Power Line

  • PLC (Power line Communication) utilizes the power line infrastructure in a home, office or other building, both indoor and outdoor, for networking and communication thereby eliminating the expense and inconvenience of new wires or antenna-based networks.
  • The power line can be an extremely difficult and noisy communications medium, characterized by several unpredictable and strong forms of interference. Our patented solutions overcome the interference and reliability problems that can occur on the power line and offer low cost, robust and superior performance.
  • Reliable, low cost PLC technology enables ubiquitous applications for residential and business markets. PLC opens a whole new world of business opportunities to appliance and electric devices manufacturers, utilities and other service providers, with no need to install new cables or jacks. With PLC, every electrical outlet can become a communication node, part of a PLC network.
  • PLC applications include Command and Control networking, which allows local and remote monitoring and management of devices linked to a single network.
Types of PLC

There are two major categories of PLC:

A. Narrow Band PLC: PLC system used to provide Narrowband or low speed communication over power lines, typically 9.6 kbps with 5-500 KHz spectrum

B. Broadband over Power Lines (BPL): PLC system used to provide Broadband or high speed data connectivity typically up-to 200 Mbps with a 2-36 MHz spectrum for modulation.

How PLC/BPL work

The deployment of BPL usually requires the following equipment-

  • PLC Head-end or Injector
  • Coupling units – Inductive or Capacitive
  • PLC repeater
  • PLC end user modem
  • Network Management System (NMS) to manage PLC network

BPL Deployment Schematic

BPL injector is a high speed digital modem that injects the signal coming from the backbone into the power line grid

The injector signals are injected into the power lines with the help of couplers

Repeater device is used to enhance the BPL signal strength, lost due to attenuation in Power lines

A PLC modem at the user's premises receives broadband signals and provides internet through a USB or Ethernet and telephone capability. Different types of modems provide different usages.

Advantages
  • High Effective Bandwidth Physical layer
  • Effective Throughput TCP/IP
  • Very Low CAPEX, Very Low OPEX
  • Ease of installation/ Fastness in deployment: Fast Plug-n-Play
  • Ease in maintenance
  • Low impact of installation on existing infrastructure, building and aesthetics
  • Flexibility or ability to extend/alter Network in urgent situations

Role of PLC on Smart-grid: A more intelligent electric power grid

  • Every electric device is connected to the electric distribution network.
  • PLC lets chips in every electric device talk to each other
  • Networking every electric device together over the power lines might result in a growth in productivity, convenience and control for the utility, the grid, our home and office.
  • PLC can enable Demand Side Management, Street Lighting Control, Remote Metering and Billing, Customer Specific tariff optimization, Contract management, Expense estimation and Gas applications safety.

Transformer installed for PLC

Solution for Villages

PLC as Rural Last Mile – Solution to the Digital Divide

  • The broadband growth has not only been slow but also biased towards the urban areas. More than 60% broadband subscribers are in the top ten metros and tier-1 cities. Just 5% of the connections are in rural areas which meagre compared to about 31% of total mobile telephone connections in rural areas.
  • PLC technology could provide an advantage towards rural telecommunication. The main reason for any telecom or an ISP to not explore the rural market so far is not having Business model that guarantees return on investment.
  • PLC technology requires minimal investment (compared to other wired/wireless technologies) and moreover will provide an additional revenue stream from Utility application like Smart-grid and AMR.

Services possible through PLC :

  • High speed broadband through power line
  • Advanced digital telephony and intercom
  • Network ready for VOIP
  • Video surveillance for security
  • Video Door phones
  • Provision for home automation
  • Video and audio on demand (VOD/AOD) services
  • Network ready for IPTV
  • Digital Notice Board/ Internal mailing facilities

Video Surveillance over PLC

AMR over PLC

VOIP over PLC

Backhaul radius