This thesis aims to implement a power-line communication (PLC) adaptor to use power lines as transmission media for network communication between different floors in buildings. The PLC adaptor is based on a turbo-mode chip that adopts OFDM modulation technique with 4.5-21 MHz bandwidth and can accord with the HomePlug 1.0 standard. The other components include a physical-layer chip, a flash memory, a TX/RX filter, and a switching power supply with three outputs. All the above components are integrated into a PCB to form a PLC adaptor. The PCB layout has included EMI solutions to reduce interference to the communication signal. After burning process for the flash memory to record the MAC address, the PLC adaptor becomes a network node. Point-to-point communication test is performed between two PLC adaptors located on different floors of a building. The testing items include signal attenuation test and signal throughput test.

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores (Major Telecomunicações). Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto, INESC-Porto. 2010

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:08:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Christiane Santos EEC.pdf: 970611 bytes, checksum: a2b7f2cf34500ad6f1d66ffdf3bf9a69 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-11-24 / This work is motivated by a growing interest in the power lines' applicability as an alternative means of propagation for communication signals, and presents an analysis of VoIP's (Voice over IP) traffic and data transfer using BPL / PLC (PowerLine Broadband / PowerLine Communication) network. We describe the main characteristics of the BPL / PLC and HomePlug standard. As the physical transmission technology used by the BPL / PLC for data transfer is hostile, and it was not developed for this purpose, traffic modeling can be useful for planning and design these networks. A model is proposed based on MMFM (Markov Modulated Fluid Models) to characterize the traffic data and VoIP into PLC networks. Simulations and comparisons were made with other models such as Poisson and MMPP (Markov Modulated Poisson Process). The results were obtained by experiments in low-voltage PLC networks (indoor environment), using a 4,3MHz to 20,9MHz bandwidth / Este trabalho é motivado por um crescente interesse na aplicabilidade das linhas de energia como meio alternativo de propagação de sinais de comunicação, e apresenta uma análise do tráfego VoIP (Voice over IP) e da transferência de dados utilizando a rede BPL/PLC (Broadband powerLine/ PowerLine Communication). São descritas as principais características da tecnologia BPL/PLC e do padrão Homeplug. Como o meio físico de transmissão utilizado pela tecnologia BPL/PLC para transferência de dados é hostil, visto que não foi desenvolvido para esta finalidade, a modelagem de tráfego pode ser útil para o planejamento e dimensionamento dessas redes. É proposto um modelo baseado no MMFM (Markov Modulated Fluid Models) para caracterizar o tráfego de dados e de VoIP em redes PLC. Simulações e comparações foram realizadas com outros modelos como Poisson e o MMPP (Markov Modulated Poisson Process). Os resultados foram obtidos através de experiências realizadas em redes PLC de baixa tensão (ambiente indoor), utilizando uma largura de faixa entre 4,3MHz a 20,9MHz

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:08:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Thiago Lara Vasques.pdf: 2258919 bytes, checksum: bdbbde461e7636388d4795c9556eb77f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-18 / We carried out a study on throughput estimation based on analysis and modeling of the medium access control in HomePlug 1.0 standard based PLC networks. The data communication using electrical energy wires has advantages such as presenting characteristics of ubiquity due to the existent infrastructure, but faces significant obstacles as fading and noise. The main standard of this kind of home network is the HomePlug, which defines a protocol based on the method of multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). The HomePlug adds to the CSMA/CA a technique called deferral counter (DC) that adapts the contention of the nodes in accessing the medium according to network load. The objective of this work is todo a comparative study of the throughput, which is the ratio of the packet payload, i.e., the amount of data that is inserted into the body of the datagram, and the frame transmission time. To this end, we evaluate what is the theoretical maximum throughput of the PLC channel, we developed a simulator for the CSMA/CA and we propose a simple probabilistic model to describe the throughput on the network PLC. Finally, we make a comparison between the results obtained with the simulator and the probabilistic model to those observed from a real PLC network, proving that the results of the theoretical maximum throughput and the simulation results are close and that the probability model becomes a tool for calculating throughput in PLC networks. / Neste trabalho, realizou-se um estudo sobre estimação da vazão baseada na análise e modelagem do controle de acesso ao meio em redes PLC padrão HomePlug 1.0. A comunicação de dados através do canal elétrico tem vantagens como apresentar as características de ubiquidade e da infra-estrutura pré-existente, porém enfrenta obstáculos importantes como a atenuação e o ruído. O principal padrão desse tipo de rede domiciliar é o HomePlug, que define um protocolo baseado no método de acesso múltiplo com prevenção de colisões (CSMA/CA). O HomePlug associa ao CSMA/CA uma técnica chamada de contador de adiamentos (DC) que adapta a contenção dos nós no acesso ao meio de acordo com a carga da rede. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar um estudo comparativo da vazão, que é a razão entre carga útil do pacote, ou seja, a quantidade de dados que preenchem o corpo do datagrama, e o tempo de transmissão do quadro. Para isso, avaliou-se qual é a vazão máxima teórica do canal PLC, desenvolveu-se um simulador para o protocolo CSMA/CA e foi proposto um modelo probabilístico simples para descrever a vazão na rede PLC. Foi realizada uma comparação entre os resultados obtidos com o simulador e o modelo probabilístico com os dados observados em uma rede PLC real, comprovando que os resultados da vazão máxima teórica e os resultados da simulação são próximos e que o modelo probabilístico passa a ser uma ferramenta para cálculo de vazão em redes PLC.

