1

Modeling and Simulation of a System of

Carrier Waves through Simulink/Matlab
*JOSÉF. ADAMI, *PAULOM. SILVEIRA, *MARCELF. C. PARENTONI, **ANTONIOC. DALLBELLO
*UFEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF ITAJUBÁ - UNIFEI
Mato Grosso Electric Power Company S.A. - CEMAT

determined, mainly, by the significant mitigations

Summary--This article presents the simulation of a system of of signals, due to the complexity of the equipment
carrier wave (Power Line Carrier - PLC), through the Simu- coupling and tuning at high frequency and due to the difficulty
link/Matlab. The simulation was based on the PLC system, installed to obtain tuning circuits at the lower end of the
in the central phase of the 138[kV] transmission line between the sub-
frequency spectrum.
high city and noble stations of the Centrais concessionaire
Matogrossenses Electric Company S.A. The objective of this work is the High voltage lines beyond the transmission of energy
modeling of a PLC system, considering a project of electric transmit various types of communication, such as voice,
supervision research and development of a line fax, data and tele-protection signals. These signals are
transmission. Furthermore, the work aims to analyze the level ofsimultaneously transmitted with electrical energy, without
system PLC reception through simulation and make a mutual interference, to meet the needs of
comparison between these results with calculated values and
internal telecommunications of generation concessionaires,
measured between the two locations. The parameters of the line of
transmission, used in MATLAB, were obtained through the transmission and distribution of electrical energy [6].
the software referred to as Non-Conventional Compensation Within this context, the dealerships are forming partnerships
Electric Power Transmission Lines, considering the effect with telecommunications companies that also use the
peculiar, since the PLC system uses a signal from high voltage lines for transmitting your signals.
carrier at a frequency of 232 [kHz]. PLC systems are installed in transmission lines
above 33 [kV], as systems with lower voltages
Palavras-Chave—Sistema de Ondas Portadoras; PLC;
they present many interruptions or deviations, being
Simulation; Simulink; Transmission Line.
the installation of a larger quantity of
I. INTRODUCTION equipment, increasing the cost and maintenance of the system
of communication. Figure 1 illustrates a high voltage system.
A use of carrier waves (PLC) in lines of
transmission (LT) began in the 1920s.
Initially, its use was restricted to transmission in
and its carrier wave system.
The advantage of using a PLC system is the absence of
need for a specific medium for transmission of the
sound, but as time goes by and technology advances, communications. A disadvantage é a need for
other applications began, such as: remote control, additional equipment and greater costs and difficulties of
telephony, tele-protection, and tele-measurement. Thus with these
operation and maintenance.
applications, allowed for better control of its own line of
transmission, as well as its protection, enabling a
quick and reliable solution for all types of shortages.
Communication through carrier waves also
allows the control and interconnection of a large number of
generating units e their respective substations,
thus enabling the operation of the system remotely.
Often the application of carrier waves is highly
empirical due to the complexity of the electrical system and its
Fig. 1. High voltage transmission and communication signal [5]
branches, a fact that makes the calculation practically impossible
exactly of all the effects of a high frequency signal through
from the transmission line. [Link] WAVE LINK
Initially, the range of 50 to 150 [kHz] was the band of
carrier wave system, but the increase in the number of
interconnected equipment caused the saturation of this band, Important factors must be considered when connecting
making it necessary to create new channels for the the communication equipment in a power network
electric. These factors are: insulation, protection against discharge
accommodation of these services. Currently this range of
frequency is situated between 30 and 500 [kHz] [1,5]. electric and transient effects. Furthermore, the path to
However, the practical limits for this band are the signal transmission must be efficient enough so that
there is a quality of service. As such, it is used for the
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connection to the high voltage line, in addition to the equipment itself

of carrier wave (commonly referred to as PLC), others
three devices: coupling capacitor, tuning box and
locking coil.
Figure 2 illustrates a PLC system [1,2, 4, 7].

Fig. 4. Coupling capacitor and protection system [1].

