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Power Line Communications (PLC)

Muhammad Salman Yousuf, Department of Electrical Engineering, KFUPM.

November 16, 2013

Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
November 16, 2013

Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
November 16, 2013

Introduction

Power Lines, originally devised to transmit electricity from a some sources to many sinks Operation frequency: 50-60 Hz Power cables, lines and towers are some of the most robust structures Power Lines can be used for communication as well Data is modulated on a carrier frequency and sent over Can use existing infrastructure for data traffic Can also provide many other benefits Involves a lot of technicalities and expertise
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Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
November 16, 2013

PLC has a bit of history


PLC has been around for quite some time Initially, data over PLs was used for protection Telemetry purposes (1922) (15 500 kHz carrier frequency) Consumer products like baby alarms (1940) Automated meter reading (1970s) All these were low bit rate applications

But now due to advancements in VLSI and DSP, PLC has received renewed attention
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Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
November 16, 2013

Modern Applications & Prospects

Radio Broadcasting

Used widely in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Russia Radio program fed by special transformers into lines Filters installed in substations and line branches

Automotive

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Digital Transmission of data over DC power lines inside the car Advanced digital communications techniques used One power line can be used for multiple separate networks Protocols used: CAN-bus, LIN-bus, DC-bus Applications: Climate control, Multimedia, Instrumentation, Mechatronics November 16, 2013

Modern Applications and Prospects (Contd)


Home Automation (X10 Standard, 1975) Home Networking and Internet (BPL)

Last mile access to the home Last inch access to the devices inside the home

In-home networking could transform all power outlets in our homes into broadband connections for PCs, phones and many other enable electrical appliances BPL can also be used as backhaul for wireless communications and WiMAX networks BPL as backup No universal standard, although HomePlug is popular
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Modern Applications and Prospects (Contd) Last mile and Last inch access

Last-mile access
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Last-inch access
November 16, 2013

Modern Applications and Prospects (Contd)


PLC has been used for specific problems as well Practical Intelligent homes Remote detection of illegal electricity usage Quality monitoring of power systems and power

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November 16, 2013

Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
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Issues / Problems

Design

Varying Impedance Noise Impedance

Varying Channel Model High dependence of location of transceivers Reflection


No Line of sight Echoes

Multipath Fading Attenuation


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Issues / Problems (Contd)

Noise

Not Gaussian Sources: Brush motors, bulbs and lamps, switching power supplies, dimmers, power tools etc. Power lines can catch radio and ISM band signals Mainly four types of noise are present

Generalized Model

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November 16, 2013

Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
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Layers, Access Methods and Protocols

Communications in PLs can be divided into

The Physical Layer


Defines modulation techniques FSK, CDMA, OFDM

The Medium Access Control Layer


Specifies resource sharing strategy Specifies protocols

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November 16, 2013

The Physical Layer


Defines Modulation Techniques FSK Frequency Shift Keying

Low cost, low data-rate applications Like protection and telemetry Data rates up to 1Mbps
Data rates above 1Mbps Broadband

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing


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The Medium Access Control (MAC) Layer


Specifies access and resource sharing protocols MAC has two categories of access schemes

Fixed Access

Assigns each user fixed channels Doesnt care if the user needs it or not Not suitable for traffic in bursts, like internet, data etc. All users can use the channel when they need it if it is free Contention based protocols collisions occur Arbitration based protocols collisions avoided / collision free Examples of MAC protocols are: Polling, Aloha, Token schemes, CSMA/CA/CD HomePlug standard uses CSMA/CA

Dynamic Access

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November 16, 2013

Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
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Various Standards

Many standards available, but none is very strong X10 was the default standards up till now but has limited applications OPERA Open PLC European Research Alliance POWERNET European Commission UPA Universal Powerline Association * CEPCA Consumer Electronics Powerline Communications Alliance (Sony, Mitsubishi & Panasonic) ETSI PLT HomePlug Powerline Alliance * IEEE

*Strong standards

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November 16, 2013

Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
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HomePlug Powerline Alliance


