US20130003876A1 - Breaker box powerline communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

A Power Line Communications (PLC) device includes a processing module, memory, and a plurality of PLC communication interfaces coupled to the processing module. Each PLC communication interface couples to a respective PLC media segment. The processing module, the plurality of PLC communication interfaces, and the memory are operable to receive a PLC communication from a first PLC device via a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces, process the PLC communication to identify a second PLC device, and transmit the PLC communication to the second PLC device via a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces. The PLC device may include one or more non-PLC interfaces that support non-PLC communications.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION
• This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/503,060 filed Jun. 30, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to powerline communications and in particular, powerline communication devices, and systems of use therefore.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• With the growing need for the exchange of digital content (e.g. MP3 audio, MPEG4 video and digital photographs) there is a widely recognized need to improve digital communication systems. Powerline communication (PLC) is a technology that encodes data in a signal and transmits the signal on existing electricity powerlines in a band of frequencies that are not used for supplying electricity. Accordingly, PLC leverages the ubiquity of existing electricity networks to provide extensive network coverage. Furthermore, since PLC enables data to be accessed from conventional power-outlets, no new wiring needs to be installed in a building (or different parts of a building). Accordingly, PLC offers the additional advantage of reduced installation costs.
• In some dwellings, PLC communications may be the best option for servicing communications, e.g., wireless communications incapable of penetrating walls or other structure, wireless communications deemed too insecure, installing wiring for other communication types is too expensive, etc. In many structures, however, the power mains, which service multiple differing dwellings, offices, etc., are serviced by a common feed, which allows PLC signals to propagate in undesired manners, which can limit the capacity available for PLC communications and to allow PLC signals to propagate to undesired locations and devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a multiple unit complex serviced by a breaker box Powerline Communication (PLC) device constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a PLC device constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a single floor or area serviced by a PLC device constructed and operating according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating a single floor or area serviced by a PLC device constructed and operating according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 4 illustrates a Breaker Box-PLC Router having only two PLC interfaces and with PLC signal coupling circuitry and PLC signal shunt circuitry illustrated;
• FIG. 5 is a system diagram illustrating a premises in which at least one PLC device resides that operates according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to one or more embodiments of the present invention for determining capabilities of PLC communication devices coupled thereto and for bridging communications between differing and incompatible PLC communication standards;
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to one or more embodiments of the present invention for servicing communications using both PLC communication standard format communications and non-PLC communication standard format communications;
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to one or more embodiments of the present invention for servicing of PLC communications of differing PLC communication standards by multiple PLC interfaces;
• FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a network and a plurality of devices that operate according to one or more aspects of the present invention in servicing communications; and
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to one or more embodiments of the present invention for servicing communications.
• FIG. 11 is a system diagram illustrating a PLC device and a PLC network (PLN) constructed and operating according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective diagram illustrating the construct of a plurality of plugs and a plurality of receptacles constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the construct of a receptacle constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; and
• FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating construct of a power plug or receptacle according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a multiple unit complex serviced by a breaker box Powerline Communication (PLC) device constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Themultiple unit complex100 may be an apartment complex, an office building, a shopping mall, or another type of building that is subdivided on the basis of workers, inhabitants, or upon another basis. Thecomplex100 is subdivided into a number of floors, spaces, offices, segments, etc., indicated as102,104,106,108, and110. Each of these spaces102-110 is serviced by a respective power main, e.g., power mains1-5, respectively. These spaces102-110 may also be simply referred to as having separate power mains service and may not correspond to a physical division of a space.
• Thecomplex100 is serviced by apower distribution device114, which may be a breaker box, fuse box, or another type of device that services the power mains1-5. Thepower distribution device114 may be housed in autility room112 corresponding to thecomplex100. For example, each of power mains1-5 may be serviced by a respective breaker or fuse. Further, each of power mains1-5 may correspond to a separate service contract and may be separately metered. In any case, each of power mains1-5 is separately fed by a respective feed from the power distribution device.
• Each of the power mains1-5 may have sub-feeds that receive power from the respective power feed of thepower distribution device114. In such case, each of power mains1-5 may have one or more branches and/or loops included therewith. Each of the power mains1-5 may have additional circuit protection or metering. As will be described further with reference toFIGS. 3A,3B, and5, each of the spaces102-110 may include one or more Power Line Communication (PLC) devices that are operable to communicate using the power mains1-5 as a communication media. Each of these PLC devices includes a PLC interface and may include one or more other types of communications interfaces as well.