The numbers observed in Figure 4 correspond to the

seguintes componentes:
1- Coupling capacitor;
2- Multi-section coupling capacitor;
• 3- Base casing;
Fig. 2. Carrier wave system - PLC [5]. 4- Transformer grounding switch;
5- Protection spark gap of the transformer;
The main functions of each one are described below. 6- Variable reactance transformer;
of these three mentioned elements. 7- Variable regulation transformer;
A. High voltage coupling capacitor. • 8- Power factor correction capacitor;
9- Grounding key of the carrier wave device;
10- Protector spark plug of the wave apparatus
The coupling capacitor has an impedance
reactivates high in the frequency of energy transmission, however carrier;
• 11- Carrier wave drain coil;
drops to carrier signal of information. This is connected
12- Coil wave carrier choke.
directly to the line avoiding influences on the equipment
end of the frequency of the power grid. The typical values B. Tuning box (unit of marriage and tuning).
coupling capacitors range from 2000 to 20000 The tuning box is intended to prevent interference.
[pF], depending on the maximum voltage of the system. and noises, as well as allowing the marriage of
Figure 3 illustrates the application of the coupling capacitor impedance between the PLC and the high voltage line, resulting in
in a complete PLC system. assim em uma melhor eficiência na transmissão do sinal.
C. Locking coil
A blocking coil is a parallel resonant circuit
tuned, which aims to offer a high
impedance at a specific frequency of carrier wave or
even at a frequency range. The circuit is inserted into
series with one of the conductors of the transmission line. The
locking coil, illustrated in Figure 5, has a
negligible impedance at lower frequencies and,
therefore, it does not affect the normal current of the power system.
Typical values of the inductance of a choke coil
it is in the range between 0.1 to 2 [mH], with currents
nominal values between 400 and 4000 [A] [5].

Fig. 3. Complete PLC system [5].

In conjunction with a coupling capacitor, a is used.

potential transformer and other associated devices.
These elements are installed in the potential part.
lower part of the coupling capacitor. Figure 4 shows a
coupling capacitor, as well as the mentioned devices:
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• Nominal voltage: 138 [kV];

• Energy transmission cable CAA 266.5 from
diameter 16.28 [mm];
• Carrier frequency: 232 [kHz];
• Distance between the substations: 108 [km];
• Carrier transmission power: 0.316 [W] or
25 [dBm] [7].
From the possession of this data, the reception power can be
calculated in the way shown in equation 1.
Fig. 5 Locking coil [5]. P=
Rx P− AS
Thanks (1)
whereP Rx
it is the reception power, PTx it is the power of
Figure 6 illustrates the coupling capacitor operating in
set with the locking coil. transmission and ASis the attenuation of the system. The latter is a
composition of the losses present in the system, as shown by the
equação 2.
AS= P acTx + PbbTx + Ca+ P+LT
(2)
+PTransp + PacRx+ P bbRx
wherePac these are the losses due to coupling,Pare thebblosses
in the locking coils,Cait is the coupling correction,
PLT it is the loss in the transmission line andPit isTrans
the loss of
transposition.
The losses due to coupling and the coupling correction
they assume a typical value of 3 [dB] each.
Fig. 6. Coupling capacitor and choke coil [5]. For the analysis of the losses of the blocking coil, it is necessary to
take into account the relationship of the blocking impedance in the range
of the coil operation and the impedance of the line. The division of
III. EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION OF RECEIPT LEVELS
current for this case will cause a loss of
SIGNALS AND NOISE IN A PLC SYSTEM.
approximately 3 [dB].
Transmission line losses can be obtained
This section will present the power calculations of analyzing the typical attenuation curves, according to the
reception and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a system Figure 8 [6].
carrier wave. This system is located between the
substations of Cidade Alta and Nobres of Electric Utilities
Matogrossenses S.A. (CEMAT). The calculations are performed
for good weather conditions (dry climate) and bad (climate
humid).
Let it be the diagram of a transmission line as
Figure 7

Lock Coil
BB Transmission Line - TL BB

C3 C4

Tuning Device Capacitor of

CA Coupling CA

CS Tuning Box CS

T1 T2

Coaxial Cable Coaxial Cable

Fig. 8. Typical attenuation curves of transmission lines of 69, 138, 230 and
EOP EOP
500 [kV] [6]

By observing the 138 [kV] curve, a value is obtained

Carrier Wave Equipment Carrier Wave Equipment

Fig. 7. Basic diagram of a PLC system.

