Computer-aided design of coupling units for naval-network power line communications

Powerlines can provide an economical medium for high-speed communications; however, the low-voltage electrical network is an unfriendly environment with interferences, noise, attenuation, and multi-path reflections. This paper presents a reliable multi-step procedure for designing an optimal broadband impedance-matching circuit providing gain equalization and mitigation of the effects of low-impedance loads on modern wide-band power line communications. Special attention is given to the application of such devices on board of luxury yachts, where the use of power line communications could dramatically reduce weights and costs. Results carried out on the network of a real yacht confirm the efficiency of the proposed approach.