• Each of the PLC devices may be serviced by breakerbox PLC device116 that couples to each of the power mains1-5 as shown inFIG. 1. Embodiments of thePLC device116 will be described herein with reference toFIGS. 2 and 4 and various operations of the PLC device will be described with reference toFIGS. 6,7, and8.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating aPLC device200 constructed according to one or more other embodiments of the present invention. ThePLC device200 supports PLC operations according to one or more PLC communication standards. ThePLC device200 may service acomplex100 and serve as the breakerbox PLC device116 ofFIG. 1 in some embodiments. ThePLC device200 performs/supports the various operations and includes the various structures further described herein according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
• ThePLC device200 includes aprocessing module202,memory204, a plurality ofPLC interfaces206A,206B,206C, and260D, and may include more PLC interfaces in other embodiments. ThePLC device200 may also include one or more other communication interfaces, including a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)interface214, e.g., a WiMAX interface, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)interface216, e.g., an 802.11x interface, a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN)interface218, e.g., a Bluetooth interface, a 60 GHz interface220 (millimeter wave interface), a Local Area Network (LAN)interface222, e.g., an Ethernet interface, a cable interface, e.g. Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)interface224, anoptical interface226, a Near Field Communication (NFC) OF228, an Infra-Red OF230, and/or an RF Tag OF232. ThePLC device200 may bridge communications between one or more of thePLC interfaces206A-206D and one or more of theother communication interfaces214,216,218,220,222,224,226,228,230, and/or232.
• Theprocessing module202 may include one or more of a system processor, a digital signal processor, a processing module, dedicated hardware, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other circuitry that is capable of executing software instructions and for processing data. In particular, theprocessing module202 is operable to support Medium Access Control (MAC) management, communications bridging management, and other management of the communications circuitry of thePLC device200. Thememory204 may be RAM, ROM, FLASH RAM, FLASH ROM, optical memory, magnetic memory, or other types of memory that is capable of storing data and/or instructions and allowing processing module to access same. Theprocessing module202 and thememory204 supports operations of embodiments of the present invention as further described herein.
• Theprocessing module202, the plurality ofPLC communication interfaces206A-206D, and thememory204 are operable to receive a PLC communication from a first PLC device via a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces, process the PLC communication to identify a second PLC device, and transmit the PLC communication to the second PLC device via a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces.
• ThePLC device200 may also operate to configure a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of PLC communication interfaces to communicate with the first PLC device according to a first PLC communication standard and to configure a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces to service communications according to a second PLC communication standard, wherein the first PLC communication standard and the second PLC communication standard are differing and incompatible PLC communication standards. In such case, a first one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards may be a HomePlug communication standard and the second one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards may be an ITU home networking (G.hn) communication standard. In other operations, the first PLC communication standard may be a narrowband PLC communication standard and the second PLC communication standard may be a wideband PLC communication standard.
• Referring again toFIG. 1, thePLC device200 may provide Internet access to a first group of devices via a first PLC communication interface and provide Internet access to a second group of device via a second PLC communication interface. In such case, the non-PLC communication interface is operable to support a non-PLC communication standard comprising at least one of a Local Area Network (LAN) communication standard, a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) communication standard, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communication standard, a coaxial communication standard, a millimeter wave communication standard, a cellular telephony communication standard, a Near Field Communication (NFC) standard, an infrared communication standard, and an optical communication standard.
• FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a single floor or area serviced by a PLC device constructed and operating according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. ThePLC system installation300 may be within a single unit dwelling, a multiple unit dwelling, an office building, an industrial building or within another building type or installation. The Power Mains shown in theinstallation300 ofFIG. 3A corresponds to a European architecture with the Power Mains forming a ring circuit with stubs extending there from. The installation ofFIG. 3A is serviced by a breaker box-PLC router (not shown but shown inFIG. 1) constructed and operating according to one or more aspects of the present invention. Theinstallation300 also includes a PLC-Ethernet bridge304, an ISP-PLC bridge306, a PLC-Ethernet bridge308, a PLC-WiFi bridge310, and a PLC-Ethernet bridge312. Also shown isclient device316 that receives communication service via PLC-Ethernet bridge316. The breaker box PLC router that services theinstallation300 may include an ISP-PLC bridge to provide Internet service to thePLC devices304,306,308,310,312, and/or314 via the power mains. The breaker box PLC router receives ISP service via another media, e.g., cable, optical, DSL, etc. Theinstallation300 may also include aPLC signal shunt316 that shunts PLC signals.
• FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating a single floor or area serviced by a PLC device constructed and operating according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. ThePLC system installation350 may be within a single unit dwelling, a multiple unit dwelling, an office building, an industrial building or within another building type or installation. The Power Mains shown in theinstallation350 ofFIG. 3B correspond to a United States architecture with the Power Mains in a branch format (not a ring format). Theinstallation350 ofFIG. 3B is serviced by a breaker box-PLC router (not shown but shown inFIG. 1) constructed and operating according to one or more aspects of the present invention. The installation also includes A PLC-Ethernet bridge354, an ISP-PLC bridge356, a PLC-Ethernet bridge358, a PLC-WiFi bridge360, and a PLC-Ethernet bridge362. Also shown isclient device366 that receives communication service via PLC-Ethernet bridge366. The breaker box PLC router may also include an ISP-PLC bridge to provide Internet service to thePLC devices354,356,358,360,362, and/or364 via the power mains. The breaker box PLC router receives ISP service via another media, e.g., cable, optical, DSL, etc. . . . Theinstallation350 may also include aPLC signal shunt366 that shunts PLC signals.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a Breaker Box-PLC Router having only two PLC interfaces and with PLC signal coupling circuitry and PLC signal shunt circuitry illustrated. The Breaker Box-PLC Router402 couples to autility power source404, which may be adjacent autility meter404, such as was described with reference toFIG. 1. The power mains configuration to which the Breaker Box-PLC Router402 couples may be a ring structure or a two-leg branch structure. The Breaker Box-PLC Router402 includes PLC signal shunts410 and402 that allow signals produced fromPLC signal coupling406 and408 to propagate directionally away from the Breaker Box-PLC Router402, respectively. The Breaker Box-PLC Router402 further includes 1^stPLC I/F414 and 2^ndPLC OF416 that couplePLC signal coupling406 and408 to processing module/memory202/204, respectively. The Breaker Box-PLC Router402 may also include interfaces forother communication types214,216,218,220,222,224,226,228,230, and232.
