ETH Zurich : Computer Science : Pervasive Computing : Distributed Systems : Education : Student Projects : Abstract

Implementation of a Power Line Communications Modem Using Software-Defined Radio (B)

Status: Abgeschlossen

Description

Power Line Communications (PLC) is a technology that allows communication over power lines. This makes PLC an attractive communications technology for the Smart Grid, as it allows to utilize the power line infrastructure that is already in place. The use of PLC is not restricted to the power grid, on the contrary, it can be used in any environment with a power infrastructure such as in buildings, cars, airplanes, etc.

Software-defined radios (SDRs) are a platform that allow to implement almost the full communication stack in software. This offers great flexibility in the development and fast prototyping process of communications systems. There are many freely available libraries that even provide implementations of recent communications systems, e.g., GNURadio and its WiFi implementation.

The modular structure of most SDR hardware platforms allow for simple adjustment to different communication technologies operating in different frequency bands. This makes it possible to use SDRs to implement a modem for Power PLC by simply interfacing the SDR with a different analog front-end (AFE). Since PLC is not as popular as WiFi for example, there are less libraries available for PLC implementations, which makes it an interesting subject for research.

Requirements

• Interest in communications
• Good knowledge of C++ and Python (GNURadio)