Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/685,181, filed May 26, 2005, for AC TO DC BRIDGE FOR POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS (PLC) NETWORKS, which United States provisional patent application is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to power line communications, more particularly to DC (direct current) powerline communication (PLC) networks, and AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) powerline communication (PLC) interfaces.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Powerline communication (PLC) network technology allows the transfer of computer data signals over power lines, such as alternating current (AC) powerlines commonly found in residential and office buildings. Powerline communication network technology facilitates the networking of (i.e. providing of data interconnectivity within) homes and offices without the additional installation of dedicated Ethernet cables or the reduced reliability and security concerns that come with wireless networks.  
         [0006]     For an overview of powerline communication network technology see Powerline Communications by Klaus Dostert (Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-029342-3).  
         [0007]     An example of a powerline communication network technology uses the X10 protocol to transfer data over AC power lines. The X10 protocol is commonly used for home operated devices, such as lights and switches. In the X.10 standard, the transmission of data is synchronized to the zero crossing of the AC signal using a 120 kHz tone burst superimposed on the AC signal. The home operated devices filter and decode these tone bursts to initiate commands that control the properties of these devices.  
         [0008]     Another example of a powerline network technology uses the HOMEPLUG™ (Homeplug Alliance) protocol (see www.homeplug.org). The Homeplug protocol is designed to transfer information for devices that use such standards as HDTV, SDTV, and audiophile quality stereo in the house. The simplicity of installing consumer products, simply by plugging in a device, is important feature of the standard.  
         [0009]     The Homeplug standard data is synchronized on the zero crossing of the AC signal. As the voltage on the line rises, Data is transferred with a superimposed AC signal ranges from 1-30 MHz. The frequency of this superimposed signal allows an effective payload transfer transfer rate of about 50-60 Mbs.  
         [0010]     Heretofore, powerline communications are designed to operate on AC power supply lines. In the United States this is typically 120 Volts AC operating at 60 Hz. In most European countries the voltage is 220-240 Volts AC operating at 50 Hz. In Japan the voltage is 100 Volts AC operating at both 50 Hz and 60 Hz.  
         [0011]     In accordance with heretofore known power communications networks, network communication signals are introduced into the 100-240 Volts AC power supply lines via a powerline communications transceiver. These network communication signals may originate either with the power utility provider (external to the structure) or by a device that is internal to the residential, office building, or campus of buildings. These data signals are then received and processed by a powerline communications transceiver. The powerline communications transceiver is connected to the powerline communications network through a plug that is inserted into an AC outlet in a conventional manner.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     The object of the present invention is to provide a communications interface between direct current powerline communication (DC PLC) data format and other data formats. These other formats include the alternating current powerline communications (AC PLC), ethernet, and other proprietary and non-proprietary formats.  
         [0013]     In one of the embodiments the direct current powerline communications interface is configured as a bridging device. In another of the embodiments, the direct current powerline communication interface is configured as a router, providing protocol translation between the direct current powerline communication interface, the alternating current powerline communication interface, and other data formats. In another embodiment, the direct current powerline communication interfaces is configured as a repeater, utilizing passive analog circuitry to perform the translation.  
         [0014]     The direct current powerline communication interface is not limited, but can also provide diagnostic, error checking, and buffering functions on the data that is communicated by the device through the interfaces. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1 . is a systems diagram of one embodiment of a powerline communication network where an AC powerline communication network and a DC powerline communication network are connected by an AC to DC powerline communication transceiver;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2 . is a systems diagram of another embodiment of a powerline communication network, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , where a DC powerline communication network is connected to a data network through a DC powerline communication transceiver;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a systems diagram of a powerline communication network, such as is shown in  FIG. 1 , also showing the DC PLC Device being supplied power by the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of a powerline communication network as shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the use of a laptop computer with a DC powerline communication transceiver interface;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of one embodiment of an AC PLC to DC powerline communication bridge, such as can be used in the power communication network  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the AC to DC powerline communication bridge of  FIG. 5 , such as can be used in the powerline communication network of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of one embodiment an AC to DC powerline communication repeater, such as can be used in the powerline communication network of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     While describing the invention and its embodiments various terms will be used for the sake of clarity. These terms are intended to not only include the recited embodiments, but also all equivalents that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result.  
         [0024]     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a DC (direct current) power supply line is employed to provide DC powerline communications through a DC powerline communications network. In DC powerline communication the network communication signals are fed onto a direct current voltage line. A device with a DC powerline communication receiver receives and decodes the control and data signals from the DC line.  
