Splitter

1. A splitter for enabling a power signal and a communication signal to be transmitted over a common communication link, the splitter comprising:

a line port adapted to be coupled to a communication line;

a power port adapted to be coupled to a power supply to receive a power signal;

a communication port adapted to be coupled to a communication circuit that generates and receives communication signals;

a low pass filter coupled between the power port and the line port, the low pass filter including a coupled inductor;

a high pass filter coupled to the communication port;

wherein the communication signals and the power signal are transported on the communication line at the line port.

2. The splitter of claim 1 , wherein the coupled inductor includes:

a first winding;

a second winding;

a common core; and

wherein the first winding is coupled to a first terminal of the power port and the second winding is coupled to a second terminal of the power port.

3. The splitter of claim 1 , wherein the low pass filter further includes at least one capacitor coupled between first and second ports of the power port.

4. The splitter of claim 1 , wherein the high pass filter includes a pair of capacitors coupled to first and second terminals of the communication port.

5. A circuit for injecting power onto a line carrying a communication signal, the circuit comprising:

means for receiving a communication signal;

means for receiving a power signal;

means for providing a high DC impedance and low AC impedance for the communication signal to produce a conditioned communication signal coupled to the means for receiving the communication signal;

coupled inductor means for providing a high AC impedance and a low DC impedance for the power signal to produce a conditioned power signal coupled to the means for receiving the power signal; and

means for combining the conditioned communication signal with the conditioned power signal.

6. The circuit of claim 5 , wherein the means for receiving a power signal includes first and second terminals.

7. The circuit of claim 5 , wherein the means for providing a high DC impedance and low AC impedance comprises a pair of capacitors coupled to first and second input terminals of the means for receiving a communication signal.

8. The circuit of claim 5 , wherein the coupled inductor means for providing a high AC impedance and a low DC impedance comprises:

an inductor with a first winding, a second winding and a common core; and

at least one capacitor coupled across one end of the first and second windings.

9. A source network element, comprising:

a communication interface, adapted to be coupled to a communication link;

a power interface including a power supply adapted to receive a power signal from a power source;

a splitter, coupled to the communication interface and the power interface, the splitter comprising:

a line port adapted to be coupled to a communication line;

a power port adapted to be coupled to the power interface to receive a power signal;

a communication port adapted to be coupled to the communication interface that transmits and receives communication signals;

a low pass filter coupled between the power port and the line port, the low pass filter including a coupled inductor;

a high pass filter coupled to the communication port;

wherein the communication signals and the power signal are transported on the communication line at the line port.

10. The source network element of claim 9 , wherein the coupled inductor includes:

a first winding;

a second winding;

a common core; and

wherein the first winding is coupled to a first terminal of the power port and the second winding is coupled to a second terminal of the power port.

11. The source network element of claim 9 , wherein the low pass filter further includes at least one capacitor coupled between first and second ports of the power port.

12. The source network element of claim 9 , wherein the high pass filter includes a pair of capacitors coupled to first and second terminals of the communication port.

13. A method for injecting a power signal onto a communication line, the method comprising:

receiving a communication signal;

receiving a power signal;

providing a high DC impedance and low AC impedance for the communication signal to produce a conditioned communication signal;

providing a high AC impedance and a low DC impedance for the power signal using a coupled inductor to produce a conditioned power signal; and

transmitting the conditioned power signal on the same communication lines with the conditioned communication signal.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein receiving a communication signal comprises receiving upstream and downstream communication signals.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein receiving a power signal comprises receiving a signal from a DC power source.

16. A wireless system, comprising:

a communication circuit that transmits and receives communication signals according to a selected protocol;

a remote network element, the remote network element including a modem adapted to transmit and receive signals according to the selected protocol;

the remote terminal further including a wireless access point, coupled to the modem, the wireless access point adapted to provide a wireless interface to the system;

a central office power plug, coupled to the communication circuit and the remote network element, the central office power plug including a splitter, the splitter including:

a line port adapted to be coupled to remote terminal over a communication line;

a power port adapted to receive a power signal;

a communication port coupled to the communication circuit;

a low pass filter coupled between the power port and the line port, the low pass filter including a coupled inductor;

a high pass filter coupled to the communication port;

wherein the communication signals and the power signal are transported on the communication line at the line port.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the coupled inductor includes:

a first winding;

a second winding;

a common core; and

wherein the first winding is coupled to a first terminal of the power port and the second winding is coupled to a second terminal of the power port.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the low pass filter further includes at least one capacitor coupled between first and second ports of the power port.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the high pass filter includes a pair of capacitors coupled to first and second terminals of the communication port.

20. A splitter comprising:

a power port including first and second terminal;

a line port including first and second terminals;

a communication port including first and second terminals;

a coupled inductor having first and second windings;

the first winding coupled between the first terminal of the power port and the first terminal of the line port;

the second winding coupled between the second terminal of the power port and the second terminal of the line port;

a capacitor coupled across the first and second windings of the coupled inductor, the capacitor and the coupled inductor providing a high AC impedance for a power signal received at the power port; and

first and second capacitors coupled to the first and second terminals, respectively, of the communication port, so as to provide a high DC impedance for a communication signal transmitted to or from the communication port so as to enable transmission of the power signal and the communication signals on a common communication line at the line port.