Wi-Fi/BPL dual mode repeaters for power line networks

A first node in a power line network comprising:

• means for transmitting data in a first power line network;
• an extractor for extracting the data transmitted across the first power line network;
• a radio transceiver for transmitting the data to a second node in a second power line network;
• means for detecting an interruption between the first node and the second node;
• and
• a computer for performing, prior to the extracting, a cost comparison between transmitting the message by the radio transceiver and transmitting the message over a wired portion of the first power line network, the computer determining that the wireless transmission of the message is lower in cost than a wired transmission of the message.

A first power line network comprising:

• means for transmitting data in a first power line network;
• an injector for injecting the data onto the first power line for transmission to a desired network destination;
• an extractor for extracting the data from the first power line;
• a first wireless transceiver for transmitting the data;
• a second wireless transceiver for receiving the data from the first wireless transceiver;
• means for detecting, prior to the extracting, an interruption between the first node and the second node;
• and
• means for performing, prior to the extracting, a cost comparison between transmitting the message by the first wireless transceiver and transmitting the message over a wired portion of the first power line network, the means determining that a wireless transmission of the message is lower in cost than a wired transmission of the message;
• and
• means for injecting the data into at least a second power line, the second power line in a second power line network physically separated form the first power line.