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Power Line Communication (PLC) Solutions
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Overview
Description
Power Line Communication (PLC) is a communication method that uses power lines as the medium. By using power lines as the communication network, it is possible to build a system quickly at low cost. For this reason, PLC is used for communications in smart meters (advanced metering infrastructure - AMI), home energy management systems (HEMS), building energy management systems (BEMS), and solar panel monitoring systems, part of a smart society. Communication data can be propagated through AC or DC power lines.
Renesas offers power line communication solutions consisting of high-performance and flexible PLC devices, optimized evaluation boards, and a software stack that makes it easy to realize robust communication to support the development of projects.
Advantages of Renesas PLC Modem IC
- Realize advanced and robust communication through high performance DSP@276MHz
- Support flexibly PLC protocols and frequency bands for each country through the CPU + DSP dual core
- Realize long distance communication over 1km in high speed, without the need for relays
- Realize high-level security in communication with AES128 cryptographic hardware
Applications for Power Line Communication Solutions
- Smart meter (AMI)
- Smart home and HEMS
- HVAC and lighting control
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- Building automation
- EV charging station
- Solar power and smart grid
Optimized Evaluation Kits
There are various evaluation kits optimized for different power line conditions. Select the most suitable evaluation kit based on device and the power line conditions, such as AC line or DC line. The R9A06G037 evaluation kit is used as a golden modem authorized by the G3-PLC Alliance.
PLC Software Stack
Renesas offers power line communication software that is compliant with global standards for G3-PLC, PRIME, and Meters and More full stack to support multi-hop communication. Renesas also offers simple communication software based on the G3-PLC MAC layer. Choose from among these packages according to the needs of your system.
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PLC Evaluation Tools
Communication signals on power lines may be affected by noise, line impedance and other factors, so analyzing the state of communications is important. Renesas and our partners offer evaluation tools that can visualize power line communication data and display an analysis of that data.
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Technical Standards
With the spread of smart meters and other smart devices, PLC network system complexity and scale are expected to increase. Several global alliances drive the standardization and creation of profiles for communication protocols that can ensure interconnectivity in these diversifying networks. Renesas has been a strong promoter of research and development and international standardization for these alliances since their establishment, and develops solutions that support each protocols.
Partners
Many companies offer products using Renesas PLC solutions.
Renesas PLC Solution Partners Page
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Related Boards & Kits
CPX3 Evaluation Kit for AC and DC over 48V (J70D2 with RX631)
Evaluation kit for software development and system evaluation compatible with PLC modem LSI R9A06G037. Since it has been designated as a special carrier type digital transmission device (technical conformity), it can be used as power line carrier communication equipment under Article 44, Paragraph 1 of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations (Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications designation AH-16008 No.: RTK0EE0003D02001BJ).
Featured Documents:
CPX3 Evaluation Kit for DC under 48V (J80D1 with RX651+Audio circuit)
The Renesas CPX3 Evaluation Kit J80D1 is a power line communication (PLC) evaluation kit for direct current (DC) power lines that can be used to carry out software development and system evaluation using the R9A06G037 PLC modem IC. This evaluation kit supports audio communication solutions. Two or more of this kit are necessary for evaluating PLC communication.
CPX3 Evaluation Kit for DC under 48V (J80D2 with RL78/G13)
This power line communication evaluation kit for direct current (DC) power lines can be used to carry out software development and system evaluation using the R9A06G037 PLC modem IC. Two or more of this kit are necessary for evaluating PLC communication.
Featured Documents:
CPX4 DC-PLC Evaluation Kit M01D1
This product is an evaluation kit for DC-based power line communication for developing software and evaluating systems compatible with Renesas' PLC modem IC R9A06G061. This product is a complete evaluation platform comprising the analog front end and control MCU required for DC power line communication.
To evaluate PLC communication using this product, the PHY Performance Evaluation Tool: SimpleMAC GUI is required.
CPX4 AC-PLC Evaluation Kit M02D2
This product is an evaluation kit for AC power line communication for developing software and evaluating systems compatible with Renesas' PLC modem IC R9A06G061. This product is a complete evaluation platform comprising the analog front end and control MCU required for AC power line communication.
To evaluate PLC communication using this product, the PHY Performance Evaluation Tool: SimpleMAC GUI is required.
Documentation
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White Paper
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Brochure
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Datasheet
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Datasheet
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PDF898 KB
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Datasheet
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Guide
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Guide
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Guide
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PDF1.07 MB
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Guide
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Manual - Development Tools
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Manual - Development Tools
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PDF831 KB
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Manual - Development Tools
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PDF2.05 MB
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Manual - Development Tools
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PDF2.79 MB
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Manual - Software
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PDF5.08 MB
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Manual - Software
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PDF1.51 MB
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Manual - Software
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PDF1.62 MB
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Quick Start Guide
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PDF1.01 MB
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Quick Start Guide
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PDF1.03 MB
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Quick Start Guide
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Schematic
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Schematic
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PDF378 KB
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Schematic
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PDF543 KB
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Schematic
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Schematic
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Schematic
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Schematic
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Support
Resources
| Power Line Communications (PLC) | Product Sub-Category |
| Renesas PLC Solution Partners | Page |
| SEI Podcast – The secret of reliable smart meter communication and standards (Arkossa & Renesas) | External Link |
| Smart metering evolution and questions about “quo vadis” | External Link |
| IoT, AIoT and Industrial IoT, where is the future taking us? | External Link |
play_circle_filledVideos & Training
RENESAS PLC&RF Hybrid Extension
Video List
News & Blog Posts
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Lab on the Cloud
Renesas' Lab on the Cloud is an online environment where Renesas solutions, including popular evaluation boards, winning combinations and software, are hosted in a remote lab that customers access and test online.
Power Line Communication
This solution uses a small PLC modem module to control lighting on a DC power line to show very high speed (1Mbps) communication over a 1KM distance.