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Broadband OverPower Line
July 28, 2003
Steven E. CollierVice President, Emerging Technologies
National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 3
Some History
• Pre 2000 - Generally bad experience with broadband via power line carrier (PLC)
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 4
Some History
• Pre 2000 - Generally bad experience with broadband via power line carrier (PLC)– Physics
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 5
Some History
• Pre 2000 - Generally bad experience with broadband via power line carrier (PLC)– Physics– Vendors
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 6
Some History
• 1997 - NRECA Cooperative Research Network project report
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 7
Some History
• 1997 - NRECA Cooperative Research Network project report– dim prospects for broadband
communications via power line carrier (PLC).
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 8
Some History
• 2001 - NRECA & NRTC update project report
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 9
Some History
• 2001 - NRECA & NRTC update project report – Prospects still dim for PLC broadband for
rural utilities.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 10
Recent Events
• 2001 - 2003– PLC broadband vendor and developer activity
increased considerably.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 11
Recent Events
• 2001 - 2003– Cooperatives contacted by developers to solicit
field trials, pilot projects, capital investment.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 12
Recent Events
• 2002 - 2003– Several vendors claiming to be commercial
now or later this year.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 13
Recent Events
• Trade Associations– 1998 - United Telecommunications Council’s
(UTC) Power Line Telecomm Forum (PLTF), founded.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 14
Recent Events
• Trade Associations– 1998 - United Telecommunications Council’s
(UTC) Power Line Telecomm Forum (PLTF), founded
– December 5, 2001 - Power Line Communications Association (PLCA) formed by electric utilities interested in offering PLC broadband.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 15
Recent Events
• Trade Associations– 1998 - United Telecommunications Council’s
(UTC) Power Line Telecomm Forum (PLTF), founded
– December 5, 2001 - Power Line Communications Association (PLCA) formed by electric utilities interested in offering PLC broadband.
– Early 2002 - PLTF became independent United Power Line Council (UPLC).
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 16
Recent Events
• Numerous utilities worldwide trying BPL – trials involving a few hundred to a few
thousand customers.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 17
Recent Events
• A few “field tests” and “pilot projects” are underway in the U.S. – each involving a small number (100) of
retail customers.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 18
Recent Events
• Federal Communications Commission– FCC Chairman Michael Powell and his
colleagues publicly express enthusiasm for PLC broadband.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 19
Recent Events
• Federal Communications Commission– FCC Chairman Michael Powell and his
colleagues publicly express enthusiasm for PLC broadband.
– UPLC and PLCA jointly asked the FCC to adjust its rules, particularly the power limitations of Part 15, to encourage PLC broadband.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 20
Recent Events
• Federal Communications Commission– FCC Chairman Michael Powell and his
colleagues publicly express enthusiasm for PLC broadband.
– The UPLC and PLCA jointly asked the FCC to adjust its rules, particularly the power limitations of Part 15, to encourage PLC broadband.
– Notice of Inquiry (NOI) initiated on April 23, 2003
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 21
FCC NOI
• Seeks information, comment, and technical data – Current state of high speed broadband over
power line (BPL) technology
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 22
FCC NOI
• Seeks information, comment, and technical data – Current state of high speed broadband over power
line (BPL) technology– Test results from BPL experimental sites
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 23
FCC NOI
• Seeks information, comment, and technical data – Current state of high speed broadband over power
line (BPL) technology– Test results from BPL experimental sites– Interference effects on authorized spectrum users
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 24
FCC NOI
• Seeks information, comment, and technical data – Current state of high speed broadband over power
line (BPL) technology– Test results from BPL experimental sites– Interference effects on authorized spectrum users– Measurement procedure for testing emission
characteristics
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 25
FCC NOI
• Seeks information, comment, and technical data – Current state of high speed broadband over power
line (BPL) technology– Test results from BPL experimental sites– Interference effects on authorized spectrum users– Measurement procedure for testing emission
characteristics – Changes that may be needed in
• Part 15 technical rules and • the equipment approval process
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 26
FCC NOI
• Initial Comments filed July 7, 2003• Reply Comments due August 6, 2003• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR)?
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 27
What Is BPL?
• A high frequency signal carries broadband IP on a utility power line.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 28
The Distribution System
Insert Power Line Carrier at middle voltage
Backhaul to NAP(fiber, DSL, wireless, satellite)
Getting beyond thetransformer
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 29
What Is BPL?
• The high frequency signal is coupled directly onto the power line, not via modulation of the power waveform.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 30
What Is BPL?
• The effective power is < 1 Watt.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 31
What Is BPL?
• The high frequency signal – 1.7 Mhz to 100 Mhz
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 32
What Is BPL?
• The high frequency signal – 1.7 Mhz to 100 Mhz– Digital spread spectrum
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 33
What Is BPL?
• The high frequency signal – 1.7 Mhz to 100 Mhz– Digital spread spectrum– Unlicensed
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 34
What Is BPL?
