Narrow-Band, Low Data Rate Communications on the Low-Voltage Mains in the CENELEC Frequencies, Part 1: Noise and Attenuation

This is the first part of a two-part series on communications over the European 240 V domestic power line in the frequencies identified by the CENELEC European mains signaling standard using low-cost equipment for applications requiring data rates of no more than hundreds of bits per second. To minimize costs narrowband modem techniques are considered. The series of papers identifies the key impairments introduced by the channel, proposes a novel model structure to simulate them, and gives quantitative values for simulation based on empirical measurements. Paper one describes the principal linear impairments; noise whose intensity cycles at twice the ac line rate, and linear signal attenuation. Paper two describes nonlinear multiplicative fading. Both papers present suitable modulation schemes based on orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM).