Watteco’s New 2.0 WPC Technology

WPC technology uses a Powerline communication micro-modem, improving communication between devices and the Grid. Contrary to other traditional PLC systems which inject energy in the form of carriers, WPC uses the resonance frequencies of the Grid to communicate with electromagnetic pulses. Tested by the Laboratoire des Applications Numériques (LAN), this means of communication has been referred to as the most robust wideband PLC solution on the market today. As a bidirectional transducer (transmission and reception), the WPC modem assures the command and control of different residential applications.
Watteco now offers WPC version 2.0 which, enriched with new functions and totally independent of any protocol, enables OEM and manufacturers to embed 10kbits/s PLC into their products while conserving their usual protocol. The new WPC 2.0 incorporates a new and more powerful microcontroller which boasts numerous advantages: increased technological performance with a consumption of less than 10mW, (100 times less than other technologies), improved signal to noise ratio, an integrated CRC (cyclic redundancy check) and increased signal reception sensitivity. In addition to improved performance, the miniscule size of the module (5cm²) and its extremely competitive cost are noteworthy.

The new WPC version 2.0 forms the basis of a second line of WPC15.4 products that will be launched in early 2009. Thanks to its adaptation to IEEE 802.15.4, the PLC WPC15.4 interoperates with the ZigBee™, IP and 6LowPan radio protocols and therefore makes it possible to combine PLC and Radiofrequency on configurations where PLC is not sufficient when used alone in a residential context.