Effects of Power Line Communication on Radio Communication Equipment

Abstract

Radio communication is a wireless transfer of information via power cable by Power Line Communication (PLC) and its dissemination through radio communication equipment.. However, this information causes signal interference, noise and distortion with the power line communication. This work analyzed the effect of PLC on radio communication equipment by interconnecting two high-speed PLC modems communicating with a data rate of up to 250 Mbit/s using telephone distribution wiring for radio spectrum to reduce the interference radiation that emanates from a power line. The measurements were made using a reference antenna at a distance of 3 m from the power line. The peak field-strength values were measured and recorded in the 30-350 MHz frequency range in horizontal and vertical polarization. The result shows that interference radiation occurring at frequencies up to 305 MHz, includes the FM band as well as the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) band. It is expected that as the data rate of high speed modems increases, a corresponding increase in the interference radiation occurs at frequencies above 300 MHz. To this regard, administrations should take all practicable and necessary steps to ensure that the operation of power and telecommunication distribution networks do not cause harmful interference to a radio communication service.

Keywords: PLC, Radio Communication, Interference, Noise, Distortion, Communication Equipment, Field Strength, DAB

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-16-04

Publication date: August 31^st 2019