Abstract: A versatile power line communication device is provided. One embodiment of the device includes a controller having memory, a first modem in communication with the controller, and a first power line interface including a second modem, wherein the second modem is in communication with the controller. The embodiment may also include a switch communicatively coupled to the controller and having an upstream port and a downstream port. The switch may be configured to communicate data from one of the upstream port to the downstream port, and vice versa, without the data being supplied to the controller. The switch may also have a data port configured to be coupled to high data rate devices such as mobile telephone cell sites.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention may include of plurality of wireless hops that provide a multi-hop wireless link for facilitating the communication of voice, video, audio, and other data in a packet based network between a broadband power line communications network and a conventional telecommunications link (such as a fiber optic link), which may be connected to another network such as the Internet via a point-of-presence.

Abstract: A method for detecting noise location information in a power line distribution system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of receiving link quality data for a first power line communication link between a first and second power line communications device, determining an asymmetry in the link quality data of the link, and determining location information for the noise source based on the location of the first power line communications device or the location of the second power line communications device.

Abstract: A power line communication device for communicating data over a power line in a frequency shifted communication band is provided. One embodiment includes a controller having a memory, a modem in communication with the controller, a clock generation circuit to provide a first clock output controlled by the controller. The embodiment also includes a first mixer configured to receive the first clock output from the clock generation circuit and a data signal input from the modem and to provide a shifted data signal output. The embodiment may also include a second mixer configured to receive a second clock output from the clock generation circuit and an external data signal input and to provide a shifted data signal input to the modem for demodulation. The controller is configured to receive information from the modem and to cause the clock generation circuit to adjust the first and second clock outputs accordingly.

Abstract: A versatile power line communication device is provided. One embodiment of the device includes a controller having memory, a first modem in communication with the controller, and a first power line interface including a second modem, wherein the second modem is in communication with the controller. The embodiment may also include a switch communicatively coupled to the controller and having an upstream port and a downstream port. The switch may be configured to communicate data from one of the upstream port to the downstream port, and vice versa, without the data being supplied to the controller. The switch may also have a data port configured to be coupled to high data rate devices such as mobile telephone cell sites.

Abstract: The coupler of the present invention couples data signals, such as broadband RF signals, to and from a power line. The coupler of one embodiment that is for use with overhead power lines includes a length of URD MV cable with the neutral conductor removed. Each end of the URD cable is communicatively coupled to the MV power line conductor a predetermined distance from other. The distance between the two connections points on the MV may be related to the wavelength of a carrier frequency used to communicate the data signals. The URD cable may also form part of a transformer to permit the passage of data signals while preventing the flow of the high voltage power signals through the coupler. The neutral semi-conductive jacket of the URD cable may be coupled to ground via a low frequency conductive path.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system that includes low voltage power line subnet coupler that provides bi-directional communications between multiple power line subnets while substantially preventing the flow of power is provided. The system may include a power line communications device coupled to a first LV power line subnet, and a low voltage power line subnet coupler providing a data communications path between the first low voltage power line subnet and a second low voltage power line subnet. Additionally, some embodiments include a low voltage repeater communicatively coupled to the second LV power line subnet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for providing communications through power lines comprised of multiple conductors by transmitting the data signals through a plurality of the conductors. One embodiment of the present invention may be comprised of a transmit circuit communicatively coupled to a first energized conductor for applying a first voltage signal representing the data to the first energized conductor; the transmit circuit being communicatively coupled to a second energized conductor for applying a second voltage signal representing the data to the second energized conductor; and wherein the second voltage signal is opposite in polarity to said first voltage signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for providing communications through power lines comprised of multiple conductors by transmitting the data signals through a plurality of the conductors. One embodiment of the present invention may be comprised of a transmit circuit communicatively coupled to a first energized conductor for applying a first voltage signal representing the data to the first energized conductor; the transmit circuit being communicatively coupled to a second energized conductor for applying a second voltage signal representing the data to the second energized conductor; and wherein the second voltage signal is opposite in polarity to said first voltage signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication device for use with a power line communication system. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a communication system 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.