Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Modulation

2.1 Definition: The Modulation is a modification carried out on the information signal to be suitable
for transmission by some transmission device or in some -transmission channel. To transmit
several information signals occupying the same frequency spectrum on one transmission
channel, each signal should be put in some location in the spectrum to avoid overlapping and
interference, and this can be done by Modulation.

2.2 Modulation methods: There are several modulation techniques that are used in
communications system, but the common used in powerline communication are 'AM, FM, FSK,
and PSK.

i. Amplitude modulation (AM): Amplitude modulation is a modulation scheme. in which

the amplitude of a high frequency signal is varied in accordance with the instantaneous
amplitude of an information signal. The AM signal is shown in figure 2.1.{1}.

1
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Figure 2.1 AM signal

AM signal can be simply generated. Figure 2.2 shows the sections of AM modulator/demodulator
system where the information signal is multiplied by the carrier signal and the resultant signal will be
added to the carrier signal and then transmitted via the transmission medium. At the receiver, the
picked signal will be detected in the detector stage and then amplified to the desired level by the power
amplifier. Figure 2.2 shows the block diagram of AM system

2
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Figure 2.2 Block diagram of AM system

Amplitude modulation is the simplest form of modulation it has the advantage of being usable with the
simplicity and the low cost of modulators and demodulators, which make it acceptable to be used in PLC
systems. The main disadvantages of AM are the poor performance in the presence of noise and
inefficient use of transmission power. Therefore, it will not be suitable if the transmitted signal is a
digital signal where the data will be affected by noise the use of AM in PLC systems is limited with the
analog signals that might be voice signals where the high quality is not critical

2.2.2 Frequency Modulation (FM):

In frequency modulation, the information signal is used to vary the carrier frequency. The FM signal is
shown in figure 2.3

3
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Figure 2.3 FM signal

The power of FM signal does not change with modulation, but the bandwidth increases due to the
generation of multiple sets of sidebands. The FM signal is demodulated by looking at its frequency and
ignoring the amplitude.

Figure 2.4 shows the block diagram of FM transmitter.

4
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Figure 2.4 Block diagram of FM transmitter

The VCO produces a frequency that is varied according to the information signal amplitude variations. At
the receiver, the demodulator circuit that might be a envelope detector, phase locked loop (PLL) or any
other circuit demodulates the signal. There are certain types of noise that may affect the amplitude of
the carrier, but FM demodulators are interesting in the frequency changes not the amplitude, therefore,
FM is resistant to noise. This is the main advantage of FM over AM.(2)

The cost of FM system is quite high comparing with AM system. FM technique can be used to send
analog signals with a high performance. Also digital signals can be sent over FM system, but with low
speeds. This is due to some types of noise existing in transmission medium. These types of noise cause
frequency shifts in the transmitted signal; therefore, the bit error rate will be increased.

In PLC systems, FM technique is used to transmit analog signals in case of high quality transmission
because of the noisy power lines. Digital signal can 9

5
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

also be transmitted but not reliably, which give the opportunity of another modulation techniques to be
used.

2.2.3 Frequency shift keying (FSK):

With frequency shift keying, the carrier frequency is shifted in steps or levels corresponding to the levels
of the digital-modulating signal. In the case of a binary signal, two carrier frequencies are used, one
corresponding to the binary 0 and the other to the binary 1.

The two carriers maybe generated from separate oscillators or by frequency modulating a common
carrier. The block schematics for the two methods are shown in figure 2.5.

Figure 2.5 Block diagram of FSK modulator

FSK technique is basically designed for digital data transmission. Analog signals can also be transmitted
over FSK system, but it should be converted

6
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

into serial digital pulses before transmission, which increases the complexity and the expense of the
system. The FSK signal is shown in figure 2.6.

