Abstract: An automated meter reading power line communications system is provided, which may include measuring the utility usage of a first customer premises to provide first utility usage data, storing the first utility usage data in memory of a first device, wirelessly transmitting the first utility usage data from the first device, receiving the wirelessly transmitted first utility usage data at a second device coupled to a medium voltage power line, and transmitting the first utility usage data over the medium voltage power line.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for communicating a signal over a power line. One embodiment may comprise a length of power cable that comprises a center conductor substantially surrounded by an insulator. A concentric conductor is disposed external to the insulator over a first portion of the cable. A coupling conductor may be disposed concentrically around a second portion of the cable external to said insulator and having a first end and a second end. The concentric conductor is absent in a manner to form a gap between the concentric conductor and the first end of said coupling conductor. A transceiver cable is coupled to the first end of said coupling conductor and a common mode choke may be disposed substantially around the entire circumference of a portion of said coupling conductor. Finally, the second end of the coupling conductor may be coupled to ground through a convenient neutral conductor.

Abstract: A selective blocker for targeted mobile terminals. A signal monitor determines when a targeted mobile terminal is transmitting a signal to a base station. A signal analyzer identifies characteristics of the terminal signal and a processor produces a blocking response based on one or more characteristics. The blocking response is transmitted to the targeted mobile terminal to block communications between the targeted mobile terminal and the base station using the minimum power needed to effectively block the terminal signal so as to limit interference with non-targeted mobile terminals.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an electrically “closed” method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data signals over a high voltage power line. Inductive coupling is employed for coupling and decoupling the data signal directly on to and off of a single power line wire. An exemplary device includes a high frequency inductive coupling toroid for data signals, a second (50–60 Hz) inductive coupling toroid for providing power, signal conditioning electronics for the receive and transmit signal, a fiber optics interface for electrical isolation purposes, and a weather-proof enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the toroids are hinged for ease of installation on a power line. A pair of such couplings on either side of a fiber-optic isolator can be used to bridge transformers.

Abstract: Data signals are communicated between a power line and a computer, wherein the power line provides power to the computer via a distribution transformer and the computer is in communication with a wireless communication path. A first data signal is communicated with the power line. A conversion is made between the first data signal and a second data signal capable of being communicated wirelessly. The second data signal is wirelessly communicated with the wireless communication path.

Abstract: A communication device for use with a power line communication system is provided. One embodiment forms a bypass device and comprises a low voltage coupler, a low voltage signal conditioner, a controller, a medium voltage modem, a first medium voltage signal conditioner, an isolator, a second medium voltage signal conditioner, and a medium voltage coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.

Abstract: A communication device for use with a power line communication system is provided. One embodiment forms a bypass device and comprises a low voltage coupler, a low voltage signal conditioner, a controller, a medium voltage modem, a first medium signal conditioner, an isolator, a second medium voltage signal conditioner, and a medium coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and a device for transporting a signal over a power line. The inventive method includes inducing an alternating current (AC) voltage from the power line, powering a transceiver device with the induced AC voltage, communicating the signal with the transceiver device via the power line. The method further may include transmitting and/or receiving the signal with an end user via the transceiver device. The transceiver device may be a fiber optic-based device that transmits data to the end user over non-metallic fiber optic links. The method may filter the induced AC voltage, and separately filter the signal.

Abstract: Isolating data in a power line communications system. Although plural subscribers receive electric power distributed from a common distribution transformer, it is desirable to isolate their branch lines from one another when those branch lines are used to conduct data communications as a supplement to electric power delivery. This isolation of branch lines implemented in a centralized way at the distribution transformer, or alternatively, in a distributed way at each subscriber's premises. These implementations are made using low pass filters (which pass the power but block the data) and power line communications routers or power line communications repeaters.

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 last portion of the electrical distribution system is used to provide high-speed communications to residential homes. An aggregation point interfaces a medium voltage power line with a point-of-presence, and a power line bridge enables flow of communications signals between the medium voltage power line and a low voltage power line across a distribution transformer.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an electrically “closed” method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data signals over a high voltage power line. Inductive coupling is employed for coupling and decoupling the data signal directly on to and off of a single power line wire. An exemplary device includes a high frequency inductive coupling toroid for data signals, a second (50-60 Hz) inductive coupling toroid for providing power, signal conditioning electronics for the receive and transmit signal, a fiber optics interface for electrical isolation purposes, and a weather-proof enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the toroids are hinged for ease of installation on a power line. A pair of such couplings on either side of a fiber-optic isolator can be used to bridge transformers.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an electrically “closed” method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data signals over a high voltage power line. Inductive coupling is employed for coupling and decoupling the data signal directly on to and off of a single power line wire. An exemplary device includes a high frequency inductive coupling toroid for data signals, a second (50-60 Hz) inductive coupling toroid for providing power, signal conditioning electronics for the receive and transmit signal, a fiber optics interface for electrical isolation purposes, and a weather-proof enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the toroids are hinged for ease of installation on a power line. A pair of such couplings on either side of a fiber-optic isolator can be used to bridge transformers.

Abstract: The last portion of the electrical distribution system is used to provide high-speed communications to residential homes. An aggregation point interfaces a medium voltage power line with a point-of-presence, and a power line bridge enables flow of communications signals between the medium voltage power line and a low voltage power line across a distribution transformer.

Abstract: A signal is received from a first portion of a power line and at least a portion of the signal is converted to a non-electrically conducting signal. The non-electrically conducting signal may be communicated to a non-electrically conductive communication path. In this manner, the non-electrically conducting signal may have properties that do not provide imminent danger from human contact.

Abstract: Co-channel interference in a wireless network is identified and quantified. Rather that using color code identification, a more reliable identification property of each co-channel component of the received composite signal is used, namely, the time of arrival of a known part of a signal. Detection and timing measurement is performed even in presence of stronger signals by focusing selectively on bursts having fixed contents (e.g., the FCCH burst used in GSM for frequency correction). The repetitive measurements of the time-of-arrival of each of the interfering components of the signal during a drive test enables determination of the geographical location of the interfering co-channel base stations.

Abstract: A method and system pertaining to a dual antenna compensation algorithm is provided. A local area augmentation system may include a dual antenna system to receive signals from satellites. The system may switch between the antennas to receive signals, and the transition between the antennas should be seamless. Thus, phase variations between the antennas can be determined to correct for code phase variations, and hardware delays between the antennas can be determined to correct for delay differences in signals received from both antennas.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolation between a power line local area network and another network such as a power line wide area network. In one embodiment of the present invention, a filter device is installed on the power line supplying power to a structure in which a power line local area network is present. The example filter device may comprise a controller configured to receive a control signal and to cause a switch to activate or deactivate a low pass filter for attenuating the data signals.

Abstract: The fiber optic isolator of the present invention transports data signals between high voltage power lines and a communications interface device, bypassing a step down transformer to low voltage power. The communication interface device includes a low voltage power line as well as telecommunications and wireless interfaces. The signals are coupled and de-coupled off of a high voltage power line by a power line coupler. The fiber optic isolator gets the signals (in light form) and transports them to and from the communications interface device. This insulates the system from current flow between the high voltage power lines and the communications interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication device for use with a power line communication system. One embodiment of the present invention forms a bypass device and comprises a LV coupler, a LV signal conditioner, a controller, a MV modem, a first MV signal conditioner, an isolator, a second MV signal conditioner, and a MV coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.