Power Line Communication Research Articles

A Novel Function of a Research Process Based on a Power Internet of Things Architecture Intended for Smart Grid Demand Schemes

The global energy sector is currently undergoing a significant transformation to address sustainability, energy efficiency, and grid resilience. Smart grids, leveraging advanced technologies like the power internet of things (PIoT), play a crucial role in this transformation. This research focuses on enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of electricity distribution through IoT technologies. It envisions a system where interconnected devices, sensors, and data analytics optimize energy consumption, monitor grid conditions, and manage demand response scenarios. Central to this effort is the integration of PIoT into the smart grid infrastructure, particularly in implementing dynamic pricing strategies for demand response. Leveraging power line communication (PLC) techniques, this innovative approach facilitates real-time communication between grid components and consumers. The results demonstrate improved grid stability through dynamic load management, effectively responding to demand fluctuations, and minimizing disruptions. The deployment of dynamic pricing methods using PLC-driven schemes empowers customers by offering access to real-time energy use data. This access incentivizes energy-efficient behavior. leading to a 30% increase in the adoption of energy-saving techniques among consumers. A utility company pilot study claimed a 12% drop in peak demand after adopting time-of-use charges, with an accuracy rate of 98.87% in total.

Preamble detection for broadband power line communication systems

Preamble detection for broadband power line communication systems

Noise modelling and mitigation for broadband in‐door power line communication systems

AbstractCommunication systems are greatly hampered by many disruptive noises in powerline communication systems (PLC), which come with strong interference, resulting in the malfunction of PLC systems. Hence, there is a need to model noise and its effect on communication systems. This paper presents noise modelling and mitigation techniques for indoor broadband powerline communication systems. To model the PLC noise, frequency domain measurements employing the GSP‐930 spectrum analyser were carried out to determine the noise frequency response in the frequency range of 1–30 MHz. The results obtained were plotted. While the analytical model for the noise model is presented, furthermore, noise mitigation techniques for multiple input multiple output PLC (MIMO‐PLC) systems in the form of spatial modulation PLC systems have been proposed. The SM‐PLC system employs the indices of the individual transmit lines to increase the data rate, as opposed to the traditional MIMO‐PLC systems, where the symbol to be transmitted is transmitted by duplicating the symbol across all lines. The proposed system uses the maximum likelihood (ML) detector at the receiver to obtain estimates of the transmitted symbols. The simulation results of the SM‐PLC system are compared with the already existing MIMO‐PLC system and show a significant improvement of ≈6 dB and 5.2 dB in signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) at a bit error rate of 10(−5) for spectral efficiencies of 4 bits per channel use (bpcu) and 6 bpcu, respectively. On comparison of the SM‐PLC system having a combination of additive white Gaussian noise and impulse noise at the receiver, the SM‐PLC system outperformed the traditional MIMO‐PLC by 3.5 and 3.8 dB in SNR for 4 and 6 bpcu, respectively.

A comparison between autocorrelation- and crosscorrelation-based coarse frame synchronization schemes for OFDM-PLC systems

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based Power-Line Communications (PLC) systems are vulnerable to synchronization errors, and the particularities of the PLC channel affect the performance of the synchronization process. In this context, this work is focused on the initial pilot symbol detection, presenting a comparison between autocorrelation- (AC) and crosscorrelation (CC)-based timing metrics, which include the most common preamble-based synchronization strategies. Two robust timing metrics are defined and the effect of multipath, Colored Background Noise (CBN) and Impulsive Noise (IN) is theoretically evaluated on each. A detailed analysis of the probability distributions of the timing metrics is performed and primary detection thresholds and lower bounds for the symbol detection probability are derived. Simulations of the OFDM-PLC system are performed in order to validate the analysis, considering a statistic PLC channel model and different noise sources. Results show that the CBN and IN significantly degrade the timing metrics behavior, and that the CC-based timing metric is more robust to this worsening, thus achieving a better synchronization performance than the AC-based timing metric.

A sub-μs accuracy GPS alternative using electrical transmission grids as precision timing networks.

