BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES

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WHAT IS BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES

?

Broadband over power lines (BPL) is a method of power line communication that allows relatively high-speed digital data transmission over the public electric power distribution wiring.

With broadband over power lines, or BPL, you can plug your computer into any electrical outlet in your home and instantly have access to high-speed Internet. By combining the technological principles of radio, wireless networking, and modems, developers have created a way to send data over power lines and into homes at speeds between 500 kilobits and 3 megabits per second (equivalent to DSL and cable).

HOW BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES WORKS

How Broadband Over Powerlines WorksAn emerging technology may be the newest heavy hitter in the competitive world of broadband Internet service. It offers high-speed access to your home through the most unlikely path: a common electrical outlet. (Broadband over Power Line) technology makes possible high-speed Internet access over ordinary residential electrical lines. BPL offers an alternative to DSL or cable modem broadband Internet services.

With broadband over power lines, or BPL, you can plug your computer into any electrical outlet in your home and instantly have access to high-speed Internet. By combining the technological principles of radio, wireless networking, and modems, developers have created a way to send data over power lines and into homes at speeds between 500 kilobits and 3 megabits per second (equivalent to DSL and cable).

Broadband Over Power Lines

Broadband Over Power Lines

Broadband Over Power Lines

In summary, Broadband can be provided by:

• Wired connections: Telephone (POS), Cable (POS)• Wireless: Satellite (WAN), WiFi (LAN)

• Optical Fiber (POS)

The Newest in Internet Service is Broadband over Power Lines

(or “Access Broadband”)with some unique features . . .

NTIA Report 04-413, Potential Interference From Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) Systems To Federal Government Radiocommunications AT 1.7 - 80 MHz, Phase 1 Study - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Over Power Lines

Delta

NTIA Report 04-413, Potential Interference From Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) Systems To Federal Government Radiocommunications AT 1.7 - 80 MHz, Phase 1 Study - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Over Power Lines

Delta

NTIA Report 04-413, Potential Interference From Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) Systems To Federal Government Radiocommunications AT 1.7 - 80 MHz, Phase 1 Study - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Over Power Lines

Delta

NTIA Report 04-413, Potential Interference From Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) Systems To Federal Government Radiocommunications AT 1.7 - 80 MHz, Phase 1 Study - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Broadband Over Power Lines

Wye

BPL and HF – A Primer © ARRL 2004

Broadband Over Power Lines

BPL and HF – A Primer © ARRL 2004

Broadband Over Power Lines

Broadband Over Power LinesAnalog Modulation

QAM @ www.williamson-labs.com

Broadband Over Power Lines

Projected BPL Carrier frequencies are 1.7 MHz to 80 MHz.

Broadband Over Power Lines

Intro to T1 @ www.rflelect.com

A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK WITHOUT T1

PHONESYSTEM

RFL 9745

RFL 9785

HCB

Network

PHONESYSTEM

RFL 9745

RFL 9785

HCB

LAN

ANALOG TIE LINES

Analog/Digital LINE

POWER LINE

PILOT WIRES

DIGITAL LINE

DTTDTT

DCB DCB

PBXPBXPBX

OPXOPXOPX

DATADATA

RFL 9720 RFL 9720

Introduction to Digital Methods

Broadband Over Power Lines

Intro to T1 @ www.rflelect.com

Analog to Digital Conversion

PCM

TDM

Broadband Over Power Lines

Fully Digital above – separate channels to avoid collisionDigital Modulation below – separate frequencies to avoid collision

Broadband Over Power LinesT1 Repeater

Broadband Over Power LinesBPL Injector / Repeater

Broadband Over Power LinesProjected BPL Carrier frequencies are 1.7 MHz to 80 MHz.

< 30 MHz - Conducted energy.

Field detection by Magnetic field.

> 30 MHz - Conducted And Radiated energy. Field detection by Electric field.

Broadband Over Power Lines

Broadband Over Power Lines

Wavelength λ = C / F, and C = 186,000 mi/sec

At 1 MHz λ ~ 1000ʹ, at 10 MHz λ ~ 100ʹ, and at 100 MHz λ ~ 10ʹ

Less than about 3 λ is considered the Near Field where unusual “echo” effects occur, and E & M fields need to be measured separately,

for proper assessment.

3 λ at 10 MHz is ~ 300ʹ

Broadband Over Power LinesBPL is covered under FCC Regulations, Part 15,

which implies that the information will not radiate,However, the FCC overlooked some details . . .

Broadband Over Power Lines

Broadband Over Power Lines

 

DSL BPL MODEM

DSL and cable modem Internet services bring high-speed networking to the home and small business at an affordable price. When comparing DSL vs cable, business and technical advantages of both are apparent.

DSL and BPLSpeed - Bottom Line

Cable modem Internet services on average promise higher levels of bandwidth than DSL Internet services, and this bandwidth roughly translates to raw speed. However, while cable Internet will theoretically run faster than DSL, several technical and business reasons can reduce or even eliminate this advantage.

DSL vs BPL Speed - Advantage Cable

In terms of theoretical peak performance, cable modem runs faster than DSL. Cable technology supports approximately 30 Mbps of bandwidth, whereas most forms of DSL cannot reach 10 Mbps.

One type of DSL technology, VDSL, can match cable's performance, also supporting 30 Mbps. However, Internet service providers generally do not offer VDSL, but rather the cheaper and slower ADSL orSDSL services.

WHY ARE UTILITIES

INTERESTED?

•Utilities can offer broadband service to every home with their ubiquitous network.

•Broadband is the fastest growing telecom segment in United States.

•Utilities see a promise of various utility applications on the broadband, IP enabled network piggy riding on their electric network.

CONCLUSION

•BPL will be a niche Broadband Access technology – most probably in the semi-urban towns.

•The technology is under close market scrutiny for its ability to support a successful business model.

• Some utilities may delay their AMR decision with a hope of using BPL one day.

•You need to keep our ear on the ground for meter manufacturers planning to offer BPL enabled solutions.

“ BPL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME THE MOST UBIQUITOUS BROADBAND NETWORK

AVAILABLE. ”