also receive and transmit electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency, infrared and/or optical energy, modulated with the communication signals over a transmission path different from the medium voltage power line and at least some of the repeaters can receive and transmit the so-modulated electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A power line communication system in which communication signals, e.g. high bitrate modulated radio frequency carriers, and electrical appliance control signals, which have a low bitrate, also modulate radio frequency carriers at frequencies of the same order as the frequencies of the high bitrate modulated carriers are applied to the power line which energizes the appliances. Transceivers are coupled to the power line, to communications devices and to appliance control devices for receiving the carriers and supplying demodulated signals to the respective devices and for supplying carriers to the power line modulated by signals received from the respective devices.

Abstract: A time synchronization beacon, which includes a plurality of timing signals at a plurality of different respective carrier frequencies, is synchronously transmitted over a power line network to synchronize consumption of media content data, such as audio data, which has been transmitted over the network from a power line communications (“PLC”) audio source to PLC equipped media content consumption devices, such as stereo audio speaker sets. The sets of speakers can be located in different respective rooms throughout a facility. The audio data can be in the form of network audio network data packets including one or more channels of audio data. The PLC consumption devices select which transmitted channel data is received and consumed. The beacon coordinates the start time of consumption of segments of audio data samples, and the sample-to-sample consumption time interval at PLC equipped consumption devices.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for connecting a passive optical network (“PON”) to a power line communications (“PLC”) network using a PLC HeadEnd installed at the PON to provide for distribution of high speed, broadband data communications services available on the PON to the PLC network using high speed, broadband PLC data signals. Where the PLC HeadEnd is installed on a medium voltage power distribution network, a PLC bypass unit is installed at a medium voltage/low voltage power transformer in the PLC network to provide PLC signal connectivity between the MV and LV networks. A PLC residential gateway is installed at each end user facility, such as a home or business, desiring broadband service available on the PON.

Abstract: Power line communication method and apparatus in which data modulated radio frequency carriers from two different sources are transmitted by the power line, the range of frequencies of the carriers from one source partially overlapping the range of frequencies of the carriers from the other source, and in which carriers of the one source are shifted to frequencies other than the overlapping frequencies when carriers at the overlapping frequencies and from the other source are present on the line. Optionally, the data signal sampling rate can be changed to simplify signal filtering requirements.

Abstract: An adaptive radiated emission control includes measurement of the transmit power spectrum and feedback to a variable power modulator. The variable power modulator creates an adjusted output spectrum that limits radiated emissions. Alternatively, the variable power modulator may also be an equalizer to adjust the output spectrum.

Abstract: Apparatus for coupling communication signal modulated radio frequency signals between an electrical power distribution line and the electrical power wiring at a customer's premises which includes a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic energy is inductively coupled to the distribution line and a second transceiver for receiving electromagnetic energy from, and transmitting electromagnetic energy to, the first transceiver. The second transceiver is coupled to the customer's power wiring to receive communication signals from, and to supply communication signals to, the customer's power wiring. The electrical power for the first transceiver can be supplied by inductive coupling to the power line and/or a battery, the battery being a back-up source when both inductive coupling and a battery are present.

Abstract: A method and system for providing coexistence of power line communication technologies on a common powerline and to communicate with each other. A plurality of devices is provided, each of a different and non-compatible powerline communication technologies. A set of predefined beacon signals for each device is also provides, each signal having a frequency bands. The bands are continuously monitoring for activity. From the activity, necessary changes are derived to accommodation modes to identify devices which may operate outside a norm causing the network of devices to operate incorrectly.

Abstract: A portable, pluggable power line communications device provides convenient interfacing and connectivity between separate data networks interconnected over the same conventional electric power conveying media. The power line communications device plugs into a single electrical outlet, and includes a controller that is programmable at the device or remotely. Remote programming is achieved over the same power media to which the communications device is coupled, or by wireless link. The power line communications device controls data communications signal transfer over the common electric wiring of a local network, and conducts high-speed communications and download of multimedia signals from an upstream network controllers using the common electric power media. The data communications signals of the co-existing, different networks are encoded to permit differentiation at the power line communications device.