Figure 2.6 FSK signal

There are two methods for FSK demodulation. The first method is the coherent demodulator, which can
be constructed by two separate coherent detectors as shown in figure (2.7), the outputs are combined
to form a polar binary signal. Non-coherent detection can also be used with FSK signals. It consists only
of two separate paths with band-pass filters tuned to the individual frequencies. Each filter is followed
by envelope detector. The outputs are combined to form a polar waveform.{2}

7
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Figure 2.7 Coherent and noncoherent F'SK demodulator

FSK technique is used in low data rates applications. Other technologies are used when higher rates are
required. In PLC systems, FSK is the best choice for modulation. It is resistant to noise and phase shifts
caused in power lines, but the main disadvantage of using this technique is the low bit rate of
transmitted data.

2.2.4 Phase shift keying (PSK): With phase modulation, the binary signal is used to switch the phase
between 0° and 180° to be known as binary PSK (BPSK).

8
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

The carrier for implementing BPSK is a balanced modulator as shown in figure 2.8.

Figure 2.8 Balanced Modulator

The modulating signal is a polar non-return to zero (NRZ). NRZ means that there are two levels to
present the signal, which are 1 and —1. Coherent detection must be used with BPSK since the envelope
does not contain the modulating information. The coherent BPSK receiver is shown in figure 2.9.

Figure 2.9 Coherent BPSK

9
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) utilizes four distinct levels of phase shift and is a widely used form
of multilevel modulation. Detection of QPSK is similar to that for BPSK with the difference that the
recovered carriers must also have the 90'phase difference. When somewhat faster data rates are
required than cannot be achieved with FSK, phase modulation is often used.

In power-line communications the PSK technique can be used, but not with high-speed data rates. The
environment of power lines is quite noisy and causes phase shifts on the signals to be transmitted.
Therefore, the bit error rate will be increased since the PSK technique depends on the phase shifts.

This makes FSK more reliable than PSK in spite of the low data speeds, where the phase shifts have no
effects on the frequency.

10
Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: Modulation

Chapter Three: PLC System

Chapter Four: Circuit Description and Measurement

Conclusion and future work

11
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

3.1 Technology overview:

Powerline communication is the technology by which analog and signals can be transmitted over the
power lines with a carrier frequency larger than the 50 Hz used for electricity transport. This technology
has existed for several decades, but it was limited use because of the low speed rates, poor efficiency,
and high cost. Sometimes, there is a need to build a communication system with low cost, good
reliability, and high performance.

The use of wireless communication system (RF) is the common solution, but there are some problems
that may make it undesired, such as operation frequency chosen, bandwidth, interference, and the
antenna length. All of these parameters make the designers think twice before make a decision.

Wire solutions are also not recommended, especially when there is a multi- channel communication
system where new wires will be installed, that make it impractical and expensive.

Power-line technology has solved all of these problems. By this technology the existing power lines can
be utilized to build a multi-channel communication system with no need to auxiliary wires with a high
performance, reliability, and low cost will be improved.

Older PLC systems were based on the analog technique, unidirectional, and suitable for non-time critical
applications.

Over the few last years, the evolution of electronic technology, especially in communications field, has
made PLC technique to be the alternative - choice instead of several communication methods.

The main advantage of this technique is the ability of accessing to the user easily with no new wires
required, which decreases the cost of the communication system. Furthermore, the speed of data
transmission

12
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

increases continuously, since the communication companies competes to reach the best performance of
PLC systems.

There are some difficulties that face PLC technology, which are related to the transmission medium
(power lines) and the coupling with the system.

3.2 PLC Challenges:

Power lines and their associated networks are not designed for communications use. They are a hostile
environment that makes the accurate propagation of communication signals difficult. Two of the biggest
problems faced in using power lines for communications are excessive noise levels and cable
attenuation. Noise levels are often excessive, and cable attenuation at the frequencies of interest is
often very large.