It is widely recognised that over-reliance on GNSS (e.g GPS) for time synchronisation represents an acute threat to modern society, and a diversity of alternatives are required to mitigate the threat of an outage. This paper proposes a GNSS alternative using time dissemination over national scale transmission or distribution networks. The method utilises the same frequency bandwidth and coupling technology as established power line carrier technology in conjunction with modern chirp Spread Spectrum modulation. The basis of the method is the transmission of a time synchronised chirp from a central substation, coupled into the aerial modes of the transmission line. During GNSS operation, all substations can estimate the time of flight by correlating the received chirp with a time-synchronised local copy. During GNSS outage, time sychronisation to the central substation is maintained by correcting for the precalculated time of flight. It is shown that recent advances in chirp spread spectrum allow for a computationally efficient algorithm with the capacity to compute hundreds of thousand of chirp correlations every second, facilitating timing accuracy which satisfies the majority of smart grid applications. ATP-EMTP simulations of the method on large transmission networks demonstrate sub-μs timing accuracy even in the presence of low SNR and impulsive noise. An FPGA prototype demonstrates experimentally sub-μs accuracy for time dissemination over a distance of 700 m. Averaging over time is shown to facilitate satisfactory performance down to , which could extend the range of the system to a national scale and a time dissemination network invulnerable to wireless spoofing and jamming attack vectors.

The Effects of Supraharmonic Distortion in MV and LV AC Grids.

Since the integration of electronic devices and intelligent electronic devices into the power grid, power quality (PQ) has consistently remained a significant concern for system operators and experts. Maintaining high standards of power quality is crucial to preventing malfunctions and faults in electric assets and connected loads. Recently, PQ studies have shifted their focus to a specific frequency range, previously not considered problematic-the supraharmonic 2 kHz to 150 kHz range. This range is not populated by easily recognizable harmonic components of the 50 Hz to 60 Hz mains fundamental, but by a combination of intentional emissions, switching non-linearities and byproducts, and various types of resonances. This paper aims to provide a detailed analysis of the impact of supraharmonics (SHs) on power network operation and assets, focusing on the most relevant documented negative effects, namely power loss and the heating of grid elements, aging of dielectric materials, failure of medium voltage (MV) cable terminations, and interference with equipment and power line communication (PLC) technology in particular. Under some shareable assumptions, limits are derived and compared to existing ones for harmonic phenomena, providing a clear identification of the primary issues associated with supraharmonics and suggestions for the standardization process. Strictly related is the problem of grid monitoring and assessment of SH distortion, discussing the suitability of normative requirements for instrument transformers (ITs) with a specific focus on their accuracy.

Jamming precoding in AF relay-aided PLC systems with multiple eavessdroppers

Enhancing information security has become increasingly significant in the digital age. This paper investigates the concept of physical layer security (PLS) within a relay-aided power line communication (PLC) system operating over a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel based on MK model. Specifically, we examine the transmission of confidential signals between a source and a distant destination while accounting for the presence of multiple eavesdroppers, both colluding and non-colluding. We propose a two-phase jamming scheme that leverages a full-duplex (FD) amplify-and-forward (AF) relay to address this challenge. Our primary objective is to maximize the secrecy rate, which necessitates the optimization of the jamming precoding and transmitting precoding matrices at both the source and the relay while adhering to transmit power constraints. We present a formulation of this problem and demonstrate that it can be efficiently solved using an effective block coordinate descent (BCD) algorithm. Simulation results are conducted to validate the convergence and performance of the proposed algorithm. These findings confirm the effectiveness of our approach. Furthermore, the numerical analysis reveals that our proposed algorithm surpasses traditional schemes that lack jamming to achieve higher secrecy rates. As a result, the proposed algorithm offers the benefit of guaranteeing secure communications in a realistic channel model, even in scenarios involving colluding eavesdroppers.

Influence Factors of Powerline Communication by Artificial Intelligence Approach based on Rock Electric Signal

The field of powerline communication (PLC) has been around for more than a century and uses the power line as a means of information transport. Because it utilizes the current system to transfer data using electrical power, it is advantageous because it prevents the need for new installations. The impact of coal and rock electric signals is examined using the established test methodology, taking into account the coal and rock temperature, characteristics, friction, loading speed, and load size. The main findings can be summed up as follows: Depending on the intensity of the electrical signals produced, the change rule of electrical signals in the coal rock rising with temperature can be separated into three stages. The electrical signals produced by the uniaxial compression of coal-rock mass with varying properties have distinctly different amplitudes. The friction between coal and rock can produce electrical impulses. As loading speed increases, the electrical signal that indicates when the coal rock is prepared to fracture tends to get stronger. The information bottleneck perspective is then used to study information theory and artificial intelligence. In conclusion, we go through a few concepts about the deep integration of AI methods with wireless communication networks. The fundamental aspects of AI that are pertinent to various uses have been briefly addressed at the outset of the paper.

