Electrical Powerline Networking For A Samrt Home

Electric Powerline Networking For A Smart Home Seminar Report”04
INTRODUCTION
Electric power line networking is a method of home
networking which is capable of interconnecting computers in your home. It uses exciting
AC wiring and power outlets to transmit data around a home or small offices. It is based
on the concept of ‘no new wires’. It would let you share:
• Web access
• Printers
• PC hard drives
From any plug in your home or office.
Electric power line networking avoids the need for putting
PCs near a phone outlet. Instead, computers and other devices are connected through
electrical outlet. You are networked by just plugging in. power line networking is based
on Homeplug Powerline Alliance’s Homeplug 1.0 standards. With power line
networking, a home owner can create an entire home network linking his/her,
• Personal computers
• Printers
• Music equipments
• Internet access
Without running any new wires.
Wires and sockets are used simultaneously for electricity and data, without disrupting
each other. Thus power line networking provides a cost effective solution for home
Dept of EEE 1 MESCE, Kuttipuram

networking. With power line networking, you will be able to put your desktop PCs
anywhere you like in your home. It will also easier to buy and network other devices.
FEATURES
A power line network is having the following features,
• No extra wiring and extra wire maintenance is required since it uses exciting
electrical line it self for net working.
• It uses standard outlet/plug. So it is possible to access the network everywhere
at home.
• It uses power outlet to let the users more easily relocate the PCs, switches,
routers and print servers.
• It is easy to connect with Ethernet switch or router to access internet or
exciting home network.
• It provides a 56-bit DES encryption for high security in data transfer.
• It co-exists with current technology to protect previous investment. So
customers will not have to discard their exciting network solutions.
• It provides maximum 14Mbps bandwidth over standard home for sharing
information, multimedia application and gaming.
• Frequency band 4.3 to 20.9 MHz for low interference from other electrical
appliances.

THE TECHNOLOGY
Like home PNA, power-line networking is based on the concept of “no
new wires”. The convenience is even more obvious in this case because while not every
room has a phone jack, but always have an electrical outlet near a computer. In power
line networking, you connect your computers to one another through the same outlet.
Because it requires no new wiring, and the network adds no cost to your electric bill,
power line networking is the cheapest method of connecting computers in different
rooms.
There are two competing technologies for power line networking. The
older technology called Passport, by company named Intelogis and a new technology
called Powerpacket, developed by intellon. Now let’s find out how each of these
technologies works.
Intelogis
This technology relies on frequency-shift keying (FSK) to send data
back and forth over the electrical wires in your home. FSK uses two frequencies, one for
1s and the other for 0s, to send digital information between the computers on the
network. The frequencies used are in a narrow band just above the level where most line
noise occurs.

Although this method works, it is somewhat fragile. Anything that
impinges on either frequency can disrupt the data flow, causing the transmitting
computer to have resent the data. This can affect the performance of the network.
When one was using more electricity in the house, such as running the washer and dryer,
the network slowed down. Intelogis includes line-conditioning power strips with its
network kit and encourages you to insert them between the wall outlet and your computer
equipment to help reduce the amount of electrical line noise.
THE DIAGRAM OF INELOGIS PASSPORT
TEHNOLOGY

INTELLON
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION:
• Integrated Physical Layer (PHY) and Media Access Controller (MAC)
• Data rate: up to 14 Mbps
• Rated distance between devices