The most common causes of excessive noise in a domestic, situation are the various household devices
and office equipment connected to the network. Noise and disturbances on the power network include
overvoltages, undervoltages, frequency variations and so on. However,' the most harmful noise for PLC
applications is that superimposed on a power line. Switching devices such as light dimmers, the electric
motors in many common appliances, often cause such superimposed noise and high-frequency noise
caused by computer monitors and televisions.

For a power line carrier communication system to perform reliably it must be able to avoid, or cope
with, the different types of noise encountered on its communications channel. These different types of
noise exist at different frequencies, and occur at unpredictable times. Thus, it is not sufficient to design a
system that simply avoids using certain parts of the available bandwidth. Rather, a technique called
Frequency hopping is used to enable the communications to avoid noise

13
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

when encountered. When a frequency-hopping communications system encounters noise at a certain

bandwidth, it skips to a different bandwidth, moving away from the original interference. Frequency
hopping is a' spread-spectrum communications technique, meaning that the total available spectrum is
split up into smaller sections so as to be better utilized.

Signal attenuation in the power line environment is often great, and unpredictable. Attenuation has
been measured at up to 100dB/km. Furthermore, it is very difficult to obtain a meaningful model of the
PLC channel, due to the time-variance of this channel. As devices are connected and disconnected from
the power network, network characteristics change drastically. Unfortunately this makes coupling a
signal to the power network difficult. Any coupling device must be adaptable to obtain reasonable
performance in all expected situations. {4}

3.3 Coupling of powerline carrier systems to power lines:

Special techniques are needed to couple a carrier to a power circuit. Capacitors rated to withstand the
transmission line voltage along with tuned circuit are used. The capacitive reactance of the coupling
capacitors is relatively low at carrier frequencies and very high at the power frequency. By this means
the carrier channel signals are superimposed on the power circuit, and at the receiving end the carrier
signals are [Link] from the power, again through the coupling capacitors and tuned circuits. The
tuned circuits (line traps) used are parallel resonant circuits with conductors of sufficient size to carry
the current of the power circuit and present high impedance at the frequencies being used by the
carrier, or by

14
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

filters which can be designed to pass the power frequency to station buses and prevent the carrier
frequencies from going to the bus. Line traps are inductors (coils of wire) with conductor sizes capable of
continuously carrying the current of the power circuit and are used at each end of the carrier channel.
The line traps can be tuned to parallel resonance (high impedance at the desired frequencies), or
arranged as a part of" low-pass" or "band-stop" filters, which present high impedance for the carrier
signals back toward the station buses, but do not materially affect the flow of the power frequency
currents. Other tuning equipment is used between the carrier terminals and the coupling capacitors
which matches the impedance of the carrier signals to the characteristic impedance of the transmission
line, And the signals are permitted to travel along the transmission line from the carrier transmitter to
the carrier receiver where like equipment separates the carrier signal from the power frequency and
passes it onto the receiver. {3}

Figure 3.1 Coupling of powerline carrier system to power lines

15
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

3.4 Analog PLC systems:

Analog PLC systems are the systems that can transfer analog signals via power lines. Amplitude
modulation and frequency modulation are the commonly modulation methods used. FM is superior
with regard to noise and clearer, AM lower cost and simpler demodulation circuits than FM and it is
used when the required performance is not critical. Analog PLC systems are used in several fields. Voice
communication systems are the most spread application used, where voice can be transmitted and
received between two or more channels as an internal or external intercom system or a baby monitor.
Analog PLC systems can also be used as a music station, where a band of music channels is transmitted
to several receivers connected to power lines. Each receiver includes a tuning circuit to select the
desired music channel, and here, FM is preferred over AM, especially where stereo music transmission
can be achieved. Data transmission can also be done. FM can be used to satisfy this requirement, but
not efficiently, because of the low data rates and the possibility of errors. Control processes are rarely
used in analog PLC systems. Figure 3.1.a shows the block diagram of analog PLC system, which can also
be used for other analog signals. at the transmitter (figure 3.1.a ),the signal, input from microphone or
any other voice source, is being amplified, then modulated to get through the RF amplifier which
amplifies it to be transmitted over power lines

16
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Figure 3.2.a

The coupling circuit, which includes the transformer and the capacitors, should be impedance matched
with the power lines.

