Optimal Narrowband and Broadband Data Communication Transmission in Low-Voltage Power Line

Abstract

We investigate the usage of low-voltage electrical power supply network as a communication channel for the provision of data communication services. This is done through simulations and measurements of the power line channel transfer function in the frequency band of 0-30 MHz. A Parallel Resonant Circuit (PRC) channel model is then proposed to model the power line network and results compared to a Series Resonant Circuit (SRC) model. The model is simulated and validation done through measurements on a test bed for a cascaded network with three T-node branches. Transverse Electromagnetic (TEM) transmission line resonant circuit theory is employed to calculate and optimize the obtained parameters of the model. From the results obtained, the simulated models and measurement results are confirmed to compare very well with each other, and thus the proposed PRC model is considered appropriate for the characterization and modelling of the power line network channel.

Current state of communication systems based on electrical power transmission lines

“…Intensive studies of various models are focussed on possible exploitation of adaptive filters and scheduling, development of efficient PLC code, widening the bandwidth amongst others. Other models of study are mentioned in [47]. Ndolo…”