• The high frequency signal – 1.7 Mhz to 100 Mhz– Digital spread spectrum– Unlicensed
• FCC Part 15 dictates a very low power transmitter to avoid unintentional radiation.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 35
What Is BPL?
• A high frequency transmitter/receiver (power line modem) is coupled to the power line
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 36
What Is BPL?
• “Middle” Voltage– 34.5 KV or less
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 37
What Is BPL?
• Point of signal coupling– In substation– Along the distribution line– In distribution transformer cabinet
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 38
What Is BPL?
• Method of signal coupling– Capacitive– Inductive
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 39
What is BPL?
• At the subscriber’s premises:– Bypass the distribution transformer with
fiber, wireless or coax and inject PLC on the low voltage service drop wires, or
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 40
What is BPL?
• At the subscriber’s premises:– Bypass the distribution transformer with
fiber, wireless or coax and inject PLC on the low voltage service drop wires, or
– Bypass the distribution transformer with fixed wireless to the premises, or
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 41
What is BPL?
• At the subscriber’s premises:– Bypass the distribution transformer with
fiber, wireless or coax and inject PLC on the low voltage service drop wires, or
– Bypass the distribution transformer with fixed wireless to the premises, or
– Transmit PLC through the distribution transformer to the premises.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 42
What Is BPL?
• “Low” Voltage– 120 V
• Connect through power line modem
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 43
Inside the Home or BusinessPower Line Modem
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 44
Inside the Home or BusinessFixed Wireless
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 45
BPL Potential Advantages
• Power lines reach every consumer
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 46
BPL Potential Advantages
• Power lines reach every consumer– the most remote rural consumer
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 47
BPL Potential Advantages
• Power lines reach every consumer– the most remote rural consumer– unmanned sites (water wells, oil wells, street
lights, etc.)
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 48
BPL Potential Advantages
• Power lines reach every consumer– the most remote rural consumer– unmanned sites (water wells, oil wells, street
lights, etc.)– multiple locations within a building
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 49
BPL Potential Advantages
• Broadband is available anywhere there is utility power– Broadband is available along the middle voltage
line for utility applications.• AMR, SCADA, security, etc.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 50
BPL Potential Advantages
• Broadband is available anywhere there is utility power– On end-to-end BPL systems, broadband is
available on consumers premises anywhere there is a power line.• Internet appliances for premises monitoring
and control.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 51
BPL Potential Advantages
• Scalable.– Can be built one feeder at a time.– To a lesser extent can be built out on an
individual feeder as customers sign up.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 52
BPL Potential Advantages
• Bandwidth can be controlled.– Upload & download speeds can be provisioned
symmetrical or asymmetrical for each individual subscriber
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 53
BPL Potential Advantages
• Vendors claim speeds comparable to or better than DSL or cable.– As much as 45 Mbps bulk transfer, >1 Mbps to
individual subscribers– Double? this with next generation electronics
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 54
BPL Potential Advantages
• CPE is plug & play– Some vendors compatible w/ Home Plug Alliance
(HPA)– Some vendors have proprietary CPE
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 55
BPL Potential Advantages
• For electric utilities:– Utility owns and controls the power line
infrastructure.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 56
BPL Potential Advantages
• For electric utilities:– Utility owns and controls the power line
infrastructure.– BPL may be a good opportunity for diversified
service.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 57
BPL Potential Advantages
• For electric utilities:– Utility owns and controls the power line
infrastructure.– BPL may be a good opportunity for diversified
service.– BPL network may also support utility
applications (AMR, SCADA, security, etc.)
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 58
BPL Advantages
• For telecomm utilities:– Opportunity to assist electric utilities with
access to Internet backbone.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 59
BPL Advantages
• For telecomm utilities:– Opportunity to assist electric utilities with
access to Internet backbone.– Opportunity to assist electric utilities with
telecom network management support.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 60
BPL Advantages
• For telecomm utilities:– Opportunity to assist electric utilities with
access to Internet backbone.– Opportunity to assist electric utilities with
telecom network management support.– Opportunity to assist electric utilities with voice
and video content.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 61
BPL Challenges
• Technology
• Systems
• Institutional
• Economics
• Economics
• Economics
• Economics
• Economics
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 62
BPL Technology Challenges
• Not in full commercial production – Part I– There may be unforeseen design &
manufacturing issues.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 63
BPL Technology Challenges
• Not in full commercial production – Part I– There may be unforeseen design &
manufacturing issues.– May not work as intended in full deployment in a
wide variety of environments and utility system characteristics.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 64
BPL Technology Challenges
• Not in full commercial production – Part I– There may be unforeseen design &
manufacturing issues.– May not work as intended in full deployment in a
wide variety of environments and utility system characteristics.
