Local area network of serial intellegent cells

A device for configuring a local area network in a building for the transport of power and data signals across a wiring, wherein the wiring includes at least first and second wiring segments, the device comprising:

• first and second ports each connected to a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;
• first and second data couplers each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, and each having a data signal port operative to pass only a data signal;
• first and second modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second data couplers, for full duplex data signal communication with a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;
• at least one data interface connector coupled to at least one of said modems and operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data terminal equipment unit;
• first and second power couplers each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, and each having a respective one of first and second power signal ports, each signal port being operative to pass only the power signal;
• a power supply coupled to the first power signal port and to at least one of said modems to be powered by the power signal and for powering said modem;
• and
• means for allowing the communication of a data signal over the first wiring segment to be independent of the communication of a data signal over the second wiring segment,
• wherein the second power signal port is coupled to the first power signal port.

A network for carrying data and power signals, said network comprising:

• first, second and third nodes, each of said nodes containing at least one power consuming circuit;
• first and second wiring segments in a building, each of said segments comprising at least two conductors, said first wiring segment coupling said first and second nodes to form a first bi-directional communication link and said second wiring segment coupling said first and third nodes to form a second bi-directional communication link, wherein:
• at least one of said wiring segments simultaneously carries both data and power signals;
• said first communication link carries data independent of said second communication link;
• each of said nodes is connectable to a data terminal equipment unit for coupling the data terminal equipment unit to at least one of said communication links;
• at least a fist one of said nodes is connectable to a power source for coupling the power source to said at least one power signal over a wiring segment connected to said first one of said nodes;
• and
• at least a second one of said nodes is powered by a power signal carried over a wiring segment connected to said second one of said nodes.