Abstract: A method of providing communications over a plurality of sets of twisted pair conductors connected to a plurality of communication devices located in a plurality of units of a multi-unit structure is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises coupling a data signal comprising a first data packet to the plurality of sets of twisted pair conductors via a non-conductive coupler, wherein the first data packet includes a destination address. Next, the method comprises receiving the first data packet at the plurality of communication devices; providing the first data to a user device at one of the plurality of communication devices; and discarding the first data at multiple communication devices among the plurality of receiving communication devices.

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 power line communications system (PLCS) that provides communications to one or more user devices by repeating data packets on the power distribution network is provided. The PLCS may employ any or all of the MV power line conductors and/or the neutral conductor and be dynamically and remotely transitioned to one of a plurality of potential configurations.

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 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 invention contemplates an antenna device, system and method of installing the antenna device for receiving a wireless signal at a pad mounted electrical transformer. The novel device includes an antenna capable of communicating the wireless signal and a material located around the antenna. The material facilitates attachment to the pad mounted electrical transformer as well as preventing access to the antenna. The antenna may be covered by or embedded within the material. The material may be emissive and/or insulative. In addition, the device may include a conductor that passes through an enclosure of the pad mounted transformer. The conductor may be communicatively coupled to a first communication device that provides communication to a customer premise that is electrically coupled to the pad mounted electrical transformer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power line communications system that may employ power lines and non-power communications mediums. In one embodiment, the system is comprised of a plurality of interface devices with each being in communication with one or more user devices via one or more low voltage power lines. Each interface device also may be in communication with an upstream communications device via a non-power line communications medium. The upstream communications device may communicate with a backhaul point via a backhaul link to provide access to a network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, each interface device provides an interface between one or more low voltage power lines and the non-power line communications medium, which may be a coaxial cable. The upstream communications device may provide routing for data communicated with the interface devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides communications via multiple power lines that are communicatively coupled to each other at a coupling location, which for example may be at a substation. In one embodiment, the system may comprise a first communications device communicatively coupled to a first power line at a first location, wherein the first location is a first distance from the coupling location. A second communications device may be communicatively coupled to a second power line at a second location, wherein the second location is a second distance from the coupling location. The devices may be backhaul points, bypass devices, or other PLC network elements. The first communications device transmits data over power lines a first communications distance. The locations are selected so that sum of the first distance and second distance is greater than the first communications distance even if the first distance is less than the first communications distance.

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 system for operating a power line communications system that is comprised of a plurality of network elements, which may take the form of repeaters, bypass devices, backhaul devices, wireless backhaul devices, enhanced bypass device, communication interface devices and others. In one embodiment, two groups of network elements in the same electrical distribution system are isolated except selected communication link.

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.

Abstract: A dynamically-addressable communications system provides either a list or set of dynamic addresses to selected receivers for broadcasting information packets from a transmission source to the selected receivers. Each dynamic address provided in the set is associated with a particular information packet designated to be received by the particular selected receivers to which that dynamic address is provided. Additionally, each broadcasted information packet includes at least one dynamic address identical to the dynamic address provided to its associated selected receivers. Thus, the broadcasted information packet which includes such identical dynamic address may be received by its associated selected receivers, which then modify the dynamic address list.