At the receiver (figure 3.1 .b), the signal is being limited, amplified, and then demodulated. AF amplifier
is existed in case of voice signal reception to drive it to the loud speaker.

Figure 3.2.b

17
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

3.5 Digital PLC systems:

In digital PLC systems, digital and analog signals can be transmitted and received over power lines with
digital modulation techniques. These systems have existed for few years, and they are used in several
applications such as voice communications and monitoring. in voice communications using digital PLC
systems, voice signals are converted into serial digital signals to suit digital transmitter. This makes the
system more complex.

In this application, the data is transferred in two directions (bi-directional).

Monitoring applications are mostly used in hospitals, banks, and security locations; they are also used in
factories for monitoring machines performance.

The data is sent from the monitoring location to the remote supervisor room to be translated into audio,
video, or textual information.

The data transferred in monitoring systems are uni-directional data.

The modulation techniques that used in digital PLC systems are FSK and PSK, but FSK is used rather than
PSK in spite of the low data rates, this is due to the nature of powerline environment related to phase
shifts occurred in high frequencies.

Figure 3.2.a shows the digital PLC system.

18
Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

19
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

3.6 Control PI,C systems:

Control PLC technology uses existing AC wiring to send high-frequency command signals from remote
locations.

Control PLC systems have invented in late 1970's, where used basically in simple control processes with
uni-directional commands data. Control commands signals might be analog or digital signals, this
depends on the type of technique is being used in the system.

FSK and PSK modulation techniques are used in control systems, where the speed of control commands
is quit high. this systems are relatively complex, where there is a transmission and reception between
the controller and the equipment being controlled (bi-directional transmission) .

FSK modulation technique is used rather than PSK due to the reasons modulation in chapter 2.

In simple control applications, where the commands rate are very low, another technique is used, this
technique, which is called "Zero Crossing digital pulse modulation", is differ from common modulation
technique, and its use is limited on control PLC systems.

3.6.1 Zero crossing digital pulse modulation:

In the zero crossing digital pulse modulation process, the AC powerline is modulated by placing a high
level pulse at the zero crossing of the AC wave, forming a 100 pulse per second (pulse train). The
amplitude of these pulses is in the order of 190 volts for 220 Vac operation. This modulation process
offers the following features that are important to reliable system operation

20
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

First, the signal pulses are, for the most part, isolated from the AC powerline noise and transients since
these are not normally present at the zero crossings.

Second the large amplitude of the modulating pulses insure that the signal is not masked by the AC
powerline noise and transients.

Third, since the zero crossing is a stable and will defined point on the AC wave, it allows system
synchronization to facilitate such features as noise detection and evasion and automatic multiplexing for
the simultaneous operation of multiple transmitters without interference.

There are many application use control PLC systems, such as home and factories automation, alarm
systems, and energy management. {4}

21
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

3.7 Energy management PLC system:

An energy management system (EMS) utilizing functional devices PLC equipment is shown in the figure
3.4

There is a controller, a command synthesizer, one or more signal couplers, the ac wiring, many
responders, many loads and sensors, many unit controllers (an intelligent responder), many
temperature displays/controls and many heater pumps or heater/air conditioners (heat/cool units).

