Method of transmitting a packet of digital data over a poly-phase power line affected by impulsive noise

A method of receiving useful data from a packet of data transmitted over a poly-phase power line affected by impulsive noise synchronous with at least a phase voltage of the poly-phase power line, the transmission of the packet of data lasting longer than the interval between two consecutive noise pulses on the power line, dummy data being transmitted during identified noise time-intervals, and useful data being transmitted during other time-intervals that are not affected by the impulsive noise, the method comprising:

• at a receiver, identifying locations of dummy data and of useful data in the packet of data;
• and
• at the receiver, extracting useful data by discarding data at the identified locations of dummy data.

A communication device for transmitting a packet of data over a poly-phase power line affected by impulsive noise synchronous with at least a phase voltage of the poly-phase power line, to be received by a receiver connected to the power line, the transmission of the packet of data lasting longer than the interval between two consecutive noise pulses on the power line, the device comprising:

• a power line interface;
• and
• a data transmitter coupled to the power line interface and configured to identify noise time-intervals of a duration during which the poly-phase power line is affected by the impulsive noise, and to transmit dummy data during the identified noise time-intervals, and useful data during other time-intervals that are not affected by the impulsive noise.

A communication device for receiving a packet of data over a poly-phase power line affected by impulsive noise synchronous with at least one phase voltage of the poly-phase power line, the transmission of the packet of data lasting longer than the interval between two consecutive noise pulses on the power line, dummy data being transmitted during identified noise time-intervals, and useful data being transmitted during other time-intervals that are not affected by the impulsive noise, the device comprising:

• a power line interface;
• and
• a data receiver coupled to the power line interface and configured to identify locations of dummy data and of useful data in the packet of data, and extract useful data by discarding data at the identified locations of dummy data.