Characteristics Measurements Using TDR and Modelling of the Transmission Channel

In powerline communication (PLC), it is important to understand the transmission channel and its electric characteristics under several conditions. Therefore, we suggest characteristics measurement using time domaine reflectrometri (TDR) and a standard model describing the powerline cable. The standard model can be used when simulating large complex networks. The necessity to understand the transmission channel is imperative in many situations, e.g. when modelling and creating the layout of a PLC network with hundreds or even thousands of nodes forming the network. The powerline network is characterised by being dynamic; loads and extension cables are constantly attached and removed. Traditionally, the powerline cables are not intended to be a transmission line for radio frequency signals and has, therefore, not been designed to work optimally in that spectrum. In order to perform measurements on the transmission channel in a reproducible way, we suggest, in this paper, a standardised method of measuring channel characteristics. The ability of reproduction of the measurements is important for several reasons as, for instance, they can be verified at any laboratory on demand or because someone wants to develop the work of other scientists further. We also suggest a standard model for describing the powerline cables as a transmission channel since it is as useful as measuring the characteristics of the channel and since they are interrelated.