Data transmission through distribution transformers without bypass components

Distribution transformers are generally assumed to block high frequency power line carrier signals and to require bypass networks where these signals must pass through a transformer. In a companion paper , distribution transformers have been shown to be relatively transparent at some frequencies opening the possibility of exploiting these transmission windows for the purposes of communication. In this work, we use software-defined radio methods to experimentally demonstrate that a direct-sequence spreads-pectrum (DSSS) data signal may be transmitted through multiple distribution transformers without the use of any bypass components. These techniques have been demonstrated at ~1kb/s data rates in both residential and large commercial settings using primarily open-source hardware and software.