a attenuation of 0.18 [dB/miles] corresponding to 0.113
[dB/km]. For a line of 108 [km], there is an attenuation
A. Calculation of the reception level of a Wave System of 12.2 [dB].
Carrier [1,6]. It is well known that weather conditions influence
To perform the calculations, the following data from the high line attenuation of transmission lines. Therefore, to obtain the
tension was used: values with bad weather, one must correct the attenuation of the
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Figure 8. According to [4], for a 138 [kV] line, Good Weather→ −36+ (−4)= −40 [dBm]
a correction factor of 1.5 can be used. Therefore, the Bad Weather→ −20+ (−4)= −24 [dBm]
transmission line attenuation for bad weather takes on the
On the other hand, one can obtain the attenuation before the
value of 18.31 [dB].
arrival of the signal at the reception point. In this case, the values
Finally, the losses due to transposition, according to
for the reception levels are:
[6], can be disregarded, due to the length of it being
Tempo Bom → 30− 21.2= 8.8 [dBm]
less than 100 miles.
Bad Weather→ 30− 27,31= 2,69 [dBm]
B. Results of the reception level calculations
Finally, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values are
According to equation 2, the following result is obtained obtained for good and bad weather conditions
for good weather situation: respectively, as follows:
AS= 3 + 3 + 3 + 12.2+ 0+ 3 + 3= 27.2dB] SNRTB= 8.8− (−40)= 48,8 [dB]
Thus, the reception power is obtained according to the SNRTR= 2,69− (−24)= 26,69 [dB]
expression 1.
These values can be considered good, given that
P=
Rx 25− 27.2= −2.2[dBm] Considering that the acceptable values of Voice - SSB are in the range of
Similarly, for the situation of bad weather, we have: 25 to 30 [dB].
AS= 33.31 [dB]→ P= −8.31 Rx [dBm]
IV. SIMULATION OF THE PLC SYSTEM IN MATLAB
C. Noise calculations and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for
voice signal of 30 [ dBm] [8].
The simulations carried out in this work aim to
According to [6], the noise levels for good weather and
Bad weather conditions can be obtained through Figure 9. test the feasibility of a computational implementation of
PLC system. In addition, test the behavior of the model
from the transmission line for high-frequency signals. For this purpose
end, the model shown in Figure 10 was made. The
obtained results can be compared with the calculations of
system project.
This model features a high voltage line of 138
108 [kV] and a power line communication system - PLC.
the carrier transmission power is 25 [dBm] / 75 [Ω].
The parameters of the transmission line are represented
by the block Distributed Parameters Line of Simulink, and were
obtained through the simulation in the software called
Unconventional Compensation of Transmission Lines
of Electric Energy - CILINTRA [8]. Were considered in
Fig. 9. Typical average noise level of a 230 [kV] line [6] simulation of the real values of the LT between Cidade Alta and Nobres,
such as: height of the structure, horizontal distance from
As the line under study is 138 [kV], it must be corrected conductors in relation to the reference axis, number of
noise level obtained from figure 9 of a factor of -4 [dB] [6].
conductors per phase, distances between conductors of a
In this way, analyzing Figure 9 and applying the factor of same phase, arrow to the typical opening, type of cable material,
Correction, we have the noise level for both situations: resistance at 25 [°C] and at 75 [°C], external radius of the conductor,

Fig. 10. PLC system model.

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geometric mean radius, filament radius of the last layer Figure 12 reveals the presence of the component at 232 [kHz] in
and the number of filaments in a layer. set with the signal of 60 [Hz], according to Figure 13.

The values of the null sequence parameters and of

the positive sequence of the LT is [1]:
• R1 = 0.665e01 [Ω];R0 =0.370e03 [Ω];
• L1 =1.25e-3 [H]; L0=2.55e-3 [H];
• C1 = 9.08e-9 [F]; C0 = 5.17e-9 [F].
The coaxial cable used to interconnect the PLC system with
The tuning box is RG 11. Its parameters at the frequency of
232 [kHz], used in the Simulink block PI Section Line,
they were calculated according to the formulas for coaxial cables [2].
The lengths of the cables considered in the project were of
210 and 130 meters, according to the actual distances, providing:
• R=14,06 [Ω/km]; Fig. 12. Composite signal
• L = 0.38 [mH / km];
• C = 67 [nF / km].
A band-pass filter obtained was inserted at the reception
calculations confirmed in the simulation in the Orcad software,
presenting the following values:
• Indutância série Ls = 1,528[mH];
• Capacitância série Cs = 309 [pF];
• Capacitância paralela Cp = 478 [nF];
• Parallel inductance Lp = 988 [nH].
Two other LC filters were also considered before.
the coupling capacitors in both locations (part of
tuning box). All the filters were tuned to the
frequency of 232 [kHz]. Its values are:
• Indutância = 1mH; Fig. 13. Composite signal - Zoom.
• Capacitance = 10 [μF].
The values of the locking coil parameters were Figure 14 illustrates the reception signal of carrier 232
provided by the manufacturer [5], as follows, in the same [kHz].
order shown by Figure 10:
• Branch 1: Main inductor = 0.531 [mH];
• Ramo 2: Resistor = 420 [Ω]; Indutor = 0,28
[mH]; Capacitor = 3,01 [nF];
• Branch 3: Capacitor = 1.59 [nF].
Figure 11 illustrates the signal of the Carrier at 232 [kHz] after
the coaxial cable.

Fig. 14 Reception signal.

