Why choose PowerLine Communications?
Because mains plugs and wiring are found nearly everywhere in houses, buildings and streets. The application of PLC technology turns the mains wiring into a very efficient communication channel without any additional cabling cost. Compared to other wire-bound communication solutions, the use of PowerLine Communications implies much lover installation expenses.
This results in a very attractive alternative for many applications, specially for domestic and building automation, where devices and appliances are already connected to the mains wiring.
Technology benchmark
Choose the best technology depending on the required baud rate, target price and system performance...
| Price | Baud rate | Distance | Network coverage | Power consumption | Deployment cost | Operational cost | |
| PLC |  |
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| BPL |  |
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| ZIGBEE | |
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| REISM | |
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| GSM/GPRS | |
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PLC: PowerLine Communications
BPL: Broadband PLC
RF ISM: RadioFrequncy in Industrial, Scientific and Medical radio band
Network configuration and stability are critical factors in PLC:
- The power grid is a communication channel whose conditions change very quickly, approximately every 20ms. The network topology and the communication routes between network elements (known as “nodes”) must be able to quickly adapt to the varying channel conditions.
- Dynamic Newtork Adaption is critical for PowerLine Communications: efficient Routing Algorithms and suitable Transmission Rates are key elements for achieving stable networks.
