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Gc8808 Hybrid Ofdma PLC-RF Module: Benefits
Gc8808 Hybrid Ofdma PLC-RF Module: Benefits
Gc8808 Hybrid Ofdma PLC-RF Module: Benefits
Figure 1 – Hybrid PLC-RF Module, GC8808 Figure 2 – PLC Module Demo Board, GC9808
Overview Benefits
Power-line communications (PLC) and low-cost Radio By taking advantage of its inherent 18 independent PLC
Frequency (RF) networking can suffer from high noise channels and the additional 19th RF channel, the
and attenuation due to environmental factors which GC8808 module is able to communicate over PLC and
often cause communication links between two nodes to RF concurrently via gridComm GCNet network layer.
vary significantly in quality. A communication link which This brings upon the benefits of operating in a single
may be optimal on certain medium and channel at a unified communication network using common
given time may become sub-optimal as time passes communication protocol, command sets and ID
resulting in breakdown of the network. In certain cases, addressing scheme. This not only enables the GC8808
communication can be totally disrupted due to to serve as an automatic bridge or range extender but,
interferences or breakdown in the medium. For at the same time, also allows it to connect with discrete
example, in the case of PLC, a transformer or a PLC or RF devices which can be extremely useful in
physical discontinuity in the power line would impede IoT sensor applications.
communications while metallic and concrete objects to
the extent of weather (humidity, rain, lightning etc.) can The 18 PLC channels are capable of operating with up
block or affect the quality of wireless communication. to 54 carrier frequencies over a wide frequency range
from 5KHz to 500KHz on the power lines whilst the 19th
The gridComm GC8808, in Figure 1, is a next RF channel operates on 915MHz frequency band. The
generation hybrid Power Line Communication - Radio new GC8808 is capable of communicating via low
Frequency module providing complete hardware and voltage power network of up to 2 Km in range in either
software networking solution. It automatically configures PLC or RF modes. The GC8808 is ideal for applications
the PLC and RF real-time and self-adapts to the varying such as Industrial Automation, Automatic Meter Reader
conditions in the different communication mediums with (AMR), M2M and other applications that require
the most optimal data routing paths, resulting in extremely reliable and robust communication links.
extremely reliable and robust communications in a Low-
Voltage power network. This new generation GC8808
hybrid PLC-RF module utilizes the industry-leading Tackles signal variations that are commonly present
gridComm GC2200 integrated circuit, an OFDMA in power line applications due to signal attenuation,
(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) Power impulsive noise, and changes in line impedance
Line Communication Transceiver and a built-in LoRa-
based wireless connectivity to allow adaptive Allows selection of carrier frequencies to suit the
networking over different medium. When powered with operating environment in power lines
a DC12V@300mA power supply, it functions as a full
system-level PLC modem. The gridComm GC9808 PLC Automatically forms a multi-tier network to reach
Dimensions
The overall dimensions of the PLC module are
66mm L x 45mm W (see Figure 7). There is over-
current, over-voltage and electrostatic protection
on the PLC module.
4 GND Ground
Specifications
3 VCC 12V@300mA Power Lora RF: FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK, LoRaTM
and OOK RF modulation scheme
PLC: Maximum raw data rates at PLC Phy LoRa RF: Packet engine up to 256 bytes with
layer between 1.22 Kbps to 7.32 Kbps CRC
depending modulation scheme