Power line S-parameter characterization using open-source tools

Author

Black, William C.

Author_Institution

Northern Microdesign, Inc., Ames, IA, USA

fYear

2010

fDate

28-31 March 2010

Firstpage

62

Lastpage

66

Abstract

A simple method for performing characterization of live power lines is described that utilizes open source software and hardware and de-embedding of the line coupler response to derive S-parameters of an active power line channel. Examples of experimental results are shown that illustrate use of this technique in sensing various devices attached to the power line. This methodology should be straightforward to apply to PLC modems for the purpose of load or state sensing or improved data transmission performance.

Keywords

carrier transmission on power lines; data communication; public domain software; active power line channel; data transmission; line coupler response; open source hardware; open source software; open-source tools; power line S-parameter characterization; Directional couplers; Electrical resistance measurement; Electromagnetic measurements; Frequency measurement; Modems; Open source software; Power measurement; Programmable control; Scattering parameters; Testing; GNU Radio; Power line communication; S-parameter; VNA; load sensing; network analyzer; open source; power line characterization;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Power Line Communications and Its Applications (ISPLC), 2010 IEEE International Symposium on

Conference_Location

Rio de Janeiro

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-5009-1

Electronic_ISBN

978-1-4244-5010-7

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ISPLC.2010.5479925

Filename

5479925