Data Communication Over Power Lines

Abstract

A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints. Each endpoint includes an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system. The system comprises a power line coupler. A substation receiver is in electrical communication with the power line coupler. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.

1 . A system for receiving and processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints, each endpoint including an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with a power distribution lines within a power distribution system, the system comprising: 
 a power line coupler;    a substation receiver in electrical communication with the power line coupler; and    a substation circuit in electrical communication with the substation transceiver, the substation circuit configured to simultaneously demodulate signals received from the plurality of different endpoints.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the substation circuit is programmed to demodulate signals using frequency shift keying.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the substation circuit is programmed to demodulate signals within the range of about 970 Hz to about 1006 Hz.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein each signal has a bandwidth of about 10 mHz or less.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein each signal has a bandwidth of 4 mHz.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the substation circuit is programmed to simultaneously demodulate up to 9000 signals, each signal being from a different endpoint transceiver.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the substation circuit includes a digital signal processor programmed to simultaneously demodulate the signal received from the endpoint transmitters.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the substation transceiver simultaneously receives signals from a plurality of the endpoint transceivers.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the power line coupler is in electrical communication with a power distribution line within a power distribution system, the system further comprising one or more endpoints in electrical communication within the power distribution system, each endpoint including: 
 an endpoint circuit configured to generate data; and    an endpoint transmitter in electrical communication with the endpoint circuit and a power distribution line within the power distribution system, the endpoint transceiver configured to generate a signal embodying the signal, to modulate the data using frequency shift keying, and to transmit the modulated signal onto the power distribution line.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein: 
 the endpoint circuit includes an automated meter reading device, the automated meter reading device being interfaced with an electrical meter; and    the data includes a quantity of electrical power measured by the electrical meter.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein each endpoint further comprises an endpoint transceiver, the endpoint transmitter integrally formed in the endpoint transceiver.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a substation transceiver, the substation receiver integrally formed in the substation transceiver.  
   
   
       13 . A method of processing signals received from a plurality of endpoints over power distribution lines, the method comprising: 
 obtaining a plurality of signals from a power distribution line, each signal corresponding to a different frequency bandwidth; and    simultaneously demodulating the plurality signals.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein simultaneously demodulating the plurality signals includes demodulating each of the signals using frequency shift keying.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising simultaneously receiving signals from each of the endpoints.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein obtaining a plurality of signals from a power distribution line includes obtaining a plurality of signals within a frequency range from 970 Hz to about 1006 Hz.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein obtaining a plurality of signals from a power distribution line includes obtaining a plurality of signals, each of the plurality of signals having a bandwidth of about 10 mHz or less.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein obtaining a plurality of signals from a power distribution line includes obtaining a plurality of signals, each of the plurality of signals having a bandwidth of about 4 mHz.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein obtaining a plurality of signals from a power distribution line includes obtaining up to 9000 signals.