• A Breaker Box-PLC Router402 includes PLC signal coupling and a PLC signal shunt for each power main serviced by the PLC device services. These signal coupling and signal shunt circuits may be included with each PLC interface of thePLC device200 ofFIG. 2. The PLC signal shunts prevent undesired PLC signal coupling.
• The PLC devices ofFIGS. 2 and 4 may be installed within existing or new dwellings, office buildings, and other structures that have 120 volt, 240 volt, or 480 volt wiring installed therein for providing power within the structure. Typically, power comes into a building at a breaker box or a fuse box. The breaker box or fuse box provides protection from shorts within the structure. In North American type installations, the distribution of power within a house is in a star type configuration wherein each circuit or each power circuit supplies power to a portion of the home. Contrasting to the star type structure, European structures typically have a ring structure in which a power loop is routed around the home and circles back to a breaker or fuse box in the basement of the structure. The European structure may also include circuits that extend away from the ring structure and provide electrical power to various locations within the structure. This power line/power distribution wiring may be employed using a PLC communications technique to route communications via the power lines within the structure.
• According to embodiments of the present invention, the Breaker Box-PLC Router402 isolates some circuits from others, filters, monitors, analyzes, and makes suggestions for changes. This can be extended by making sockets (or socketed interleaving dongles) and breakers themselves active participants. The Breaker Box-PLC Router402 would typically be co-located within a breaker box or fuse box via an independent or integrated housing. It may also involve breaker element integration of functionality as well as socket functionality integration. This network device, in a star type power grid installation, routes communications between PLC devices coupled to the power line on the legs of the star extending from the breaker box/fuse box. In such case, the network device may provide filtering to reduce cross-talk amongst the communication devices on differing circuits within the structure. Further, this network device would provide routing and isolation of communications between the differing circuits within the homes.
• The Breaker Box-PLC Router402 may also serve as a bridging node for interchange between upstream fiber to downstream coax, telephone line, powerline, Ethernet, wireless bridging. The Breaker Box-PLC Router402 can also act as an intranet switching element and firewall. Further, the ISP-PLC bridge406 ofFIG. 4 may also service this purpose. Each of these devices may support one or more downstream fiber paths at the same time. For example, in a home with only powerline wired routing, a fiber entering the home may be plugged into an AC plug-in node to perform fiber to powerline bridging. At a remote location, a powerline to fiber bridge might permit fiber cabling to an end-point user device. With any of these installations, fiber may be run to a development or neighborhood then with a single box mounted on a telephone pole, bridge communications to wire line or powerline such that spanning into a home/building can take place.
• FIG. 5 is a system diagram illustrating a premises in which at least one PLC device resides that operates according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Thepremises500 may be a home, office building, apartment complex, hotel, industrial building, or another type of structure. In the particular example ofFIG. 5, aWLAN access point524 provides Internet access within thepremises500 and is also a PLC device constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Also shown within thepremises500 are a plurality ofPLC devices502,504,506,508,510,512, and514. One or more of thesePLC devices502,504,506,508,510,512, and514 may be provided by thepremises500 owner/operator while other of these PLC devices may be brought into thepremises500 by a customer. In particular,PLC device502 serviceselectronic device528,PLC device504services device530,PLC device508 serviceselectronic device532, andPLC device514 serviceselectronic device534. Each of thesedevices528,530,532, and534 may be owned by thepremises500 owner or may be owned by apremises500 visitor.
• According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, one or more of thesePLC devices502,504,506,508,510,512,514, and524 supports one or more differing PLC communication standards. Forexample PLC device502 supportsPLC communication standard 1,PLC device504 supportsPLC communication standard 1,PLC device506 supportsPLC communication standards 1 and 2,PLC device508 supportsPLC communication standard 3,PLC device510 supportsPLC communication standard 3,PLC device512 supportsPLC communication standard 3, andPLC device514 supportsPLC communication standards 2 and 3, andPLC device524 supportsPLC communication standards 1 and 3. As will be further described herein the differing PLC communication standards may be wideband, narrowband, consistent with one another, and/or inconsistent with one another.
• Currently existing PLC communication standards include the HomePlug family of operations, including the 1.0, AV1.1, AV2, and GP operations, and the HD-PLC operations. Generally, the HomePlug family of PLC communication standards is incompatible with the HD-PLC communication standard. The HomePlug PLC communication standard is widely deployed while HD-PLC is primarily deployed in Japan.
• The IEEE 1901 specification includes a newer PLC communication standard that has two different PHY layers, one based on OFDM modulation (interoperable with HomePlug AV1.1), and another based on Wavelet modulation (interoperable with HD-PLC). Each PHY layer is optional, and implementers of the communication standard may, but are not required to include both. Devices that use the OFDM PHY only would not interoperate with devices based on the Wavelet PHY. The OFDM PHY is derived from HomePlug AV.
