Broadband through Power Lines

Abstract

Power Line Communications (PLC) is the use of existing electrical cables to transport data. PLC is appealing because there is no need to run additional wires to powered devices. PLC can also work where radio frequency (RF) cannot. For example smart meters in the basement of a building basement are unlikely to be able to use RF to communicate with the neighborhood data concentrator. PLC communication on the other hand can traverse the power wires to reach the data concentrator. The obvious advantage of PLC is that it is everywhere in the developed world. PLC can deliver high speed, low cost Internet access with 'no new wires', as well as the capability for in-building Local Area Networks. Serial communication pattern is used in here. So by using this advantage it can transmit data without an extra line for communication [1]. After years of development, technology to deliver high-speed data over the existing electric power delivery network has emerged in the marketplace called broadband over power line (BPL), this technology offers an alternative means of providing high-speed internet access, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and other broadband services, using medium- and low- voltage lines to reach customers‟ homes and businesses [2].
Broadband over Power Line (BPL), also known as Power Line Communications (PLC) is a disruptive communications technology that enables power line infrastructure landlords (electric utilities & property owners) and their system operator partners to deliver a suite of Internet Protocol (IP) based services using their existing power distribution infrastructure [12]. Power line communication (PLC) carries data on a conductor that is also used simultaneously for AC electric power transmission or electric power distribution to consumers. It is also known as power line carrier, power line digital subscriber line (PDSL), mains communication, power line telecom (PLT), power line networking (PLN), and broadband over power lines (BPL) [3].
A wide range of power line communication technologies are needed for different applications, ranging from home automation to Internet access. Most PLC technologies limit themselves to one type of wires (such as premises wiring within a single building), but some can cross between two levels (for example, both the distribution network and premises wiring). Typically transformers prevent propagating the signal, which requires multiple technologies to form very large networks. Various data rates and frequencies are used indifferent situations [4].