Power Line Communication Technology
Using power line communications (PLC) technology, individuals, companies and institutions can use existing power lines and wiring to carry digital data. The technology saves time and money by eliminating or reducing the need to install special networks.
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Identification
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PLC technology facilitates the transmission of digital data over electrical cables, such as traditional home wiring, similar to the way computer networks transmit digital data over Ethernet cables. Advanced applications of PLC technology would enable communications among digital household appliances within the same house simply by plugging each appliance into a household wall socket.
Technology
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PLC works by placing a modulated carrier signal on to the wiring system. The signal is modulated at a frequency that's picked up and carried by the wiring system, similar to the way an antenna picks radio waves. Once the signal reaches its designation, it is demodulated or converted back into digital data and used by attached information appliances. PLC is also used by large utility companies to transmit digital data over utility power lines.
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Developments
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The ultimate objective of engineers and companies in the PLC industry is to develop a set of standardized home electrical appliances that can interoperate and communicate on a common household electrical network. For this reason, members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers formed a working group to establish the necessary standards and operational protocols for such devices.
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References
- Photo Credit powerlines image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com