• The IEEE 1905.1 specification defines an abstraction layer for multiple home networking technologies. IEEE 1905.1 provides a common data and control Service Access Point to the heterogeneous home networking technologies described in the following specifications: IEEE 1901, IEEE 802.11x, IEEE 802.3x and Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) 1.1. The IEEE 1905.1 standard is extendable to work with other home networking technologies. The abstraction layer supports dynamic interface selection for transmission of packets arriving from any interface (upper protocol layers or underlying network technologies). End-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) is supported. Also specified are procedures, protocols and guidelines to provide a simplified user experience to add devices to the network, to set up encryption keys, to extend the network coverage, and to provide network management features to address issues related to neighbor discovery, topology discovery, path selection, QoS negotiation, and network control and management.
• The IEEE 1905.1 layer resides between the media access control and Internet Protocol layers. The 1905.1 abstraction layer intends to make it easier to install and manage hybrid home networks and will also provide mechanisms for bridging data among different interfaces, i.e., plug and play.
• ITU's G.hn specification is a competing counterpart to IEEE 1901 that primarily defines different ways to implement PHY and MAC layers of a PLC device. G.hn is a technology standard that enables service providers, consumer electronics companies, PC makers, and consumers to connect all types of devices via any wire in the home—coax cable, phone lines and powerlines.
• There are a multitude of narrow and broadband PLC technologies beyond IEEE 1901 that already exist. For example, conventional tier two coexistence mechanisms are included in ISO/IEC 14908, G3 & G3 Lite, HP C&C, ISO/IEC 14543 which employ some form of CSMA/CA. Other PLC communication standard technologies do not support any type of coexistence other than tier one. Such standards include most current broadband PLC offerings, UPB, A10, INSTEON/X-10, Ariane Controls, CEBus, CEA 600.31, TDA 5051A, etc.
• According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, one or more of thePLC devices502,504,506,508,510,512,514, and524 may serve as masters of the powerline media servicing thepremises500, may bridge communications across differing PLC communication standards, and/or may bridge communications between PLC communications and non-PLC communications. Several of these operations will be described herein subsequently. In some embodiments, each PLC standard will have a unique master, with differing PLC devices serving as masters for differing PLC communication standards. Likewise, each supported non-PLC communication standard may have its own master.
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to one or more embodiments of the present invention for determining capabilities of PLC communication devices coupled thereto and for bridging communications between differing and incompatible PLC communication standards.Operations600 commence with a PLC device receiving PLC communications from a first remote PLC device in a first PLC communication standard format (Step602). The PLC device then converts the PLC communications from the first PLC communication standard format to a second PLC communication standard format (Step604). Then, the PLC device transmits the converted PLC communications to a second remote PLC device in the second PLC communication standard format (Step606).
• Referring again toFIG. 5,PLC device506 may bridge communications betweenPLC device502 andPLC device510. In such case, because thePLC device502 only supportsPLC communication standard 1 andPLC device510 only supportsPLC communication standard 2.PLC device506, supporting bothstandards 1 and 2, bridges PLC communications between thePLC devices502 and510. Such bridging may occur unidirectionally or bidirectionally, based upon the particular operation employed.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to one or more embodiments of the present invention for servicing communications using both PLC communication standard format communications and non-PLC communication standard format communications.Operations700 commence with a PLC device establishing PLC communications with another PLC device via a PLC communication standard format (Step702). Then, the PLC device establishes non-PLC communications with a remote communication device via a non-PLC communication standard (Step704). The non-PLC communication standards may be one or more of LAN communications, WWAN communications, WLAN communications, coaxial communications, millimeter wave communications, cellular telephony communications, near field communications, infrared communications, and/or optical communications. In such case, the usage of non-PLC with reference toFIG. 7 indicates only that the non-PLC communications do not operate according to a PLC communications standard.
• Operation700 continues with the PLC device receiving a communication from the other PLC device in a PLC communication standard format (Step706). The PLC device then converts the communication from the PLC communication standard format to a non-PLC communication standard format (Step708). Then, the PLC device transmits the communication in the non-PLC communication standard format to the remote communications device (Step710). In such case, the communications transmitted according to one of the communication types previously described.
• Theoperations700 ofFIG. 7 may be employed with one or more of the devices of thepremises500 ofFIG. 5. In such case,PLC device524 receives a PLC communication in a PLCcommunication standard format 1 and converts the PLC communication to a WLAN communication to thereby transmit the communication to a remote device that supports WLAN communications, e.g.528. Likewise, one of the PLC devices ofFIG. 5 may receive a communication in a WLAN or another communication format, convert that communication to a PLC communication format, and transmit the communication via the PLC media to another PLC device.
• According to another aspect of the PLC/non-PLC bridging operation of the present invention, upstream communications may be transmitted in one format and downstream communications may be transmitted in another format. For example, if the PLC communications may be transmitted at a higher data throughput rate, downstream communications may be transmitted via the PLC media. Further, the upstream communications may have a lesser throughput rate and may be transmitted via a non-PLC communication standard format, e.g. WLAN communications. These principles may be expanded further with differing communication types to subdivide between PLC communications and non-PLC communications.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to one or more embodiments of the present invention for servicing of PLC communications of differing PLC communication standards by multiple PLC interfaces. A PLC device that performs theoperations800 ofFIG. 8 includes a processing module, memory coupled to the processing module, a first PLC interface coupled to the processing module, and a second PLC interface coupled to the processing module. The structure of such a device was described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3 and will be further described herein with reference to subsequent FIGs.