Home networking is becoming an attractive application not only for the Internet access but also for home automation. Being a high-speed and dominant standard presently, HomePlug has an important role in home LAN connecting to the Internet. For industrial applications, the Power Line Communication also has significant advances. However, the PHY/MAC technology provided by HomePlug still cannot be employed with some critical features such as real time performance, implications in the event of link and node loss. In this paper, the characteristics of HomePlug PHY/MAC, the property of power line channel, as well as the noise features of power line are analyzed. Based on HomePlug, a model of high level real-time protocol applied to industrial environment is proposed. The protocol simultaneously belongs to layer two and three, and can support real-time implementation with no loss and small delay according to the requirement in PLC networks, for targeting to develop a real time network with high speed power line media and advanced modulation. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

This thesis comparing broadband systems HomePlug and DS2 PLC technology (Power Line Communications). PLC is a technology for transmitting data over electrical power distribution network. The theoretical part consists of describing a system for broadband data communication over high-tension lines, the selection criteria, a description of DS2 and HomePlug (variants of chips, version, network architecture, elements). There are also described modulation techniques, interference, standards, standard ISO 50065 and access methods. The practical part consists of laboratory measurements with both systems. For the testing were used DS2 modems from the company Defidev and HomePlug modems from AirLive. These are then compared according to selected criteria.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:08:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao fabio eec.pdf: 1006220 bytes, checksum: 43033f339ebf19cc211f32332aca4110 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-27 / This work describes the data transmission technology called PLC (Power Line Communications) that demanded discussions in order to assess the potential for interference in services currently in operation and using radio frequency in the range of 1,705MHz to 30MHz The equipment used in this type of technology, and its principle of operation principle based on the field trials in indoor and outdoor environments are described. It is presented in this paper a case study about the influence caused in carrying on a network PLC because of electromagnetic interference. It was possible determining the noise influence from electricelectronic equipment in the performance of a network PLC and what types of equipment are more harmful to the communication. Finally some suggestions are pointing, as the use of mitigation techniques which technology has greatest potential for success by contributing to the regulation and standardization in Brazil / Este trabalho descreve a tecnologia de transmissão de dados denominada PLC (Power Line Communications), que tem demandado discussões no sentido de se avaliar o potencial de interferência nos serviços atualmente em operação e que utilizam radiofreqüências na faixa de 1,705MHz a 30MHz. São descritos os equipamentos utilizados nesse tipo de tecnologia, bem como seu princípio de funcionamento baseados em testes de campo em ambientes internos e externos. Também é apresentado neste trabalho um estudo de caso acerca da influência causada no desempenho em uma rede PLC em virtude de interferências eletromagnéticas. Assim, foi possível determinar a influência de ruídos oriundos de equipamentos eletro-eletrônicos no desempenho de uma rede PLC e quais tipos de equipamentos são mais prejudiciais à comunicação, e finalmente apontar possíveis sugestões como o uso de técnicas de mitigação em que a tecnologia tem maior potencial de sucesso contribuindo para a regulamentação e padronização no Brasil

As the use of electric vehicles increases, the need for electric vehicle supply equipment to have more advanced functionality also increases. The HomePlug Green PHY standard was developed to allow more advanced communication between electric vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment. This more advanced form of communication can solve problems such as load balancing during busy charging and seamless payment methods. There are some modem solutions that are based on the Qualcomm QCA7000 chip that allows for implementation of the HomePlug Green PHY standard.             This thesis explores and highlights the implementation of the hardware for the HomePlug Green PHY standard into a solution that is nearly plug and play for most electric vehicles. A module in the form of a PCB based around one of these modem solutions is developed that allows modular expansion of a traditional electric vehicle supply equipment to gain the functionality of HomePlug Green PHY. The final PCB is a near plug and play solution on the hardware side however, the software needs further development.

In this thesis, we introduce a methodology to design and implement a Homeplug1.0 channel decoder that is completely conforming to Homeplug 1.0 specifications definedin HomePlug Power-line Alliance Standard (HPA) including Reed-solomon decoding,Viterbi decoding, punctured ,and de-interleaving technologies. Further, by using MATLAB/Simullink software, Xilinx System Generator, Xilinx Alliance tools, XilinxISE and Modelsim SE software, we build up a transceiver platform to simulate and analyze the performance of the power-line channel decoder based on FPGA hardware implementation. The hardware can be used directly in practical Homeplug 1.0 systems.

The rapid growth of communication technology with the success of internet, has brought huge profits and great convenience to our daily life. Computer networks can be built using either wired or wireless technologies. It will be an important issue that how to select a medium for the transmission. Wired Ethernet has been the traditional choice in most of the networks. However, it has to deploy the Ethernet wires. For the wired internet networks, the power line communication (PLC) technology will be an alternative choice. In this wire-line communication system, the power line network is used as the transmission medium. Therefore, computer networks can work on the existing power line system. No extra new transmission infrastructure is needed. So far, several PLC standards are available, shch as X-10, CEBus(Consumer Electronic Bus), Echonet and Homeplug. This thesis studies the Homeplug AV specification developed by the Homeplug powerline Alliance. By employing MATLAB/Simulink, we build up a PLC baseband transmission model and simulation platform. We carry out the Homeplug AV baseband transmission performance in system level on this platform. The Homeplug AV adopts 3072-point FFT which is not the power of two. It will be a challenge to design the 3072-point FFT processor. Here, we use Xilinx System Generator to design and implement the 3072-point FFT processor. The function verification of the implemented 3072-point FFT processor for Homeplug AV system is carried out by simulation.