Figure 3.4 Block Diagram of possible 2-way PLC Energy management system

3.7.1 The controller:

The controller can be something as simple as a mechanical time clock, or as complex as a

microprocessor-based electronic controller. The controller decides when the EMS loads are to be on or
off by issuing commands to and gathering information from responders and intelligent responders (1Rs).

command Command synthesizer Signal Couplers Relay &Voltage(output) switch& Analog(sensor) pulse
counting heat/cool units relays or contactors analog sensors switch sensor TDC2 temp display/ control
or TDC3 temp sensor answer 4

22
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

3.7.2 The command synthesizer:

The command synthesizer generates the PLC signal. Command synthesizers are available for one-way
PLC systems (DO only) two-way PLC systems (DO, DI, Al, and AO) the one-way command synthesizer is
wired point-per-point to the outputs of the controller. It transforms a particular hard-wired output into
an OFF or ON command addressed to a particular responder. Each controller output is assigned a unique
digital code or identity (ID) at the command synthesizer. These same IDs are assigned to responders (PLC
receivers), which are located at the load, by setting positions of switches on the responders. The PLC
signals put out by the command synthesizer contains ON/ OFF commands as well as the ID. The timing
of ON / OFF commands is determined by the controller.

Tow-way commands synthesizers control loads in the same manner as do one-way commands
synthesizers. In addition, they interpret the retuning PLC answer from responders and output the
information by means of the reed relays and analog voltage output from the controller and send the
information as DI and Al in its control algorithms. Two way commands synthesizers also accept a voltage
output from the controller and send the information to responders which, in turn, output that same
voltage as an AO.

Commands synthesizers are also available to interface with the controller via a serial I/O port of the
controller, thus eliminating much hardware and the point-per-point interface wiring.

Under normal operation, an open contact to command synthesizer input will generate an "OFF"
command, while a closed contact to a command synthesizer input will generate an "ON" commands to
the responder. In this

23
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

context the words "ON" and "OFF" are in reference to the load being controlled by a relay in the
responder.

3.7.3 Signal couplers:

The next component in the communication path is the signal coupler, which couples the PLC signal to
the ac wiring of the facility. The signal coupler for one-way PLC system is the CTME command
transmitter. It is an amplifier and its purpose is to amplify the signal being generated by the command
synthesizer and inject it onto the ac power lines of the building or onto dedicated lines, where it
becomes the PLC signal. The CTME output can be connected to any voltage source up to 600 Vac, signal
or three phase, including any voltage system, Tlic CTME must be hard wired to the command synthesizer
by the installer.

The signal coupler for two-way PLC system is the CTR command transmitter/receiver, which performs
the function of the CTME and has the added capability of detecting the PLC answer retuning from the
responder or intelligent responders and passing this data back to the command synthesizer for
processing and eventual conveyance to the controller.

3.7.4 Building wiring:

The PLC signal is superimposed onto the ac wiring of the building.

3.7.5 Responders and intelligent responders:

Responders are located at the loads to be controlled or sensors to be interrogated. The responder gets
its power to operate and also the PLC signals from the ac wiring or dedicated lines.

Although the responder is usually powered from the same ac source as the load. It can be powered from
a different ac source.

24
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Responders are available for one-way PLC communication (DO only) and two-way PLC communication
(DO, DI, Al, and AO).

Each responder has a DIP switch (row of switches) with which its own digital code (ID) is set. When the
code being generated by the command synthesizer matches the ID of the responder then that
responder will follow the ON/OFF command of the command synthesizer as determined by the
controller and will answer with analog or digital data.

If several responders must be installed at the same location, there can be some degree of undesired,
attenuation of the PLC signal at the location. Distributing the responders among all of the ac phases
present at that location will reduce this attenuation.

The unite controller (an example an intelligent responder) is located at or in the Heat /Cool unite. It is
hard wired to a wall-mounted temperature display/control, which measures the room temperature and
allows control input from the user.

The unite controller is assigned its own ID in the same manner as responder and its major operating
parameters. During unoccupied status the deadband is opened to allow energy savings. The space
temperature and the unite controller status can be reported via PLC to the controller.

The unite controller represents a major step toward distributed intelligence by combining local control
of loads with PLC communication. This assures continued control of the Heat/cool units even if the
controller or the PLC equipment goes down. Typical uses are for controlling heat pumps and small
packaged heater / air conditioner unites {4}.

