A server system includes a common power bus, a power supply to provide direct current (DC) power through the common power bus, at least one node including a processor to receive the DC power through the common power bus, a transmitter capacitive coupled to the common power bus to transmit a power information signal from the power supply through the common power bus, and at least one receiver capacitive coupled to the common power bus to receive the power information signal transmitted by the transmitter and to provide the received power information signal to the at least one node. A plurality of buffers respectively coupled between the common power bus and each of the power supply and the at least one node provide path separation for high frequency and low frequency currents.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for receiving first electromagnetic waves via a transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, and inducing second electromagnetic waves at an interface of the transmission medium without the electrical return path. In an embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic waves have a non-optical frequency range. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a system for generating a plurality of electromagnetic waves having differing signal characteristics, each electromagnetic wave of the plurality of electromagnetic waves conveying a communication signal, and the plurality of electromagnetic waves propagating along a transmission medium without radiating into free space. The system can be further configured for generating, by an antenna coupled to the transmission medium, a plurality of wireless signals according to the plurality of electromagnetic waves. The differing signal characteristics of the plurality of electromagnetic waves thereby enables a device to obtain the communication signal by combining the plurality of wireless signals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A first electrical node configured to monitor a digital signal is disclosed. The first electrical node includes a first connector and a second connector. The first electrical node includes a processor configured to receive a digital signal from the second connector. The processor is configured to determine whether a portion of the digital signal is intended for the first electrical node. The processor is configured to convert the portion of the digital signal to an analog signal based on whether the portion is intended for the first electrical node without affecting the digital signal received.

A double alternating frequency algorithm (DAFA) uses a high frequency carrier wave (>1 GHz) that lies above environmental noise and is capable of carrying large amounts of data, stacks a plurality of N frequency channels on the carrier wave (e.g., one channel for each transformer serviced by a substation) and changes the frequency of the carrier wave at each transformer to repeat the data for downstream and upstream propagation for providing broadband Internet over power lines. This approach will fulfill the promise of broadband Internet to the vast rural areas of the United States that do not have access to broadband Internet. Furthermore, this approach will provide another revenue source for utility companies to leverage the existing power distribution system.

A power line communication device includes a DC power source device, a power line, and a master station that modulates a supply voltage VBUS supplied to the power line according to transmission data to be transmitted. The master station includes a modulation capacitor that is precharged with a modulation amplitude voltage, a polarity switch unit that determines a polarity of the modulation capacitor connected to the power line according to transmission data, and an inductor connected between the DC power source device and the power line.

An electromagnetic connector is disclosed that is configured to form a first magnetic circuit portion comprising a first core member and a first coil disposed of the first core member. The electromagnetic connector is configured to mate with a second electromagnetic connector, where the second electromagnetic connector is configured to form a second magnetic circuit portion comprising a second core member and a second coil disposed of the second core member. The first core member and the second core member are configured to couple the first coil to the second coil with a magnetic circuit formed from the first magnetic circuit portion and the second magnetic circuit portion when the electromagnetic connector is mated with the second electromagnetic connector. The magnetic circuit is configured to induce a signal in the first coil when the second coil is energized.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a medium voltage power line, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the medium voltage power line. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are mounted on the medium voltage power line. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the medium voltage power line, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the medium voltage power line.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication network includes a surface wave transceiver, mounted on a coaxial cable of a broadband cable network, configured to bidirectionally communicate wireless network data via guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a surface of the coaxial cable. A plurality of analog surface wave repeater pairs, and a plurality of digital surface wave regenerator pairs, are also mounted on the coaxial cable. A plurality of access points, supported by corresponding ones of a plurality of utility poles that also support the coaxial cable, is configured to wirelessly transmit the wireless network data to a plurality of client devices in accordance with a wireless network protocol and to wirelessly receive client data from the plurality of client devices in accordance with the wireless network protocol. A plurality of surface wave add/drop multiplexer pairs, is also mounted on the coaxial cable.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a MIMO transceiver generates first electromagnetic signals convey first data in accordance with one or more MIMO techniques. The MIMO transceiver generates, responsive to the first electromagnetic signals, first electromagnetic waves on a plurality of transmission lines, wherein the first electromagnetic waves are guided by a plurality of surfaces of the plurality of transmission lines, wherein the first electromagnetic waves propagate along the plurality of transmission lines without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the first electromagnetic waves convey the first data.