Research on Hybrid Relay Protocol Design and Cross-Layer Performance Based on NOMA

Wireless and power line communication hybrid relay technology can realize complementary advantages and comprehensively improve the communication coverage and performance of power Internet of Things. In order to study the mechanism of the physical layer and Media Access Control (MAC) layer algorithm that affects the performance of hybrid relay systems, the cross-layer performance modeling, optimization, and simulation analysis are carried out for the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology. Firstly, a two-hop NOMA media access control protocol is designed based on the CSMA algorithm. Considering the effects of non-ideal channel transmission at the physical layer and competitive access at the MAC layer on the system performance, a cross-layer performance analysis model of hybrid wireless and power line communication relay system under NOMA is established. Finally, a cross-layer optimization model based on multi-objective programming is established for the hybrid relay system. By analyzing the relationship between transmitting power and performance index, the joint optimization of transmitting power and power distribution factor between users is realized. Simulation results verify the validity and reliability of the proposed cross-layer model. The results show that the hybrid relay algorithm combined with NOMA and CSMA can effectively improve the performance of the system throughput, packet loss probability, and delay.

Hybrid Wi-Fi and PLC network for efficient e-health communication in hospitals: a prototype

E-health is being adapted in modern hospitals as a significant addition to the existing healthcare services. To this end, modern hospitals urgently require a mobile, high-capacity, secure, and cost-effective communication infrastructure. In this paper, we explore potential applications of a hybrid broadband power line communication (PLC) and Wi-Fi in an indoor hospital scenario. It utilizes the existing power line cables and Wi-Fi plug-and-play devices for indoor broadband communication. Broadband power line (BPL) adaptors with Wi-Fi outputs are used to build an access network in hospitals, particularly in areas where the wireless router signal is poor. The Tenda PH10 AV1,000 AC Wi-Fi power line adapter is a set of BPL adapters that offer operational bandwidth of up to 1,000 Mbps. These adapters are based on the HomePlug AV2 protocol and can provide a data rate up to 200 Mbps on the physical layer. An experiment using the PLC Wi-Fi kit is carried out to show that a Wi-Fi and PLC hybrid network is the best candidate to provide wide range of practical applications in a hospital including, but not limited to, telemedicine, electronic medical records, early-stage disease diagnosis, health management, real-time monitoring, and remote surgeries.

Delay Analysis of UAV Networks with Hybrid Wireless and Power Line Communication

Delay Analysis of UAV Networks with Hybrid Wireless and Power Line Communication

Power line Communication: Revolutionizing data transfer over electrical distribution networks

Power Line Communication (PLC) is an emerging technology that utilizes existing electrical power infrastructure for data transmission. It enables communication over power lines, allowing devices to exchange information and access the internet through the power grid. This method offers numerous advantages, including widespread availability, cost-effectiveness, and easy deployment without the need for additional cabling. PLC has found applications in various domains, including smart grid management, home automation, industrial control systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. This abstract provides an overview of PLC, highlighting its benefits, challenges, and key technologies. It also discusses the potential of PLC in transforming power distribution networks into intelligent and interconnected systems. Additionally, emerging trends and future directions for PLC research and development are explored, emphasizing the potential for enhanced reliability, speed, and efficiency in data transmission over power lines. This paper proposed a two way communication from source to load sides using BPSK and QPSK modulation techniques. Monte Carlo simulation is used to predict the transformer theoretical channel (AWGN) and compare the efficiency of the proposed methods. Randomly selected data from 10 k to 50 k size are used to compare the performance curve. Moreover, a test sound data is sent from the source side to the load side and it is observed that using the QPSK modulation technique has almost zero Bit Error Rate (BER).

