System, apparatus and method for enabling optimal communication over power lines

Apparatus for location at a communication terminal on a power transmission system, for communication signaling over said power lines, comprising:

• a power level test message configuration unit for configuring test signals to send to one or more neighboring terminals to determine optimal transmission characteristics for communication with respective neighboring terminals, respective test signals being configured for one or more of a plurality of transmission power levels such that said plurality of transmission power levels are tested, and
• a test message sending unit, associated with said test message configuration unit for sending said configured test signals to said one or more neighboring terminals over said power lines, therefrom to determine optimal transmission power levels for transmission to respective receiving units.

A method of communication between terminals over a power line comprising:

• sending a series of test signals from a sending terminal to neighboring terminals at different transmission power levels;
• from said test signals detecting line characteristics;
• from said line characteristics selecting a best transmission power level for said communication.

System for communication signaling between sending terminals and receiving terminals over power lines, comprising:

• a test message configuration unit associated with a respective sending terminal for configuring test signals to send to one or more of said receiving units to detect a line saturation characteristic, and
• a test message sending unit, associated with said test message configuration unit for sending said configured test signals to said one or more receiving terminals over said power lines, therefrom to determine a transmission power level which is optimal for transmission to respective receiving units in view of said line saturation characteristic.