2351 results about "Power-line communication" patented technology

Described herein are power receptacle wireless access point (AP) devices that may be used as part of a networked (smart) living and work space. These power receptacle wireless AP devices may be wall-mounted and / or retrofitted over existing electrical outlets or light switches, for providing wireless access to a room or region of a room. The power receptacle wireless AP device may connect via power line communication to a data connection.

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.

A device and method for providing power line communications via an underground residential distribution power system is provided. One embodiment of the present invention includes a medium voltage interface device that may include a first port configured to communicate over the power line and a network interface. A first amplifier may form part of a first communication path between the first port and the network interface and be configured to amplify data signals transmitted via the first port. In addition, a second amplifier may form part of a second communication path between the first port and the network interface and be configured to amplify data signals received via the first port. In addition, the embodiment may include a diplexer forming part of the first communication path between the first amplifier and the first port and forming part of the second communication path between the second amplifier and the first port. The device may include an electro-optic converter coupled to the network interface to convert between electrical and optic data signals, wherein the network interface is configured to communicate via one or more fiber optic conductors.

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.