PLC noise and impedance measurements on loads and in the distribution grid

Power Line Communication is still one of the most popular ways to solve the last-mile problem in Smart Metering. The main drawbacks of this medium are the harsh circumstances in the grid. The unpredictability of noise and impedance in the grid makes it a difficult task to model the physical channel and therefore choose the right modulation technique for the job. In this paper noise and impedance measurements are executed. This leads to a classification of the different types of loads in function of the basic parameters influencing power line communication.