Powerline modem device

摘要

A broadband powerline communications device includes a plug for connection to mains electrical wiring, a broadband powerline medium interface circuit for communicating broadband data over the mains electrical wiring, at least one electrical socket for providing mains electrical power from the mains electrical wiring to a further device plugged thereto, and energy consumption monitoring circuitry for monitoring the energy consumption of the further device. These components are formed in a housing with the plug is integrally formed with the housing or separated from the housing by a length of power cable. The device may also include a communications socket for wired communications and/or a wireless router for servicing wireless communications. The device may further include a mains filter with one or more components of the mains filter used in determining the instantaneous level of the voltage and/or current supplied to the further device.

主权项

1. A broadband powerline communications device comprising:
a mains electrical wiring connection configured to receive mains electrical power; an electrical socket coupled to the mains electrical wiring connection and configured to provide the mains electrical power; a mains filter disposed between the mains electrical wiring connection and the electrical socket for minimizing noise resultant from a further device coupled to the electrical socket, the mains filter including at least one capacitor and at least one inductor; energy consumption monitoring circuitry configured to monitor energy consumption of the further device, wherein the energy consumption monitoring circuitry utilizes (1) the at least one capacitor in determining the instantaneous level of the voltage supplied to the further device, and (2) the at least one inductor in determining the instantaneous level of the current supplied to the further device; a Powerline Communication (PLC) interface configured to communicate broadband data via the mains electrical wiring connection; a broadband communications interface; a communications interface configured to bridge communications between the PLC interface and the broadband communications interface; and a processor configured to control the bridging of communications between the PLC interface and the broadband communications interface.