Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention prevents data from being permanently lost when external interference causes packet loss, and the interference is long enough in duration to cause adjacent packets to be lost. A data packet stream is transmitted. A redundant data packet stream also is transmitted so that any interference does not cause permanent packet loss, since either the original data packet stream or the redundant data packet stream arrives. In one embodiment, the redundant data packet stream is a delayed transmission. In another embodiment, the data packet stream is transmitted over one link and the redundant data packet stream is transmitted over another link. One implementation of the present invention includes a hybrid multiplexer and redundant communications links. When performance of one link degrades, the hybrid multiplexer switches the traffic to the other link.

Abstract: A power line communications (PLC) system and method for providing broadband communications over a low voltage power line are disclosed. The system and method comprise a manager that controls access to a bridge for a client where the bridge communicates with the manager to provide the client Internet access. The bridge modulates Ethernet communications from the Internet access to the low voltage power line to provide the modulated Ethernet communications to the client and the client demodulates modulated Ethernet communications from the low voltage power line to yield Ethernet communications.