U.S. patent application number 13/485133 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for multi-wideband communications over multiple mediums within a network.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROADCOM EUROPE LIMITED. Invention is credited to Jonathan Ephraim David Hurwitz, Juan Carlos Riveiro, David Ruiz.
Application Number | 20120243621 13/485133 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39659649 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120243621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hurwitz; Jonathan Ephraim David ;
et al. |
September 27, 2012 |
Multi-Wideband Communications over Multiple Mediums within a
Network
Abstract
A multi-network interface device comprises a powerline
communications interface and at least one other non-power line
communications interface configured to communicate over a network.
The network may comprise mediums including powerlines, telephone
lines, and/or coaxial cables. The multi-network interface device
may receive a communications signal via a first medium and transmit
the message via a second medium based on a quality of service (QoS)
metric.
Inventors: |
Hurwitz; Jonathan Ephraim
David; (Edinburgh, GB) ; Riveiro; Juan Carlos;
(Barcelona, ES) ; Ruiz; David; (Barcelona,
ES) |
Assignee: |
BROADCOM EUROPE LIMITED
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
39659649 |
Appl. No.: |
13/485133 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11752865 |
May 23, 2007 |
8213895 |
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13485133 |
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11536539 |
Sep 28, 2006 |
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11752865 |
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11562380 |
Nov 21, 2006 |
7808985 |
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11536539 |
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11619167 |
Jan 2, 2007 |
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11562380 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
375/257 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 2203/5437 20130101;
H04B 2203/5445 20130101; H04B 2203/5491 20130101; H04B 3/54
20130101; H04B 2203/5483 20130101; H04B 2203/5466 20130101; H04B
2203/5495 20130101; H04B 3/542 20130101; H04B 2203/545 20130101;
H04B 2203/5479 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
375/257 |
International
Class: |
H04B 3/54 20060101
H04B003/54 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 3, 2005 |
EP |
05256179.2 |
Claims
1. A multi-network interface device, comprising: communications
interfaces coupled to respective communication mediums, the
communications interfaces including at least a power line
communications interface coupled to a power line communication
medium and a non-power line communications interface coupled to a
non-power line communication medium; and a network processor for
receiving a communications signal via a first one of the
communications interfaces and selecting a second one of the
communications interfaces for transmission of the communications
signal based on a respective quality of service metric associated
with each of the communication mediums.
2. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the
network processor further measures the respective quality of
service metric for each of the communication mediums.
3. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the first
one of the communications interfaces is coupled to a first
communication medium and the second one of the communications
interfaces is coupled to a second communication medium that is
different from the first communication medium.
4. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the
network processor further selects a third one of the communications
interfaces for transmission of the communications signal such that
communications signal is substantially simultaneously transmitted
on both the second one of the communications interfaces and the
third one of the communications interfaces.
5. The multi-network interface device of claim 4, wherein the
second one of the communications interfaces is coupled to a first
one of the communication mediums and the third one of the
communications interfaces is coupled to a second one of the
communication mediums that is the same as the first one of the
communication mediums.
6. The multi-network interface device of claim 4, wherein the
second one of the communications interfaces is coupled to a first
one of the communication mediums and the third one of the medium
interfaces is coupled to a second one of the communication mediums
that is different from the first one of the communication
mediums.
7. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the
non-power line communications interface is configured to
communicate via a telephone line or a coaxial cable.
8. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein both the
powerline communications interface and the non-power line
communications interface are identified by a same media access
control address.
9. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, further
comprising: a host interface coupled to a host communication medium
and configured to provide communications between a network
apparatus and the multi-network interface device; and a host
interface controller coupled to the host interface and the network
processor and configured to be shared by communications received
through the powerline communications interface and the non-power
line communications interface.
10. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the
first communications interface comprises one of the power line
communications interface and the non-power line communications
interface and the second communications interface comprises the
other of the power line communications interface and the non-power
line communications interface.
11. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the
network processor selects the second communications interface to
avoid transmission of the communications signal through a junction
box.
12. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the
network processor further selects at least one frequency band
associated with the communication medium coupled to the second
communications interface for transmission of the communications
signal based on the quality of service metric associated
therewith.
13. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, further
comprising: an analog signal separation device coupled to the
communication interfaces for isolating communication paths from the
communication mediums to an apparatus coupled to the multi-network
interface device.
14. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the
network processor further switches to a third one of the
communication interfaces during transmission of the communications
signal based on the respective quality of service metric associated
with each of the communication mediums.
15. The multi-network interface device of claim 1, wherein the
quality of service metric associated with each of the communication
mediums measures one or more of network latency, network throughput
and available bandwidth.
16. A network apparatus comprising: a multi-network interface
device including communications interfaces coupled to respective
communication mediums, the communications interfaces including at
least a power line communications interface coupled to a power line
communication medium and a non-power line communications interface
coupled to a non-power line communication medium; a host subsystem
including circuitry for operating the network apparatus; and a host
interface coupling the multi-network interface device and the host
subsystem; wherein the multi-network interface device is further
configured to receive a communications signal via a first one of
the communications interfaces and select a second one of the
communications interfaces for transmission of the communications
signal based on a respective quality of service metric associated
with each of the communication mediums.
17. The network apparatus of claim 16, wherein the multi-network
interface device is further configured to provide the
communications signal to the host subsystem via the host
interface.
18. The network apparatus of claim 16, wherein the multi-network
interface device further measures the respective quality of service
metric for each of the communication mediums.
19. The network apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first one of the
communications interfaces is coupled to a first communication
medium and the second one of the communications interfaces is
coupled to a second communication medium that is different from the
first communication medium.
20. The network apparatus of claim 16, wherein the multi-network
interface device further selects at least one frequency band
associated with the communication medium coupled to the second
communications interface for transmission of the communications
signal based on the quality of service metric associated therewith.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES
[0001] This nonprovisional U.S. patent application is a
continuation of nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/752,865 filed May 23, 2007 and entitled "Multi-Wideband
Communications over Multiple Mediums within a Network," which is a
continuation-in-part of nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/536,539 filed Sep. 28, 2006 and entitled "Multi-Wideband
Communications over Powerlines," which claims benefit of and
priority to European Patent Application EP 05 256 179.2, entitled
"Power line Communication Device and Method," filed Oct. 3, 2005
under 35 U.S.C. 119; a continuation-in-part of nonprovisional U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/562,380 filed Nov. 21, 2006 and
entitled "Network Repeater;" and a continuation-in-part of
nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,167 filed
Jan. 2, 2006 and entitled "Unknown Destination Traffic Repetition"
all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present application relates generally to communications
and more specifically to multi-wideband communications over
multiple mediums.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Typically, residences such as houses, apartments, and
condominiums have multiple types of wires for power and/or
communications. For example, a house may typically have one or more
ring mains, or may have multiple spurs configured to supply power
to most, if not all, of the rooms in the house. The house may
additionally have one or more telephone line connections, including
multiple extensions accessible in various rooms. The telephone line
may provide telephone communications and/or Internet access using a
digital subscriber line (DSL) standard. Many homes additionally
have one or more coaxial cable connections to a number of rooms.
For example, cable television programming or satellite television
programming, or terrestrial analog television may be received via
the coaxial cable. In some cases the phone line or coax in the home
may be unused by any apparatus. Further, networked apparatuses may
communicate via Ethernet cabling.
[0006] Many households include devices that communicate with one
another. For example, a television set may communicate with a
digital versatile disc (DVD) player to display a movie on the
television set. These communications require separate wires and/or
cables connecting the DVD player to the television set. These
device-to-device wires can become very complex, if, for example,
other components such as a stereo system are also connected to the
television set. Further, the stereo system may be separately
connected via another wire to a personal computer or media player.
