Multi-Unit Power Line Communications System and Method

Abstract

A power line communications system and method for multi-dwelling unit structures that provides broadband communications for internet access, voice over IP (VoIP), streaming video, audio, and other high speed applications and services is provided. One example embodiment includes a first communication device comprising an upstream port and a downstream port. The embodiment also includes a plurality of second communication devices with each second communication device configured to provide communications to user devices located on a different floors. The second communication devices may each include a low voltage power line port configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via a low voltage power line and a second port for communicating with the first communication device. The first and second devices may also include router functionality.

1 . A system for providing power line communications to a plurality of units in a multi-unit structure having one or more internal low voltage power lines, the system comprising:
 a first communication device disposed in the structure and comprising an upstream port configured to communicate via a non-power line communication medium and a downstream port configured to be coupled to one or more internal low voltage power lines of the structure;   said first communication device having a first modem for communicating via said downstream port;   wherein said first modem is configured to communicate via a multi-carrier modulation method;   said first communication device further comprising a controller in communication with said first modem and having memory storing program code;   wherein said controller is operable to control one or more functions of the first communication device;   wherein said controller is responsive to control messages received via said upstream port;   a plurality of second communication devices located in the structure;   wherein at least some said plurality of second communication devices are located in different units of the structure;   each second communication device having a first port configured to be communicatively coupled to a user device;   each second communication device having a power line port configured to mate with a wall socket of the structure; and   wherein each of said plurality of second communication devices is configured to access the Internet via communications traversing one or more low voltage power lines in the structure and said first communication device.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to prevent communications of one or more user devices attempting to communicate over a power line of the structure to device remote from the structure. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said second power line communication devices are configurable to provide rate limiting to a user device connected to the first port. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said first communication device is configured to implement quality of service (QoS) for data communications. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a coupler configured to couple said downstream port of said first communication device to at least one low voltage power line at a circuit breaker panel of the structure. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to implement rate limiting for one or more user devices. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first communication device is configurable to provide QoS for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first communication device and at least one second communication device are configured to communicate video data from a user device coupled to the at least one second communication device. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said downstream port of said first communication device is configured to be coupled to a low voltage power line at a circuit breaker panel of the structure. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller is configured to receive program code from said upstream port, to store said received program code in said memory, and to execute said received program code. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third communication device comprising a wireless transceiver configured to provide wireless communication services to a common area of the structure; and
 wherein said third communication device includes a communication port configured to communicate with said first communication device.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a repeating device and wherein said first communication device communicates with at least one of said plurality of second communication devices via the repeating device. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to perform routing functions at layer two. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to prioritize data transmissions. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said second power line communication devices are configurable to provide rate limiting to a user device connected to the first port. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to collect data traffic usage information for one or more user devices. 
   
   
       17 . A system for providing power line communications to a plurality of units in a multi-unit structure having one or more internal one low voltage power lines, the system comprising:
 a first communication device disposed in the structure and comprising an upstream port configured to communicate via a non-power line communication medium and a downstream port configured to be coupled to one or more internal low voltage power lines of the structure;   said first communication device having a first modem for communicating via said downstream port;   said first communication device further comprising a controller in communication with said first modem and having memory storing program code;   wherein said controller is operable to control one or more functions of the first communication device;   wherein said first communication device is configurable to implement quality of service (QoS) for data communications;   a coupler configured to be couple said downstream port to a low voltage power line of the structure;   a plurality of second communication devices;   wherein at least some said plurality of second communication devices are located in different units of the structure;   each second communication device having a first port configured to be communicatively coupled to a user device;   each second communication device having a power line port configured to mate with a wall socket of the structure; and   wherein each of said plurality of second communication devices is configured to access a remote network via communications traversing one or more low voltage power lines in the structure and said first communication device.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said first communication device includes a routing device in communication with said first modem. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising wherein said routing device is formed by said controller. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein at least some of said second power line communication devices are configurable to provide rate limiting to a user device connected to the first port. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least some of said second power line communication devices are configurable to provide rate limiting to a user device connected to the first port. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to prevent communications of one or more user devices attempting to communicate over a power line of the structure to a remote device. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said coupler is configured to couple said downstream port of said first communication device to a low voltage power line at a circuit breaker panel of the structure. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said controller is operable to perform routing functions at layer two. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to collect data traffic usage information for one or more user devices. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a third communication device comprising a wireless transceiver configured to provide wireless communication services to a common area of the structure; and
 wherein said third communication device includes a communication port configured to communicate with said first communication device.   
   
   
       27 . A system for providing power line communications to a plurality of units in a multi-unit structure having one or more one internal low voltage power lines, the system comprising:
 a first communication device disposed in the structure and comprising an upstream port configured to communicate via a non-power line communication medium and a downstream port configured to be coupled to one or more internal low voltage power lines of the structure;   said first communication device having a first modem for communicating via said downstream port;   a plurality of second communication devices;   each of said plurality of second communication devices having a first port configured to be communicatively coupled to a user device;   each of said plurality of said second communication devices having a power line port configured to mate with a wall socket of the structure;   wherein each of said plurality of said second communication devices are configurable to provide rate limiting to a user device connected to said first port; and   wherein each of said plurality of second communication devices is configured to access a remote network via communications traversing one or more low voltage power lines in the structure and said first communication device.   
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein each of said plurality of said second communication device are configurable to provide rate limiting to a user device connected to said first port in response to control data received via said first device. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein at least some said plurality of second communication devices are located in different units of the structure; 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said first communication device includes a routing device in communication with said first modem. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising wherein said routing device is formed by said controller. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to prevent communications of one or more user devices attempting to communicate over a power line of the structure to a remote device. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a coupler configured to couple said downstream port of said first communication device to a low voltage power line at a circuit breaker panel of the structure. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to perform routing functions at layer two. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein said first communication device is configurable to collect data usage information for one or more user devices.