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

Power Line Communication (PLC) Products


Applications for Power Line Communication Solutions

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Power Line Communication for Smart Homes
  • Smart meter (AMI)
  • Smart home and HEMS
  • HVAC and lighting control
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Power Line Communication Building Automation
  • Building automation
  • EV charging station
  • Solar power and smart grid

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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Power Line Communication Software

 


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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PLC Evaluation Tools

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 protocol.