powerline modem
Powerline modems are independent powerline components that operate bidirectionally and on the one hand modulate the data signals of a connected data unit and modulate them onto the low-voltage network, and on the other hand, in their function as demodulators, demodulate the modulated data signals for the terminals.
PLC modems form the interface between the connected terminals and the power grid. Depending on their use and application, they can be equipped with an RS-232 interface, an Ethernet or USB interface, or any other interface.
PLC modems modulate the data signals transmitted from the terminal via the interface. Different modulation methods are used for this, depending on the application. Narrowband powerline uses spread frequency shift keying( S-FSK) for powerline transmission ofsmartmeter readings to the utility's meter data management system ( MDMS), whereas broadband powerline uses OFDM technology and two- phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying ( QPSK) or eight-phase phase shift keying for in-house communications and in the connection area. Depending on the modulation method and frequency band, the data rate ranges from 100 kbit/s to 200 Mbit/s. The transmit power is limited to 5 mW as standard.
PLC modems can be used directly on the smart meter or in home networks directly on the power outlets. Communication takes place by means of handshaking. There are also PLC modems with integrated WLAN adapters, Wireless Network Interface Card(WNIC), which act as access points( AP) of WLANs. Plugged into a power outlet, they connect WLANs to a powerline network.