Splitter
AssigneeADC DSL Systems, Inc.
InventorsCharles Weston Lomax, Jr., Clark Wayne Tollerson, Randall L. Powers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A splitter for enabling a power signal and a communication signal to be transmitted over a common communication link is provided. The splitter includes a line port adapted to be coupled to a communication line, a power port adapted to be coupled to a power supply to receive a power signal, and a communication port adapted to be coupled to a communication circuit that generates and receives communication signals. The splitter also includes a low pass filter coupled between the power port and the line port, the low pass filter including a coupled inductor, a high pass filter coupled to the communication port, and wherein the communication signals and the power signal are transported on the communication line at the line port.
Claims20
A splitter for enabling a power signal and a communication signal to be transmitted over a common communication link, the splitter comprising:
- a line port adapted to be coupled to a communication line;
- a power port adapted to be coupled to a power supply to receive a power signal;
- a communication port adapted to be coupled to a communication circuit that generates and receives communication signals;
- a low pass filter coupled between the power port and the line port, the low pass filter including a coupled inductor;
- a high pass filter coupled to the communication port;
- wherein the communication signals and the power signal are transported on the communication line at the line port.
A circuit for injecting power onto a line carrying a communication signal, the circuit comprising:
- means for receiving a communication signal;
- means for receiving a power signal;
- means for providing a high DC impedance and low AC impedance for the communication signal to produce a conditioned communication signal coupled to the means for receiving the communication signal;
- coupled inductor means for providing a high AC impedance and a low DC impedance for the power signal to produce a conditioned power signal coupled to the means for receiving the power signal;
- and
- means for combining the conditioned communication signal with the conditioned power signal.
A source network element, comprising:
- a communication interface, adapted to be coupled to a communication link;
- a power interface including a power supply adapted to receive a power signal from a power source;
- a splitter, coupled to the communication interface and the power interface, the splitter comprising:
- a line port adapted to be coupled to a communication line;
- a power port adapted to be coupled to the power interface to receive a power signal;
- a communication port adapted to be coupled to the communication interface that transmits and receives communication signals;
- a low pass filter coupled between the power port and the line port, the low pass filter including a coupled inductor;
- a high pass filter coupled to the communication port;
- wherein the communication signals and the power signal are transported on the communication line at the line port.
A method for injecting a power signal onto a communication line, the method comprising:
- receiving a communication signal;
- receiving a power signal;
- providing a high DC impedance and low AC impedance for the communication signal to produce a conditioned communication signal;
- providing a high AC impedance and a low DC impedance for the power signal using a coupled inductor to produce a conditioned power signal;
- and
- transmitting the conditioned power signal on the same communication lines with the conditioned communication signal.
A wireless system, comprising:
- a communication circuit that transmits and receives communication signals according to a selected protocol;
- a remote network element, the remote network element including a modem adapted to transmit and receive signals according to the selected protocol;
- the remote terminal further including a wireless access point, coupled to the modem, the wireless access point adapted to provide a wireless interface to the system;
- a central office power plug, coupled to the communication circuit and the remote network element, the central office power plug including a splitter, the splitter including:
- a line port adapted to be coupled to remote terminal over a communication line;
- a power port adapted to receive a power signal;
- a communication port coupled to the communication circuit;
- a low pass filter coupled between the power port and the line port, the low pass filter including a coupled inductor;
- a high pass filter coupled to the communication port;
- wherein the communication signals and the power signal are transported on the communication line at the line port.
A splitter comprising:
- a power port including first and second terminal;
- a line port including first and second terminals;
- a communication port including first and second terminals;
- a coupled inductor having first and second windings;
- the first winding coupled between the first terminal of the power port and the first terminal of the line port;
- the second winding coupled between the second terminal of the power port and the second terminal of the line port;
- a capacitor coupled across the first and second windings of the coupled inductor, the capacitor and the coupled inductor providing a high AC impedance for a power signal received at the power port;
- and
- first and second capacitors coupled to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the communication port, so as to provide a high DC impedance for a communication signal transmitted to or from the communication port so as to enable transmission of the power signal and the communication signals on a common communication line at the line port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.