Power Line Communications Device and Method

Abstract

In one embodiment, a power line communication system network element is provided that provides communications to one or more user devices. The device may also receive data from one or more sensors, such as current sensors, a voltage sensor, a video camera, a temperature sensor, a barometer, a motion sensor, a level sensor, and/or a vibration sensor. The device may include a controller that receives commands that relate to the collection and transmission of the sensed data via a medium voltage power line.

1 . A communications device for providing data related to a power line, comprising:
 a memory;   a controller communicatively coupled to said memory;   a first modem in communication with said controller and configured to communicate via a non-power line communication medium;   a second modem in communication with said controller and configured to receive power usage data from one or more remote utility meters;   a voltage sensor in communication with said controller and configured to measure a voltage of the power line;   wherein said controller is configured to receive voltage data from said voltage sensor;   wherein said controller is configured to compare received voltage data with a threshold value;   wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit an alert notification if the voltage data is beyond the threshold value;   wherein said controller is configured to cause said modem to transmit a recovery notification if, after the voltage data is determined to be beyond the threshold value, the voltage data is determined to be not beyond the threshold value;   wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit at least some of said voltage data to a remote computer system; and   wherein said controller is configured to cause said first modem to transmit power usage data, received via said second modem, to a remote computer system.   
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first modem comprises a fiber optic transceiver. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first modem comprises a wireless transceiver. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a current sensor in communication with said controller and configured to measure an electric current of a power line. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said voltage sensor comprises an electronic circuit and said electronic circuit, said second modem and said controller are disposed in a housing. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller is configured to receive, and to store in said memory, configuration data for performing voltage measurements. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said voltage sensor is configured to measure the voltage of an external low voltage power line supplying power to one or more customer premises. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a routing device in communication with said controller. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller is configured to:
 process commands from a remote computer system received via said first modem; and   respond to said commands.   
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor in communication with said controller. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein said temperature sensor is configured to be coupled to distribution transformer to measure the temperature thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller is configured to:
 receive program code via said first modem;   store said received program code in memory; and   execute said program code.   
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said memory stores a scheduling table comprising timing data indicating the timing of measurements to be taken by said voltage sensor. 
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said timing data of said scheduling table is received via a transmission from a remote device. 
   
   
       15 . A method of using a communications device coupled to an external power line, comprising:
 storing a scheduling table in a memory;   wherein said scheduling table comprises timing data indicating the timing of measurements to be taken by a sensor;   measuring a parameter of the external power line to provide sensed data;   performing said measuring repetitively according to the timing data of the scheduling table;   comparing the sensed data with a threshold value;   transmitting an alert notification if the sensed data is beyond the threshold value;   receiving power usage data transmitted from one or more electric utility meters; and   transmitting the received power usage data to a remote computer system via a non-power line communication medium.   
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said transmitting an alert notification is performed by a modem and said measuring is performed by a sensor and wherein said modem and said sensor are both co-located with a distribution transformer connected to the external power line. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the parameter comprises voltage and the sensed data includes voltage data of a low voltage power line. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the sensed data further includes current data. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising measuring a current of the external power line to provide current data. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising transmitting the voltage data and the current data to a remote device. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising transmitting the sensed data to a remote device. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving, from a remote device, configuration data for performing said measuring; and   performing said measuring in accordance with said configuration data.   
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising transmitting the sensed data to a remote device. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising transmitting a recovery notification if, after the sensed data is determined to be beyond the threshold value, the sensed data is determined to be not beyond the threshold value. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said measuring a parameter comprises measuring the voltage of an external low voltage power line at a distribution transformer. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving program code via a transmission from a remote device;   storing the received program code in a memory; and   executing the program code.   
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising capturing temperature data and wherein at least some of the transmitted sensed data includes temperature data. 
   
   
       28 . The device according to  claim 27 , wherein the temperature data comprises data of a temperature of a distribution transformer. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said receiving power usage data comprises receiving the power usage data via a communication over the external power line. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising receiving timing data for performing said measuring via a transmission from a remote device. 
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving a command from a remote computer system; and   transmitting a response to the received command.   
   
   
       33 . A method of using a communications device coupled to an external power line, comprising:
 measuring a voltage of the external power line to provide voltage data;   comparing the voltage data with a threshold value;   transmitting an alert notification if the voltage data is beyond the threshold value;   transmitting at least some of the voltage data;   receiving power usage data from one or more electric utility meters; and   transmitting the received power usage data over a non-power line communication medium to a remote computer system.   
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 33 , further comprising transmitting a recovery notification if, after the voltage data is determined to be beyond the threshold value, the voltage data is determined to be not beyond the threshold value; and 
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 33 , further comprising measuring an electric current of the external power line. 
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 receiving, from a remote device, configuration data for performing said measuring; and   performing said measuring in accordance with said configuration data.   
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 storing a scheduling table in a memory of the device;   wherein said scheduling table comprises timing data indicating the timing of said measuring.   
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 37 , further comprising receiving the timing data of the scheduling table via a transmission from a remote device. 
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 receiving program code via a transmission from a remote computer system;   storing the received program code in a memory; and   executing the program code.   
   
   
       40 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein said receiving power usage data comprises receiving the power usage data via a communication over the external power line. 
   
   
       41 . A communications device for providing data related to an external power line, comprising:
 a controller having a memory;   a wireless modem in communication with said controller and configured to provide upstream communications;   a second modem in communication with said controller and configured to receive power usage data from one or more remote utility meters;   a voltage sensor in communication with said controller and configured to measure a voltage of the external power line;   wherein said controller is configured to receive voltage data from said voltage sensor;   wherein said controller is configured compare received voltage data with a threshold value;   wherein said controller is configured to cause said wireless modem to transmit an alert notification if the voltage data is beyond the threshold value; and   wherein said controller is configured to cause said wireless modem to transmit power usage data, received via said second modem, to a remote computer system.   
   
   
       42 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein said controller is configured to cause said wireless modem to transmit a recovery notification if, after the voltage data is determined to be beyond the threshold value, the voltage data is determined to be not beyond the threshold value. 
   
   
       43 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein said controller is configured to cause said wireless modem to transmit at least some of said voltage data to a remote device. 
   
   
       44 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein said memory stores a scheduling table comprising timing data indicating the timing of measurements to be taken by said voltage sensor. 
   
   
       45 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein said controller is configured to receive timing data of the scheduling table via a transmission from a remote device. 
   
   
       46 . The device according to  claim 41 , further comprising a current sensor in communication with said controller and configured to measure an electric current of a power line. 
   
   
       47 . The device according to  claim 41 , further comprising a routing device in communication with said controller and co-located in a housing with said controller. 
   
   
       48 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein said controller is configured to:
 receive program code via said wireless modem;   store said received program code in said memory; and   execute said program code.