Patent ID: 8908673

Claim:
A device for coupling data signals and DC power to or from first and second wirings that simultaneously carry said DC power and said data signals, said device comprising: a first transceiver communicatively coupled to said first wiring for full-duplex serial data communication thereover; a first transformer coupled to pass only first data signals between said first wiring and said first transceiver; a second transceiver communicatively coupled to said second wiring for full-duplex serial data communication thereover; a second transformer coupled to pass only second data signals between said second wiring and said second transceiver; a third transceiver communicatively coupled to a third wiring for full-duplex data communication thereover; a power supply coupled to each of said first and second transformers through a respective center-tap to provide said DC power onto said first and second wirings; and a single enclosure housing said first, second and third transceivers, said first and second transformers and said power supply, wherein: said third transceiver is communicatively coupled to said first transceiver for passing third data signals between said third and first wirings; said third transceiver is communicatively coupled to said second transceiver for passing fourth data signals between said third and second wirings; said device is configured to multiplex said first and second data signals onto said third wiring; and said device is addressable in a network.