The use of a dedicated wire between devices additionally limits
which devices are able to communicate with one another. For
example, many homeowners are reluctant to connect a very long wire
from, for example, a television in the kitchen to a DVD player in a
bedroom. In addition, with the rise of digital content, such as
JPEG digital photographs, MP3 digital music and MPEG digital video,
that can arrive from multiple sources, such as the cable service
provider or the internet, and could be stored in different devices
in the home, such as the Personal Computer (PC) or a Personal Video
Recorder (PVR) or a Set Top Box (STB), there is a need to create a
digital in-home network that can distribute the digital content
through network connected devices throughout the home with high
performance and reliability.
[0007] Powerline communication (PLC) is a technology that encodes
digital data in a signal and transmits the signal on existing
electricity powerlines in a band of frequencies that are not used
for supplying electrical power. Accordingly, PLC leverages the
ubiquity of sockets within existing power supply networks to
provide an extensive number of possible connection points to form a
network.
[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, a powerline network in a household 100
typically has a distributed mains wiring system consisting of one
or more ring mains, several stubs or spurs and some distribution
back to a junction box 104. For example, the household 100 is
supplied electrical power from an external line 102. The junction
box 104 routes the electrical power among ring mains 106, 108, and
110. The household 100 further comprises a telephone line network
112. The telephone line network 112, as shown, does not require a
junction box or division among multiple rings. It should be noted
that the powerline network is typically more widely distributed to
outlets and rooms than the telephone line network 112.
[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, there are a variety of distances and
paths between different power outlets in the household. In
particular, the outlets most closely located to each other are
those on multi-plug strips, and the outlets furthest away from each
other are those on the ends of stubs of different ring mains (e.g.
power outlets in the first floor and the second floor).
Communications between these furthest outlets typically pass
through the junction box 104. In some PLC systems, it may be
difficult to pass communications through the junction box,
particularly if they are on different alternating current AC
phases.
[0010] There is, therefore, a need for improved communications
systems that overcome the above and other problems.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods
of operation that are further described in the following Brief
Description of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the
Invention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention made with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Multiple embodiments of the invention will now be described
by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Figures
in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art household;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a diagram of an exemplary multi-network interface
device comprising a plurality of interfaces for communicating over
various mediums, according to various embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 2B is a diagram of an exemplary embedded multi-network
interface device comprising a plurality of interfaces for
communicating over various mediums, according to various
embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 2C is a diagram of an exemplary multi-network interface
device connected to a network apparatus, according to various
embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 3 includes exemplary communications transmission
spectra of three mediums, according to various embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a first circuit embodiment of
the multi-network interface device, according to various
embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second circuit embodiment of
the multi-network interface device, according to various
embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a third circuit embodiment of
the multi-network interface device, according to various
embodiments;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth circuit embodiment of
the multi-network interface device, according to various
embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a fifth circuit embodiment of
the multi-network interface device, according to various
embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 9 depicts the frequency characteristics of a frequency
band associated with the signal used by the fifth integrated
circuit embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, according to various
embodiments;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a sixth circuit embodiment of
the multi-network interface device, according to various
embodiments;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a seventh circuit embodiment
of the multi-network interface device, according to various
embodiments;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an eighth circuit embodiment
of the multi-network interface device, according to various
embodiments;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for
communicating within a network, according to various embodiments;
and
[0028] FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for
bridging between mediums, according to various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] For the sake of clarity, the term "powerline" will be used
herein to refer to low voltage household or commercial mains
distribution cabling (typically 100-240 V AC power) or any other
distributed electrically conductive AC cabling that is capable of
passing power to appliances connected to it. Furthermore, the term
"powerline technology" will be used herein to refer to a
specification that when implemented as a series of network
interface devices connected to a powerline, enables the devices to
bi-directionally communicate with each other using signals
superimposed on the power distribution AC voltages also present on
the powerline.
[0030] The term "multi-network interface device" will be used
herein to describe an apparatus that implements either fully or
partially, at least two communications technologies, such as a
powerline technology, a telephone line technology, or a coaxial
cable technology to enable the apparatus to communicate with other
devices connected via the same communications technology (such as a
powerline, telephone line, or coaxial cable) to a network,
regardless of whether or not the apparatus is integrated with other
apparatuses or functions within a single enclosure. In some
embodiments, the multi-network interface device may be a powerline
communications device having additional communications interfaces
for communicating via a phone line and/or a coaxial cable.
[0031] For the sake of clarity, in terms of explanation of
operation of the multi-network interface device around current
powerline, telephone line, and coaxial cable technologies, a
frequency band used in the multi-network interface device
comprising a frequency of less than about 30 MHz, will be known
herein as a "low band(s)". Similarly, a frequency band(s) used in
the powerline communication devices, telephone line communications
devices, and coaxial cable communications devices whose frequency
is greater than about 30 MHz will be known herein as "high
band(s)."
[0032] For the sake of simplicity; the term "signal path" will be
used to refer to the path of a signal transmitted or received from
a network apparatus to the powerline, telephone line or coaxial
cable.
[0033] The term "separate," as used herein with respect to
frequency bands, is to characterize frequency bands that do not
use, except incidentally, the same frequencies for communication
data or commands. Frequency bands may be separate but interleaved,
e.g., overlapping.
[0034] The term "simultaneously" is used herein with respect to
communicating data to indicate that at least part of first data or
commands are communicated using a first frequency band and/or
medium at the same time as at least part of second data or commands
are communicated using a second frequency band and/or medium. For
example, simultaneous transmission is contrasted with systems that
alternate or interleave the use of frequency ranges, one frequency
range after the other or hopping from one frequency range to the
other frequency range while not using both frequency ranges at the
same moment.
[0035] The term "independent" is used herein with respect to data
transmitted to indicate that data transmitted using one frequency
band does not depend on data transmitted using another frequency
band. Independent data transmission can include, for example, data
sent to or received from different locations. Data in which
alternative bits are transmitted using different frequencies is not
independent because the bits are dependent on each other to form a
useful byte. Data transmitted in a first frequency band and
including communication setup information, decryption keys,
communication commands, or the like is considered independent from
data sent in a second frequency band, even when the receipt or
processing of the data sent in the second frequency band may use
the data in the first frequency band. This is because, transmission
of the communication setup information, decryption keys,
communication commands, or the like does not depend on the data
sent in the second frequency band.
[0036] The term "wideband" is used herein to refer to a frequency
band or range used by a powerline, telephone line, or coaxial cable
technology signal, characterized by having a bandwidth of greater
than, or equal to, about 5 MHz from the first (lowest) frequency to
the last (highest) frequency of the band irrespective of the
presence of notches. However, in various embodiments, wideband may
have bandwidths of at least 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 100, 250 or 500
MHz. A wideband may include many different carrier channels used to
convey data. For example, in various embodiments, widebands include
more than 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, or 1000 data carrier frequencies
with or without CDMA sequences. Various embodiments of the
invention may make use of wide or narrow frequency bands.
[0037] The term "section of mains cable" is used herein to refer to
various sections of cabling in a typical AC electrical wiring
system in a home or building or dwelling. The various sections may
be separated from each other by the electrical distribution means,
such as a junction box, fuse box, surge protector, residual current
detector, or the like. An individual section of mains cable may be
on a different AC phase than other sections of mains cable within
the dwelling. There may be one or more sockets, switches and/or
appliances associated with a single section of mains cable. The
section of mains cable may comprise two or three core class cables
with or without shielding. The AC electrical wiring system may
transfer electricity having a voltage of approximately 110 Volts,
240 Volts, or other standard voltage levels. The section of mains
cable may comprise, at least in part, a ring main or loop. The
section of mains cable may comprise, at least in part, a spur that
may be part of a branch-based arrangement.