V. ANALYSIS OF THE SIMULATION RESULTS, OF THE VALUES

CALCULATED AND MEASURED VALUES
The value measured with the selective voltmeter of the level of
reception of the holder of the PLC system in June 2005 was
Fig. 11. Carrier signal. 4.5 [dBm] / 75 [Ω], in good weather conditions.
The calculated value for good weather conditions is -2.2
Figure 12 shows the composed power signal with the [dBm] and for bad weather of -8.31 [dBm]. In these calculations
carrier signal. An approximate visualization of the signal of the worst conditions are always considered. The mitigation of
 6

line for good weather conditions was considered to be 0.113 [3] Hayt, Willian H. Electromagnetism, LTC Publishing, 6th edition, 2005.
[dB/km] and for bad weather 0.17[dB/km]. The measured value [4] Quevedo, Carlos Peres, Electromagnetism, Mcgraw-Hill Publishing
Brazil Ltd.
presents a value less than 0.1 [dB/km] under conditions of
good weather. The loss between the tuner box and the capacitor of Technical Documentation:
the coupling in the calculations was considered to be 6 [dB] while Areva, internal technical documentation on PLC, 2005.
the measured value showed attenuation of approximately 5 Power Line Carrier Channel & Application
considerations for transmission line relaying, Pulsar document number
[dB]. C045-P0597.
The result of the simulation in MATLAB - Simulink, which ABC, Teleinformatics S.A, internal technical documentation on
consider the worst case, it was -8.24 [dBm]. Carrier Wave System.
The simulated and calculated values for the condition of
Dissertation:
bad weather presented similar results, proving
Non-Conventional Compensation of Lines
that the simulation helps to analyze the levels of reception of Transmission of Electric Energy. Master's thesis UNIFEI, 1989
carrier wave systems.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that a ...
VIII. BIOGRAPHIES
monitoring the reception level of the PLC system between
the localities of Cidade Alta and Nobres, to ascertain the
bad weather conditions. This way it will be possible to carry outJosé Feliciano Adami Electrical Engineer from the National Institute of
a comparison between the measured values and those obtained in the Telecommunications - INATEL (1978). Master's in Sciences - System of
Power by the Federal University of Itajubá - UNIFEI (2001). PhD student
simulation. by UNIFEI. Assistant Professor at the São Paulo State University - UNESP
Guaratinguetá since 2004. Member of the Research and Study Group in
Electric Power Quality - GQEE. Worked at Siemens S/A in the area
VI. CONCLUSIONS telecommunications from 1979 to 1999. Areas of interest: system protection
electricity, energy quality, renewable energies, and telecommunications.
The PLC system simulations yielded results.
satisfactory. Thus, it is concluded that the use of the Paulo Márcio da Silveira Electrical Engineer from the Federal School of
Engineering of Itajubá - EFEI (1984). Master in Sciences - System of
the model presented in MATLAB can be used for
Power by EFEI (1991). Doctor in Engineering from the Federal University
preliminary analysis of the reception levels of any other of Santa Catarina - UFSC (2001). Adjunct Professor at the Federal University
PLC system (30kHz to 500kHz), just needing to correct the distance. from Itajubá, since 1992. Member of the Research and Studies Group in
system, line parameters, cable parameters Quality of Electric Energy - GQEE and professor in undergraduate courses
postgraduate program of the Institute of Electrical Systems and Energy (ISEE). Areas of
coaxial and the filter parameters for the new frequency of Interest: protection of electrical systems and energy quality.
operation of the PLC system.
Finally, it should be mentioned that this work, in itsMarcel Fernando da Costa Parentoni Electric Engineer - University
Federal University of Itajubá - UNIFEI (2004). Currently pursuing a master's degree in the area of
first results, is in full swing, with the
Power Electrical Systems, also at UNIFEI. He is a member of the Group of
objective of analyzing and developing an online system of Research and Studies in Electric Power Quality – GQEE. Its areas of
transmission line supervision using the system of interests are: quality of electric energy, measurement and protection of systems
carrier waves. electrics.

VII. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES Antonio Carlos Dall Bello Bachelor's Degree in Electronics, Electricity and
Electrical Installations - Federal Center for Technological Education - CEFET Pr
(1990). Has been working at Centrais Elétricas Matogrossenses S.A. since July of
1982, working in the field and laboratory maintenance area, installation and
Books: commissioning of Communication, Automation, and Energy Systems.
Professor at CEFET-MT since 1982 in the Electronics courses and
[1] Cheek, R.C (1964), Power Line Carrier- Application. Electrical
Telecommunications
Transmission and Distribution – Reference Book Westinghouse
Corporation, 1964.
Fushs, Rubens Dario – Transmission of Electric Energy, LTC Publishing
1979.