Most rural areas do not enjoy the high speed and low cost access to the Internet that most Americans in urban areas enjoy. High speed Internet is only available in 10 percent of U.S. counties. This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project will investigate the feasibility of implementing a high- speed data network for power line communications (PLC) using hybrid modulation. The technology for communication over power lines has been steadily developing over the last 10 years to the point that local area networking is starting to become feasible. However, limitations due to bandwidth and severe noise levels continue to render reliable communication over this attractive medium a difficult challenge. Moreover, a single modulation technique is not optimal for typical power lines because of dynamic noise conditions. This project will investigate the combination of narrow band frequency shift-key modulation and broadband spread spectrum modulation into a hybrid PLC system, using off- the-shelf integrated circuits. Feasibility of this novel concept will lead to the development of a system that dynamically adjusts modulation and networking strategies based on the prevailing noise conditions to arrive at higher data transmission rates.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research: Power Line Communications can be used for Internet and data transmission, remote control and sensing, and voice communications may occur over existing power line infrastructure. Rural electric cooperatives are very interested in the proposed technology to communicate with remote embedded control systems in order to control utilities, read meters, and operate lights and appliances. It will also allow electric cooperatives to potentially offer Internet access to customers and compete with telephone line access. Farm and Ranch operators will be able to increase remote automation of feeding, irrigation, production assessment, and dairy systems. Small offices and residential homes can use the technology to install low cost local area networks (LANs) and connect to the Internet without using existing phone lines or newly installed LAN lines.
