Systems, Methods and Devices for Networking Over High Impedance Cabling

Abstract

Systems, methods, and processor readable media for distributing digital data and electrical power to a plurality of devices over high-impedance cables are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a gateway device connected to a power source, a first device connected to the gateway device by a cable, the cable being a high-impedance cable having at least two conductive paths, and wherein the first device receives electrical power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path of the cable, a second device connected to the gateway device by the cable wherein the second device receives power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path, and wherein the power source provides power to the first and second devices via the cable, and wherein the second device is connected to the gateway device through the first device via a daisy-chain topology.

1 . A system for distributing digital data and electrical power to a plurality of devices over high-impedance cables comprising:
 a. a gateway device connected to a power source;   b. a first device connected to the gateway device by a cable, the cable being a high-impedance cable having at least two conductive paths, and wherein the first device receives electrical power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path of the cable;   c. a second device connected to the gateway device by the cable wherein the second device receives power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path; and   d. wherein the power source provides power to the first and second devices via the cable, and wherein the second device is connected to the gateway device through the first device via a daisy-chain topology.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein
 a. a third device is connected to the gateway device by the cable, and wherein the third device receives power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path; and 
 b. a fourth device connected to the gateway device by the cable, wherein the fourth device receives power and digital data from the gateway device via the cable over the same conductive path within the cable. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gateway device is configured to transmit and receive data, and to transmit power to at least the first and second devices. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the digital data is compressed or uncompressed audio or video, control and monitoring data, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first device is a speaker, video monitor, security alarm, fire alarm, smoke detector, CO2 detector, camera, network adapter, volume control or combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second device is a speaker, video monitor, or security alarm, fire alarm, smoke detector, CO2 detector, camera, volume control or combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gateway device transmits power to at least the first and second devices as alternating current. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein a frequency of the alternating current is between about 400 and about 500 Hz. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gateway device transmits power to the at least first and second devices as direct current. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cable is a 70V or 100V analog public address cables. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first device is in a first zone and the second device is in a second zone. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first device and the second device are in a first zone. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first device and the second device are in a first zone and the third device and the fourth device are in a second zone. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first device, the second device, the third device and the fourth device are in separate zones. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first device, the second device, the third device and the fourth device are configured in zones that are not dependent on a cabling topology. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first device, the second device, the third device and the fourth device zone location is reconfigured via a software solution. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the devices can be individually monitored. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the devices can individually be addressed via the gateway device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein existing installed cable can be retrofitted and used. 
     
     
         20 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method for distributing digital data and electrical power to plurality of devices over high-impedance cables comprising:
 a. receiving digital data via a network;   b. generating digital data packets from the digital data suitable for transmission over a conductor in high-impedance cables;   c. coupling the data packets onto the conductor;   d. receiving power from a power source and generating an output power suitable for transmission over the conductor; and   e. coupling the output power onto the conductor;   f. such that digital data packets and electrical power are transmitted to a plurality of devices connected via a daisy-chain topology.   
     
     
         38 - 48 . (canceled)