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.

Power line communication system and method of operating the same

A device for providing communications through power lines that are communicatively coupled to an electrical distribution network infrastructure and to the internal wiring of at least one customer premises having one or more communication devices therein is provided. One embodiment comprises a coupler configured to be coupled to the electrical distribution network infrastructure, a modem in communication with the coupler to communicate data through the power lines; and a wireless transceiver in communication with said modem. In some embodiments, the electrical distribution network infrastructure may be a structure that uses electricity, such as a street light.

Device and method for coupling with electrical distribution network infrastructure to provide communications

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC's interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC's is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC's to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services. The network can use dedicated wiring, as well as existing wiring as the in-house telephone or electrical wiring.

Local area network of serial intelligent cells

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.

Data communication over a power line

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.

Power line communication system and method of using the same

A communication signal is coupled simultaneously to all three phases of a three-power line through a three-phase open delta transformer with the communication signal being applied across the low voltage pair of windings.

Transformer arrangement for coupling a communication signal to a three-phase power line

A circuit is described for bi-directionally coupling a communication signal around a distribution transformer. The circuit includes a single-phase coupling transformer with a primary to secondary voltage ratio approximately equal to that of the distribution transformer. A capacitor is connected to one of the secondary terminals of the coupling transformer. The capacitor is chosen so that the series circuit including the capacitor, the self inductance of the coupling transformer and, possibly, the series inductance of interconnecting lines is resonant at the carrier frequency of the communications signal. The series combination of the capacitor and the secondary of the coupling transformer can be connected between two of the conductors on the secondary side of the distribution transformer which are selected for communication signal propagation.

Coupling power line communications signals around distribution transformers

Circuits for bi-directionally bypassing a delta-wye transformer with a balanced phase-to-neutral power line communication signal, using passive components. The circuits include a set of three capacitors connected in a wye configuration, each having one side connected to one of the three-phase power lines on the delta side of the transformer. The circuit further includes a network connected from the node of the wye configuration of capacitors to neutral, the network including an inductive reactor with one side connected to neutral and the other connected to the node of the wye windings of the transformer. Component values are selected so that the circuit is resonant from the three phase lines on the delta side of the transformer to neutral. Further, the voltage transformation ratio of the communication signal from the delta side to the wye side is made the same as the corresponding power voltage ratio of the transformer.

Power line communications bypass around delta-wye transformer

A circuit for bi-directionally bypassing a delta-wye transformer with a balanced phase-to-neutral power line communications signal, using passive components. The circuit includes a set of three capacitors connected in a wye configuration, each having one side connected to one of the three phase power lines on the delta side of the transformer. The circuit further includes a network connected from the node of the wye configuration of capacitors to the neutral conductor or conductors associated with the power lines on the two sides of the delta-wye transformer. The network includes a single phase transformer, as well as a capacitance connected from the secondary of this transformer to the node of the wye of the delta-wye transformer. The network further includes an inductive reactor connected from the neutral on the wye side of the delta-wye transformer to the node of the wye transformer. Component values of the network are selected so that the network is resonant from the three phase lines on the delta side of the transformer to the node on the wye side of the delta-wye transformer. Further, by selection of the voltage ratio of the single phase transformer, the voltage transformation ratio of the communications signal from the delta side to the wye side is made the same as the corresponding power voltage ratio of the delta-wye transformer.

Communications signal bypass around power line transformer

A circuit is disclosed for coupling a power line communications signal between two three-phase power lines, with the signal being transmitted in a balanced phase-to-neutral mode on the first line and in a phase-to-phase mode on the second line. The circuit includes two coupling transformers, one open-wye to open-delta, and the other open-delta to open-delta. The primary of one of the transformers is connected to one of the three-phase lines, while the primary of the other transformer is connected to the other three-phase lines. The secondaries of the transformers are connected together at one terminal of each and interconnected by a capacitor at the other terminal of each. Signal and power voltage ratios between the two power lines are matched, and the capacitor is selected to provide series resonance in the secondary loop of the coupling circuit at the power line communications signal carrier frequency.

William C. Perkins

Papers

Transformer arrangement for coupling a communication signal to a three-phase power line

Coupling power line communications signals around distribution transformers

Power line communications bypass around delta-wye transformer

Communications signal bypass around power line transformer

Communications signal coupling around wye/delta power transformation