25
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

3.8 Using PLC in Internet:

Connecting to the Internet is a fact of life for business, government, and most households. The lure
commerce, vedio on demand, and e-mail, has brought millions of people to the Internet. They find out
what it's really like. That includes long wait for popular sets, substantial waits for secure sets, and
horrible video quality over the web. Nonetheless, Internet user preserver.

3.8.1 Industry overview:

The companies who provide Internet services have not been carrying on as usual. They realized that user
of the Internet is hungry for faster service than phone lines and 56 K modems currently provide.
Additionally, many Internet service companies seek to increase their profitability by offering Internet
access, local phone calls, cable TV, and perhaps long distance phone services to their costumers in one
relatively inexpensive package. The solution is a high bandwidth network with links to each costumer's
location. Implementing this type of network has not proven to be easy.

Telephone companies have offered high bandwidth line for many years. For the most part, the cost of
these lines and the equipment needed to access them has limited their usefulness to large businesses
the long exception has been ISDN (integrated services digital network), which has won over some
residential costumers. ISDN offers fast Internet access (I28K) at a relatively low cost.

Telephone companies have begun to replace the phone lines that connect residences and business to
the standard telephone network with higher bandwidth lines. However, this process is costly and time
consumed. Such higher bandwidth networks will not be operational for several years.

26
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Cable television companies have also jumped into the Internet access market.

The lines that carry cable television are much faster (1500k) than standard phone lines or even ISDN.
The major problem with cable TV's attempts at providing Internet access has been the unidirectional
character of cable TV lines. Cable TV lines are only designed to bring information to the customer, not to
get input from the customer. This fundamental flaw in cable TV lines has increased the costs of
developing Internet access services based on them. Thus, most cable TV Internet access systems will not
be ready for several years. (Currently, Internet access over cable TV lines is available, but a phone line
handles messages from customers to the Internet.)

Wireless solution have also been proposed, but have run into problems. First, the performance and
reliability of wireless solution has not been to the level of any of one wire-line solution described so far.
Second, the ability to send data from a customer to the Internet requires much more equipment than
simply more expensive than wireless cable TV.

3.8.2 A Solution:

None of the available Internet access services offer the right balance of cost, convenience, and speed.
Digital powerline technology could change all that. It gives customers high-speed Internet access
through electrical networks. Lower costs are achieved because the service is implemented on standard
electrical lines. The service is also convenient because it's already in your home. Internet access through
digital powerline would be at 1Mbps, 20 times faster than standard phone/modem connection.

27
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Most high bandwidth Internet access schemes file at the point of connection to residences and
businesses. The cost of connected many individual points usually overwhelms the project. Digital power
lines services are already connected to almost all residences and businesses through electrical lines, thus
making the services more economical for both providers of the service and customers of the services.

Using electrical lines also makes the service very convenient. There is no need for the bulky apparatus
associated with wireless access. The services dose not tie up phone lines like standard phone/modem
connections, current implementations of cable TV services, or other phone line based services.

Additionally, the system features constant access to the Internet and much of the apparatus is already in
homes.

Digital powerline offers very high speed Internet access. Its performance far outclasses phone/modem
connections and even ISDN.at1Mbps; customers of digital powerline services could explore the web, talk
on the phone, and watch a video-on-demand movie at the same time. All of these services are available
through the innocuous looking electrical lines currently in your home. Evidently electrical lines were
manufactured with more forethought than phone lines.

3.8.3 Overview of technology:

Digital powerline is capable of transmitting data at a rat of 1Mbps over existing electricity Infrastructure.

Through "conditioning" of the exisistig electricity infrastructure, electrical utilities can transmit regular
low frequency signals at 50 to 60 Hz and much higher frequency signals above 1M Hz without affecting
either signal. The lower frequency signals carry power, while the higher frequency signals can transmit
data.

28
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Digital powerline use a network, known as a high frequency conditioned power network (HFCPN), to
transmit data and electrical signals. A HFCPN uses a series of conditioning unites (CU) to filter those
separate signals.

