Analysis, Measurement And Evaluation Of Power Line Communication Network Applied For Popular Houses

Power-Line Communication (PLC) is technology carrying data as well as transmitting electric power on power lines. Since power lines have been established widely, PLCC does not require a separate communication line and can be easily installed. And it also can be connected to various networks through a backbone network. Moreover, devices can access a system easily by plugging the power cord into an electrical outlet. Therefore, PLC has been considered as one of the most appropriate technologies for smart meter-reading purposes in home.

This project presents the results obtained by measurement and evaluation performance of the PLC network operating at popular houses. The objective of this project is to build a home automation system using a PLC modem and applying PIC microcontroller to control and automate variable home appliances . The major advantage offered by power line based home network is the availability of an existing infrastructure of wires and wall outlets.

Home networks typically use Ethernet or wireless devices. Ethernet provides high speed networking, but requires dedicated category 5 (CAT5) cabling which would need to be installed in the home. Wireless devices are now becoming more popular and work quite well, but provide speeds that are excessive for simple applications. Performance of wireless networks is also affected by line of sight obstructions such as walls. One major attraction of power line communication is the high availability of power outlets. as long as there is a power socket, there is a connection to the network.

A simple home automation system using power line communication (PLC) which is convenient for people with disabilities and elderly to control lamps and gates using a computer at home is showed in this paper. The computer or Keypad operates as a host station, connecting to the PLC modem serially using RS232. User will automate the home appliance based on the Graphical User Interface (GUI) by selecting the button appeared on their computer screen or keypad.

The buttons are designed using the Visual Basic. The PLC modem operates by modulating in a carrier wave of between 20-200 kHz into the household wiring at the transmitter. This modem is plugged into regular power outlet. The carrier is modulated by digital signals.

The receiver demodulates the carrier wave and sends the signal to the micro controller. The receiver has an address and can be commanded by the signals transmitted over the household wiring and decoded at the receiver. The microcontroller controls the home appliances to function.

Two PIC16F877A Microcontrollers Tx and RxPLCC (Power line Carrier Communication)ModemRelays to control the Appliances Data input devices PC or KeypadLive power line ( Not Inverter or UPS supply)Regulated Power Supply

MPLAB compiler for Embedded C programmingPIC Kit2 ProgrammerEmbedded C language

The main advantage of power line communications is that the infrastructure will already be in place.PLC is cost effective because there is no need to run additional wires to powered devices. PLC can also work where radio frequency (RF) cannot.Apower line networkdoesn't add any charges to your electrical bill.