Anywhere on same power circuits in home
• Frequency band 4.3 MHz - 20.9 MHz
• OFDM symbol modulation
• 84 carriers
• Automatic channel adaptation
• Forward Error Correction
• Carrier modulation methods supported:
• DQPSK, DBPSK, ROBO
• Access methods supported:
• CSMA/CA
• Meets FCC Part 15 emission standards
• Secure communications
Intellon’s PowerPacket technology, which serves as basis for the
HomePlug Power alliance standards, uses an enhanced from of orthogonal frequency-

division multiplexing (OFDM) with forward error-correction technology. OFDM is
variation of the frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) used in phone-line networking.
FDM puts computer data on separate frequencies from the voice signals being carried by
the phone line, separating the extra signal space on a typical phone line into distinct data
channels by splitting it into uniform chunks of bandwidth.
In the case of OFDM, the available range of frequencies on the
electrical subsystem (4.3 MHz to 20.9MHz) is split into 84 separate carriers. OFDM
sends packet of data simultaneously along several of carrier frequencies, allowing for
increased speed and reliability. If noise or surge in power usage disrupts one of the
frequencies, the PowerPacket chip will sense it and switch that data to another carrier.
This rate adaptive design allows power packet to maintain an Ethernet-class connection
throughout the power-line network without losing any data.
The existing PowerPacket technology is rated at 14Mbps, which is
faster than existing phone-line and wireless solutions. The latest technology of
PowerPacket technology is rated at 200-Mbps, which is provided by the chip
INT5500CS. However, as broadband access and internet based content like streaming
audio and video and voice-over-IP become more commonplace, speed requirements will
continue to increase.

HOW TO INSTALL A POWER-LINE NETWORK

The physical connection between each computer and the
intelogis power line networks uses the computer’s parallel port. A wall device is plugged
directly into the electrical outlet.
A parallel cable is plugged into the wall device and into the parallel port
of the computer. The power-line network must be the last item connected to the parallel
port. For this reason, if you have anything else connected to the parallel port, such as a
scanner or Zip drive, it must have a pass-through for the parallel port. Unless you have a
second parallel port on your computer, your printer must be connected to the network
through a wall of its own.
Something to keep in mind is that the intelogis older technology does not
support bidirectional printing. “Bidirectional” means that data is sent in both directions,
allowing your printer to send information back to your computer, such as how much ink
is left and if there is a paper jam. This will not keep your printer from working, but it is
worth noting that you will lose the use of such features.

Initial Power Packet devices connect via a USB or Ethernet cord from the
computer to a small wall adapter. Subsequent devices will have the circuitry built in,
meaning the only connection needed would be the power cord
Once the physical connections are made, installation of the software is
snap. The software automatically detects all nodes (computers and printers) on the
network. Whether your internet connection is by cable modem, DSL or normal modem,
the included proxy server software allows you to share the internet with your other
computers. You can easily add computers by simply plugging a new adapter in and
installing the software.

There are two common types of home networks: peer-to-peer and
Client/server. Client/server networks have a centralized administrative system that
provides information to all of the other devices. Peer-to-peer means that each devices can
talk directly to each other device on other network without consulting a central system
first. Intelogis Passport technology uses a client/server network. The first computer that
you install the software on becomes the Application Server. In essence, it is the director
of the network, controlling the flow of data and telling each devices on the network
where to find the other devices. Intellon’s Power packet technology uses a peer-to-peer
network.
HOW TO SETUP A POWER-LINE NETWORK

Once power line network is selected as the preferred method to create a
network within a home, the next thing to consider is what type of setup will work best for
your home. There are 8 most preferred ways to setup a power line network.
1. Two computers sharing internet access through a router.

2. Sharing a printer through a computer.
Sharing a network printer directly using Plug Link

4. Using a power line network with an Ethernet network.
5. Connecting computers without internet access.

6. Using power line network with a wireless network.
7. Connecting a power line network to a corporate LAN.

8. Connecting a game console to PlugLink.

THE TYPICAL SMART HOME APPLICATIONS
1. BLOCKDIAGRAM FOR A TYPICAL POWER LINE HOME NETWORK

FOR INTERNET ACCESS

2. THE TYPICAL SMART HOME NETWORK BY POWER LINE
NETWORK

3. POWERPACKET TECHNOLOGY SMART HOME NETWORKING

INT51x INTELLON IC chipset architecture

COMPARISON WITH OTHER NETWORKING
STANDARDS
Establishing networks through power lines has mainly been viewed as a
complimentary technology that reaches into areas of home not accessed by telephone
outlets for HomePNA connections. Consider the case of Ethernet cables. This is most
time consuming, labor intensive and costly method to set up a network. Unless you are
technically inclined or know a friend who can pull the cables free, many consumers can
spend an average of $2000 to wire their home with Ethernet cables.
Another method of networking is using wireless (Wi-Fi) networking.
Even though Wi-Fi seems to be more convenient, there are some major disadvantages of
using this type of network. The main disadvantages are lack of distance, lack of stability,
and lack of security. Wi-Fi can only reach up to 300ft in distance. It is also possible that
another environment can disrupt the network. In addition, Wi-Fi does not offer a built-in
security co there is any data encryption.
HomePNA is another method of networking. It is uses existing phone
lines as the medium for data transmission. Unfortunately, there is usually a lack of phone
jacks throughout the home to truly offer a viable solution.
Home Plug Power Alliance introduced power line networking where it
uses the existing AC infrastructure as the network; thus no wires or installation is needed
to connect multiple computers together. Since there is an abundance of electrical outlets
throughout a household, power line networking can easily used in home or office and
offers a convenient, flexible solution to network. Power line networks are plenty fast

enough for sharing files, internet access, and peripherals such as printers though may not
be great for multiplayer gaming. It has rated distance between devices anywhere on
same power circuits in home.

SECURITY METHODS
Security risks are common methods used by intruders to gain controller
access to host the computer without permission, using any method accessible to them like
physical access, network access, internet access or combinations of them.
Processor of securing of power-line network:
The process securing of the power line networks radically differs from
the conventional securing because of the introduction of new elements like power outlets,
power switches, plug fuse, the quality of power line installation and similar up to day
components nothing linked with computer sciences. There fore the new elements or
equipments, or modified old once must be (at least):
• Electric measurer with Firewall or Stand Alone Firewall for Power line Networks.
• Electric frequency filters.
• Plug with outlet and Ethernet/Parallel Port connection with or without encryption.
• New Security Policies.
• Considering the new elements and Best practices.
The new process of securing must involve these new and old
elements. In the case of a house use, at least:
• Perimeter security Firewall for power line network or Electric Measurer with
Firewall, for protecting the house network.
• Wall plug connecters with encryption.
• Desktop Firewall, for protection of individual computers.

• Antivirus system, for protection of individual computers
In the case of an office, the above mentioned elements, plus:
• NIDS, for protection of office network of the instructions
• HIDS, for protection of host computers
• VPN, for communication with other company networks.

APPLICATIONS OF POWER LINE NETWORK

Following are the major applications of a Power line network
• Shared broadband internet access.
• Audio and video data transfer.
• Expanding LAN coverage.
• Voice over IP calls.
• Printer sharing.
• Smart home applications
• Network and online gaming

ADVANTAGES
(COMMON)
Here are the advantages of a power line network:
• It’s less expensive
• It uses existing electrical wiring.
• Every room of a typical house has several electrical outlets.
• It’s easy to install.
• A printer, or any other device that doesn’t need to be directly connected to a
computer, doesn’t have to be physically near any of the computers in the network.
DISADVANTAGES
(INTELOGIS)
There are some disadvantages to connecting through powerline
when using the older Intelogis techno:
• The connection is rather slow—50Kbps to 350Kbps
• The performance can be impacted by home power usage.
• It can limit the features of your printer.
• It only works with window-based computers.
• It uses large wall devices to access an electrical outlet.
• It can only use 110V standard lines.
• It requires that all data be encrypted for a secure network.
• Older wiring can affect performance.

ADVANTAGE
(Intellon)
According to Intellon, Power Packet technology eliminates many of these
concerns, citing the following advantages:
• Compared to other networking standards and the older Passport technology, it is
very fast, rated at 14 to 200 Mbps
• It “avoids” disruption in power line, maintaining the network’s connections and
speeds.
• It does not limit the features of your printer as in the case of Passport technology
where bi-directional printing is not possible
• It may have the necessary circuitry embedded within the device, necessitating
only a standard power cord to access an outlet.
• It includes a 56-bit DES encryption for providing high security in data
transmission.
• In tests, it showed no signal degradation due to older wiring. So performance is
not affected by older wiring]

COST AND THE FUTURE

COST
Intelogis provides a kit that connects two computers and one printer for $59.
Additional adaptors cost about $40. There is specific version for computers or printers, so
make sure you get the correct one. Since the network does not affect power usage or
consumption, no additional monthly costs are incurred.
The cost of PowerPacket technology is expected to be comparable to HomePNA
solutions and significantly less than 802.11 wireless solutions.
FUTURE
The PLC networks for communication within the smart home, but the
ultimate goal of PLC network could be the ability to connect to the Internet without
dialing up to an ISP server, entirely using electrical wiring only. This can be illustrated as
in Figure 2
Private home networks are connected to substations, in which a PMTS
(Powerline Modem Terminal Service) connects PLC networks within homes to the
Internet backbone. The PLC network gateway for a private home network could
Be installed in the fuse box of that home and then it could be connected to one or more
repeaters. Repeaters are for increasing signal strength when the signals level fall below
some value.

It expect to see higher data rates in power line networks in the future as signal
modulation technologies improve; however, issues like network security and the network
characteristics with a large number of nodes need further development.
Further research on these issues is of critical importance when power line networks are
applied to offices and large multi-user buildings.
Intellon’s Power Packet technology is compatible with wireless and
HomePNA solutions, making power line an ideal option to serve as the backbone for a
multi-technology home network. In this case, consumers will not have to discard their
existing network solutions in favor of a new standard.

The one common thread among all of the networking option is the need for
power. There will be demand for products and services that can be connected using
power line network and this boom will fuel a manufacturing revolution globally for
decades to come. Annual shipment of power line nodes for home PC network are
expected to grow five-fold from now to 2006.(Networks in the Home: Analysis and
Forecasts). In total, 19 million U.S households are expected to use PC networks by the
end of 2006. For home entertainment networks which will comprise more than
100 Million connected nodes by the end of 2006, power line solutions are expected to
have significant presence.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE TODAY

Intellon Corporation, the world leader in power line communications, today announced
the introduction of its next generation power line networking chipset. The INT5500CS,
an 85Mbps power line networking chipset, is fully compliant with the 14 Mbps Home
Plug 1.0 specifications and offers the higher bandwidth performance necessary to drive
next-generation home entertainment applications such as standard definition video and
whole house audio.
The INT5500CS complements Intellon’s highly successful and broadly deployed
INT51X1 and INT5200 products, which implement the 14Mbps Home Plug 1.0
specification. The INT5500CS enables additional applications requiring higher
bandwidth, including standard definition video distribution, TV over IP (IPTV), digital
video recorder (DVR) networking and media center PCs. Other applications include
whole house audio, extension and bridging of higher speed wireless technologies such as
802.11x and UWB, and higher data-rate broadband sharing based on technologies such
as ADSL2 and fiber to the home.
The new solution is comprised of the INT5500 base band (MAC/PHY) processor and the
INT1200 analog front end (AFE). The INT5500 chipset will begin sampling in the first
quarter of 2005, with production volumes following in the second quarter.
“The introduction of the INT5500CS is a significant milestone in Intellon’s product
roadmap strategy,” said Ron Glibbery, president of Intellon. “Working with our

customers worldwide, Intellon continues to advance the performance envelope of
powerline communications technology. We recognize the aggressive requirements for
whole house distribution of data and multimedia content. The INT5500CS enables
reliable whole house distribution of a new set of audio and video applications.”
“The INT5500CS is the second step in a three-tier product strategy designed to meet the
increasing bandwidth needs of the evolving digital home,” said Andreas Melder, senior
vice president of sales, marketing and business development at Intellon. “Continuing our
powerline industry leadership, our 14Mbps INT51X1 and INT5200 products and our new
85Mbps INT5500CS will be joined next year by our 200Mbps HomePlugAV-compliant
product line, which will enable distribution of multiple high definition video streams
over home power lines.”
Home Plug powerline communications is recognized as a key technology in the home
networking ecosystem. High reliability, resistance to interference, simplicity of setup and
use, and strong Quality of Service (QoS) make powerline ideal for real-time
entertainment content delivery, particularly whole-house audio and networked video.

POWER STRUGGLES
Science class painted a rosy picture of electricity in the
form of regular sine waves. But these perfect curves of 110V AC seldom grace the wires
of real homes. For one thing, the energy coming off. The power grid into your home is
rarely clean; it suffers spikes (sudden rise in energy), surges (prolonged over voltage),
and brownouts (prolonged under voltage). And once electricity is in your home, “noisy”
appliances such as vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, and hair dryers dirty up that perfect
wave pattern even more.
This means that power line networks run over an unpredictable
medium. When our test machines suddenly lost internet access, for instance, the lack of
network diagnostic tools for power line networks really hurt. Apart from Windows own
IP configuration (winipcfg and ipconfig) and ping commands, there are few tools and
fewer techniques to support lines for the major vendors of Home Plug devices became
better at troubleshooting such issues.
This isn’t to say that Home Plug networking is riddled with
troubles. Over several months of evaluation in a 70 year old home in the full heat and
humidity of summer, when wall air conditioning in units kick in and brownouts are
common, we encountered only one unexplained network dropout. We easily fixed the
problem with the old trick of unplugging the adapters and plugging them back in again
after a few seconds.

SUMMARY
The two separate powerline standards groups share a similar vision
they both want to extend beyond control and data, to also carry audio and video, and to
help connect every day devices to the internet. They each plan to test the technologies
from power line companies and then pick the best one as the standard.
As standards emerge for power line home networking, other
companies focus on the electric power grid that brings power to homes. They plan to
apply power line technologies to access networks, much like DSL uses existing phone
lines and cable modems service uses the coaxial cables.
Why power line communications?
• No more wires, just plug in
• Share your Internet connection
• Move your computers and appliances where you want
• Easy to install and use
• High transmission rate, right now 9Mbps(up to 60 times faster than ISDN) in
Uploading and downloading with speeds of 200Mbps possible
• Secure data encryption
• Utilizes existing power sources for all your communication needs
Power line products allow higher internet speeds. This means:
• TV quality video
• Streaming audio
• Broadband multimedia

• New internet devices and appliances.
CONCLUSION
Power line networking technology promises to open up
possibilities for new generations of applications and devices providing unprecedented
benefits to the customers. With multiple outlets in almost every room, residential
power lines are already the most pervasive network in the world. As the internet
explodes, broadband explodes, broadband access expands and customers plug in new
generation of electronic devices into the web.
As the digital age continues the demand to send audio, video
and Internet data to and around the home, office or other building increases continuously.
The cost of installing wires to support this is expensive, disruptive and time consuming.
Power lines present a cost effective, easy to adopt home networking solution customers
around the globe.
Many formidable obstacles stand in the way of achieving
reliable very high speed data communications over the power line. The physical
properties of electrical cabling, unpredictable noise and interference from numerous
sources, heavy electrical load and the appliances connected sometime create technical
obstacles to the use of power line as medium of networking.
The ultimate goal of PLC network could be the ability to connect
to the internet without dialing up to an ISP server, entirely using electrical wiring only.
With a wide variety of devices connected to the network, system is able to share
resources and information and to respond more appropriately Intellon’s Power Packet