         [0025]     Devices operated by DC are available in the both residential and commercial applications. DC lighting is available in incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent technologies. DC LED (light emitting diode) technology is also emerging as a lighting source. Solenoid operated sprinkler valves using DC voltages are widely available and used in both commercial and residential applications. In similar applications, DC powered residential applications include alarm systems. In some cases, DC is chosen as a primary voltage source for certain applications that are powered by alternative energy sources, such as, solar power.  
         [0026]     A similar need exists for DC powerline communications (DC PLC). In DC powerline communications the network communication signals are fed onto a direct current voltage line. A powerline communication transmitter feeds the control and data signals onto the DC line. A device with a DC powerline communication receiver receives and decodes the control and data signals from the DC line. A device may utilize both a DC powerline communication transmitter and receiver to allow for control and device status querying capabilities.  
         [0027]     The use of DC power in the home is usually limited to low voltage applications. For example, automatic sprinkler systems typically use DC for sprinkler valve control. Likewise most outdoor lights, intercom systems, and gate control are also controlled by DC power. In these systems the device is usually operated by the application of DC power itself in a two wire configuration. This requires that a separate pair of wires be extended from the controller to the device in a “star” configuration. The total wiring distance is then equal to the total length from the controller to each device. In some installations, the cost of this extra wiring may be prohibitive.  
         [0028]     In another configuration, the devices are permanently connected to a DC power line and are controlled by a separate line. This separate line may be connected to a relay that switches the power to the DC device. In this configuration, the DC power line distance is reduced to the maximum distance to the farthest device, but, there is an added cost and complexity due to an additional control wire running to each device.  
         [0029]     DC powerline communication uses the DC power lines to both power and the devices, such as sprinkler valves, outdoor lights, security lights, and gate entrances. The advantage of DC powerline communication in this application is the ease of installation of peripheral devices. A computer controlled device is simply attached to the DC power line. This simplifies outdoor wiring since the same power line can be connected to the lights and the sprinklers.  
         [0030]     DC powerline communication also simplifies other application areas. For example, automotive applications have a 12 VDC power supply and wiring harnesses to control such devices as valves and turn signals. A DC powerline communication system could replace the wiring harnesses. This would reduce manufacturing costs and allow for greater flexibility in peripheral devices that could be installed in the automobile.  
         [0031]     Likewise, airplanes are now equipped with a DC power supply for passengers to keep their laptops charged. A DC powerline communication system could be used to route communication signals (e.g. ethernet) to the laptops without the need for rewiring. This would eliminate the need to rewire and install hardwired ethernet connections in each of the passenger seats. Also, a DC powerline communication system would eliminate the need to install a wireless communication system (e.g. wi-fi) that could interfere other operations on the plane.  
         [0032]     In the hobbyist and entertainment application areas, it is not unusual to have certain devices controlled by separate DC power that are brought back to a wiring harness. For example, the speed of slot cars are controlled by a varying voltage that is passed via electrical connections on the track. With DC powerline communication, a constant DC power is applied to the slot car and the speed is controlled via signals that are passed to the slot car. The also allows the slot cars to have added features, such as turn signals and headlights, that are also computer controlled. Also, the same concept may be applied to model railroad systems, where hobbyists need to connect numerous trains, switches, and lights to a central power line.  
         [0033]     In the application area of battery powered devices, it is not uncommon for these devices to be connected to a DC charging system. With DC powerline communication, a communications link can be established with the device while it is connected to power supply. This provides an easy way for consumer products to connect to data communication networks (e.g. the ethernet) without additional wiring or expensive wireless interfaces.  
         [0034]     In each of the aforementioned application areas, the use of DC powerline communication is desirable. Consequently, there exists a need to bridge the AC powerline communication control signals with the DC powerline communication signals. This AC to DC powerline communication transceiver would simplify the installation of DC powerline communication networks since a separate DC powerline communication controller is not required. Likewise, AC powerline communication networks would have added flexibility in monitoring devices on DC powerline communication networks.  
         [0000]     AC to DC PLC Network  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system diagram is shown of one embodiment of an AC powerline communication to DC powerline communication network  10 .  
         [0036]     A data network  20  (e.g. the internet) is connected to an AC powerline communication transceiver  40  by a data communications link. The AC powerline communication transceiver  40  is connected to an AC power line  30  (100-240 Volts AC) and an AC powerline communication network  45 . The AC powerline communication network  45  are connected to an AC power outlet  50 . An AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  is connected to an AC power outlet  50  by an AC port  62  on the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60 . The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  contains the AC port  62  and a DC port  64 . The DC port  64  on the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  is connected to a DC powerline communication network  70 . The DC powerline communication network  70  is connected to a DC power  90  and a DC device  80 .  
