Arduino Power Line Communication (PLC)

PLC works like any other communication technology whereby a sender modulates the data to be sent, injects it onto medium, and the receiver de-modulates the data to read it. The major difference is that PLC does not need extra cabling, it re-uses existing wiring. Considering the pervasiveness of power lines, this means with PLC, virtually all line- powered devices can be controlled or monitored!

When discussing communication technology, it is often useful to refer to the 7-layer OSI model. Some PLC chips can implement only the Physical Layer of the OSI model, while others integrate all seven layers. One could use a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) with a pure software realization of the MAC and an external PHY circuit, or an optimized System-on-Chip (SoC) solution, which includes the complete PLC – MAC and PHY. The Cypress CY8CPLCXX series is an example of the latter, with a ready-to-use Physical and Network layer, and a user-programmable application layer. Before moving on to the applications of PLC, let’s first understand the various aspects of the Physical layer by viewing it as three segments on the basis of data rate.

The PLC can transmit the data via power line, which are suitable for either residential (at-home) or commercial (offices, apartments, hotels, warehouses) network applications, which utilize power lines. No need to install new wires this module works is a single-row 9-pin small-sized high-performance carrier data transceiver module. Specifically designed for reliable transmission of high-speed data in 0V-220V AC/DC and non-powered environments (such as pipelines and earth, a signal line and earth, two signal lines, 12V AC/DC power lines, etc.) And developed cost-effective carrier modules. Suitable for industrial control, railways, community intelligence, smart home, building control, and other applications that require carrier transmission of data. Transmission distance up to 2.5Km (power line). The actual highest carrier rate is 2400 BPS. other features are : 

What are challenges?

Modulation Schemes

A variety of modulation schemes can be used in PLC. Some of these are Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), Spread-FSK (S-FSK) and proprietary schemes too (for example Differential Code Shift Keying (DCSK) from Yitran). In the table below, BPSK, FSK, SFSK and OFDM are compared on the basis of two important criteria – bandwidth efficiency and complexity (cost).

Standards for power line communication

Various standards have been developed in order to ensure reliable communications and inter-operability, especially for the smart grid and home networking. Examples of such standards are:

PLC Frequencies

Different regions of the world have different frequency bands allocated to narrowband PLC. The table below summarizes the different frequencies available for narrowband PLC communication in the respective region.

PLC Technology - How it works?

The basic principle of Power Line Communication is the following.

When transmitting and receiving data between two devices, the data is modulated on the transmitter, and the modulated signal is superimposed on the AC or DC power supply voltage.

In the receiver, the data is extracted by separating the power supply voltage and the modulated signal with a filter and demodulating the modulated signal.

PLC can be used on AC power lines, but keep in mind that it can also be used on DC power lines. For example, it can be used for storage batteries, lighting, EV charging, etc.

Types of PLC Tecnology

For the purpose of understanding, PLC can be broadly viewed as: 

1. Narrowband PLC

2. Broadband PLC

Narrowband PLC

Narrowband PLC works at lower frequencies (3-500 kHz), lower data rates (up to 100s of kbps), and has longer range (up to several kilometers), which can be extended using repeaters. Broadband PLC works at higher frequencies (1.8-250 MHz), high data rates (up to 100s of Mbps) and is used in shorter-range applications.

Recently, narrowband Power Line Communication has been receiving widespread attention due to its applications in the Smart Grid. Another application that narrowband PLC has been used in is smart energy generation, particularly in micro-inverters for solar panels.

Broadband PLC

Broadband PLC, in contrast, has mainly found acceptance as a last-mile solution for Internet distribution and home networking. With its high data rates and no additional wiring, broadband PLC is seen as an exciting and effective technology for multimedia distribution within homes. This optimism in the market is reflected by the recent acquisitions of Intellon by Atheros, Coppergate by Sigma, DS2 by Marvell, and Gigle by Broadcom, all in the Home Area Networking (HAN) segment.

There is another way to classify Power Line Communication and that is:

1. PLC over AC lines

2. PLC over DC lines

While most companies are currently geared towards providing AC-PLC solutions, PLC in DC lines also has applications. Two such applications are PLC over the DC-bus in distributed energy generation, and PLC in transportation (electronic controls in airplanes, automobiles and trains). This use reduces wiring complexity, weight, and ultimately cost of communications inside vehicles. However, in this article, we will be dealing mostly with narrowband PLC over AC lines.

PLC Protocols

Power Line Communication (PLC) is a data transmission technology using existing cables such as power lines, coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, etc.

By using existing cables as a transmission medium, it is possible to quickly build a network at a low cost.

In the case of using power lines, power and data transmission can be done with a single cable, which can reduce the types of cables in a network.

KQ330-F

Major Featears

• Supports Both RS232 and TTL Interface.

• Universal supply works over a power line voltage range of 85 to 265

• VAC, 50~60Hz

• Support QAM 256/64/16, DQPSK,DBPSK and ROBO modulation schemes

• Up to 85 Mbps data rate on the power line

• 56-bit DES Link Encryption with key management for security.

• Low power consumption

• Operating frequency 120 ~ 135KHZ, interface baud rate 9600bps. The actual baud rate 100bps.

• Receiving sensitivity ≤1mV

• The band rejection ≥ 60 dB

• Bandwidth ≤10 KHZ

• Insulation resistance: 500V ≥ 500M [Omega]

• Power supply: DC + 5V when the receiver: ≤11mA sent ≤230mA

• Power frequency with stand voltage: AC test between GND 3000V 1min no breakdown, no leakage current. *-source internet.

How to connect with a Arduino

Lets consider (there are total nine pin as shown)

* pin 1 for 230V AC power

* pin 2 for 230V AC power

* pin 3 5V DC supply if its used as transmitter 

* pin 4 GND supply

* pin 5 5V/3.5V DC supply if its used as receiver 

* pin 6 RX pin should be connected to TX of the controller 

* pin 7 TX pin should be connected to RX of the controller 

* pin 8 & 9 i didnt had to use 

Helpfull Videos

Power Line Communication