Narrowband Powerline Communication Measurement and Analysis in the Low Voltage Distribution Network

Narrowband Power Line Communication technology is widely used in Smart Grids applications as a communication infrastructure for managing and controlling the electricity network. PLC is considered as a promising technology for data transmission, because it can be deployed over existing outdoor power lines with low cost and quick deployment. However, this medium is hostile to transfer high frequency communication signals. To enable this data communication in the Tunisian Low Voltage distribution network and design a reliable PLC, it is important to have a comprehensive knowledge of the channel characteristics such as noise level, impedance, and attenuation. This paper describes an experimental measurement methodology and gives analysis of results in the frequency range from 9 to 500 kHz in various sites located in Tunisia. Results show performance of PLC system on the LV distribution network. This study will be helpful to design a device for PLC applications.