Power Line Communications Solution passes milestone of 100,000 nodes in the field

The Renesas PLC solution runs on their M16C/6S single chip PLC device which comprises the M16C core, integrated PLC modem and offers 96Kbytes of on-chip flash in a 64-pin plastic LQF package. The differential carrier shift keying (DCSK) modulation technique, licensed from Yitran Communications Limited, is used to ensure reliable communication between nodes. DCSK has proven to be the most robust modulation approach that results in less need for repeaters, high data throughput and reduced communications overhead. The technique has been specified for other PLC-based initiatives, such as the HomePlug Command and Control standard.

A full development kit, the EVB08, is available to facilitate the easy design and evaluation of PLC projects. Four PLC boards are pre-programmed with demonstration software. A signal sniffer tool is also included that allows engineers to monitor communication taking place on the power line. Also available is Renesas’ RUN-M networking layer software, specifically designed for enabling state of the art AMR and AMM infrastructures, including features like automatic network setup, automatic failure handling and automatic routing/repeating mechanisms.

Due to its recognised performance advantages, the Renesas PLC solution has now been adopted in a number of high profile field tests, pilot trials and mass installations and, with further integration planned including higher data rates and RF functionality, it is positioned to become the defacto standard for AMR/AMM applications in the 21st century.