The CU sends electricity to the outlets in the home and data signals to a communication module or
"service unite" .the service unite provides multiple channels for data, voice, etc.

Base station servers at local electricity substations connect to the Internet via fiber or broadband coaxial
cable. The end result is similar to a neighborhood local area network.

3. 8.4 The server:

The digital powerline base station is a standard rack mountable system designed specifically for current
street electricity cabinets. Typically, one street cabinet contains 12 base station unit each cable of
communicating over one of 40 possible radio channels. These units connect to the public
telecommunications network at El or Ti speeds over some broadband service.

Several options, with deferent costs, can provide broadband Internet service to each base station. The
simplest solution is connicting-leased lines to each substation. This solution is potentially quite costly
because of the number of lines involved. A wireless system has also been suggested to connect base
stations to the Internet. This option reduces local loop fees, but increases hardware costs. Another
alternative involves running high bandwidth lines, along side electric lines, to substations. These lines
could be fiber, ATM, or broadband coaxial cable. This option avoids local loop fees, but is beset by
equipment fees. The actual deployment of digital powerline will probably involve a mix of these

29
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

alternatives, optimized for cost efficiency in deferent areas and with deferent service providers.

These base stations typically serve approximately 50 customers, providing over 20 MHz of usable to near
end customers and between 6 and 10 MHz of usable spectrum to far end customers. The server
operates via IP to create a LAN type environment for each local service area.

3.8.5 The HFCPN Conditioning Unite:

The conditioning unite (CU) for the digital powerline network is placed near the electric meter at each
customer's home. The CU uses bandpass filters to segregate the electricity and data signals, which
facilitate the link between a customer's premise and an electricity substation.

The CU contains three coupling ports the device receiver aggregate input from its network port (NP).
This aggregate input passes through a high pass filter. Figure 3.5 shows the conditioning unit.

Figure 3.5 the conditioning unit (cu)

30
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Filtering allows data signals to a communication distribution port (CDP) and a low pass filter sends
electric signals to the electricity distribution port (EDP).

The 50 Hz signal flows from the low pass filter out of the EDP to the electricity meter.

The low pass filter also serves to attenuate extraneous noise generated by electrical appliances at the
customer premises. Left conditioned, the aggregation of this extraneous noise from multiple homes
would cause significant distortion in the network.

The high pass filter facilitates two way data traffic to and from the customer premise. Data signals flow
through the CDP to the customer's service unite via standard coaxial cable.

3.8.6 Service unit:

The service unit is a wall or table mountable multi-purpose data communications box. The unit
facilitates data connections via BNC connectors to cable modems and telephone connections via
standard line termination jacks.

The service unit provides its own line power for ringing and contains a battery backup in case of power
outage.

In a manner similar to ISDN, data (computers) and voice (telephones) devices can coexist without
interfering with cach other.

3.8.7 Potential advantages of digital powerHne technology:

This telecommunications model has multiple advantages over other including speed, an established
local loop, and detected connections.

31
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

These advantages make digital powerline technology an attractive alternative for telecommunications
systems.

In the digital powerline model, small LANs are created; they terminate at each local electricity
substation. These LANs will share a TI/El connection to the Internet, similar to a corporation leasing a Ti
line.

Individual users should dialup connections, even at peak usage.

Another Internet advantage to the digital powerine model is the fact that it works well over the existing
electric power infrastructure. Only the substation server equipment and customer conditioner/service
units need to be installed in order to establish a digital powerline network.

Dedicated, multipurpose communication lines make the digital powerline model an attractive option for
the information age. Wide bandwidth and frequency division multiplexing allow from multiple lines to a
single household. Ideally, an entire family could utilize their own communication devices simultaneously,
whether telephone or PC, without interrupting one another.