         [0037]     The general operation of the AC powerline communication to DC powerline communication network  10  consists of the AC powerline communication network  45  being coupled to the DC powerline communication network  70  via the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60 .  
         [0038]     The signals on the AC powerline communication network  45  are generated when the data network  20  is connected to the power line  30  (100/115/220 VAC) by the AC powerline communication transceiver  40 . The data network  20  can be either proprietary or non-proprietary (e.g. internet data).  
         [0039]     The signals on the DC powerline communication network  70  are generated from the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60 . The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  is electrically connected to a DC power source. The DC device  80  is connected to the DC powerline communication network  70 .  
         [0040]     During operation, the data network  20  sends and receives data packets (not shown) to the AC powerline communication transceiver  40 . These data packets may be proprietary or non-proprietary (e.g. the Internet). The AC powerline transceiver superimposes the data packets on the AC power line  30  to produce AC powerline communication network  45 .  
         [0041]     The AC powerline communication network  45  are transmitted to all AC power outlets  50 . The AC power outlet  50  provides a mechanical and electrical connection in the office or residential structure. The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver connects to the AC power outlet  50  using the AC power cable  62 .  
         [0042]     The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  receives a signal on the AC powerline communication network  45  from the AC power cable  62 . The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  filters the AC powerline communication signals using high pass filter (not shown). The AC data packets (not shown) are processed by the internal circuitry of the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  to create the DC voltage (not shown).  
         [0043]     The DC data packets (not shown) are superimposed on the DC power creating the DC powerline communication network  70 . The DC device  80  is connected to the DC powerline communication network  70  using a data and power format that is compatible with the data and power formats of the AC to DC powerline communications transceiver  60 .  
         [0044]     The detailed operation of the data network  20  typically consists of a data message (not shown) being sent from the data network  20  and queued in the AC powerline communication transceiver  40 . The data network  20  may generate data that is proprietary or non-proprietary (e.g. internet) in format. In systems that conform to either the HOMEPLUG™ (Homeplug Power Alliance) standard or the X10™ (X10 LTD Corporation) standard, data messages are transmitted on the AC powerline communication network  45 . This data message would have a destination address for a device connected to the AC powerline communication transceiver  40 .  
         [0045]     The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  is connected to the AC power outlet  50 . The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  detects and extracts the AC data packet present on the AC powerline communication network  45  and superimposes the DC data packet on the DC powerline communication network  70 . The DC data packet is detected by the DC device  80 .  
         [0046]     Data packets originating in the DC device  80  are transmitted to the data network  20  through the AC to DC powerline transceiver  60  using the DC powerline communication network  70 , then to the AC powerline transceiver  40  using the AC powerline communication network  45 .  
         [0000]     DC PLC Network  
         [0047]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a system diagram is shown of another embodiment of a DC powerline communication system  100 . The data network  20  and the DC device  80  are connected by a DC powerline communication transceiver  140 .  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the data network is connected to the DC powerline communication transceiver  140 . The DC powerline communication transceiver  140  is connected to a DC powerline communication network  70 . The DC powerline communication network  70  is connected to the DC powerline communication transceiver  140  and the DC device  80 .  
         [0049]     Data packets originating in the data network  20  are transmitted to the DC powerline communication transceiver  140 . The DC powerline communication transceiver  140  receives the data packets and the DC power line  130  to produce signals to conform to the DC powerline communication network  70 . Data packets on the DC powerline communication network  70  are received by the DC device  80 .  
         [0050]     Data packets generated by the DC device  80  are sent on the DC powerline communication network  70 . This data packet is received by the DC powerline communication transceiver  140 . The DC powerline communication transceiver  140  communicates with the data network  20 .  
         [0000]     AC to DC PLC Transceiver and Power Supply  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a system diagram is shown of another embodiment of a powerline communication network where an AC to DC powerline communication transceiver also has a separate DC power supply line  270 . This embodiment is for devices that will require DC powerline communication network and also require a voltage supply that differs from the DC powerline communication network.  