[0038] A communications device for simultaneous multi-wideband
communications over multiple mediums is provided. The multiple
mediums may include, for example, a powerline, a telephone line,
and/or a coaxial cable. In some embodiments, a communication may be
transmitted or received via any of the mediums. A communication may
be received via a first medium and forwarded in a second medium. In
some embodiments, a third medium may also be available for
reception and/or transmission of the communication. For example, a
multi-network interface device may receive a communication via a
powerline and forward the received communication via a telephone
line. Further, a communication between two multi-network interface
devices may be transmitted, in parallel or sequentially, through
two or more mediums within a communications network. For example, a
video signal may be transmitted from a DVD player to a television
via both the powerline and a coaxial cable. In various embodiments,
one medium may be used to bridge two portions of another medium.
For example, to bypass a junction box or to reach part of the
network on a different AC phase, a telephone line may be used as a
bridge between sections of mains cable or sections on different AC
phases in a powerline network.
[0039] The various media may be used in conjunction with
multi-wideband communications. The multi-widebands include, for
example, a lower frequency range below approximately thirty
megahertz and a higher frequency range above approximately thirty
megahertz. In some embodiments, the lower frequency range is
between two megahertz and twenty-eight megahertz while the higher
frequency range is between fifty megahertz and three hundred
megahertz. The lower frequency band may be conducted via the
powerline, and the higher frequency band may be conducted via the
powerline and/or another medium such as a telephone wire or coax
cabling. A single media may be used for communications using both
lower and higher frequency ranges. In some embodiments, higher
frequency signals may be moved to another frequency range by
mixing, for example to take the signal to above an existing service
on the wire, such as in the case of a coaxial cable that already
caries analog or digital television information. In these
embodiments, the higher frequency band may be moved, for example,
between 1.2 gigahertz and 1.45 gigahertz or between 1.55 gigahertz
and 1.8 gigahertz. In other embodiments, a portion of the higher
frequency band may be above 2 gigahertz. In some embodiments, a
signal in the higher frequency bands may comprise an ultra-wideband
signal at least 500 megahertz wide.
[0040] Communications over the various media may be supported by a
single reference design having a single power source. The single
reference design is optionally a single unit that comprises filters
and other components configured to enable connection to different
mediums and passing the communications over these mediums. For
example, the single reference design may comprise multiple
interfaces configured to communicate over telephone line,
powerline, and/or coaxial cable. The single reference design may
further allow the different mediums to share a single media access
control (MAC) address. The single reference design may be powered
via the powerline communications interface. In some embodiments,
communications may be received and/or transmitted using powerlines
and either telephone lines or coaxial cables. Further, the single
reference design may comprise a single host interface controller
configured to communicate with a networked apparatus.
[0041] It will be appreciated that the specific network and other
examples described in these sections are used for illustrative
purposes only. In particular, the examples described in these
sections should in no way be construed as limiting the disclosed
communication devices.
[0042] Some embodiments of the communications network comprise a
plurality of nodes of which some employ a multi-network interface
device that enables simultaneous and/or independent communication
over two or more mediums. A first frequency band optionally
comprises frequencies of less than 30 MHz and the other frequency
band(s) comprise frequencies of greater than 30 MHz. Alternatively,
both a first and a second frequency band may comprise frequencies
greater than 30 MHz. Because the multiple frequency bands can be in
different ranges, communications can be optimized for each of the
mediums such that the trade-off between cost, coverage, and
throughput will be superior to that achieved by a network
comprising a single medium.
[0043] The computing network comprising powerlines, telephone
lines, and/or coaxial cable provides inter-operability with prior
art powerline technologies by also supporting communication between
multi-medium nodes and single medium nodes (that communicate via a
single medium (e.g. powerline).
[0044] The multi-network interface device may be part of an
external modem apparatus or embedded within another apparatus (e.g.
computer, television, etc.). However, regardless of the manner in
which the multi-network interface device is included within a
network node, the device remains connected to electrically
conductive cabling (that passes AC power) and is capable of
transmitting data across the cabling using the low and/or high
bands. Further, the multi-network interface device is capable of
communicating over more than one medium (e.g. telephone line,
coaxial cable, or powerline).
[0045] The multi-network interface device typically employs an
analog signal separation device configured to isolate data
communication paths from AC power transmission, prior art telephone
line communication, and/or prior art coaxial cable communication,
to an apparatus. One of the most efficient ways of providing this
isolation is by high-pass filtering or band-pass filtering whilst
minimizing out-of band signals in the low band. For example, high
band signals may be filtered using high linearity components and
low band signals may be filtered using analog low-pass smoothing or
anti-aliasing. It may not be necessary to perform the isolation on
both receiver and transmitter signal paths (depending on the
specifications of the analog components and the modulation
techniques employed therein).
[0046] Signals in the high band and the low band can use the same
or different modulation techniques (e.g. Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and/or Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA)) or time division schemes to facilitate co-existence and/or
bi-directional communication. In one embodiment, the low band
employs a modulation scheme that is inter-operable with one of the
existing powerline modem standards or proposals, whilst the high
band on the powerline is used for performance expansion beyond
previous standards or in other mediums. Data and/or control
commands can be passed through one or both of the mediums
simultaneously and via a plurality of multi-network interface
devices in the form of a repeater (e.g., relay) network. As such,
it is possible for the frequency bands to overlap slightly, and to
include different frequency ranges or bandwidths, relative to those
cited herein.
[0047] In some embodiments, different types of signals are
communicated in different frequency bands. For example, in one
embodiment, communication setup information, node discovery
signals, path discovery signals, encryption or decryption keys,
communication commands, and/or other types of command and control
signals are communicated in a first frequency band while other
types of data (e.g., non-command and control) are communicated in a
second frequency band. The other types of data communicated in the
second frequency band may include video, audio, and/or text,
etc.
[0048] FIG. 2A is a diagram of an exemplary multi-network interface
device 200 comprising a plurality of interfaces for communicating
over various mediums. The exemplary multi-network interface device
200 may be a separate device, such as an adapter, or embedded into
a network apparatus such as a television, stereo, DVD player,
personal computer, or the like. The multi-network interface device
200 may comprise one or more communications interfaces including a
phone line interface 202, a powerline interface 204, and/or a
coaxial cable interface 206. The communications interfaces are each
configured to communicate over their respective mediums. The
multi-network interface device 200 may further comprise one or more
interfaces for communication with an apparatus connected to the
multi-network interface device 200. For example, as shown, the
multi-network interface device 200 comprises a second set of
communications interfaces including a second phone line interface
208 and an Ethernet interface 210 configured to connect to
telephone and an Ethernet network apparatus, respectively.
[0049] Communications over the various media may be supported by a
single reference design having a single power source. The single
reference design is optionally a single device that comprises
filters and other components configured to enable connection to
different mediums and passing the communications over these
mediums. For example, the single reference design may comprise
multiple interfaces configured to communicate over telephone line,
powerline, and/or coaxial cable. The single reference design may
further allow the different mediums to share a single media access
control (MAC) address. The single reference design may be powered
via the powerline communications interface. Further, the single
reference design may comprise a single host interface controller
configured to be shared by communications using the various
mediums.
[0050] The telephone interface 202 is configured to communicate
over a telephone line network. The telephone interface may, in
addition to communicating high band signal(s), simultaneously
communicate voice signals, DSL signals (including ADSL and VDSL
signals), Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HPNA)-compatible
signals, and/or the like. Additionally, the telephone line may
already carry these types of signals generated by other sources in
other locations.
[0051] The powerline interface 204 may comprise an interface
configured to receive electrical power via a powerline. The
powerline interface 204 may comprise a male and/or female
connector.
[0052] The coaxial cable interface 206 is configured to communicate
via a coaxial cable network. The coaxial cable interface, may, in
addition to communicating high band communication signal(s), also
communicate DSL signals, Data Over Cable Service Interface
Specification (DOCSIS)-compatible signals, television broadcast
signals (including cable television and/or digital television
signals), Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)-compatible signals,
Satellite L-Band signals, and/or the like. Additionally, the
coaxial cable may already carry these types of signals generated by
other sources in other locations.
