Adaptive line equalizer for improving data communication over less than perfect power lines or transmission lines

Abstract

Systems and methods for improving data communication over less than perfect power lines or transmission lines are described. The systems and methods allow for pushing out electrically any null within a frequency range of interest and/or for lossless transmission by providing impedance matching between communication devices and the transmission line. This is achieved by implementing line equalizing modules within the transceivers, at the transmitter side and/or the receiver side, or by plugging, as a stand-alone module, into an electrical outlet within a building. The line equalizing module includes multiple inductor-capacitor cells coupled in cascade where multiple switches allow for selective and concurrent connection between the inductor-capacitor cells. In another embodiment, the line equalizing module includes variable inductor-capacitor cells. The line equalizing module provides a variable propagation delay that allows for stretching electrically the transmission line. Further improvement may achieve by adjusting the operational frequency using an up-conversion or down-conversion operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for improving data communication among two or more transceivers coupled to and communicating over a transmission line within a building, the method comprising:
 plugging a first transceiver into a first outlet coupled to the transmission line;   plugging a second transceiver into a second outlet coupled to the transmission line;   determining a data rate between the first transceiver and the second transceiver;   when the data rate is less than a predetermined level, sequentially plugging a line equalizing module into each outlet among the remaining outlets coupled to the transmission line while sequentially testing the data rate;   determining one or more remaining outlets among the remaining outlets that resulted in a highest improvement in the data rate when the line equalizing module was plugged into the remaining outlets; and   leaving the line equalization module plugged into the one or more remaining outlets to improve data communication between the first transceiver and the second transceiver.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 optimizing the data rate including:
 (A) transmitting, by the first transceiver, a first pilot to the second transceiver; 
 (B) receiving, by the first transceiver, a second pilot sent from the second transceiver, the second pilot containing information relevant to the first pilot; and 
 (C) adjusting phase and impedance of the first transceiver by adjusting inductance and capacitance values of the line equalizing module based, at least in part, on the information relevant to the first pilot. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 repeating (A)-(C) until a predetermined data rate is obtained each time the LEM is plugged into one of the remaining outlets.   
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 repeating (A)-(C) to improve the data rate;   when the data rate does not reach a predetermined data rate, adjusting a frequency of operation of the first transceiver and the second transceiver by performing a frequency shift.   
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the frequency shift is an up-conversion or a down-conversion of the frequency of operation.