         [0052]     The data network  20  is connected to the AC powerline communication transceiver  40 . The AC powerline communication transceiver  40  is connected to the AC power line  40  and the AC powerline communications network  45 . The AC powerline communications network  45  is connected to the AC powerline communications transceiver  40  and the AC power outlet  50 . The AC to DC powerline communications transceiver with power supply  260  is connected to the AC power outlet  50 , a DC powerline communications network  70 , a DC device power  270 , and a DC device with supply  280 . The DC Device with supply  280  is electrically connected to the DC powerline communication network  70  and the DC device powerline  270 .  
         [0053]     During operation, the data network  20  provides data packets (not shown) that are encoded by the AC powerline communication transceiver  40  on the AC power line  30  to create AC powerline communication network  45 . The AC powerline communication network  45  is available at the AC power outlet  50 . Devices plugged into the AC wall outlet  50 , receive the AC powerline communication network  45 . The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver with power supply  260  provides DC powerline communication network  70  and provides a DC device powerline  270  for the DC device  280 .  
         [0054]     Data can be sent from the DC device with supply  280  to the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver with power supply  260  using the DC powerline communication network  70 . This data is then sent to the AC powerline communication transceiver  40  via the AC powerline communication network  45 . The AC powerline communication transceiver  40  receives the data form the AC powerline communication network and transmits it to the Data network  20 .  
         [0000]     AC to DC PLC Transceiver and Peripheral Devices  
         [0055]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a system diagram is shown of another embodiment of a powerline communication network where the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver is connected to peripheral devices  300 .  
         [0056]     The data network  20  is connected to the AC powerline communication transceiver  40 . The AC powerline communication transceiver  40  is connected to the AC power line  40  and the AC powerline communications network  45 . The AC powerline communications network  45  is connected to the AC powerline communications transceiver  40  and the AC power outlet  50 . The AC to DC powerline communications transceiver  60  is connected to the AC power outlet  50 , the DC powerline communications network  70 , a DC laptop adapter  315 , and a DC printer adapter  325 . The DC laptop adapter  315  is connected to a laptop  310  and the DC printer adapter  320  is connected to a printer  320 .  
         [0057]     During operation, the data network  20  provides data packets (not shown) that are encoded by the AC powerline communication transceiver  40  on the AC power line  30  to create the AC powerline communication network  45 . The AC powerline communication network  45  is available at the AC power outlet  50 . Devices plugged into the AC wall outlet  50 , receive the AC powerline communication network  45 . The AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  sends and receives data packets to the laptop computer  310  and the printer  320 .  
         [0058]     In the prior examples an AC to DC powerline transceiver is used to interconnect AC powerline communication signals with DC powerline communication signals. The implementation of this transceiver may be accomplished in a various configurations, including, but not limited to bridge, router, and repeater designs.  
         [0000]     AC PLC to DC PLC Bridge  
         [0059]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a block diagram  500  of the AC to DC powerline communication transceiver  60  is shown. In this embodiment, the AC powerline communication network  45  and the DC powerline communication network  70  are coupled using a bridge configuration. The bridge configuration utilizes a computer to process the data.  
         [0060]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , an first coupling transformer  501  is connected to a AC Analog Front End  502  (AC AFE). The AC AFE  502  is connected to an AC Analog to Digital Converter  503  (AC A/D) and an AC Digital to Analog Converter  504  (AC D/A) converter. The AC A/D converter  503  and the AC D/A converter  504  are connected to a AC Physical layer  505  (AC PHY). The AC PHY  504  is connected to an AC Media Access Control  506  (AC MAC)  506  and an internal bus  507 . The AC MAC  506  is connected to the AC PHY  505  and the internal bus  507 . A central processing unit  508  (CPU) is connected to the internal bus  507 , a read only memory  508  (ROM), and a random access memory  516  (RAM).  
         [0061]     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , a second coupling transformer  510  is connected to a DC Analog Front End  511  (DC AFE). The DC AFE  511  is connected to the DC Analog to Digital Converter  512  (DC A/D) and a DC Digital to Analog Converter  513  (DC D/A) converter. The DC A/D converter  512  and the DC D/A converter  513  are connected to a  514  DC Physical layer (DC PHY). The DC PHY  514  is connected to a DC Media Access Control  515  (DC MAC) and the internal bus  507 . The DC MAC  515  is connected to the DC PHY  505  and the internal bus  507 .  
         [0062]     During operation, the AC powerline communication network  45  is received by the first coupling transformer  501  and the AC AFE  502  blocking the AC power voltage of 100-240 Volts AC using a high-pass filter. The AC A/D converter  503  converts the signal from the AC Analog Front End  502  into digital data. The AC PHY  505  converts the incoming data into AC MAC  506  data packets. The AC MAC  506  transfers the data to the CPU  508  via the internal bus  507 .  