[0053] The second telephone interface 208 is configured to
communicate a signal between the multi-network interface device 200
and a device. For example, the second telephone interface 208 may
communicate with a telephone or a DSL modem. In other embodiments,
the multi-network interface device 200 may comprise a second
coaxial cable interface 206 and/or a second powerline interface
204. Second telephone interface 208 may be connected to a telephone
and be used to communicate a telephone call.
[0054] The Ethernet interface 210 is one example of a host
interface and is configured to communicate a signal between the
multi-network interface device 200 and a device configured to
communicate over an Ethernet connection. The Ethernet interface
may, for example, be connected to a personal computer, media
player, or WiFi modem. The Ethernet interface 210 may be part of a
device compatible with the Universal Plug 'n Play (UPnP) standard,
Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standard, or the like.
[0055] In operation, the communications signal may travel on one or
more of the mediums to reach the multi-network interface device 200
from another node on the network. The multi-network interface
device 200 may be configured to determine the medium on which to
transmit the communications signal based on a Quality of Service
(QoS) metric associated with each medium. The QoS metric may
measure network latency, network throughput, available bandwidth,
or the like. The multi-network interface device 200 may vary which
medium is used to transmit signals if the QoS metric changes over
time.
[0056] Signals are received at one of the interfaces (telephone
line interface 202, the powerline interface 204, the coaxial cable
interface 206, the second telephone line interface 208, and/or the
Ethernet interface 210) where they may be filtered, converted,
frequency shifted, modulated, mixed, or otherwise modified the
signal to generate a desirable output signal. The output signal may
be transmitted via any of the interfaces including the telephone
line interface 202, the powerline interface 204, the coaxial cable
interface 206, the second telephone line interface 208, and/or the
Ethernet interface 210.
[0057] In some embodiments, the multi-network interface device 200
is associated with a single media access control (MAC) address.
That is, communications received via any of the mediums may be
addressed to the same MAC address. In some embodiments, the
multi-network interface device 200 may be associated with two or
more MAC addresses and/or have two or more Ethernet interfaces 210.
In these embodiments, the multi-network interface device 200 may
comprise a router and routing table, a switch, or the like.
[0058] In some embodiments having more than one interface, such as
those shown, the signal may substantially "pass through" the
communication device 200. To illustrate, the multi-network
interface device 200 may be connected to the telephone line via the
telephone line communications interface 202. As telephone line
connections typically occur less frequently than other connections
in a home, a homeowner may wish to install a telephone in the same
telephone line connection. Hence, by including the second telephone
line communications interface 208, the homeowner may install the
multi-network interface device 200 while still being able to use
the same telephone line connection for a telephone.
[0059] FIG. 2B is a diagram of an exemplary apparatus 212
comprising an embedded multi-network interface device 200 having a
plurality of interfaces for communicating over various mediums,
according to various embodiments. The apparatus 212 comprises the
multi-network interface device 200, a host subsystem 214, a host
interface 216, and an apparatus interface 218.
[0060] The apparatus 212 may comprise a network apparatus such as a
set top box, a DSL Home Gateway, a television set, a DVD player, a
kitchen appliance (e.g. a refrigerator, microwave, stove, oven,
etc.), a wireless access point, a computing device, a data storage
device, a stereo, or the like. The host subsystem 214 comprises the
prior art hardware and/or software included in the network
apparatus, e.g., the television receiver or the DVD reader. The
host interface 206 comprises a communications interface between the
multi-network interface device 200 and host subsystem 214. The
apparatus interface 218 is an output or input of the host subsystem
214 as known in the prior art.
[0061] FIG. 2C is a diagram of an exemplary multi-network interface
device 200 connected to a separate network apparatus 220. In the
shown embodiment, the multi-network interface device 200 is
connected to a powerline 106 and a telephone line 112, via the
powerline interface 204 and the telephone line interface 202,
respectively. The multi-network interface device 200 is also
connected to the network apparatus 220 via a host interface 216 to
the network apparatus 220. One example of the host interface 216 is
the Ethernet interface 210. As shown in one embodiment, the network
apparatus 220 comprises a laptop computer. In other embodiments,
the network apparatus 220 may comprise a set top box, a DSL Home
Gateway, a television set, a DVD player, a kitchen appliance (e.g.
a refrigerator, microwave, stove, oven, etc.), a wireless access
point, a computing device, a data storage device, a stereo, or the
like.
[0062] Generally, the host interface 216 is configured to
communicate directly with a network apparatus and to act as a first
interface between the network apparatus and the rest of the
network. In comparison with other interfaces of the multi-network
interface device 200, the host interface 216 is optionally
connected to just the network apparatus 220 rather than a network
including multiple devices and/or mediums. Typically, the host
interface 216 is configured to provide communications between the
network apparatus 220 and the multi-network interface device 200
over a single medium. As is illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the
host interface 216 may be embedded within an apparatus 212 or may
be an interface between the separate devices (e.g., multi-network
interface device 200 and the network apparatus 220).
[0063] The host interface 216 is one example of a "host interface."
For example, a host interface may be a boundary between two
entities that exchange data using Ethernet class II packets and
interfaces associated with a direct application endpoint or start
point. Examples of Ethernet class II packets include IEEE 802.3
packets with or without IEEE 802.2 (Logical Link Control (LLC)),
IEEE 802.1H (Sub Network Access Protocol (SNAP)) extensions and/or
Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tagging. Further examples of the
host interface 216 include: Ethernet 10/100/1000, Media Independent
Interface (MIl), Gigabit Media Independent Interface (GMII),
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Host Processor Interface,
Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, Firewire, Peripheral Component
Interconnect Extended (PCI-X), Peripheral Component Interconnect
Express (PCIe), Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART),
Service Provider Interface (SPI), or the like. Examples of host
interface 216 associated with a direct application end point or
start point include: Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
I/II/III, Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, Inter-Integrated Circuit
Sound (I2S), Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART),
Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocols, Moving Picture Experts
Group (MPEG) Transport Stream (TS), High-Definition Multimedia
Interface (HDMI), and Video Graphics Array (VGA).
[0064] FIG. 3 includes exemplary communications transmission
spectra of three mediums, according to various embodiments. Any or
all of the mediums (powerlines, telephone lines, and/or coaxial
cable) may be present in a network. In some embodiments, the
various frequency bands depicted in FIG. 3 may comprise widebands
and/or narrow bands. Other, different, communications spectra may
be used in alternative embodiments. In the spectra depicted, the
x-axis represents frequency.
[0065] In a spectrum 302, a communications transmission spectrum as
may be associated with a powerline is shown. The spectrum 302
comprises a low band 304 and a high band 306. The low band 304 may
comprise frequency bands below approximately thirty megahertz. The
low band 304 may include base band powerline communications
frequencies as described in the HomePlug AV standard (i.e. two
megahertz to thirty megahertz). The high band 306 comprises one or
more frequency bands above approximately thirty megahertz (e.g.
fifty megahertz to three hundred megahertz). In some embodiments,
the high band 306 may comprise a frequency band above one
gigahertz. In some embodiments, use of the high band 306 is
optional. Communications signals may be transmitted on the
powerline in both the low band 304 and the high band 306
simultaneously and/or independently.
[0066] In a spectrum 308, a communications transmission spectrum as
may be associated with a telephone line is shown. The spectrum
comprises a lower frequency band 310 on which communications of the
prior art are transmitted. These communications include voice
telephony, ADSL, VDSL, HPNA, and the like. The high band 306, used
in powerline communications, may also be used on the telephone
line.
[0067] In spectrums 312, 322, and 326, alternate communication
transmission spectra associated with coaxial cable technologies are
shown. These transmission spectra include some frequency bands used
for communications in the prior art. A frequency band 314, for
example, is currently associated with DSL standards and DOCSIS. A
frequency band 316 is associated with television broadcasts, cable
television, and digital television. Frequency band 318 is
associated with the MoCA standard and the Satellite L-Band between
three hundred ninety megahertz and 1.55 gigahertz.
