narrowband powerline (NB-PLC)

Already in the first decades of the last century, techniques were developed to transmit information over the power grid. Due to the rapid development of smart grids, these techniques, known as narrowband powerline, narrowband powerline( NB- PLC), have gained in importance.

Narrowband powerline is used for reliable powerline transmission of consumption data. Although it only has a limited bandwidth, it can transmit the consumption values of many smart meters without interference. Cenelec has specified five low- frequency and narrowband frequency bands for this purpose, which can be used by utilities and for communication purposes. According to Cenelec specifications, the bandwidth for narrowband powerline is less than 148.5 kHz. This results in the extremely low data rate of 1 kbit/s to 100 kbit/s, which is suitable for telemetry applications. Narrowband Powerline uses frequency shift ke ying( FSK), S-FSK shift keying, biphase shift keying(BPSK), spread spectrum technology( SS) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing( OFDM) as modulation schemes.

Narrowband powerline is used in building automation, photovoltaic systems and wind turbines, smart metering, smart homes and smart cities, charging stations for electric vehicles and smart grids.