         [0063]     Data transferred from the AC MAC  506  via the internal bus  507  is copied into the RAM  516  or if necessary directly into the DC Media Acces layer  515 , by operation of a program stored in either the ROM  509  or the RAM  516 .  
         [0064]     Again referring to  FIG. 5 , the DC powerline communication network  70  is received by the second coupling transformer  510 . The DC AFE  511  blocks the DC power voltage from the DC powerline communication network  70  the data components using a high-pass filter. The data components are converted to serial digital data using the DC A/D  512 . The DC PHY  514  receives the bytes and reconstructs the MAC data packet suitable for the DC MAC  515 . The data received from the DC MAC  515  is placed on the internal bus  507  by the CPU  508  under control by software in the ROM  509  and RAM  516 .  
         [0065]     In another embodiment, the components associated with the AC interface (e.g. first coupling transformer  501 , AC Analog Front End  502 , AC Analog to Digital Converter  503 , AC Digital to Analog Converter  504 , AC Physical Layer  505 , AC Media Access Layer  506 ) are identical to the DC interface (e.g. second coupling transformer  510 , DC Analog Front End  511 , DC Analog to Digital Converter  512 , DC Digital to Analog Converter, DC Physical Layer  514 , and the DC Media Access Layer  515 ) and therefore only one set of components may be needed in actual implementation by using appropriate front end switching.  
         [0066]     Sending data to the DC powerline communication network  70  involves transferring data from the RAM  516  to the DC MAC  506  using the internal bus  507  and the CPU  508 . Alternatively, the data from the AC Media Access Control  506  may be sent directly to the DC Media Access Control  515 . The DC MAC  515  packetizes data from the DC Media Access Control  515  and sends the individual data bytes to the DC PHY  514 . The DC D/A  513  convert the digital data to analog signals and sends these signals on the DC powerline communication network  70 .  
         [0067]     The implementation of the AC to DC PLC bridge  500  does not have to be limited to a single AC PLC to DC PLC interface. The AC to DC PLC bridge may have several AC PLC interfaces (not shown) and a single DC PLC interface. Alternately, a single AC powerline communication interface can connect to a multiple DC powerline communication interfaces (not shown). Likewise, the AC to DC powerline communication interface may have many AC powerline communication interfaces (not shown) to many DC powerline communication interfaces (not shown).  
         [0068]     The AC to DC powerline communication bridge  500  does not necessarily have to have dedicated ports in either the AC powerline communication format or the DC powerline communication format. In another embodiment, the AC Analog Front End (AC AFE) and the DC Analog Front End (DC AFE) ports will automatically detect whether the incoming signal is the AC powerline communication network  45  or DC powerline communication network  70 . When the format of the input signal, either AC powerline communication or DC powerline communication, is detected the port will select the proper format accordingly.  
         [0069]     The AC to DC powerline communication bridge  500  may allow for buffering of data packets from the AC MAC layer  506  or the DC MAC layer  515 .  
         [0070]     The AC to DC powerline communication bridge  500  may execute application specific programs that are stored in the ROM  509  or RAM  516 . These application specific programs would process the incoming data packets. For example, a virus checking program could check packets to prevent corrupt data packets from crossing the AC powerline communication network  45  to the DC powerline communication network  70 .  
         [0071]     Another example of an application specific program that is stored in the ROM  509  or RAM  516  would be diagnostic programs. These diagnostic programs can gather statistics from the AC powerline communication network  45  or the DC powerline communication network  70 . If the received signals deviate from the specification, for example due to line noise, this information may be recorded in the AC to DC powerline communication bridge  500  for later retrieval.  
         [0000]     AC PLC to DC PLC Router  
         [0072]     An embodiment of the AC to DC PLC Transceiver is the AC to DC powerline communication router  600  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The purpose of the router is to interface the AC powerline communication network  45  and the DC powerline communication network  70  with other data communication standards. Also, the DC powerline communication network  70  may be interfaced to other standards without the use of the AC powerline communication standard.  
         [0073]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , an first coupling transformer  501  is connected to the AC Analog Front End  502  (AC AFE). The AC AFE  502  is connected to the AC Analog to Digital Converter  503  (AC A/D) and the AC Digital to Analog Converter  504  (AC D/A) converters. The AC A/D converter  503  and the AC D/A converter  504  are connected to the AC Physical layer  505  (AC PHY). The AC PHY  504  is connected to the AC Media Access Control  506  (AC MAC) and the internal bus  507 . The AC MAC  506  is connected to the AC PHY  505  and the internal bus  507 . A central processing unit  508  (CPU) is connected to the internal bus  507 , the read only memory  508  (ROM), and the random access memory  516  (RAM).  
