193results about "Systems with measurements/testing channels" patented technology

A method for providing power line communications in a multi-unit building is provided. One embodiment includes determining the quality of a communication link associated with each of a plurality of communication nodes, selecting one of the plurality of communication nodes based, at least in part, on the quality of the communication links associated with the communication nodes; and establishing communications with an external network through the selected one communication node. In addition, in some embodiments at least one of the communication links associated with the plurality of communication nodes includes a non-conductive radio frequency coupled segment.

From an electric pole outside to a cordless handset inside a building/facility, a communication line is established via an electric power line. At this point, it is judged whether or not electric power line communication is possible, and if electric power line communication is possible, the communication line between the cordless handset and a base unit is switched to an electric power line communication system, and a communication line is formed via an optical fiber cable from the electric power line. By measuring the communication quality levels of all lines of the wireless and electric power lines, the communication line having the highest communication quality level may be selected.

In conjunction with a wiring in a house carrying data network signal, a modular outlet comprising of a base module and interface module. The base module connects to the wiring and attached to a wall. The interface module provides a data unit connection. The interface module is mechanically attached to the base module and electrically connected thereto. The wiring may also carry basic service signal such as telephone, electrical power and cable television (CATV). In such a case, the outlet will provide the relevant connectivity either as part of the base module or as part of the interface module. Both proprietary and industry standard interfaces can be used to interconnect the module. Furthermore, a standard computer expansion card (such as PCI, PCMCIA and alike) may be used as interface module.

Fault detection and power network quality monitoring are performed for a power line network using power line communications (“PLC”) signal transceiving and data processing capabilities. Power line signals are continuously received and processed to obtain signal data representative of power line network operating conditions that are expressed in the received power line signals. The harmonic content and noise signature of the signal data are evaluated with reference to known fault signature data and power line network topology properties for detecting and identifying the location of an existing or anticipated fault in the power line network and assessing power transmission quality of the network.

The present invention discloses a hybrid power line/wireless appliance automation system for interfacing between at least one electric power distribution circuit and at least one electronic device, a power line communication device, and a power monitoring method using the same. Each power line communication device can be communicatively interconnected via power line communication and/or wireless communication. A threshold value of each power line communication device is dynamically adjusted by a host device via wired or wireless connection, so as to determine whether to continuously supply or turn off power to an electronic device coupled to the power line communication device. The present invention may be implemented/integrated to existing household electric power network without the need for additional physical data network infrastructure/lines, therefore is suitable to be applied in an intelligent home management system.

A system, computer program product and method to provide information related to a power distribution system based on information provided by a plurality of network elements electrically connected to a plurality of power lines of the power distribution system at a plurality of locations is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a notification from a group of network elements that have detected a voltage signature indicating an imminent power outage, determining location information of the power outage, outputting the location information of the power outage, receiving a live notification from a first network element of the group of network elements indicating a first power restoration at a location of the first network element, determining location information of the first power restoration, and outputting the location information of the first power restoration.

A system, device, and method of providing information for a power distribution system is provided. In one embodiment, a method of using a device that receives power from the low voltage power of the power distribution system and experiences a power loss during a local power outage may perform the processes of monitoring a voltage of the low voltage power line, detecting a voltage reduction below a threshold voltage for a predetermined time period, storing information of the voltage reduction in a non-volatile memory prior to the power outage, and transmitting a notification to a remote computer system prior to the outage. The monitoring may comprise making a plurality of measurements of the voltage during a time interval and averaging the plurality of voltage measurements. In addition, the method may include transmitting an alert message upon power up after the outage to indicate a power restoration local to the device.

An electric power line communication system operates with an electric power distribution system to provide through premises power distribution lines highly reliable communication links among power line communication devices electrically coupled or located in proximity to the premises power distribution lines. Each power line communication device associated with a set of premises power distribution lines has an identification address. A master code identifies the power line communication devices as members of a system domain of power line communication devices associated with the set of premises power distribution lines. Association of the master code with the identification addresses renders the member power line communication devices capable of operation without unintended communication with power line communication devices associated with a separate, different set of premises power distribution lines.

A method for exchanging data in a vehicle train having a tractor, at least one trailer coupled to the tractor, and vehicle electronics allocated to the tractor and trailer interconnected via a PLC data bus used to provide programmed input and output functions for the vehicle electronics of the trailer. Data representing the programmed functionality is provided automatically and cyclically via the PLC data bus to the vehicle electronics. The vehicle electronics can be configured as ABS control electronics, the programmed input and output functions providing functionality beyond that of the ABS function. Control of these additional functions in the trailer vehicle electronics equipped with the specific functionality is then exercised via an input/output unit provided in the tractor and connected to the PLC data bus either directly or indirectly via the tractor ABS control electronics.

A system for detecting and reporting a defect in a telephone line includes a network of utility processors that communicate over a power line. Each utility processor monitors a telephone line connected to the processor. The utility processor includes a processing element, a line sensor, a telephone interface and a power line communication interface. Each utility processor reports a defect in the telephone line by sending message to a second utility processor via the power line. The second utility processor reports the defect to a central office via a telephone line.

A method and apparatus for communicating between an appliance and a power line carrier communication system includes at least one power line carrier connection, at least one appliance connection, and processing circuitry for translating between an appliance communication protocol and a power line carrier communication protocol. The method and apparatus allow bidirectional communication between power line carrier and apparatus.

PLC modems and a PLC communication system that includes the PLC modems receive a multicast packet from a video server of a multicast group. When a MAC address table is set therein, the PLC modems and the PLC communication system convert the multicast packet into a unicast packet and transmit the converted packet to a power line. When no MAC address is set, the PLC modems and the PLC communication system transmit the multicast packet to the power line.

A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. One or more of the appliances serves as a system controller and may include a further communications interface for coupling to an external communications network, such as the telephone network. The system can thus be accessed and controlled remotely. The system can also communicate with and obtain information from remote sources such as Internet-based facilities.

A server system includes a common power bus, a power supply to provide direct current (DC) power through the common power bus, at least one node including a processor to receive the DC power through the common power bus, a transmitter capacitive coupled to the common power bus to transmit a power information signal from the power supply through the common power bus, and at least one receiver capacitive coupled to the common power bus to receive the power information signal transmitted by the transmitter and to provide the received power information signal to the at least one node. A plurality of buffers respectively coupled between the common power bus and each of the power supply and the at least one node provide path separation for high frequency and low frequency currents.

A short circuit detector for a fieldbus network which includes power/data wires that are typically positive and negative, respectively, and a shield conductor connected to a ground includes first and second high-impedance semiconductor circuits coupled between each of the leads and the shield conductors. Both circuits may either have a dedicated alarm indicator which indicates the presence of a short circuit between that conductor and the shield and/or may be coupled together to an alarm circuit which activates an alarm whenever a short circuit exists between either of the power/data leads and the shield conductor. The alarm circuit may have a ground which is isolated from the shield ground and may thus employ an isolation device such as an opto-isolator.

A method for transmitting a signal over a power line channel and a corresponding power line communication modem, wherein the signal is OFDM-modulated on a set of sub-carriers, the sub-carriers being separated by a frequency separation. The method includes receiving a noise signal via the power line channel, determining respective signal values of the received noise signal within a plurality of fine frequency bands with a first resolution bandwidth, wherein the first resolution bandwidth is smaller than the frequency separation, determining a first disturbed frequency band of the plurality of fine frequency bands based on the respective signal values, and notching the signal in the first disturbed frequency band before transmitting the signal.