Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for a cipher then segment approach in a Power Line Communication (PLC). A node or device generates frames to be transmitted to a destination node in the PLC network. A processor in the node is configured to generate a data payload comprising data to be sent to the destination node. The processor divides the data payload into two or more payload segments and encrypts the payload segments. The processor creates a frame for each of the encrypted payload segments, wherein each frame comprises a message integrity code. The processor creates a segment identifier for each frame using the message integrity code and an authentication key that is shared with the destination PLC node. The segment identifier is added to each frame.

Power line carriers (PLCs) are susceptible to transients and electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the power line. To address transients and EMI on the power line, an improved power PLC involves transmitting a signal over the power line using a controlled current source, where the current source is modulated by the signal. The current source output is designed to be independent of the voltage on the power line and the load, and thus, is less susceptible to transients and EMI on the power line. The system architecture of the improved PLC also allows for simple, predictable, and flexible termination. In an example implementation in the automotive industry, the improved high frequency PLC may provide a low cost replacement for existing communication interfaces. The improved PLC may consolidate system in-vehicle communication, reduce in-vehicle wiring, provide system flexibility, and decrease vehicle weight and system cost.

A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. The method includes forming a data frame having plural orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols. A first set of preamble subcarriers is allocated to at least one of the OFDM symbols. A second set of data subcarriers is allocated to said at least one of the OFDM symbols.

An energy management capsule is disclosed, being a mains-powered device with multiple sensors or electrical output controllers connected to the Internet. Web services analyse sensor data for controlling electrical outputs and providing information about significant changes to predicted sensor values. Several Energy Management Capsules may be interconnected via mains powerlines, wireless communications or wired digital networks. It reports failure of mains power supply.

A method for delivering a communication signal is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at an optical transceiver, an optical communication and constructing, at a baseband integrated circuit in communication with the optical transceiver, a radio frequency communication (e.g., the intermediate frequency data and control signals) based on the optical communication. The method also includes transmitting the radio frequency communication from a Sommerfeld-Goubau launcher in communication with the baseband integrated circuit as a surface wave along a power line to a strand mount device disposed on the power line. The strand mount device is configured to receive the radio frequency communication and wirelessly transmit the radio frequency communication (e.g., via a wireless link) to a user device.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system that facilitates transmitting a plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves that propagates along a surface of a first transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the first plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves conveys a plurality of communication signals, detecting an attenuation in the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves that affects a propagation of the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves along the first surface of the first transmission medium, and responsive to the detecting, redirecting at least a portion of the plurality of ultra-wideband electromagnetic waves to an interface of a second transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A power line communication network, comprising: a plurality of network terminals and at least one power line, wherein each terminal is coupled to said at least one power line such that the terminals are interconnected. Each terminal comprises: a power line interface; at least one processor and at least one memory; a plurality of resources that include at least one signal input and/or signal output; wherein at least one of said terminals has computer code that includes an operating system for controlling the power line communication network, the operating system including: a control layer for controlling access to the processor, memory and resources of each terminal; a virtual machine interface through which virtual machines can access said resources; and a virtual machine manager for controlling access to said resources, wherein said virtual machine manager accesses said resources through the control layer.

A rail vehicle includes a vehicle unit having operating device subsystems and a guide system including a first guide system level in which operating device subsystems are networked with one another by using a digital data bus structure, and at least one second guide system level having at least one line set associated with the analog handling of processes in the operating device subsystems. In order to provide a generic rail vehicle in which a high level of safety can be achieved with little outlay on wiring, the vehicle unit includes a guide system interface device having a first interface unit associated with the data bus structure, at least one second interface unit associated with the line set, and a control unit which, in at least one operating mode, is provided for handling the processes through the second interface unit.

Embodiments of this application disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for information transmission in a PLC network. A switch control apparatus in embodiments of this application includes a switch and a coupling circuit. The coupling circuit is connected in parallel to two ends of the switch. When the switch is open, the coupling circuit transmits a first power line communication (PLC) signal to a gateway device. In embodiments of this application, when the switch is open, the PLC signal may be sent to the gateway device and information such as power off and tripping may be reported to the gateway device.

A powerline communication (PLC) device can be configured to execute functionality for zero cross sampling and detection. When the PLC device is directly coupled to a high-voltage PLC network, the PLC device can comprise printed safety capacitors in series with a high-voltage input AC powerline signal to safely couple the high-voltage AC powerline signal to the low-voltage processing circuit. The PLC device can also comprise an ADC to sample a scaled AC powerline signal and to obtain zero cross information. When the PLC device is part of an embedded PLC application, dynamic loading can affect the integrity of a low voltage zero cross signal that is used to extract zero cross information. After digitizing the zero cross signal, the PLC device can execute functionality to minimize/eliminate voltage drops caused by dynamic loading and obtain the zero cross information.