• Theoperations800 ofFIG. 8 begin with the PLC device determining that the PLC device will service communications with a first remote PLC device according to a first PLC communication standard (Step802).Such operation802 may be determined based upon a request received by the PLC device from the first remote PLC device. Operation continues with the PLC device configuring the first PLC interface to service communications according to the first PLC communication standard (Step804).
• Operations800 continue with the PLC device determining that the PLC device will service communications with a second remote PLC device according to a second PLC communication standard (Step806).Such operation806 may be determined based upon a request received by the PLC device from the second remote PLC device. Operation continues with the PLC device configuring the communication interface to service communications according to the second PLC communication standard (Step808).
• Operation further continues with the PLC device servicing communications with the first remote PLC device according to the first PLC communication standard (Step810) and with the PLC device servicing communications with the second remote PLC device according to the second PLC communication standard (Step812). FromStep812, operations may be repeated based upon current communication requirements.
• Theoperations800 ofFIG. 8 may be modified based upon the teachings previously described herein. In particular, the first PLC communication standard and the second PLC communication standard may be differing and incompatible PLC communication standards. As such, a first one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards may be a HomePlug communication standard and a second one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards may be the G.hn communication standard.
• FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a network and a plurality of devices that operate according to one or more aspects of the present invention in servicing communications. The network includes a plurality of communication networks including packet data networks902 and904, which may form a portion of the Internet, the World Wide Web, or a combination thereof. The networks further include a cellular network906, a LAN908, a PLC network910, a WLAN912, and a WAN914. These networks service client devices918,920, and922, and may support various other client devices as well. An operator server916 couples to PLC network910 and WLAN912, and indirectly couples to the other networks illustrated. The operator server916 may service a business such as a coffee shop, a restaurant, an apartment complex, or another business. Media sever924, web server926, and financial server928 couple to packet data network902 and are operable to support corresponding transactions with one or more of client devices918,920, and/or922. The operator server916 may be incorporated with a PLC interface and a WLAN interface, as was previously described with reference toFIG. 2.
• According to various embodiments of the present invention, multiple communication paths are employed to service communications between devices, e.g., between financial server928 and client device922, between web server926 and client device920, and/or between media server924 and client device918. In one particular embodiment, the network ofFIG. 9 services a Multi-Tenant Housing complex or Office Space using both PLC communications via PLC network910 and a wireless path, e.g., cellular network906, WLAN912, and/or WWAN914.
• According to one aspect of the present invention, PLC communications are used in conjunction with other communications such that alternate communication pathways are used to service transactions, i.e., one network used for some things and the other network used for other things, e.g., establishing communication services, utility management services, financial data exchanges, establishing passwords, establishing account information, and/or splitting data types and/or other services wherein secure communications are required. In such case, the communications are portioned across multiple transmission paths using half-duplex splitting or dual full duplex splitting, with intelligent bonded splitting and stitching. These operations may be serviced in the background such that they are unknown to a serviced application, driver, or user. The software that services these operations may be controlled by a user or controlled by a server of the transaction. Splitting of data may be based on data type, QoS, security variations found in underlying exchange data, or upon other criteria. Cross channel coding (e.g., redundancy), cross channel encryption, cross channel protocol division (e.g., ACK/NACK and data pathways), may also be serviced using the multiple communication paths.
• For example, in a multi-tenant building, access to a PLC network may be limited based upon password security. In such case, the PLC network password security may be serviced using secure WLAN, a WWAN, or cellular communications. Of course, the complement to these operations is the use of a secure wireless network to transfer password login/access information for the PLC network.
• In a sales transaction between financial server928 and client device918, for example, the credit card information transmitted from the client device918 to the financial server may be divided up between a wireless link with the cellular network and a wired link to the LAN908. By dividing up the financial transaction the possibility of theft of this information is reduced.
• With the network ofFIG. 9, either the client or the server (which could also be point to point server to server or client to client) may control the middling portion (routing backbone) selection as well to further minimize the chance for middling snoopers to be able to penetrate underlying security. For example, some pathways (port selections) flow through a first backbone routing network while other pathways flow through another routing network.
• ThePLC device200 ofFIG. 2 is operable to service the operations described with reference toFIG. 9. In such case, thePLC device200 includes one or more interfaces to access the Internet, a PLC interface, and one or more wireless interfaces to service the client devices. In such case, thePLC device200 may include multiple drivers and application software operable to service splitting communications among multiple interfaces. The Internet access may be performed by cable modem communications, cellular GSM LTE communications, and/or WiMAX communications, for example, with thePLC device200 selectively using multiple interfaces to service the communications.
• The PLC device operates as a PLC hub with integrated WLAN circuitry, for example, with theprocessing module202 operable to solely make communication splitting decisions, which include both splitting upstream communications via the Internet backbone and one or more Internet communication pathways, and downstream communications via one or more of PLC interface and wireless interfaces. In any operation, thePLC device200 is capable of initiating and/or servicing secure communications between a serviced client device and another remote device.