[0068] In spectrum 312, the communication signal associated with a
home network is transmitted at a higher frequency than the
satellite L-band, namely, above 1.55 gigahertz, in a high band 320.
The high band 320 may be associated with a bandwidth of
approximately two hundred fifty megahertz. Thus, a service provider
can fully exploit the L-band without interference caused by the
home network. Further, placing the high band 320 above the other
frequencies used by a service provider may reduce the likelihood
that content, such as downloaded films or television shows,
provided by the service provider may be hacked or otherwise stolen
by a homeowner.
[0069] In spectrum 322; the communication signal associated with
the home network is communicated at least partially within the
L-band in high band 324. In some embodiments, the high band 324
ranges from approximately one gigahertz to approximately 1.5
gigahertz. For example, the high band 324 may range from
approximately 1.2 gigahertz and 1.45 gigahertz. In various
embodiments, the high band 324 may use frequencies not lower than
1.1 gigahertz, 1.2 gigahertz, 1.3 gigahertz, 1.4 gigahertz, 1.5
gigahertz, 1.6 gigahertz, 1.7 gigahertz, 1.8 gigahertz, 1.9
gigahertz and 2.0 gigahertz. Frequency ranges included in some
embodiments are described in nonprovisional U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/536,539 filed Sep. 28, 2006 and entitled
"Multi-Wideband Communications over Powerlines." In some
embodiments, the signal transmit in frequency band 318 and/or the
signal transmit in high band 324 may be encrypted or otherwise
protected.
[0070] In spectrum 326, if frequency band 316 associated with
television broadcasts, cable television, and digital television, is
not being used, the communication signal associated with the home
network is communicated at least partially within frequency band
328. At least a portion of the frequency band 328 includes
frequencies between 50 MHz and 300 MHz.
[0071] The following FIGS. 4-8 and 10-12 depict various embodiments
of multi-network interface device 200. The depicted embodiments
support communications via a powerline and a telephone line, and
via a powerline and a coaxial cable. It is understood that these
embodiments may be modified by those skilled in the art to support
communications over any combination of the three mediums. Further,
a multi-network interface device 200 may support communications via
a telephone line and a coaxial cable, but not a powerline. The
embodiments shown may comprise one or more integrated circuit.
[0072] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a first circuit embodiment of
the multi-network interface device 200. In this embodiment, the
multi-network interface device 200 is configured to provide
communications interfaces for a powerline and a telephone line. A
communication may be received and/or transmitted via the telephone
line interface 202 and/or the powerline interface 204. In some
embodiments, the telephone line is passively shared with prior art
telephone signals. The multi-network interface device 200 processes
a communications signal received through the telephone line
interface 202 and/or powerline interface 204 and provides a
resulting output signal via an optional Ethernet interface 210, and
vice-versa. Ethernet interface 210 is optionally coupled to a
network apparatus such as a television set, DVD player, media
player, personal computer, speaker, stereo, video game console,
personal digital assistant, or the like. Alternatively, the
multi-network interface device 200 may receive the communications
signal from one of the telephone line interface 202 or the
powerline interface 204 and transmit the communications signal via
the other telephone line interface 202 or the powerline interface
204. In embodiments configured to communicate on both a powerline
and a telephone line, the telephone line may be used to provide
redundancy in a mesh or ad-hoc network.
[0073] In one embodiment, a signal is communicated via the
telephone line interface 202. These signals may be communicated in
the high band 306. The signal path from the telephone line
interface 202 to the Ethernet interface 210 comprises a surge
protector 402, an inductive coupler 404, a high pass filter 406, a
network processor 412, and a host interface controller 414. The
high pass filter 406 may allow only frequencies above approximately
thirty megahertz to pass. The surge protector 402, the inductive
coupler 404, and the high pass filter 406 collectively provide
signal communications without significantly impacting services
existing on lower frequencies.
[0074] In some embodiments, a signal is communicated via the
powerline interface 204. The signal may be communicated via the low
band 304 and/or the high band 306. The signal path from the
powerline interface 204 to the Ethernet interface 210 comprises an
inductive coupler 408, and, depending on the frequency band of the
signal, the high pass filter 406 and/or a low pass filter 410. Like
the signal path associated with the telephone line interface 202,
the inductive coupler 408, the high pass filter 406 and the low
pass filter 410 collectively provide signal communications without
significantly impacting prior art signals at lower frequencies. In
some embodiments, the powerline interface 204 may not be configured
to communicate via the high band 306. In these embodiments, the
high pass filter 406 is optional.
[0075] In some embodiments, the network processor 412 and the host
interface controller 414 are shared by the signal paths associated
with the powerline interface 204 and the telephone line interface
202. The network processor 412 comprises processing circuitry to
remove noise, amplify the signal, and/or convert an analog signal
to a digital signal or vice-versa. The network processor 412 may
comprise two or more analog front ends (AFE). One of the AFEs is
configured to receive and/or transmit a communications signal on
the high band 306 and the other of the AFEs is configured to
receive and/or transmit a communications signal on the low band
304. In the embodiment shown, a communication signal received via
the high band 306 passes through the high pass filter 406 and a
high frequency AFE 416, and a communication signal received via the
low band 304 passes through the low pass filter 410 and a low
frequency AFE 418.
[0076] The network processor 412 may further comprise a line
driver, programmable gain amplifier, an analog-to-digital
converter, and/or a digital-to-analog converter. Possible
configurations of the network processor 412 are described in
greater detail in nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/536,539 filed Sep. 28, 2006 and entitled "Multi-Wideband
Communications over Powerlines." Logic within the network processor
may determine whether to transmit a communication signal via a
certain communications interface based on a quality of service
metric of the communications network or a purpose of the
communication signal. The network processor 412 may be compatible
with the HomePlug AV standard or other standards associated with
powerline communications, telephone line communications, or coaxial
cable communications. Network processor 412 is optionally
configured to process prior art telephone signals, e.g., if the
multi-network interface device 200 is included in a telephone.
[0077] The host interface controller (ICONT) 414 allows for
communication of data between the Ethernet interface 210 and the
network processor 412. For example, the ICONT 414 may implement an
Ethernet controller as specified by IEEE 802.3. To illustrate, the
ICONT 414 includes the Physical and Data Link layers as defined in
the seven layer OSI reference model for standardizing
computer-to-computer communications. Additionally, ICONT 414 may
implement a TCP/IP stack that includes the Network, Transport and
Application layers of the OSI reference model. The multi-network
interface device 200 may receive power via the powerline interface
204. ICONT 414 is optionally included within network processor 412,
host interface PCI driver, or the like.
[0078] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
multi-network interface device 200. In this embodiment, the
multi-network interface device 200 is configured to communicate a
first signal via the low band 304 over a powerline and to
communicate a second signal via the high band 306 over a telephone
line. The multi-network interface device 200 additionally comprises
a second telephone line interface 208. The second telephone line
interface 208 may be used to communicate voice, ADSL, VDSL, or HPNA
signals within band 310.
[0079] To allow communication between the telephone line interface
202 and the second telephone line interface 208, an optional second
inductive coupler 502 may be placed between the surge protector 402
and the inductive coupler 404. The second inductive coupler 502 is
coupled to an optional low pass filter 504 to isolate the signal
within the band 310 from other communications signals communicated
within the high band 306. The low pass filter 504 may pass
frequencies below approximately thirty megahertz. Another surge
protector 402 may be placed between the low pass filter 504 and the
second telephone line interface 208. A user may connect a
non-network apparatus such as a telephone, DSL modern, or the like
to the second telephone line interface 208. In alternative
embodiments, the first telephone line interface 202 and the second
telephone line interface 208 are connected by a direct pass-through
connection.
[0080] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a
multi-network interface device 200. In this embodiment, the
multi-network interface device 200 is configured to communicate a
first signal via the low band 304 over a powerline, to communicate
a second signal via the high band 306 over the powerline, and
optionally to communicate the second signal or a third signal via
the high band 306 over a telephone line. The multi-network
interface device 200 comprises a second telephone interface 208
from which a fourth signal, in band 310, may be communicated as
discussed in connection with FIG. 5.
[0081] The multi-network interface device 200 comprises a network
processor 412 having a single high frequency AFE 416 configured to
receive or transmit signals communicated via the high band 306 over
both the powerline and the telephone line. The single high
frequency AFE 416 optionally includes passive sharing of the
powerline and the phone line. As such, the single high frequency
AFE 416 can only receive or only transmit one signal at any one
time.
[0082] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the
multi-network interface device 200. The embodiment of multi-network
interface device 200 illustrated in FIG. 7 is substantially similar
to the multi-network interface device 200 illustrated in FIG. 6
except for a dual high frequency AFE 702. The dual high frequency
AFE 702 includes two separate inputs configured to independently
and simultaneously communicate signals in the high band 306 and
through both the telephone line interface 202 and the powerline
interface 204.
[0083] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment of the
multi-network interface device 200. In this embodiment, the
multi-network interface device 200 is configured to communicate
between an optional Ethernet interface 210, a powerline interface
204, and a coaxial cable interface 206. The communication may pass
between any two or all three of these interfaces. For example, the
multi-network interface device 200, as shown, may communicate over
a powerline using the low band 304 and over coaxial cable using
either band 320 or band 324. In other embodiments, the powerline
signal path may be configured to support communications over the
high band 306. The multi-network interface device 200 may support
communications between the power line interface 204 and the coaxial
cable interface 206. The signal path from the powerline interface
to the Ethernet interface 210 is further discussed herein, for
example, in connection with FIG. 4.
[0084] The signal path from the coaxial cable interface 206
comprises an inductive coupler 802, a band pass filter 804, a
receiving signal path, and transmitting signal path, a local
oscillator 812, a low pass filter 814, the network processor 412,
and the ICONT 414. From the ICONT 414, the signal may be
communicated to the Ethernet interface 210 and/or the powerline
interface 204. The receiving signal path comprises a low noise
amplifier 806, a band pass filter 808, and an optional down
converter mixer 810. The transmitting signal path comprises an
optional up converter mixer 816, a band pass filter 818, and a
programmable amplifier 820. The network processor 412 and the ICONT
414 may be shared with the powerline signal path.
[0085] The coaxial cable may carry signals at frequencies above one
gigahertz, as described herein, for example, in connection with
FIG. 3. The network processor 412 may be configured to process
signals having frequencies within low band 304 and high band 306.
Therefore, these signals may be shifted between the high band 306
and the high band 320 or the high band 324 along the coaxial cable
signal path using the up converter mixer 816 or the down converter
mixer 310, respectively. In some embodiments, clock error on the
coaxial cable may be communicated over the powerline using the
powerline interface 204 The inductive coupler 802 and the band pass
filter 804 collectively enable signal communications without
impacting prior art services on lower frequencies.
[0086] The low-noise amplifier 806 may amplify a signal received
via the coaxial cable interface 206 based on a control signal
received from the network processor 412. The signal may then pass
through an optional second band pass filter 808 before entering the
down converter mixer 810. The down converter mixer 810 is
controlled by the local oscillator 812, which is, in turn,
controlled by the network processor 412. The down converter mixer
810 is configured, based on the received signal, to generate two
lower frequency sidebands. The low pass filter 814 passes one of
the two lower frequency sidebands. The passed lower frequency
sideband is then processed by the network processor 412.
[0087] An output signal from the network processor 412 via the
coaxial cable interface 206 optionally passes through the low pass
filter 814, the up converter mixer 816, a band pass filter 818, and
a programmable gain amplifier 820. The up converter mixer 816 is
controlled by the local oscillator 812 and generates two sidebands.
The band pass filter 818 isolates one of the sidebands for
transmission via the coaxial cable. The isolated sideband may be
selected based on the presence or absence of satellite L-band
signals on the coaxial cable. The isolated sideband is then
amplified by programmable amplifier 820. The signal passes through
the band pass filter 804 and the inductive coupler 802 upon leaving
the transmission path.
[0088] FIG. 9 depicts frequency bands associated with the signal
used by the fifth integrated circuit embodiment 200 depicted in
FIG. 8, according to various embodiments when the signal is
communicated via the coaxial cable. Spectra 902, 904, and 906
depict frequency characteristics of a signal received by the
multi-network interface device 200 along the receiving signal path.
Spectra 908, 910, and 912 depict frequency characteristics of the
signal transmitted by the multi-network interface device 800 along
the transmitting signal path. In the embodiment shown, the signals
are communicated via the coaxial cable using high band 324. In
other embodiments, the signals may be received and/or transmitted
over high band 320.
[0089] In spectra 902, a signal within the high band 324 is
received by the coaxial cable interface 206. In the receiving
signal path, the down converter mixer 810 generates two sidebands,
in the high band 306 and in another band 914, based on the received
signal as depicted in spectra 904. At least one of these sidebands
may be within high band 306 or low band 304. In spectra 904, the
lower frequency sideband is shown to be within high band 306. The
low pass filter 814 isolates the sideband in high band 306 shown in
spectrum 906, which can be processed by network processor 412.
[0090] To transmit a signal via the coaxial cable interface 206,
the network processor 412 generates the signal in the high band
306, as shown in spectrum 908. The up converter mixer 816 generates
two sidebands from the generated signal as shown in spectrum 910.
In the embodiment shown, at least one of these sidebands is within
high bands 320 and 324 as described herein, at least, in connection
with FIG. 3. Other embodiments may generate sidebands in other
frequencies. The sideband, e.g. in band 324, to be transmitted via
the coaxial cable interface 206 is isolated, as shown in spectrum
912, using the band pass filter 818. In alternative embodiments,
network processor 412 is configured to directly process and/or
generate signals in the high band 324 and/or the high band 320.
[0091] In further embodiments, the multi-network interface device
200 may comprise a communications interface associated with a
second media access control address. In these embodiments, the
multi-network interface device 200 may comprise a router or switch.
The router may access a router table to route communications and/or
messages to an appropriate MAC address.
[0092] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a sixth circuit embodiment of
the multi-network interface device 200, according to various
embodiments. In this embodiment, the multi-network interface device
200 is configured to communicate between an optional host interface
216, a powerline interface 204, and a coaxial cable interface 206.
The multi-network interface device may communicate via the
powerline and/or the host interface 216 as described herein, at
least, in connection with FIG. 4. Further, the coaxial cable
interface 206 may communicate signals within the frequency band 328
described herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 3. According to
these embodiments, the high pass filter 406 may isolate the signals
in frequency band 328 from those present on the coaxial cable in
band 314.
[0093] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a seventh circuit embodiment
of the multi-network interface device 200, according to various
embodiments. In this embodiment, the multi-network interface device
200 is configured to communicate between an optional host interface
216, a powerline interface 204, and a coaxial cable interface 206.
The multi-network interface device may communicate via the
powerline and/or the host interface 216 as described herein, at
least, in connection with FIG. 5. Further, the coaxial cable
interface 206 may communicate signals within the frequency band 328
described herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 3. The
multi-network interface device 200 additionally comprises a second
coaxial cable interface 1102. The second coaxial line interface 208
may be used to communicate voice, ADSL, VDSL, or HPNA signals
within band 314.
