Channel characterization and system verification for narrowband power line communication in smart grid applications

TLDR

Narrowband power line communication below 500 kHz is increasingly important for smart grids, yet few guidelines exist for translating network characterizations into real‑world performance comparisons or critical channel investigations. The authors aim to develop a topology‑independent framework for channel characterization, emulation, and performance evaluation of PLC systems. The framework is implemented in a laboratory setting, enabling realistic channel conditions to be emulated and evaluated. Comparison of modem performance under real and emulated channel conditions confirms the accuracy of the emulation and validates the proposed framework.

Abstract

Narrowband power line communication systems in the frequency range below 500 kHz may play an important role in building up a smart grid. In the last few years, many efforts have been made to characterize power line networks. However, there are few guidelines for translating these results into real-life applications, such as performance comparison of different NB-PLC systems with realistic channel conditions or investigation of PLC systems considering critical transmission channels. In this article we propose a topology-independent approach that covers the channel characterization, channel emulation, and performance evaluation of PLC systems with realistic channel conditions in the laboratory. A comparison of the modem performance measured under real channel conditions with the performance obtained with the emulated channel conditions verifies the accuracy of the channel emulation and the correctness of the proposed approach.