Patent ID: 7180825

Claim:
A communication system that comprises: a string of wired pipe joints, each pipe joint having: ends to mechanically connect with other pipe joints; a coupler at each end to provide electrical or inductive coupling with a coupler in a connected pipe joint; and an insulated conductor that electrically connects the couplers; a transmitter coupled to one end of the string to generate a DMT-modulated signal; a receiver coupled to an opposite end of the string to receive and demondulate a DMT-modulated signal; and at least one repeater, each repeater coupled between wired pipe joints in the string, wherein each repeater receives a DMT-modulated signal, recovers information from the DMT-modulated signal, retransmits the information in the form of a DMT-modulated signal, wherein each repeater recovers information from one frequency band of the received DMT-modulated signal, and modulates the information in a different frequency band of the transmitted DMT-modulated signal.