Method and apparatus for interfacing RF signals to medium voltage power lines
OwnerPaul A. Kline, Sergey L. Dickeyinventors
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Abstract
RF digital information signals are interfaced with a medium voltage power line data channel. An interface circuit connects between the medium voltage and low voltage sides of a step-down power transformer. The interface circuit includes a metal oxide arrestor (MOV) and an opto-coupler. The MOV provides the needed capacitance and voltage rating without the bulk of a capacitor having similar capacitance and voltage rating. The opto-coupler provides an added margin of safety for coupling communications data while isolating the medium voltage power from the low voltage side of the transformer.
Claims17
An interface circuit for interfacing radio frequency communications signals with a medium voltage power line, the interface circuit comprising:
- a medium voltage node adapted for connection to the medium voltage power line;
- a reactive element adapted for connection to a common potential;
- a metal oxide varistor connected between the medium voltage node and the reactive element, wherein the radio frequency communications signals are interfaced to the medium voltage node via the metal oxide varistor.
An interface circuit for interfacing radio frequency communications signals with a medium voltage power line, the interface circuit comprising:
- a medium voltage node adapted for connection to the medium voltage power line;
- a conductive line having a selected length and being adapted for connection to a common potential, the selected length being one quarter of the wavelength of the radio frequency communications signals;
- and
- a metal oxide varistor connected between the medium voltage node and the conductive line, wherein the radio frequency communications signals are interfaced to the medium voltage node via the metal oxide varistor.
A method for receiving a digital signal from a power line carrying both the digital signal and a powerline voltage waveform, wherein the digital signal is modulated by an RF carrier and the powerline voltage waveform is in the 50-60 Hz band, comprising receiving the digital signal through a high pass filter while blocking or attenuating the powerline voltage, wherein the high pass filter comprises a metal oxide varistor (MOV).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.