Performance analysis of FSK power line communications systems over time-varying channels: measurements and modeling

Power line communication (PLC) is a communications method where signals are carried across already existing power lines, rather than through other mediums such as optical fibres or radio waves. PLC has been a very important interdiscipline topic for power, communications, industrial and automation engineers and researchers since 1980s. Designing and planning optimized or standard PLC systems require information and data regarding signal attenuations, load variations and communication performance for various locations of the world which have different power networks. In this study, PLC system is modeled by ABCD matrix and simulated via electronics workbench. In order to obtain data from Turkey´s power lines, signal measurements at the frequencies of 50-200 KHz are carried out. The effects of load, frequency, line length, and the distribution transformers are examined. The properties of home appliances used in an average Turkish household are experimentally determined. System performance in terms of the bit error probability is calculated for FSK modulation.