| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
== Overview == |
== Overview == |
||
| − | '''Broadband over power line''' ('''BPL''') systems use existing electrical power lines as a transmission medium to provide high-speed communications capabilities by coupling radio frequency (RF) energy onto the power line, which is then distributed into the home. BPL systems operate on an unlicensed basis under Part 15 of the FCC's rules.<ref>The Part 15 rules limit the amount of conducted RF (radio frequency) energy that may be injected into a building’s wiring by an RF device that receives power from the commercial power source, including carrier current systems that couple RF energy onto the AC wiring for communication purposes. This conducted energy can cause harmful interference to radio communications via two possible paths. First, the RF energy may be carried through the electrical wiring to other devices also connected to the electrical wiring. Second, at frequencies below 30 MHz, where wavelengths exceed 10 meters, long stretches of electrical wiring can act as an antenna, permitting the RF energy to be radiated over the airwaves. Due to the low propagation loss at these frequencies, such radiated energy can cause interference to other services at considerable distances.</ref> |
+ | '''Broadband over power line''' ('''BPL''') systems use existing electrical power lines as a transmission medium to provide high-speed communications capabilities by coupling radio frequency (RF) energy onto the power line, which is then distributed into the home. BPL systems operate on an unlicensed basis under Part 15 of the FCC's rules.<ref>The Part 15 rules limit the amount of conducted RF (radio frequency) energy that may be injected into a building’s wiring by an RF device that receives power from the commercial power source, including carrier current systems that couple RF energy onto the AC wiring for communication purposes. This conducted energy can cause harmful interference to radio communications via two possible paths. First, the RF energy may be carried through the electrical wiring to other devices also connected to the electrical wiring. Second, at frequencies below 30 MHz, where wavelengths exceed 10 meters, long stretches of electrical wiring can act as an antenna, permitting the RF energy to be radiated over the airwaves. Due to the low propagation loss at these frequencies, such radiated energy can cause interference to other services at considerable distances.</ref> Because power lines reach virtually every community in the country, BPL could play an important role in providing additional competition in the offering of [[broadband]] infrastructure to the American home and consumers. In addition, BPL could bring [[Internet]] and high-speed [[broadband access]] to rural and underserved areas, which often are difficult to serve due to the high costs associated with upgrading existing infrastructure and [[interconnect]]ing [[communication]] nodes with new technologies. |
There are two types of BPL systems: 1) [[In-house BPL]], which uses the electrical outlets available within a building to transfer [[information]] between [[computer]]s and other home electronic appliances; and 2) [[Access BPL]] systems, which carry high-speed communication signals outdoors over the medium voltage (MV) lines, from a point where there is a connection to the [[Internet]] (backhaul point), to neighborhoods, where they are distributed to homes via the low voltage (LV) power lines or [[Wi-Fi]] links. Access BPL alleviates the need to build [[broadband]] [[infrastructure]] to every customer because power lines are installed virtually everywhere in the United States. |
There are two types of BPL systems: 1) [[In-house BPL]], which uses the electrical outlets available within a building to transfer [[information]] between [[computer]]s and other home electronic appliances; and 2) [[Access BPL]] systems, which carry high-speed communication signals outdoors over the medium voltage (MV) lines, from a point where there is a connection to the [[Internet]] (backhaul point), to neighborhoods, where they are distributed to homes via the low voltage (LV) power lines or [[Wi-Fi]] links. Access BPL alleviates the need to build [[broadband]] [[infrastructure]] to every customer because power lines are installed virtually everywhere in the United States. |
||
Revision as of 23:47, 23 December 2008
Overview
Broadband over power line (BPL) systems use existing electrical power lines as a transmission medium to provide high-speed communications capabilities by coupling radio frequency (RF) energy onto the power line, which is then distributed into the home. BPL systems operate on an unlicensed basis under Part 15 of the FCC's rules.[1] Because power lines reach virtually every community in the country, BPL could play an important role in providing additional competition in the offering of broadband infrastructure to the American home and consumers. In addition, BPL could bring Internet and high-speed broadband access to rural and underserved areas, which often are difficult to serve due to the high costs associated with upgrading existing infrastructure and interconnecting communication nodes with new technologies.
There are two types of BPL systems: 1) In-house BPL, which uses the electrical outlets available within a building to transfer information between computers and other home electronic appliances; and 2) Access BPL systems, which carry high-speed communication signals outdoors over the medium voltage (MV) lines, from a point where there is a connection to the Internet (backhaul point), to neighborhoods, where they are distributed to homes via the low voltage (LV) power lines or Wi-Fi links. Access BPL alleviates the need to build broadband infrastructure to every customer because power lines are installed virtually everywhere in the United States.
With BPL, a user can plug a computer into any electrical outlet in the home or office and instantly have high-speed Internet access. By combining radio, wireless networking, and modems, data can be sent over power lines at speeds between 500 kilobits and 3 megabits per second (equivalent to DSL and cable speeds).
FCC Activities
On April 23, 2003, the FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry (NOI), expressing support for the potential of the BPL technology to enable electric power lines to function as a third wire into the home, and create competition with the copper telephone line and cable television coaxial cable line. The FCC said that BPL service could be offered using BPL modems that comply with existing FCC Rules. However, the FCC also asked for comments on whether changes to its rules were needed, either to remove unnecessary barriers to BPL service or to protect other devices from interference from BPL modems.
The FCC has since adopted rules for broadband over power lines to increase competition and promote broadband service.
References
- ↑ The Part 15 rules limit the amount of conducted RF (radio frequency) energy that may be injected into a building’s wiring by an RF device that receives power from the commercial power source, including carrier current systems that couple RF energy onto the AC wiring for communication purposes. This conducted energy can cause harmful interference to radio communications via two possible paths. First, the RF energy may be carried through the electrical wiring to other devices also connected to the electrical wiring. Second, at frequencies below 30 MHz, where wavelengths exceed 10 meters, long stretches of electrical wiring can act as an antenna, permitting the RF energy to be radiated over the airwaves. Due to the low propagation loss at these frequencies, such radiated energy can cause interference to other services at considerable distances.