Wi‐Fi 6‐based home area network for demand response in smart grid

SummaryThe past decade has brought prolific developments to power systems that range from large‐scale renewable integration to digital twins. Modern power systems consist of highly variable generation clusters. Hence, monitoring and prediction of power generation has become a vital part of today's power systems. On the other hand, detailed real‐time information of power usage is also a key parameter for the control algorithms used for the demand side management. With this information flow, power systems become smart grids which offer improved service and enable many advanced operations. In this regard, the home area network (HAN), which collects the power consumption/generation of household devices, plays a key role. So far, a number of technologies such as ZigBee, Z‐Wave, and Power Line Communication (PLC) have been considered for the HAN. Yet, widely used wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, Wi‐Fi, was not identified as a prominent candidate due to the limitations in its latency and reliability. However, with the introduction of the IEEE 802.11ax standard, Wi‐Fi 6 was developed, and it demonstrates guaranteed latency and reliability for its users. Thus, with its widespread deployment in households, Wi‐Fi is becoming a natural candidate for HAN. In this article, we present a comprehensive HAN protocol based on Wi‐Fi 6 which can achieve guaranteed latency and reliability for HAN users. The results show that when an efficient resource allocation mechanism is in place, using Wi‐Fi for HAN does not adversely affect the other Wi‐Fi users in the normal WLAN.

Emissions generated by electric vehicles in the 9-500 kHz band: Characterization, propagation, and interaction

Electric Vehicle Charging Processes (EVCPs), due to the involved power electronics with high-switching frequencies, generate high-amplitude emissions that could have a negative impact on Power Quality (PQ) and Narrowband Power Line Communications (NB-PLC) systems. In this context, this paper deals, first, with the frequency and time characterization of the disturbances generated by four EVCPs in the 9-500 kHz frequency range. The study is based on measurements carried out in a controlled Low Voltage (LV) grid. For this purpose, a novel procedure for the frequency and time characterization is proposed. The frequency characterization is based on the calculation of a set of parameters, which allows evaluating not only the amplitude of the disturbances in the frequency band under analysis, but also their spectral distribution. The time variability is characterized by means of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis that leads to a simplified model to evaluate the time-dependent behavior of the disturbances, which shows a sub-cycle periodic pattern of the emissions in the frequency band of interest. Second, the propagation of the previously characterized emissions is analyzed, concluding that they propagate several meters through the LV grid. Although in most cases the disturbances are attenuated with distance, there might be resonances that lead to higher amplitudes at an electrical point distant from the source of the emissions. Finally, the influence of the simultaneous charging of several EVs is studied. The results show that, in general, the amplitudes correspond to the superposition of the individual disturbances, in addition to intermodulation products due to the switching frequencies of the inverters.As a conclusion, the high amplitude time-varying emissions, together with their capacity for propagation and interaction, are a matter to be analyzed due to their influence on PQ and their potential degradation of the performance of PLC in the frequency band from 9 kHz to 500 kHz.

Harmonic Penetration Analyses for DC-Link Frequency Converter Drive Systems by Considering the Motor-Side Converter as an Ideal Current Generator

Nowadays increasing attention turns to the harmonic penetration analysis of the alternating voltage network connected devices operating with pulse width modulation (PWM). The PWM operation causes high frequency current injection to the grid (at the frequency range: 1kHz to 100kHz, depending on the power and the structure of the device). However, devices are now rolling out, that are infected by these current components, for example: power line communication (PLC) devices, smart metering devices, etc. It is very difficult to analyse such high frequency harmonic components with measurements. Therefore, the simulation analyses of the PWM devices harmonic penetration are revalued. These are cost efficient and fast. This article is dealing with the harmonic penetration analyses of alternating voltage network connected DC-link frequency converters equipped with active rectifier. In our study we were focusing on the variable frequency drive (VFD) of squirrel cage induction motors (SCIM). Simulation models of the motor and a DC-link frequency converter were built in time domain. The main purpose of this paper is, to study whether the effect of the motor-side converter of the VFD and the motor can be neglected for the harmonic penetration analyses of the DC-link frequency converter.

