Method and apparatus for attaching power line communications to customer premises

Abstract

A method and apparatus for modifying a three-phase power distribution network in a building in order to provide data communication by using a Power Line Carrier (PLC) signal to an approximate electrical central location point of the power distribution system remote from the data entry point of the building. A passive coupler device is attached to a centrally located service panel. The passive coupler receives the Power Line Carrier (PLC) signal from the remote entry point in the building and conditions the signal for entry at the service panel onto each phase of the three phase power distribution network.

1 - 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . A system for interfacing a communication device with a multiple-phase power network residing in a building, wherein the multiple-phase power network includes multiple power wires with each power wire corresponding to a respective phase of the multiple-phase power network, and wherein the multiple-phase power network also includes a first service panel located within the building, the system comprising: 
 an electronic network coupled to the communication device via a first interface, wherein the first interface does not include any power wire of the multiple-phase power network residing in the building;    wherein the electronic network includes one or more carrier current couplers each providing an electrical interface between the communication device and a respective power wire of the three-phase power network at the first service panel, and wherein the electronic network is configured to split a first communication signal received from the communication device and feed the split communication signal to each power wire of the multiple-phase power network at the first service panel through the one or more carrier current couplers such that the first communication signal can be effectively distributed throughout at least a portion of the building.    
   
   
       40 . The system according to  claim 39 , wherein the first interface is composed primarily of a coaxial cable.  
   
   
       41 . The system according to  claim 40 , wherein the electronic network includes a coaxial splitter, and wherein each of the carrier current couplers is electrically coupled to the splitter.  
   
   
       42 . The system according to  claim 39 , wherein the communication device is a gateway.  
   
   
       43 . The system according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device is a gateway forming a hub-and-spoke network LAN topology.  
   
   
       44 . The system according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device is configured to provide a broadband signal, and the electronic network is configured to split the broadband signal and feed it to each power wire of the multiple-phase power network  
   
   
       45 . The system according to  claim 39 , wherein the power network is a three-phase power network, and the electronic network is configured to split the broadband signal into three portions and feed it to each power wire of the multiple-phase power network.  
   
   
       46 . The system according to  claim 45 , wherein the three-phase power network is fed from an external power source via a step-down transformer.  
   
   
       47 . The system according to  claim 46 , wherein the power network employs voltages below 277 volts.  
   
   
       48 . The system according to  claim 47 , wherein the power network includes a plurality of service panels, and the first service panel is electrically the most centrally located of the service panels.  
   
   
       49 . A method for interfacing a communication device with a three-phase power network residing in a building, wherein the three-phase power network includes at least three power wires each corresponding to a respective phase of the three-phase power network, and wherein the three-phase power network also includes a first service panel located within the building, the method comprising: 
 receiving a first communication signal from a communication device;    splitting the communication signal into three portions; and    feeding the portions of the split communication signal to each power wire of the three-phase power network at the first service panel such that the first communication signal can be effectively distributed throughout at least a portion of the building receiving at least one of the power wires.    
   
   
       50 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the communication device is a gateway.  
   
   
       51 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the communication device is a hub forming a hub-and-spoke network LAN topology.  
   
   
       52 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the communication device is configured to provide a broadband signal, and the electronic network is configured to split the broadband signal and feed it to each power wire of the three-phase power network.  
   
   
       53 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the power network includes a plurality of service panels, and the first service panel is electrically the most centrally located of the service panels.  
   
   
       54 . A system for interfacing a communication device with a three-phase power network residing in a building, wherein the three-phase power network includes at least three power wires each corresponding to a respective phase of the three-phase power network, the system comprising: 
 an interface means for providing an electrical interface between the communication device and the three-phase power network;    wherein the interface means splits a first communication signal received from the communication device into three portions and simultaneously feeds the split communication signal to each power wire of the three-phase power network at a common location such that the first communication signal can be effectively distributed throughout at least a portion of the building receiving at least one of the power wires.    
   
   
       55 . The system according to  claim 54 , wherein the three-phase power network also includes a first service panel located within the building, and wherein the electronic network is located inside the building in physical proximity to the first service panel.  
   
   
       56 . The system according to  claim 54 , wherein the communication device is a gateway forming a hub-and-spoke network LAN topology.  
   
   
       57 . The system according to  claim 56 , wherein the communication device is configured to provide a broadband signal, and the electronic network is configured to split the broadband signal and feed it to each power wire of the three-phase power network  
   
   
       58 . The system according to  claim 56 , wherein the power network includes a plurality of service panels, and the first service panel is electrically the most centrally located of the service panels.  
   
   
       59 . The system according to  claim 46 , wherein the power network employs voltages below 277 volts.