An overview of multi-carrier modulation system for data transmission through smart grid

Smart Grid (SG) and Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technologies are increasingly seen as a critical component to increase efficiency and reliability of the electric power delivery system, and to improve customer service. The promising smart grid system requires high speed data transfer from all the sensors on the system within a few power-cycles. The installed physical electrical network permits Power Line Communication (PLC) which has been an aspiration for the electronics industry especially for building automation. In this paper, different communication methods through AC power line carrier for more efficient energy control are discussed. Among these the Spread-spectrum technique is recognized as an efficient tool against a variety of interferers and hostile channel properties, such as time-variant attenuation and selective fading. An interactive spread spectrum technique for data transmission through smart grids is also presented.