Trade group consisting of over 65 companies Founded in March 2000 Mission: To enable and promote rapid availability, adoption and implementation of cost-effective, interoperable and standards-based home power line networks and products. Big players: Earthlink, General Electric, Intel, Linksys, Motorola, Radio Shack, Samsung, Sony, Sharp etc. Contributions from multiple companies = Best of class performance Defined the following standards


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HomePlug 1.0 connects devices in homes HomePlug AV transmits HDTV and VoIP in home HomePlug BPL still a working group for last-mile broadband HomePlug CC Command and Control to complement others
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HomePlug 1.0 Standard


Developed in 2000 Main features in the Physical Layer

OFDM

OFDM is well known in literature Used in DSL, IEEE 802.11a/g, TV transmission Specially tailored for HomePlug Has 84 equally spaced subcarriers between 1-4.5 MHz DBPSK and DQPSK completely eliminate equalization need FEC and Data Interleaving Uses turbo codes Adaptive approach Uses innovative modulation mechanism
November 16, 2013

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HomePlug 1.0 Standard

Main Features of the MAC Layer

Modeled to work with the IEEE 802.3 frame formats Appends Ethernet frames with encryption and management data May use segmentation and reassembly Two basic frame formats Uses CSMA/CA Allows up to four different priority levels Uses a backoff algorithm to provide high network utilization even under heavy loads

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November 16, 2013

HomePlug 1.0 Standard

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November 16, 2013

HomePlug AV Standard

Next generation technology Aims to provide high quality, multi-stream, entertainment oriented networking over existing AC wiring Interoperable with HomePlug 1.0 Standard Supports up to 200 Mbps channel rate and 150 Mbps information rate Robust and successful in high noise environments

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November 16, 2013

HomePlug AV Standard

Main Features of Physical Layer

2 28 MHz frequency range 200 Mbps channel and 150 Mbps information rates Windowed OFDM Uses power Turbo Convolutional Codes (TCC) Modulation varies from BPSK (1 bit / carrier / symbol) to 1024 QAM (10 bits / carrier / symbol) highly adaptive to varying channel characteristics between Tx and Rx Separate inputs for data, control and HP 1.0 signals

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More details in Q&A session if you are interested


November 16, 2013

HomePlug AV Standard

Main Features of MAC Protocols

Connection oriented Contention free Supports both TDMA and CSMA/CA for efficiency Four different priority levels Has a central manager called CCo

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November 16, 2013

Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
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IEEE Standards (or lack of them)

IEEE P1675 "Standard for Broadband over Power Line Hardware"

working group working on hardware installation and safety issues.

IEEE P1775 "Powerline Communication Equipment Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Requirements Testing and Measurement Methods

working group focused on


PLC equipment electromagnetic compatibility requirements testing and measurement methods

IEEE P1901 "IEEE P1901 Draft Standard for Broadband over Power Line Networks: Medium Access Control and Physical Layer Specifications"

working group for delivering broadband over power lines.


November 16, 2013

Delivery expected by 2008


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Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
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More Topics

QoS (Quality of Service) Features


Guaranteed bandwidth Fixed Latency Quasi-Error free service Jitter

Performance Security Issues HomePlug Deployment Field Tests HomePlug Service Providers Regulations (like FCC in North America) and Compliance Politics Opposing groups, supporting groups & FCC
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Outline

Introduction A bit of history Modern applications and prospects Issues / Problems Layers, Access Methods and Protocols Various Standards HomePlug Powerline Alliance Standards IEEE Standards More topics PLC usage in Saudi Arabia
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PLC in Saudi Arabia

ElectroNet with SEC since 2005 on a Pilot Project


Uses BPL over Medium Voltage Cables and linking into a Low Voltage distribution within a shopping mall. Also integrates Automatic Meter Readers

SACMAC (Saudi Arabian Computer Management Consultants)

Signed a deal to become an official system Integrator and Distributor for Mitsubishi PLC. Aims to end the monopoly of STC in providing broadband internet

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November 16, 2013

Conclusions

Rapidly growing technology Has tremendous potential to provide quality services at low cost Has fueled research and advancement of technology and communications in general

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November 16, 2013

Questions and Answers

Dear friends, Point to note: I am the first and you all are left!!!
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