Patent ID: 8228924
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A powerline communication transceiver, comprising: a first coupling transformer being interfaceable with an AC powerline communication network; an AC analog front end coupled with the first coupling transformer; an AC analog-to-digital converter coupled with the AC analog front end; an AC digital-to-analog converter coupled with the AC analog front end; an AC physical layer coupled with both the AC analog-to-digital converter and the AC digital-to-analog converter; an AC media access control coupled with the AC physical layer; a second coupling transformer being interfaceable with a DC powerline communication network; a DC analog front end coupled with the second coupling transformer; a DC analog-to-digital converter coupled with the DC analog front end; a DC digital-to-analog converter coupled with the DC analog front end; a DC physical layer coupled with both the DC analog-to-digital converter and the DC digital-to-analog converter; a DC media access control coupled with the DC physical layer; an internal bus coupled with the AC physical layer and the DC physical layer as well as both the AC media access control and the DC media access control; a random-access memory; a read-only memory; and a central processing unit coupled with the internal bus as well as with both the random-access memory and the read-only memory, wherein the AC analog-to-digital converter and the AC digital-to-analog converter, together, forming a pair of AC signal converters, are operable in parallel relation to one another, wherein the DC analog-to-digital converter and the DC digital-to-analog converter, together, forming a pair of DC signal converters, are operable in parallel relation to one another, wherein the first coupling transformer, the AC analog front end, and the pair of AC signal converters are operable in serial relation to one another and to the AC powerline communication network, the AC powerline communication network transmitting at least one type of data signal being generated by the powerline communication transceiver when a data network is connected to the AC powerline communication network, and the data network conveying at least one data packet, wherein the second coupling transformer, the DC analog front end, and the pair of DC signal converters are operable in serial relation to one another and to the DC powerline communication network, the DC powerline communication network transmitting at least one type of data signal being generated by the powerline communication transceiver when the data network is connected to the DC powerline communication network, and the data network conveying another at least one data packet, wherein the at least one data packet and the another at least one data packet each comprises a data type selected from a group consisting of proprietary data and nonproprietary data, wherein the first coupling transformer is adapted to receive at least one signal from the AC powerline communication network, and wherein the second coupling transformer is adapted to receive at least one signal from the DC powerline communication network, wherein each AC signal converter of the pair of AC signal converters effects at least one signal conversion selected from a group consisting essentially of a conversion of at least one first data signal to at least one AC powerline communication signal and a conversion of at least one AC powerline communication signal to at least one first data signal, wherein each DC signal converter of the pair of DC signal converters effects at least one signal conversion selected from a group consisting essentially of a conversion of at least one second data signal to at least one DC powerline communication signal and a conversion of at least one DC powerline communication signal to at least one second data signal, wherein the AC analog front end is adapted to received at least one signal from the first coupling transformer, wherein the DC analog front end is adapted to receive at least one signal from the second coupling transformer, wherein the at least one DC powerline communication signal is sent to the second coupling transformer from the DC analog front end, wherein the at least one AC powerline communication signal is sent to the first coupling transformer from the AC analog front end.