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations according to one or more embodiments of the present invention for servicing communications. Theoperations700 ofFIG. 10 consider a server providing credit card or account information to a client that must be serviced via SSL. In such case, the server first asks client device if more than one access means is available, e.g., multiple transmission paths available (Step1002). In response, the client notifies the server of how many and what type of access paths are available (Step1004). The server and client then activate two or more access paths, as are required to service the transaction (Step1006).
• Then, the Server actively coordinates a log in, account information, sales transaction data, and/or other secure operations and information exchange across the multiple access paths (Step1008). The server and client communicate with one another across the multiple access paths, splitting data across the multiple paths as agreed (Step1010). In doing so, each of the Server and Client are required to split data prior to transmission and to stich data together that are received via the multiple access paths. For each, a server to client flow uses the server portl and the client portA, the server portl to the client portB, the server port to the client portA, and theserver port2 to client portB (n times N) pathways across which a single secure exchange could take place. This extends to point to point (client to client or server to server) as well. After the transaction is completed, the multiple (or some of the) access paths are released (Step1012). Fromstep1012, operation ends.
• FIG. 11 is a system diagram illustrating a PLC device and a PLC network (PLN) constructed and operating according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The system ofFIG. 11 includes aPLC breaker box1101 constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. ThePLC breaker box1101 couples to one ormore meters1103, which are fed by a power main1107. The power main1107 is a power distribution network that may service a multitude of PLNs, such PLNs potentially bridged into the one more PLNs ofFIG. 11.
• ThePLC breaker box1101 feeds two circuits, illustrated as a left circuit and a right circuit. In other embodiments, more circuits may be serviced by thePLC breaker box1101. ThePLC breaker box1101 includes one or more circuit breakers, each of which services a circuit. With the embodiment ofFIG. 11, thecircuit breaker1121 services the left circuit and provides only circuit breaker functionality. Thecircuit breaker1121 is fed by an uplink filteredmain breaker1171, which prevents undesired back feeding of downlink PLC communications to be fed to themeter1101. However, the uplink filteredmain breaker1171 may allow PLC data to be selectively transmitted back into the power main1107. Themeter1103 may also include a filter for isolating all circuitry from PLC communications as well as noise, e.g., harmonic noise.
• ThePLC breaker box1101 further includes amain breaker1173 that feedsfilter breaker1125 andPLC filter breaker1123. Thefilter breaker1125 servicesnoisy device1141 and reduces or precludes the noise, e.g., harmonic noise, generated by thenoisy device1141 from entering thePLC breaker box1101, which could potentially interfere with PLC communications. ThePLC filter breaker1123 selectively precludes PLC communications from back feeding to themain breaker1173. However, in some embodiments, thePLC filter breaker1123 may allow downstream PLC communications to be coupled to themain breaker1173 for selective transmission to thepower mains1107.
• ThePLC breaker box1101 also includes a multiport PLC switch with PLN bridging1111. ThePLC switch1111 includes acontroller1113, aswitch fabric1115, and a plurality ofPLN ports1117,1118, and1119, each of which is operable to couple PLC communications to a respective portion of a PLN via appropriate signal coupling, e.g., uplink filteredmain breaker1171, power mains between uplink filteredmain breaker1171 andcircuit breaker1121, andPLC filter breaker1123. Generally, each PLN port couples PLC signals to a respective PLN segment, i.e., respective isolated power mains. In this fashion, the plurality of PLN ports each service a respectively isolated portion of the overall PLN.
• The system ofFIG. 11 also includes a plurality of plugs and corresponding receptacles constructed according to various aspects of the present invention. Asmart plug1151 services anon-communication device1130 and includes communication functionality and other components. Afilter plug1153 filters the left PLN segment fromnoisy device1131.Plug1155services wireless device1133, which may be WLAN access point, WPAN device, etc. A wireless plug/hub1157 includes PLC to wireless communication capability and may communicate wirelessly withwireless devices1133,1135, and1137.
• A plurality of plugs and corresponding receptacles service the right circuit illustrated inFIG. 11.Plug1159 services wireless andPLC device1137, plug1161 servicesPLC communication device1139 andisolation plug1163 servicesPLC communication device1141. The structure ofisolation plug1163 will be described further with reference toFIG. 13. Generally, theisolation plug1163 isolates the right circuit fromnoisy device1143, which couples to right circuit viaplug1165.
• As will be described further with reference toFIG. 14, the multiport PLC switch withPLN bridging support1111 may service other communication types as well, with corresponding communication interfaces. Further, the multiport PLC switch withPLN bridging support1111 may support multiple PLC communication standards and bridge between these multiple PLC standards as well.
• While the structure ofFIG. 11 illustrates a star power mains structure, such as is prevalent in North America, thePLC breaker box1101 could also service a European ring power mains structure as well. Further, each of thecircuit breakers1121,1123, and/or1125 may simply be links, without providing breaker functionality.
• Smart plug1151, may listen for PLC communications on the left circuit, and report such communications to thePLN switch1111. Thefilter plug1153 and other of the filter components primarily filter harmonics of the power mains power frequency, e.g. 50 Hz or 60 Hz, which are often produced by AC/DC power converters, fluorescent lighting, and other power harmonics generating loads.
• In another embodiment, the left and right circuits could be bridged from a communication standpoint, without bridging power flow. Such PLN bridging could be done via the wireless plug/hub1157 and supporting wireless devices. Any of the plugs of the system ofFIG. 11 could support active or passive bridging of PLC communications.
• FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective diagram illustrating the construct of a plurality of plugs and a plurality of receptacles constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Various constructs of plugs and receptacles are illustrated inFIG. 12. Generally, PLC, other communication functionality, PLC communication filtering, power harmonic filtering, and isolation may be built into the plugs and receptacles and the switch illustrated inFIG. 12.Switch1261 serves as a switch for an electrical circuit, which may control a light, a fan, or another switched device, for example. Thisswitch1261 may include a PLC I/F, a wireless I/F, and/or another type of wireless I/F. Each of the plugs and/or receptacles may also include a PLC I/F, a wireless I/F, and/or another type of wireless I/F. Further, each of these components may also include signal isolation circuitry, filtering circuitry, and/or other circuitry that facilitates or improves PLC communications. Thus,switch1261 may have filtering circuitry to isolate fluorescent or other noisy lighting or other noisy loads from a service circuit.
• Particularly,plug1213 includes threeprongs1223 andtab1221.Plug1213 is constructed to be inserted intoreceptacle1231 ofplate1211 to mate withtab1233, which also includes anormal plug1235. Each of theplug1213 andreceptacle1231 may include the circuitry described above to facilitate or assist in servicing PLC, wireless, and other wired communications.
• Plug1251 is referred to as an isolation plug in that it isolates portions of a power mains circuit from other portions of a power mains circuit. The construct of theisolation plug1251 is described more particularly with reference toFIG. 13. Theisolation plug1251 includes fiveprongs1253 and is constructed to fit withinreceptacle1245 ofplate1241. Thereceptacle1245 includes five receivingholes1247 to receive the fiveprongs1253 of the isolatingplug1251. Thereceptacle1245 also includestab1243 to mate with corresponding tab of the isolatingplug1251. Thetabs1233 and1243 ofreceptacles1231 and1245, respectively, mate with the corresponding tabs ofplugs1213 and1251 to cause the plugs to firmly engage the corresponding receptacles.
• FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the construct of a receptacle constructed according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Thereceptacle1321 receives power from a PLC breaker box1301 viapower mains1311, upon which PLC communications are serviced. The conductors of thepower mains1311 terminate toconnections1323 of thereceptacle1321. Thereceptacle1321 includes a plurality ofprong receiving openings1325, each of which receives a corresponding prong of an isolating plug, e.g.,1251 ofFIG. 12. An isolated leg of thepower mains1313 is serviced via differing connectors of thereceptacle1321.
• Isolatingplug1341 is constructed to be received by thereceptacle1321. With the embodiment ofFIG. 13, the isolatingplug1341 includesisolation circuitry1349 to isolate theleft leg1311 of the power mains circuit from theright leg1313 of the power mains circuit. Further, the isolatingplug1341 includesnoise filtering circuitry1353 to remove harmonic or other noise from theleft leg1311 of the power mains. The isolatingplug1341 also includes at least one communication interface, which may be aWiFi interface1361, a LAN I/F, a cellular I/F, or another communication I/F. Further, the isolatingplug1341 may also include a PLC I/F, which may be operable to bridge communications between the PLC serviced bypower mains circuit1311 and one or more of wireless and wired communications.
• Some or all of the circuitry and/or elements of the isolatingplug1341 could also be formed in thereceptacle1321. Of course, a modular construct could be employed in which one or more of the receptacles and plugs shown inFIGS. 11-13 shares functionality described herein. In such case, a contractor or home owner could separately purchase the receptacle, plugs, and switches and install them as required. The receptacles, which included some of the functionality illustrated, would first be installed. These receptacles may function as normal receptacles until the plugs are inserted; in which case, they support the functionality of the plugs.
• FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating construct of a power plug or receptacle according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The power plug/receptacle1400 includes many of the elements previously described with reference toFIG. 2, such elements not described additionally with reference toFIG. 14. Further, the power plug/receptacle1400 includes a PLC OF1402 and isolation/filtering circuitry1404 that provides one or more of isolation betweencircuit side1 andcircuit side2 and noise filtering.
• Circuitry described herein that performs particular functions may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions, which may be considered singularly or in combination a “processing module.” The processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributed located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry including the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element may store, and the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more of the FIGs. Such a memory device or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.
• The present invention has been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.
• The present invention may have also been described, at least in part, in terms of one or more embodiments. An embodiment of the present invention is used herein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, a feature thereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process that embodies the present invention may include one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones.
• Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/or between elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein may be analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-ended or differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as a single-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path. Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it also represents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particular architectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise be implemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, direct connectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between other elements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.
• The term “module” is used in the description of the various embodiments of the present invention. A module includes a processing module, a functional block, hardware, and/or software stored on memory for performing one or more functions as may be described herein. Note that, if the module is implemented via hardware, the hardware may operate independently and/or in conjunction software and/or firmware. As used herein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.
• While particular combinations of various functions and features of the present invention have been expressly described herein, other combinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. The present invention is not limited by the particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.
• The present invention has also been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the invention.
• Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to one of average skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A Power Line Communications (PLC) device comprising:

