Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

[bphgravity]

I heard a newscast today on the radio that described a new and fast spreading technology that imposes broadband communication over existing distribution and residential power lines. The story claims that every outlet in the home becomes a broadband outlet with this broadband service. They also claim this will allow them to know exactly where a power line goes down or where a transformer fails.

I don't understand exactly how this works?

1. How does the broadband signal get past the transformer?

2. Won't there be alot of noise on typical power lines?

3. I would think the distribution system in most areas would be too dynamic and changing for typical "in and out" communication?

Apparently there is a rural town in Texas already utilizing the technology. It sounds neat, but I don't see how it works. Sounds like overgrown X10.

 

[hbiss]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

It's been discussed to death awhile back. I will never see how it will ever get off the ground but apparently it's being tested in several locations.

I'm sure somebody will come along with some links.

-Hal

 

[physis]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

I hadn't thought about trying to get those high frequencies through transformers. That has to be a problem. I'd think.

 

[kentirwin]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

I've read some about this. One scenario places a wireless device ahead of the transformer and from there your broadband link into the house (or wherever) is wireless. There are other strategies being explored, but I don't recall the particulars at the moment. There are several areas in the country experimenting with this. My bet is that it will become widely available in the next decade.

 

[petersonra]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

My guess is that it will remain a curiosity and maybe something you see in rural areas unserved by cable or dsl lines.

The market for broadband internet access is pretty well covered by cable and dsl where it is practical to do so. The cost of the infrastructure required to support a third option makes it unlikely.

There is a strong possibility of wireless access via an upcoming scheme which is similar to cell phones and WiFi but over a larger geographic area.

It is also possible cell phones will have high speed access in a few years which you could use.

I just do not see the power companies being able to make any money on this except in a few limited cases.

[ August 17, 2005, 08:07 AM: Message edited by: petersonra ]

 

[arjo_reich]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

The interesting thing is that the test markets are having speed 10-100x faster than cable / dsl.

As for how it gets through the transformer, I don't know either...

 

[petersonra]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

Originally posted by arjo_reich:
The interesting thing is that the test markets are having speed 10-100x faster than cable / dsl.

As for how it gets through the transformer, I don't know either...

as I understand it, there are some serious issues with it interfering with ham radio bands as well.

I think this system is in use in australia in some pretty rural areas where there are power lines but no cable, and dsl is just not practical due to the distance.

 

[physis]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

Is there anything ham radios don't interfere with?

 

[wirenut1980]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

When I was living in Hawaii working for the Air Force, I saw a demonstration of this technology at a house in the middle of downtown Honolulu. From what I remember, there needs to be a device added to the transformer to let the signal through, and the meter on a user's house would have to be replaced with one that is compatible. Lastly, they showed us a streaming video at the house that was playing at a remote server on the web at somewhere around 900-1000 kbps. The person giving the tour was unable to give a lot of technical details. I'll see if I can dig out a business card with the company name, but I can tell you it was not the local power company trying to sell this. In fact, there were some engineers from the power company watching the demonstration as well.

Edit to add: I also remember seeing some type of modem plugged into an electrical outlet only, and then ethernet to the computer, so it's not like you could just plug in your computer and instantly be connected.

[ August 17, 2005, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: wirenut1980 ]

 

[physis]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

The modem could also be installed at the computer. It'll just have to be somewhere.

 

[wirenut1980]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

Here is a good article on this technology:

BPL

 

[bensonelectric]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

I am more looking forward to Verison's FiOs fibre network. 15mbps down/2mbps down for $45 amonth? You cant beat that.

 

[sparky_magoo]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

Broadband over power lines renders all AM communication uses, including the AM broadcast band.

 

[hbiss]

Re: Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

Do you mean "renders all AM communication useless?

Interesting but not a surprise. Any reference to this? First time I'm hearing of a serious problem that seems to have been swept under the rug by the FCC.

-Hal