[0094] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an eighth circuit embodiment
of the multi-network interface device 200, according to various
embodiments. In this embodiment, the multi-network interface device
200 is configured to communicate a first signal via the low band
304 over a powerline, to communicate a second signal via the high
band 306 over the powerline, and optionally to communicate the
second signal or a third signal via the frequency band 328 over a
coaxial cable. The multi-network interface device may communicate
via the powerline and/or the host interface 216 as described
herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 6. Further, the coaxial
cable interface 206 may communicate signals within the frequency
band 328 described herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 3. The
multi-network interface device 200 additionally comprises a second
coaxial cable interface 1102. The second coaxial line interface 208
may be used to communicate voice, ADSL, VDSL, or HPNA signals
within band 314.
[0095] FIG. 13 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method 1300
for communicating within a network, according to various
embodiments. In this method, a multi-network interface device 200
may become known to, and communicate with, other network devices
within a communications network. These other network devices may be
further instances of multi-network interface device 200 or other
network devices known in the art. In some embodiments, the
multi-network interface device 200 may act as a repeater in the
network and/or otherwise forward messages to the other network
devices via the method 1300.
[0096] In a step 1302, the multi-network interface device 200
interrogates the communications network by sending and receiving
data packets. The powerline interface 204, telephone line interface
202, and/or the coaxial cable interface 206 may be used to send and
receive these data packets. The interrogation may, in some
embodiments, be initiated by network service provider such as a
cable provider. The interrogation may be configured to determine,
for example, types of network devices connected to the
communications network, MAC addresses associated with these network
devices, which mediums and frequency bands may be used to
communicate with each of these network devices, possible
bandwidths, and/or the like.
[0097] The interrogation may include obtaining one or more quality
of service (QoS) metric. These QoS metrics may be associated with
specific media and/or specific frequency bands. For example, in
some instances multi-network interface device 200 may be able to
communicate with another network device through more than one media
and/or using more than one frequency band. The QoS metric may be
used to determine which media and/or which frequency bands are
preferred for communicating with specific network devices.
[0098] In step 1304, a message is received by the multi-network
interface device 200 from another network device or from the
Ethernet interface 210. The message may be received via an Ethernet
cable, the powerline, the telephone line, or the coaxial cable. For
example, the message may comprise a request for communications, or
a video data signal sent from a DVD player to a television.
[0099] In step 1306, a pathway and associated medium for forwarding
the message received in step 1304 to another network device is
selected. This selection may be based on a QoS requirement, the
type of network device to which the message is to be forwarded to,
a communication interface associated with the network device,
and/or a bandwidth requirement of the message to be sent. This
selection may further use information gathered in step 1302. For
example, bandwidths and QoS metrics determined in step 1302 may be
compared with bandwidth and QoS requirements.
[0100] More than one medium is optionally selected in step 1306.
For example, it may be determined that data can be sent via both
telephone interface 202 and powerline interface 204 in parallel to
achieve a required bandwidth. Alternatively, it may be determined
that command and control signals may be sent via powerline
interface 204 while high bandwidth video data can be sent via
telephone interface 202 and/or a different frequency band of the
powerline interface 204.
[0101] In step 1306, the multi-network interface device 200 may
select a pathway to a destination. This selection may be made, for
example, to avoid passage through a junction box or other pathway
associated with a low QoS metric. As such, the selected pathway may
include transmitting the received message via the telephone line
interface 202 or coaxial cable interface 206, rather than the power
line interface 204.
[0102] In step 1308, specific frequency bands associated with the
media selected in step 1306 are selected for transmitting the
message. For example, if the selected media includes a power line
coupled to power line interface 204, then the low band 304 and/or
the high band 306 may be selected in step 1308. If the selected
media includes a coaxial cable coupled to the coaxial cable
interface 206, then the frequency bands 320 and/or 324 may be
selected. The selection of frequency bands is typically made based
on criteria similar to the criteria used to select media in step
1306. For example, the selection may be made based on comparisons
of bandwidth and QoS requirements with metrics determined in step
1302. More than one frequency band may be selected in step 1308. In
some embodiments, steps 1306 and 1308 are combined into a single
step.
[0103] In step 1310, the message is transmitted via the selected
media selected in step 1306 and the frequency bands selected in
step 1308. The transmission may include using an alternative medium
(e.g., the telephone line) and/or shifting the message into another
frequency band (e.g., from low band 304 to high band 306).
[0104] FIG. 14 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method 1400
for bridging between mediums, according to various embodiments. In
some embodiments, bridging between mediums may be performed when
there is a section of the network having a low QoS. To bridge
mediums, two or more devices communicate the signal across multiple
mediums. For example, in some communications networks using a
powerline communications network, passing a signal through a
junction box to traverse between sections of mains cable is
difficult. Therefore, another medium may be used as a bridge
between multiple sections of mains cable.
[0105] In step 1402, a signal is generated. The signal is
associated with one or more destinations. In a step 1404, the
signal is transmitted via a first powerline communications network
to a first multi-network interface device 200. The first
multi-network interface device 200 may be connected to a first
section of mains cable. In step 1406, the signal is received at the
first multi-network interface device 200.
[0106] In an optional step 1408, the signal is shifted into another
frequency band for transmission via the telephone line or coaxial
cable. In a step 1410, the signal is transmitted from the first
multi-network interface device 200 via the telephone line or
coaxial cable to a second multi-network interface device 200. In a
step 1412, the signal is received at the second multi-network
interface device 200 via the telephone line or coaxial cable. The
second device may be connected to, for example, a second section of
mains cable separated from the first section of mains cable by a
junction box. In a step 1414, the signal is transmitted via the
second powerline communications network. The signal may be modified
in frequency or content by the first or second multi-network
interface device 200.
[0107] Several embodiments are specially illustrated and/or
described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modification
and variations are covered by the above teachings and within the
scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and
intended scope thereof. For example, the techniques described
herein may be used in household, commercial, civic, industrial
and/or vehicle power systems. Further, various embodiments may be
embodied in firmware, hardware, and/or software (stored on a
computer readable media), executable by a processor. These element
forms are generally referred to as "logic."
[0108] In some embodiments, one of the communications interfaces
included in multi-network interface device 200 may be configured to
communicate over a wireless network, such as a WiFi network, and
comprise a wireless network antenna. According to various
embodiments, the multi-network interface device 200 may include a
transformer configured to transform AC power received via the
powerline to DC power (e.g., 5V, 12V, or 24V) to power a network
apparatus. In these embodiments, the multi-network interface device
200 includes an AC/DC converter. In various embodiments, Ethernet
interface 210 may be replaced by another computer interface such as
a universal serial bus interface, a parallel port interface, a
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface, an Accelerated
Graphics Port (AGP), a wireless interface, and/or other industry
standard data interface.
[0109] Some embodiments of the multi-network interface device 200
include external devices that comprise two interfaces configured to
communicate via two types of mediums. These devices may or may not
include a bypass as described herein, at least, in connection with
FIG. 5.
[0110] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band and via a telephone
line on a high band to one or more host interfaces configured to
communicate using Ethernet 10/100/1000, WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB,
USB2.0, Firewire, or the like. One embodiment comprises interfaces
configured to communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the
powerline on a high band and via a telephone line on a high band to
one or more host interfaces configured to communicate using
Ethernet 10/100/1000, WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB, USB2.0, Firewire, or
the like.
[0111] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band and via a coaxial cable
on a high band to one or more host interfaces configured to
communicate using Ethernet 10/100/1000, WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB,
USB2.0, Firewire, or the like. One embodiment comprises interfaces
configured to communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the
powerline on a high band, and via a coaxial cable on a high band to
one or more host interfaces configured to communicate using
Ethernet 10/100/1000, WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB, USB2.0, Firewire, or
the like.
[0112] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band and via a coaxial cable
on a high band using a mixer as described herein, at least, in
connection with FIG. 8 to one or more host interfaces configured to
communicate using Ethernet 10/100/1000, WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB,
USB2.0, Firewire, or the like. One embodiment comprises interfaces
configured to communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the
powerline on a high band, and via coaxial cable on a high band
using a mixer as described herein, at least, in connection with
FIG. 8 to one or more host interfaces configured to communicate
using Ethernetl0/100/1000, WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB, USB2.0,
Firewire, or the like.