– May not be adequately durable for notoriously adverse utility environments.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 65
BPL Technology Challenges
• Utility power systems are adverse environments for broadband communications.– Network characteristics (topology, impedance,
splices, terminations, grounding) and– devices (regulators, capacitors, re-closers)
can adversely affect signal strength and quality.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 66
BPL Technology Challenges
• Utility power systems are adverse environments for broadband communications.– Electronic loads and nearby high frequency
radiation sources may cause high frequency noise that interferes with BPL.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 67
BPL Technology Challenges
• Utility power systems are adverse environments for broadband communications equipment.– Equipment will be exposed to extreme
weather.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 68
BPL Technology Challenges
• Utility power systems are adverse environments for broadband communications equipment.– Equipment will be exposed to extreme
weather.– Equipment will be exposed to severe
lightning and switching surges.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 69
BPL Technology Challenges
• Utility power systems are adverse environments for broadband communications equipment.– Equipment will be exposed to extreme
weather.– Equipment will be exposed to severe lightning
and switching surges.– Equipment will be exposed to rough handling.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 70
BPL Technology Challenges
• Some PLC systems may not be fully operable at very low or no load without battery backup.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 71
BPL Technology Challenges
• Physics limit ultimate bandwidth in densely penetrated areas.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 72
BPL Technology Challenges
• BPL in wide deployment may cause unacceptable RFI.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 73
BPL Technology Challenges
• None of the existing vendor’s systems are interoperable.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 74
BPL Technology Challenges
• Other unforeseen issues may arise in wide deployment.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 75
BPL Systems Challenges
• A substantial BPL infrastructure must be planned, installed and maintained.– May have to be customized for specific
power system topologies and characteristics.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 76
BPL Systems Challenges
• A significant telecomm network must be planned, installed and maintained.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 77
BPL Systems Challenges
• A significant ISP business must be planned, installed and maintained.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 78
BPL Institutional Challenges
• There remains some question about the credibility of BPL Industry.– There is still a negative Media Fusion
legacy.– The industry is still in its infancy.– Startup vendors tend to over promise and
under deliver.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 79
BPL Institutional Challenges
• Regulatory issues– Electro-magnetic emissions & radio
frequency interference• Changes to FCC Part 15?
– Competition for spectrum utilization– Joint use of utility plant– Existing hardware standards & codes (FCC,
ANSI, IEEE, NESC, UL) may not be adequate or appropriate.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 80
BPL Economic Challenges
• BPL Vendors– Does the company have adequate funding,
competencies, experience to complete development and continue operations until sustainable finances?
– Can the company produce and distribute the components at target costs?
– Can the company provide adequate training and support services.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 81
BPL Economic Challenges
• Not in full commercial production – Part II– What are the components really going to cost?– Acceptable hardware price points may not be
reached until sufficient quantities are manufactured.
– Backwards compatibility not certain.– Competing systems are not interoperable.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 82
BPL Economic Challenges
• Each injection point must be connected to a high speed (>>T1) network access point (NAP).– Requires capital investment.– Requires significant recurring access expense.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 83
BPL Economic Challenges
• Market Issues– Market demand for broadband appears to
be extremely sensitive to price point.– Value added upstream services will be
necessary to stimulate demand for broadband.
– Value added upstream services may be necessary to achieve profitability for BPL business.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 84
BPL Economic Challenges
• Market Issues– There will be competition between and
among PLC vendors with systems that are not inter-operable.
– There will be competition from other broadband technologies (fixed wireless, DSL, fiber, cable, satellite).
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 85
BPL Economic Challenges
• Public Utilities– Does the utility have commitment to launch
and continue operations until sustainable, acceptable financial viability?
– Can enough subscribers be signed up to be economically viable?
– Can equipment be procured at competitive price points?
– Can ISP and upstream value-added services be offered at prices that are acceptable to market?
– Can the utility provide adequate technical support and training?
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 86
BPL Economic Challenges
• Rural Cooperatives– Sparsely populated service areas mean
that the capital investment will be spread over fewer total subscribers.
– Broadband market penetration may be lower, initially or in the long term than in urban and suburban areas.
– There is limited availability of high speed network access points near necessary injection points in many cooperative’s service territories.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 87
Conclusions
• BPL appears technically feasible.• There are many as yet unresolved
technical, systems, institutional and economic issues.
• BPL is not yet in commercial implementation in the U.S.
• [email protected], Current Technologies and Amperion appear closest to commercial launch.
• An economically feasible solution is not certain for electric cooperatives.
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 88
Conclusions
• We don’t know what we don’t know . . .
May 23, 2003 PLC HSI Overview 89
NRTC Activities
• Closely monitor industry developments.• Continue discussions with existing and
new PLC developers.• Collaboration with NRECA CRN on
special research project beginning April 2003 to investigate the leading vendors and design field trials for cooperatives.
• Closely monitor utility trials, pilots and pre-commercial deployments.
• Commission NRTC Member field trials and pilot projects in 2003/2004.