Characterization of Non Intentional Conducted Emissions Up to 500 kHz in Urban Environment

The current interest in Europe to extend the frequency range for Narrowband Power Line Communications up to 500 kHz requires a thorough characterization of the non intentional emissions in this frequency range. This paper presents results of field measurements carried out in a dense urban environment, where the electrical devices are quite numerous and located at a short distance from the smart meters, and therefore, the effects of the non-intentional emissions on Smart Grids communications may be noticeable. In the study, spectral and time characterization of the recorded data was performed according to CISPR specifications, and then compared to recommended limits for non-intentional emissions in this frequency range. Results show that the levels of the emissions above 150 kHz may exceed the recommended limits for spurious emissions in the frequency band, mainly near the smart metering devices, due to the nearness of different types of electrical devices connected to the grid. This work demonstrates the need of characterizing the non-intentional emissions up to 500 kHz for the proper performance of future Smart Grid applications in this frequency range.

Localized management of distributed flexible energy resources

The integration of distributed energy resources continues to be a challenge for the traditional electricity grid. Aside from additional variability in the net power demand, there is often a temporal discrepancy between generation and consumption schedules which can exacerbate demand peaks and troughs, leading to system overloading, voltage violations, and a low system load factor. This study proposes a control system approach to unify the management of the different types of flexible energy resources through Localized Demand Control. In this system, all flexible energy resources are coordinated using a power line carrier frequency signal to follow a preferred demand curve at the distribution transformer level. The system’s functionality has been confirmed in an actual 5-house microgrid without adverse effects on end-user comfort. Meanwhile, scaled-up simulation studies have shown improvements in the system load factor by as much as 189%, and increased hosting capacity by 40% for electric vehicles and 16% for solar photovoltaic panels.

Use of the Power Line Communication System (PLC) at Low Voltage (0.4 kV) Noisy Electrical Networks – Introducing a New Concept at Power Quality

Micro grids, smart grids, small power plants in range of household size stay in the lime-light. Nowadays, smart metering system stays directly before installation. All of the above mentioned systems require complex and discrete concepts and knowledge. Definitions and use of the right concepts and correct knowledge belong to actual questions of energetics. Small size distributed power plant units, drivers, controllers and switches belong to the power plants connecting to power grids can introduce high-frequency noises. In this work the spectra and the impact of the high-frequency noises have been investigated. After analysing the measured spectra followings can be declared: High-frequency noises can trouble the Power Line Communication (PLC) system at smart metering systems. Noise can destroy propagating parameters of the useful signal affecting the safety of data communication.

Power line carrier communications and its interest in the current power grid scenario

During the last years PLC technologies have been widely developed mainly due to new modulation techniques used for wireless telecommunication systems that can also be applied to PLC systems. The current state of the art of PLC communications is presents many possibilities and opportunities for the utilities. Besides the Distributed Energy Resources integration to the distribution grid is The aim of this paper is to make a review of the existing PLC technologies as well as the analysis of an interesting range of electric applications of PLC.

Battery configuration dependence to power line communication using high-order quadrature amplitude modulation

Power line communication (PLC) within future smart batteries facilitates the communication of high fidelity sensor data between smart cells and external systems, with application areas including intelligent vehicles and smart grids. This interconnected PLC system of smart cells will enhance cell utilisation and safety through cell-to-cell coordination at a system level, leveraging the existing bus bar within the battery and eliminating the need for additional wire harnesses. This paper studies the performance of a PLC system operating at carrier frequencies of 10MHz to 6GHz within four distinct configurations of lithium-ion batteries. This assessment focuses on changes in scattering parameters and data transmission error ratios. Furthermore, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) orders of up to 1024 are investigated for their viability within such environments. The results indicate that the addition of cells in parallel increases error ratios with high-order QAM, and that this effect varies substantially with carrier frequency. Using QAM increases data throughput, allowing for data transfers within large-scale battery systems without PLC bus bandwidth saturation. A prospective centre frequency of 3650MHz allows for a wide bandwidth of 300MHz and 1024-QAM with little signal attenuation and data error. At this frequency, the need for signal repeaters and higher signal output power is reduced. These results are used to determine the most suitable arrangement of cells within a smart battery with consideration of the PLC performance. The preliminary performance of a large-scale battery system with PLC in-situ could be derived from the findings in this research based upon the four battery configurations tested.