Power Line Communication Interface Device and Method

1 . An interface device for interfacing power distribution equipment to a broadband over power line communication system that provides broadband communications to one or more users, comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate via the broadband over power line communication system;

an equipment interface configured to communicate with at least one piece of power distribution equipment; and

a controller in communication with said equipment interface and said network interface.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said controller is configured to control the flow of data to the power distribution equipment.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said equipment interface is configured to communicate with a plurality of power distribution equipment.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one piece of power distribution equipment includes an equipment controller configured to receive and process control messages received from said equipment interface.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said network interface includes a first fiber optic port.

6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein said network interface further includes a second fiber optic port and a data switch communicatively coupled to said first and second fiber optic ports.

7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein said data switch is communicatively coupled to said controller.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said network interface is configured to communicate via a low voltage power line.

9 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless transceiver communication coupled to said controller.

10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said equipment interface communicates with the power distribution equipment via a path that includes a wireless link.

11 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a memory in communication with said controller and that includes address information stored therein.

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein said address information includes address data associated with the power distribution equipment.

13 . The device of claim 11 , wherein said address information includes address data associated with another interface device.

14 . A system for providing communications for a plurality of power distribution equipment via a power line communication system, comprising:

a computer system including executable program code executable to generate control messages for controlling the plurality of power distribution automation equipment;

a plurality of interface devices, wherein each interface device is communicatively coupled to one or more of the plurality of power distribution equipment; and

wherein said computer system is configured to transmit control messages to the plurality of power distribution equipment via a communication path that includes one or more power lines and said plurality of interface devices.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein each said interface device includes a controller configured to control the flow of data to the power distribution equipment to which said interface device is communicatively coupled.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein at least some of said interface devices are connected to multiple pieces of power distribution equipment.

17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein at least some of said interface devices are communicatively coupled to a fiber optic conductor for communicating via the power line communication system.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein at least some of said interface devices include a first fiber optic port, a second fiber optic port, and a data switch communicatively coupled to said first and second fiber optic ports.

19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein at least some of said interface devices are communicatively coupled to a low voltage power line for communicating via the power line communication system.

20 . The system of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the control messages comprises a request for status information.

21 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the communication path includes a medium voltage power line.

22 . The system of claim 14 , wherein said computer system includes a memory having data of the status of the plurality of power distribution equipment stored therein.

23 . The system of claim 14 , wherein said computer system includes a memory having address information associated with each of said plurality of interfaces devices stored therein.

24 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first data corresponds to the control message.

25 . An interface device for interfacing power distribution equipment to a power line communication system, comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate over the power line communication system;

an equipment interface configured to communicate with the power distribution equipment;

a controller in communication with said equipment interface and said network interface;

wherein said controller includes a memory that includes address information stored therein; and

wherein said address information includes address data associated the power distribution equipment.

26 . The device of claim 25 , wherein said network interface includes a first fiber optic port.

27 . The device of claim 26 , wherein said network interface further includes a second fiber optic port and a data switch communicatively coupled to said first and second fiber optic ports.

28 . The device of claim 27 , wherein said data switch is communicatively coupled to said controller.

29 . The device of claim 25 , wherein said network interface is configured to communicate over a low voltage power line.

30 . The device of claim 25 , further comprising a wireless transceiver communication coupled to said controller.

31 . The device of claim 25 , wherein said equipment interface communicates with the power distribution equipment via a path that includes a wireless link.

32 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the power line communication system comprises a broadband communication system that provides internet access to a plurality of user devices.