         [0074]     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , a second coupling transformer  510  is connected to the DC Analog Front End  511  (DC AFE). The DC AFE  511  is connected to the DC Analog to Digital Converter  512  (DC A/D) and the DC Digital to Analog Converter  513  (DC D/A) converters. The DC A/D converter  512  and the DC D/A converters  513  are connected to the  514  DC Physical layer (DC PHY). The DC PHY  514  is connected to the DC Media Access Control  515  (DC MAC) and the internal bus  507 . The DC MAC  515  is connected to the DC PHY  505  and the internal bus  507 .  
         [0075]     Interfaces to other protocols (e.g. ethernet) are shown in  FIG. 6 . An Ethernet port  521 , 522  are connected to an ethernet interface  520 . The ethernet interface  520  is connected to the internal bus  507 .  
         [0076]     Now referring to  FIG. 6 . The operation of the AC to DC powerline communication router  600  the same as to the AC to DC powerline communication bridge  500  as shown in  FIG. 5 . AC powerline communication network  45  are processed by the first coupling transformer  501 , the AC AFE  502  (AC AFE), the AC A/D  503 , the AC D/A  504 , the AC PHY  505 , the AC MAC  506 , and eventually stored in RAM  516  under programmatic control. DC powerline communication network  70  are processed by the second coupling transformer  510 , the DC AFE  511 , the DC D/A  513 , the DC A/D  512 , the DC PHY  514 , and the DC MAC  515 .  
         [0077]     To implement another protocol, an interface is connected to the internal bus  507  of the device. In this example, ethernet ports  521 ,  522  connected to devices that conform to the ethernet standard. These widely available devices are connected to these ports and would include computers, switches, wireless devices, and dedicated devices, such as, digital cameras. The ethernet interface (I/F)  520  converts the ethernet data into a higher layer format from the ethernet ports to the parallel internal bus  507 .  
         [0078]     The AC to DC powerline communication router  600  operates by allowing data AC powerline communication network  45  or the DC powerline communication network  70  to transfer data packets to the internal bus  507  using the aforementioned circuitry (i.e. the analog front end, the analog to digital conversion, the physical layer, and the media access control layer). The data packets are stored in the RAM  516  by the CPU  508 . Upon programmatic control, the data packets sent by the AC PLC interfaces or the DC PLC interface are converted into a standard acceptable by the Ethernet interface  520 .  
         [0079]     In another embodiment, the ethernet interface  520  is used as an AC to DC powerline communication monitoring device. Because ethernet is in widespread use, a portable computer (not shown) supporting the ethernet standard may be connected to the ethernet interface on the AC to DC powerline communication router  600 .  
         [0080]     In another embodiment, the ethernet interface  520  may also be used to configure and control the AC powerline communication or DC powerline communication interfaces. This is accomplished by modification of software settings in the RAM  516  to prevent or limit access to the AC powerline communication or DC powerline communication interfaces.  
         [0000]     AC PLC to DC PLC Repeater  
         [0081]     Another embodiment of the AC PLC to DC PLC transceiver is the AC to DC powerline communication repeater  700  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The purpose of the repeater is the interface the AC PLC and DC PLC standards using a device that is not under software control.  
         [0082]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the AC to DC powerline communication repeater diagram  700  is shown. One side of the first coupling transformer  501  is connected to the AC powerline communication network  45 . The other side of the first coupling transformer  501  is connected to an AC input on the Analog Front End  600 . One side of the second coupling transformer  510  is connected to the DC powerline communication network  70 . The other side of the second coupling transformer  510  is connected to the DC input on the Analog Front End  600 .  
         [0083]     The operation of the AC to DC powerline communication repeater is as follows. AC powerline communication network  45  that are present on the AC powerline communication network  45  side are transmitted to the DC powerline communication network  70 . Similarly, signals that appear on the DC powerline communication network  70  are transmitted to the AC powerline communication network  45 . This signal transformation is accomplished with analog circuitry contained in the analog front end  600 .  
         [0084]     Those skilled in the art will recognize upon consideration of the above teachings, that certain of the above exemplary embodiments are based upon the use of DC Powerline Communications. However, the invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many alternatives and modifications apparent from the foregoing description.

Technology Category: 5