[0113] Some embodiments of the multi-network interface device 200
include external devices that comprise three interfaces configured
to communicate via three types of mediums. These devices mayor may
not include a bypass as described herein, at least, in connection
with FIG. 5.
[0114] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band, via a telephone line
on a high band, and via a coaxial cable on a high band to one or
more host interfaces configured to communicate using Ethernet
10/100/1000, WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB, USB2.0, Firewire, or the
like. One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to communicate
via the powerline on a low band, via the powerline on a high band,
via a telephone line on a high band, and via a coaxial cable on a
high band to one or more host interfaces configured to communicate
using Ethernet 10/100/1000, WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB, USB2.0,
Firewire, or the like. One embodiment comprises interfaces
configured to communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the
powerline on a high band, via a telephone line on a high band, and
via a coaxial cable on a high band using a mixer as described
herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 8 to one or more host
interfaces configured to communicate using Ethernet 10/100/1000,
WiFi, UWB, Wireless USB, USB2.0, Firewire, or the like.
[0115] Some embodiments of the multi-network interface device 200
include embedded devices that comprise two interfaces configured to
communicate via two types of mediums. These devices may or may not
communicate over mediums that also have signals for other services
in other frequency bands. Examples of these services include
DOCSIS, Cable TV, or the like in a coaxial cable modem and/or DSL,
Voice, or the like in a DSL Home Gateway device.
[0116] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band and via a telephone
line on a high band to one or more host interfaces such as MII,
GMII, PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X, PCIe, Host Processor Interface, SPI,
UART, or the like. One embodiment comprises interfaces configured
to communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the powerline
on a high band, and via a telephone line on a high band to one or
more host interfaces such as MII, GMII, PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X, PCIe,
Host Processor Interface, SPI, UART, or the like.
[0117] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band and via a coaxial cable
on a high band to one or more host interfaces such as MII, GMII,
PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X, PCIe, Host Processor Interface, SPI; UART, or
the like. One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the powerline on a
high band, and via a coaxial cable on a high band to one or more
host interfaces such as MII, GMII, PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X, PCIe, Host
Processor Interface, SPI, UART, or the like.
[0118] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band and via a coaxial cable
on a high band using a mixer as described herein, at least, in
connection with FIG. 8 to one or more host interfaces such as MII,
GMII, PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X, PCIe, Host Processor Interface, SPI,
UART, or the like. One embodiment comprises interfaces configured
to communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the powerline
on a high band, and via a coaxial cable on a high band using a
mixer as described herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 8 to
one or more host interfaces such as MII, GMII, PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X,
PCIe, Host Processor Interface, SPI, UART, or the like.
[0119] Some embodiments of the multi-network interface device 200
include embedded devices that comprise three interfaces configured
to communicate via three types of mediums. These devices may or may
not communicate over mediums that also have signals for other
services in other frequency bands. Examples of these services
include DOCSIS, Cable TV, or the like in a coaxial cable modem
and/or DSL, Voice, or the like in a DSL Home Gateway device.
[0120] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band, via a telephone line
on a high band, and via a coaxial cable on a high band to one or
more host interfaces such as MII, GMII, PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X, PCIe,
Host Processor Interface, SPI, UART, or the like. One embodiment
comprises interfaces configured to communicate via the powerline on
a low band, via the powerline on a high band, via a telephone line
on a high band, and via a coaxial cable on a high band to one or
more host interfaces such as MII, GMII, PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X, PCIe,
Host Processor Interface, SPI, UART, or the like.
[0121] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band, via a telephone line
on a high band, and via a coaxial cable on a high band using a
mixer as described herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 8 to
one or more host interfaces such as MII, GMII, PCI, MiniPCI, PCI-X,
PCIe, Host Processor Interface, SPI, UART, or the like. One
embodiment comprises interfaces configured to communicate via the
powerline on a low band, via the powerline on a high band, via a
telephone line on a high band, and via a coaxial cable on a high
band using a mixer as described herein, at least, in connection
with FIG. 8 to one or more host interfaces such as MII, GMII, PCI,
MiniPCI, PCI-X, PCIe, Host Processor Interface, SPI, UART, or the
like.
[0122] Some embodiments of the multi-network interface device 200
include external repeater devices that comprise two or three
interfaces configured to communicate via two or three types of
mediums. These devices mayor may not include a bypass as described
herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 5.
[0123] One embodiment is configured to repeat signals between the
powerline on a low band and the telephone line on a high band. One
embodiment is configured to repeat signals between the powerline on
a low band, the power line on a high band, and the telephone line
on a high band. One embodiment is configured to repeat signals
between the powerline on a low band and the coaxial cable on a high
band. One embodiment is configured to repeat signals between the
powerline on a low band, the power line on a high band, and the
coaxial cable on a high band.
[0124] One embodiment is configured to repeat signals between the
powerline on a low band and the coaxial cable on a high band using
a mixer as described herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 8.
One embodiment is configured to repeat signals between the
powerline on a low band, the power line on a high band, and the
coaxial cable on a high band using a mixer as described herein, at
least, in connection with FIG. 8.
[0125] One embodiment is configured to repeat signals between the
powerline on a low band, the telephone line on a high band, and the
coaxial cable on the high band. One embodiment is configured to
repeat signals between the powerline on a low band, the power line
on a high band, the telephone line on a high band, and the coaxial
cable on the high band.
[0126] One embodiment is configured to repeat signals between the
powerline on a low band, the telephone line on a high band, and the
coaxial cable on a high band using a mixer as described herein, at
least, in connection with FIG. 8. One embodiment is configured to
repeat signals between the powerline on a low band, the power line
on a high band, the telephone line on a high band, and the coaxial
cable on a high band using a mixer as described herein, at least,
in connection with FIG. 8.
[0127] Some embodiments of the multi-network interface device 200
comprise two or three network interfaces and a host interface
comprising an I2S or Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format
(SPDIF) compliant interface for transfer of an audio stream.
[0128] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band and the telephone line
on a high band to the host interface. One embodiment comprises
interfaces configured to communicate via the powerline on a low
band, via the powerline on a high band, and the telephone line on a
high band to the host interface. One embodiment comprises
interfaces configured to communicate via the powerline on a low
band and the coaxial cable on a high band to the host interface.
One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to communicate via
the powerline on a low band, via the powerline on a high band, and
the coaxial cable on a high band to the host interface.
[0129] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band, and via the coaxial
cable on a high band using a mixer as described herein, at least,
in connection with FIG. 8 to the host interface. One embodiment
comprises interfaces configured to communicate via the powerline on
a low band, via the powerline on a high band, and via the coaxial
cable on a high band using a mixer as described herein, at least,
in connection with FIG. 8 to the host interface.
[0130] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band, the telephone line on
a high band to the host interface, and the coaxial cable on the
high band. One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the powerline on a
high band, via the telephone line on a high band to the host
interface, and via the coaxial cable on a high band.
[0131] One embodiment comprises interfaces configured to
communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the telephone line
on the high band, and via the coaxial cable on a high band using a
mixer as described herein, at least, in connection with FIG. 8 to
the host interface. One embodiment comprises interfaces configured
to communicate via the powerline on a low band, via the powerline
on a high band, via the telephone line on the high band, and via
the coaxial cable on a high band using a mixer as described herein,
at least, in connection with FIG. 8 to the host interface.
[0132] The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative of the
present invention. As these embodiments of the present invention
are described with reference to illustrations, various
modifications or adaptations of the methods or specific structures
described may become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such
modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely upon the
teachings of the present invention, and through which these
teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, these
descriptions and drawings should not be considered in a limiting
sense, as it is understood that the present invention is in no way
limited to only the embodiments illustrated.
* * * * *