Multi-wideband communications over multiple mediums
AssigneeBroadcom Corporation
InventorsJonathan Ephraim David Hurwitz, Juan Carlos Riveiro Insua, David Ruiz Lopez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-network interface device includes a powerline communications interface and at least one other communications interface configured to communicate over a network. The network may comprise mediums including powerlines, telephone lines, and/or coaxial cables. In some embodiments, the powerline communications interface may communicate with a network apparatus, such as a personal computer, via an Ethernet interface. The multi-network interface device may communicate using multiple frequency bands.
Claims20
A multi-network interface device comprising:
- a powerline interface configured to communicate over a powerline;
- a wired interface configured to communicate over a wired network;
- a network processor;
- a first signal path between the powerline interface and the network processor and including:
- a first coupler in communication with the powerline interface, and
- a first filter in communication between the first coupler and the network processor;
- and
- a second signal path between the wired interface and the network processor and including:
- a second coupler in communication with the wired interface, the second coupler being an inductive coupler, and
- a second filter in communication between the second coupler and the network processor, the second filter including at least one of a high pass filter and a low pass filter.
The multi-network interface device of 14, further comprising:
- a second coaxial cable interface for communicating over an additional coaxial cable;
- and
- a third signal path between the first coaxial cable interface and the second coaxial cable interface and including:
- a third coupler coupled to the first coaxial cable interface;
- and
- a third filter coupled between the third coupler and the second coaxial cable interface.
A multi-network interface device, comprising:
- a powerline interface configured to communicate over a powerline;
- a wired interface configured to communicate over a wired network;
- a network processor;
- a first signal path between the powerline interface and the network processor and including:
- a first coupler in communication with the powerline interface, and
- a first filter in communication between the first coupler and the network processor;
- and
- a second signal path between the wired interface and the network processor and including:
- a second coupler in communication with the wired interface, the second coupler being an inductive coupler,
- a second filter in communication between the second coupler and the network processor, the second filter including at least one of a high pass filter and a low pass filter;
- wherein the network processor is operable to determine whether to transmit a communication signal via one of the powerline interface and the wired interface.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a multi-network interface device including:
- a powerline interface configured to communicate over a powerline;
- a wired interface configured to communicate over a wired network;
- a network processor;
- a first signal path between the powerline interface and the network processor and including:
- a first coupler in communication with the powerline interface, and
- a first filter in communication between the first coupler and the network processor;
- and
- a second signal path between the wired interface and the network processor and including:
- a second coupler in communication with the wired interface, the second coupler being an inductive coupler, and
- a second filter in communication between the second coupler and the network processor, the second filter including at least one of a high pass filter and a low pass filter;
- and
- a host subsystem coupled to the multi-network interface device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.