technology lends itself to functioning reliably in the harsh environments of the AC power
line. Thus power line networking technology has a tremendous promise for the future.
REFERENCES
1. IEEE Spectrum 2004, PP.6-9, SEPTEMBER 2004. “Amped up and Ready to Go”
2. Power Delivery, IEEE Transaction, pp. 1232-1237, vol.11, issue 3, July 1996. “A
power line data communication interface using spectrum technology in home
automation”
3. “A power Line Communication Network Infrastructure For The Smart Home”
by Yu-Ju Lin , Haniph A. Ltchman and Minkyu Lee IN Electrical and computer
Engineering dept University of Florida.
4. “Data Transmission Through Power Lines” BY C.A. Daque (M-IEEE), P.G>
Barbosa (M-IEEE), and D.P. Baotista(Student member IEEE)
5. www.intellon.com
6. www.howstuffworks.com
7. www.CNETNEWS.com
8. www.homeplugandplay.com
9. www.extreametech.com
10. www.pcmag.dit.net


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Electric Powerline Networking For A Smart Home Seminar Report”04

networking which is capable of interconnecting computers in your home. It uses exciting

on the concept of ‘no new wires’. It would let you share:

From any plug in your home or office.

Electric power line networking avoids the need for putting

on Homeplug Powerline Alliance’s Homeplug 1.0 standards. With power line

Without running any new wires.

Dept of EEE 1 MESCE, Kuttipuram

A power line network is having the following features,

electrical line it self for net working.

• It uses standard outlet/plug. So it is possible to access the network everywhere

routers and print servers.

• It is easy to connect with Ethernet switch or router to access internet or

exciting home network.

• It provides a 56-bit DES encryption for high security in data transfer.

• It co-exists with current technology to protect previous investment. So

customers will not have to discard their exciting network solutions.

• It provides maximum 14Mbps bandwidth over standard home for sharing

information, multimedia application and gaming.

Dept of EEE 2 MESCE, Kuttipuram

power line networking is the cheapest method of connecting computers in different

This technology relies on frequency-shift keying (FSK) to send data

Dept of EEE 3 MESCE, Kuttipuram

Although this method works, it is somewhat fragile. Anything that

equipment to help reduce the amount of electrical line noise.

THE DIAGRAM OF INELOGIS PASSPORT

Dept of EEE 4 MESCE, Kuttipuram

• Integrated Physical Layer (PHY) and Media Access Controller (MAC)

• Data rate: up to 14 Mbps

• Rated distance between devices

• OFDM symbol modulation

• Automatic channel adaptation

• Forward Error Correction

• Carrier modulation methods supported:

• DQPSK, DBPSK, ROBO

• Access methods supported:

• Meets FCC Part 15 emission standards

Intellon’s PowerPacket technology, which serves as basis for the

HomePlug Power alliance standards, uses an enhanced from of orthogonal frequency-

Dept of EEE 5 MESCE, Kuttipuram

division multiplexing (OFDM) with forward error-correction technology. OFDM is

variation of the frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) used in phone-line networking.

channels by splitting it into uniform chunks of bandwidth.

In the case of OFDM, the available range of frequencies on the

throughout the power-line network without losing any data.

The existing PowerPacket technology is rated at 14Mbps, which is

PowerPacket technology is rated at 200-Mbps, which is provided by the chip

Dept of EEE 6 MESCE, Kuttipuram

HOW TO INSTALL A POWER-LINE NETWORK

directly into the electrical outlet.

through a wall of its own.

Dept of EEE 7 MESCE, Kuttipuram

meaning the only connection needed would be the power cord

Once the physical connections are made, installation of the software is

installing the software.

Dept of EEE 8 MESCE, Kuttipuram

There are two common types of home networks: peer-to-peer and

Client/server. Client/server networks have a centralized administrative system that

HOW TO SETUP A POWER-LINE NETWORK

1. Two computers sharing internet access through a router.

Dept of EEE 9 MESCE, Kuttipuram

2. Sharing a printer through a computer.