3.8.8 Potential extensions to digital powerline technology:

There are many possible extensions to the digital powerline model. Since digital powerline creates a LAN
type environment by running IP, people could theoretically control all of the appliances in their home
from their PC or a remote device. Each home on the neighborhood LAN would operate as a sub-network
of the LAN and each electrical outlet could be treated as a node in that sub-network.

It could also be feasible to have an internet address for every plug in the house through which anyone
could e-mail and study the picture relayed by the video camera to see what shopping is required, or
could remotely turn the lights off and the burglar alarm on using a password.

32
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

Remote services such as remote metering have already been tested under this model and many more
services are possible. Because the service provider can keep track of electricity and bandwidth usage via
the network, customers will also be able to monitor their usage, reliably predict billing and keep an eye
on household usage.

3.8.9 Current limitations of digital powerline technology:

Several. implementation issues have held back digital powerline in some countries. The problems are
the numbers of users per transformer and the size and shape of light poles.

In North America, a transformer serves from 5 to 10 households, while in Europe a transformer serves
150 households. Digital powerline signals cannot pass through a transformer. Therefore, all electrical
substation equipment needed for digital powerline has to be located after the transformer. Since there
are fewer households per transformer in North America, predicted equipment costs are prohibitive.
However this conclusion has been debated. Analyses suggest that 100% subscription rates are possible
in the US, and that at such Rates digital powerline is profitable. Conventional wisdom suggests that
there is a way to make digital powerline profitable in North America, whether it is through bundling a
variety of services or higher fees.

Soon, some unanticipated problems arose. Certain radio frequencies were suddenly deluged with traffic,
making it impossible to transmit on those frequencies. The apparent calibrates were standard light
poles. Then it became clear that by pure chance light poles were the perfect size and shape to broadcast
digital powerline signals. This situation caused problems not just because of the frequencies involved
but also because any one could listen in on the traffic. The problem was addressed by

33
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

proposing to lease the frequencies involved from their owners and offering amateur radio operators a
new frequency. The privacy issues have not been fully addressed at this point, besides suggestion that
all sensitive information should be incepted.

3.8.10 The market for digital powerline:

Trends in both the electric and telecommunications industry have lead to a climate where digital
powerline should be a big player. These trends include customer demand affordable and high-speed
Internet access, the regulation of electrical utilities, and the repercussions of a variety of
telecommunications legislation.

Customers want cheaper, faster, and more reliable access to the Internet right now. Not only can digital
powerline provide that type of service, but also it will be available before other broadband access
technologies. Therefore digital powerline has both a time to market and cost advantage. This maybe too
much for the other broadband accesses technologies.

The utility industry is facing deregulation in North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia.
Deregulation means increased competition in the slow growing electricity market with little protection
for utilities. An unenviable position indeed consequently, many utilities are actively seeking to diversify
into other, more profitable, industries. For many utilities telecommunication and Internet services have
been a sensible choice. That option can only become more popular as digital powerline matures.

Digital powerline offers a deregulated utility several options and advantages. The utility can either lease
the rights to employment digital powerline on its electrical great or develop the technology itself. The
advantages include the low cost of the local loop, differentiating the utility from other utilities, and
bundling a variety of services.

34
 Power-line Communication Study And Application Modulation

The most recent telecommunications act has tried to make it easier for all types of telecommunications
firms to sell local services and long distance services. However, regional bills actually have control over
local lines and charge other companies who place calls on their lines. Many of the larger phone
companies have sought to get around these charges by building or leasing their own networks to
connect to local points. Digital owe line is an existing network that fits those needs. Expect to see
smaller telecommunications companies partnering with electrical utilities to provide alternative local
phone services.

3.8.11 Conclusion:

Digital powerline technology is an exciting alternative to connecting to the Internet via phone and
modem.

Though this technology is not commercially available yet, it should be available before other broadband
technologies due to the relatively low cost of its local loop. Moreover, its high speeds will provide
Internet access, video on demand, local phone, and long distance phone services to customers {4}.

35