Saudi Arabian Computer Management Consultants (SACMAC)

General overview of PLC Technology

PLC stands for Power Line Communication, which is acommunication solution that enables the upgrade of existing MV & LV power grids to become a communication pipe with speeds reaching up to 200Mbps per second using the transmission frequency 1MHz – 34MHz (inside) .

PLC solution provides broadband Internet/Intranet (LAN) access through ordinary power lines. A computer (or any other device) would only need to have a CPE (Customer Premises Equipment or "modem") plugged into any power outlet in an equipped building to have high-speed Internet/Intranet (LAN) access.

Electric utilities are looking at PLC/BPL as a way of entering the Communications Business Arena to provide an alternative "last mile solution" for their customers. Electric utilities are interested in PLC/BPL because it can give them an intelligent electric distribution grid. This could result in lower electric power costs,and greater reliability and security. Networking every electric device together over the power lines may also result in a similar growth in productivity and convenience for the home and office.

How does it work?
PLC/BPL signals are injected into the electric grid from a Head-End on the medium, and/or low-voltage lines or directly into the buildingʼs electric meters room.To inject the signal to the Head-End from the substation, Fiber-optics or other means of connections are used if internet is required. The signals traverse the grid network over medium and low-voltage lines to the home or business of the end user. Links between the medium and low-voltage lines are facilitated by channeling the signals.

Products

MV Node:

MV node is installed in HV/MV and MV/LV substation and provides a bridging function between Backbone Network and PLC Network. MV node can accommodate an MV card and LV card for PLC communication on MV or LV power line.

Repeaters:

Usually installed in low voltage substations, Meter rooms, in-building fuse boxes or on poles. Its role is to regenerate the PLC signal for better coverage on the LV power line and to relay communication between neighboring units, including an MV Node, an LV Head-End, another Repeater, and CPEs. Repeaters can
also act as LV Head Ends

CPE:

Customer Premises Equipment is the customer's modem, it is connected to a personal computer via Ethernet
or USB interface and to analogue telephones through an RJ11 port (optional)

Broadband over-power lines/power lines communications (BPL/PLC)
is equipment, software and management services that when overlaid on the electric grid
provides users with a communication means over existing “power lines”. BPL technology
offers an alternative means of providing high-speed Internet/Intranet (LAN) Access, Voice
over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Video on Demand (VoD) and other broadband services, by
using medium and low-voltage lines to access homes and businesses.

Equipment used in the setup of PLC network are:-
MV Node:
    i) Located in the HV/MV and MV/LV transformer station.
    ii) Gateway between the Internet/intranet (LAN) backbone
    and power-line.
    iii) PLC communication through the medium voltage lines.
    iv) Relay of signal from the MV line to the LV line.
Repeater:
    i.) Relay signal to improve the coverage.
    ii) Distributing the connections to each home
CPE:
    i) Modem connection to indoor plug
    ii) Support interfaces for the home application
    iii) Works as a VoIP terminal

Other accessory equipment : -

Inductive Coupling Unit
Capacitive Coupling Unit
Distribution Box
Impedance Upper for reducing electronic noise

PLC Applications: -
VoIP (Voice over IP)
VoD (Video On Demand)
Online Gaming
AMR (Automatic Meter Reading)
Smart Home Management
Power Grid Management and Control
Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
CCTV and Security Networks

PLC Outlook:- PLC will become the standard internet access worldwide especially for 3rd
world countries and for rural areas in modern countries where fibre-optics and DSL lines
are not available we also believe.
We believe PLC/BPL will be the solution to narrow the digital divide for those who do not
have internet access.
Sooner or later all telephone communication and TV channels will be streamed over the
internet and TV receivers will be plugged in to electric outlets and not to satellite dishes
therefore allowing a greater opportunity for telecommunication and media companies who
specialize in VoIP solution, VoD and Online Gaming solution providers.
Finally the internet will reach every home, 24 hours a day, through PLC/BPL at reasonable
prices, (compared to fibre- optic) allowing home owners to upgrade and convert their
existing home into a “smart home” this will then allow the owners of these “smart home”
to remotely manipulate, control and manage their homes in regards to surveillance, access
control, light/electricity management and heat/air conditionering management.
In addition, PLC/BPL can be used as a stand alone local area network (LAN) and does not
have to be connected to the internet.
Furthermore, PLC can compliment and work with any existing local area network ( LAN ).

Note: - PLC system is capable of delivering enough bandwidth to handle Video and Voice
application; a bandwidth of up to 20Mbps per home.