1.PLC Field trial in Arnhem The Netherlands 2. Radiating characteristics of LowVoltage Distribution Networks Experiments related to network issues

PLC Field trial in the city of Arnhem, NL Start 2002, end May 2003Start 2002, end May houses;150 houses; 337 modems (included repeaters)337 modems (included repeaters) 2 Mbit/s backbone via 6 medium voltage transformer stations. (35 users per transformer station)2 Mbit/s backbone via 6 medium voltage transformer stations. (35 users per transformer station) Modem power density -50 dBm/Hz;Modem power density -50 dBm/Hz; DSSS TechnologyDSSS Technology

Operator results (Arnhem) Users very satisfied with service,Users very satisfied with service, Technology works,Technology works, Commercially not yet viable!Commercially not yet viable! Practical 1,4 Mbit/s too slow for future,Practical 1,4 Mbit/s too slow for future, Connecting 10 kV Transformers to infrastructure a logistic/economical problem, ( Transformer stations to be connected).Connecting 10 kV Transformers to infrastructure a logistic/economical problem, ( Transformer stations to be connected).

Results measurements in Arnhem Large variations in generated fields (30 to 40 dB)Large variations in generated fields (30 to 40 dB) Generated Fields:Generated Fields: –Table A (JWG Questionnaire Option 2): pass –Table B (JWG Questionnaire Option 3) NB 30: fail A few hundreds of meters from the PLC- area the generated fields are below ‘ITU rural’ noise level.A few hundreds of meters from the PLC- area the generated fields are below ‘ITU rural’ noise level. How many measurements are needed to assess the network compliance?How many measurements are needed to assess the network compliance?

2. Additional measurement campaign Radiating characteristics of Low Voltage Distribution Networks LVDN’s

Radiating characteristics of LVDN’s Voltage injection on mains wires (sym. and asym)Voltage injection on mains wires (sym. and asym) E and H–field measurements in and around 40 different houses:E and H–field measurements in and around 40 different houses: –Indoor: At 1 m and 3 m from injection point –Outdoor: At 3 m, 10 m, 100 m and 1000 m from building ‘Antenna gain’ measurements of LVDN’s.‘Antenna gain’ measurements of LVDN’s.

Results Large variations in generated fields (>40 dB) because of large variations in mains geometryLarge variations in generated fields (>40 dB) because of large variations in mains geometry The injection of voltages equal to the CISPR-22 class B mains voltage limits can result in magnetic field levels equal to the ‘table A’ field limits at 3 m distance. However, in most cases the generated fields will be lower than the ‘table A’ limits.The injection of voltages equal to the CISPR-22 class B mains voltage limits can result in magnetic field levels equal to the ‘table A’ field limits at 3 m distance. However, in most cases the generated fields will be lower than the ‘table A’ limits.

General conclusions Local effects arise at locations in and around the PLC area. Further outside the PLC area fields will be lower than the existing noisefloor. BUT, the following phenomena is underestimated: If in a large part of the world PLC networks are deployed with a large penetration rate, cumulative effects cause a rise in the noise floor in a large area (not near PLC systems!) (Applies << 50 MHz)

Conclusions Local PLC- effects are well known and can be controlled in some manner Groundwave Direct wave Near LVDN wires In and around PLC-area Above PLC- area Near field ‘coupling’

Mondial PLC effects depend on deployment and penetration rate! Skywave Rise of noise floor Measured equivalent antenna gain (for sky wave) of LVDN’s in the frequency range 5 MHz- 20 MHz amounts on average -30 dBi.