a processing module;

memory coupled to the processing module;

a plurality of PLC communication interfaces coupled to the processing module, each PLC communication interface for coupling to a respective PLC media segment, wherein the processing module, the plurality of PLC communication interfaces, and the memory are operable to:

receive a PLC communication from a first PLC device via a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces;

process the PLC communication to identify a second PLC device; and

transmit the PLC communication to the second PLC device via a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces.

2. The PLC device ofclaim 1, wherein the processing module, the plurality of PLC communication interfaces, and the memory are operable to:

configure a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of PLC communication interfaces to communicate with the first PLC device according to a first PLC communication standard; and

configure a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces to service communications according to a second PLC communication standard, wherein the first PLC communication standard and the second PLC communication standard are differing and incompatible PLC communication standards.

3. The PLC device ofclaim 2, wherein:

a first one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards comprises a HomePlug communication standard; and

a second one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards comprises an ITU home networking (G.hn) communication standard.

4. The PLC device ofclaim 2, wherein:

the first PLC communication standard is a narrowband PLC communication standard; and

the second PLC communication standard is a wideband PLC communication standard.

5. The PLC device ofclaim 1, further comprising a non-PLC communication interface coupled to the processing module, wherein the processing module is operable to bridge communications between the non-PLC communication interface and the plurality of PLC communication interfaces.

6. The PLC device ofclaim 5, wherein the processing module, the plurality of PLC communication interfaces, and the memory are operable to:

provide Internet access to a first group of devices via a first PLC communication interface; and

provide Internet access to a second group of device via a second PLC communication interface.

7. The PLC device ofclaim 5, wherein the non-PLC communication interface is operable to support a non-PLC communication standard comprising at least one of:

a Local Area Network (LAN) communication standard;

a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) communication standard;

a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communication standard;

a coaxial communication standard;

a millimeter wave communication standard;

a cellular telephony communication standard;

a Near Field Communication (NFC) standard;

an infrared communication standard; and

an optical communication standard.

8. The PLC device ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of signal coupling circuits corresponding to the plurality of PLC communication interfaces and operable to couple respective PLC communication signals to respective PLC media segments; and

PLC signal shunt circuitry operable to be coupled to the plurality of PLC media segments on a power feed side to shunt the plurality of respective PLC communication signals.

9. The PLC device ofclaim 8, wherein the PLC signal shunt circuitry comprises a plurality of PLC shunt circuits respective to the plurality of signal coupling circuits operable to preclude back-feeding of PLC communication signals.

10. A method for operating a Power Line Communications (PLC) device having a processing module, memory coupled to the processing module, and a plurality of PLC communication interfaces coupled to the processing module, each PLC communication interface for coupling to a respective PLC media segment, the method comprising:

receiving a PLC communication from a first PLC device via a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces;

processing the PLC communication to identify a second PLC device; and

transmitting the PLC communication to the second PLC device via a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces.

11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising:

configuring a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of PLC communication interfaces to communicate with the first PLC device according to a first PLC communication standard; and

configuring a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces to service communications according to a second PLC communication standard, wherein the first PLC communication standard and the second PLC communication standard are differing and incompatible PLC communication standards.

12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein:

a first one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards comprises a HomePlug communication standard; and

a second one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards comprises an ITU home networking (G.hn) communication standard.

13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein:

the first PLC communication standard is a narrowband PLC communication standard; and

the second PLC communication standard is a wideband PLC communication standard.

14. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising selectively shunting PLC communication signals to preclude back-feeding of the PLC communication signals.

15. A method for operating a Power Line Communications (PLC) device having a processing module, memory coupled to the processing module, a plurality of PLC communication interfaces coupled to the processing module, each PLC communication interface for coupling to a respective PLC media segment, and a non-PLC communication interface coupled to the processing module, the method comprising:

receiving a PLC communication from a first PLC device via a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces;

processing the PLC communication to identify a second PLC device;

transmitting the PLC communication to the second PLC device via a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces; and

bridging communications between the non-PLC communication interface and the plurality of PLC communication interfaces.

16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising:

providing Internet access to a first group of devices via a first PLC communication interface; and

providing Internet access to a second group of device via a second PLC communication interface.

17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the non-PLC communication interface is operable to support a non-PLC communication standard comprising at least one of:

a Local Area Network (LAN) communication standard;

a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) communication standard;

a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communication standard;

a coaxial communication standard;

a millimeter wave communication standard;

a cellular telephony communication standard;

a Near Field Communication (NFC) standard;

an infrared communication standard; and

an optical communication standard.

18. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising:

configuring a first PLC communication interface of the plurality of PLC communication interfaces to communicate with the first PLC device according to a first PLC communication standard; and

configuring a second PLC communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces to service communications according to a second PLC communication standard, wherein the first PLC communication standard and the second PLC communication standard are differing and incompatible PLC communication standards.

19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein:

a first one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards comprises a HomePlug communication standard; and

a second one of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards comprises an ITU home networking (G.hn) communication standard.

20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein:

the first PLC communication standard is a narrowband PLC communication standard; and

the second PLC communication standard is a wideband PLC communication standard.

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