Method and Apparatus for Power Line Communication Network

A power line communication controller comprising:

• a) a front end comprising:
• i. a spectrum analyzer having an input coupled to an AC outlet into which the controller is plugged and configured to detect, analyze and output the spectral content of a power line;
• and
• ii. a signal generator configured to output commands to be transmitted over the power line;
• b) a communication processor having an input and an output, the input coupled to the output of the spectrum analyzer and configured to:
• i. receive the spectral content of the power line;
• ii. determine, from the spectral content, when communications can be transmitted over the power line with a predetermined likelihood of success;
• and
• iii. output control signals to the signal generator to control the transmission of the commands output by the signal generator based on an analysis of the spectral content received from the spectrum analyzer.