Abstract
This paper assesses the broadband performance of overhead (OV) and underground (UN) low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) broadband over power lines (BPL) networks when the new refined Coupling Scheme module (CS2 module) is adopted. The broadband performance of distribution BPL networks is assessed in terms of their Average Channel Gain (ACG), Root-Mean-Square Delay-Spread (RMS-DS), Coherence Bandwidth (CB) and Spectral Efficiency (SE). Also, corresponding regression approximations ( i.e. , UN1, UN2 and UN3 approaches) are given in the examined BPL frequency range. The aforementioned broadband performance metrics of the application of CS2 module are compared against the relative ones of the vintage CS1 module and of MIMO channels. The analysis and relevant numerical results outline: (i) the important improvement of the aforementioned performance metrics and regression approximations when CS2 module is applied in distribution BPL networks instead of CS1 module; and (ii) the universal role of UN1, UN2 and UN3 approaches for describing coupling scheme channels and MIMO ones. Citation: Â Lazaropoulos, A. G. (2018). Broadband Performance Metrics and Regression Approximations of the New Coupling Schemes for Distribution Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) Networks. Trends in Renewable Energy, 4, 43-73.
Highlights
The evolution of the traditional distribution power grids –i.e., overhead (OV) and underground (UN) low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV)– to a unified smart grid can become the key to delivering broadband last-mile access and simultaneously to developing of an advanced IP-based power system [1]-[7]
CS1 module is based on the results of the broadband performance statistical metrics of Average Channel Gain (ACG), Root-Mean-Square Delay-Spread (RMS-DS), Coherence Bandwidth (CB) and Spectral Efficiency (SE)
Since coupling schemes of type 1 remain the same, the difference between UN1CS1 and UN1CS2 approaches can be considered as the weighted mean average of the supported coupling scheme types; for example, if RMS-DS is assumed to be equal to 1μs, the difference between the AVG of UN1CS1 and UN1CS2 approach is equal to 4.7dB, that is near to the two thirds of the +6dB ACG difference between CS2 and CS1 module mentioned in Sec.VA where two thirds corresponds to the number of coupling scheme types affected by CS2 module
Summary
The evolution of the traditional distribution power grids –i.e., overhead (OV) and underground (UN) low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV)– to a unified smart grid can become the key to delivering broadband last-mile access and simultaneously to developing of an advanced IP-based power system [1]-[7]. The propagation and transmission of communications signals along distribution BPL networks remain a challenging issue since distribution power grids were not designed for broadband communications purposes. This rather hostile medium for communications is characterized by high attenuation, multipath due to various reflections, BPL signal coupling losses, noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI) [11]-[16]. Both CS1 and CS2 modules support this coupling scheme type without performance diversification
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