CIRCUIT PANEL NETWORK AND METHODS THEREOF

摘要

To provide network connectivity in a building using existing electrical wiring and circuitry, a circuit panel network system is provided to interface between a network connection and the electrical circuit. Traditional breakers on the electrical panel that provide overload circuit-protection devices can be replaced with circuit breaker devices that have transceivers and power line communication chipsets in addition to overload circuit-protection devices. A network interface unit that receives broadband network connectivity from a network demarcation point inside or outside the building can wirelessly transfer data to and from the circuit breaker devices, which then distribute the data over the electrical circuits via the power line communication chipsets on the circuit breaker devices

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receiving wirelessly a first transmission of data from a network interface device communicatively coupled to at least one of a set of breakers of a circuit panel, the set of breakers coupled to a plurality of electrical circuits, and wherein the at least one of the set of breakers includes at least one circuit breaker device configured for power line communication; determining that the data is to be directed towards the at least one circuit breaker device or at least one of the plurality of electrical circuits associated with the at least one circuit breaker device; and initiating, based upon the determining, a second transmission of the data as a power line communication transmission via the at least one circuit breaker device that is associated with at least one of the plurality of electrical circuits, wherein the second transmission comprises electromagnetic waves that propagate on a wire coupled to the at least one circuit breaker device, and wherein the at least one circuit breaker device comprises a dielectric waveguide coupled to the wire to facilitate coupling of the electromagnetic waves onto the wire.