Around the world, Utilities have recognized the business potential in the deployment of Broadband Powerline Communications (BPL/PLC). Like them, broadband access operators have also realized the potential of BPL/PLC, either as an extension into an MDU/MTU, Hospitality or School from any known broadband communications infrastructure (whether Optical Fiber, Satellite or xDSL), or as a cost- effective Wi-Fi device connection (where no line-of-sight is available).

Beyond automated meter reading, the Smart Grid calls for feature-rich management and control of the existing electrical infrastructure. However, to make this happen, flexible and simple implementation and operation solutions are necessary. MainNet's unique, field-proven BPL/PLC technology and algorithms make its PLUS an intelligent and attractive solution over other market offerings.

Highlights

• Fast network deployment and unit parameter settings
• Dynamic recognition of the network topology
• Automatic unit reconfiguration in the event of failure
• Automatic reconfiguration of replaced equipment
• Network management advanced functionalities
• BPL unit history restoration
• Physical unit performance curves
• Alarm management
• Simple software upgrade capabilities
• Functionality of commercial and operational management of the
• customer premises equipment (CPE)

What is Broadband Powerline Communications?

Powerline networks transmit high-frequency data signals over the same electrical grid as that used for carrying electrical power to households. Accordingly, electrical wires and sockets are used simultaneously for electricity and for data transmission, without causing disruption to either.

Typically, BPL equipment vendors use OFDM processes to handle high-speed data transmission between computers, as a solution for a noisy electricity network. The OFDM modulation detects changes within the powerline and maintains network communication – even during power spikes or other powerline disruptions. However, this has proved to be insufficient for maintaining a broadband network delivering high-speed data that is subject to frequent changes, both in terms of the number of users and the bandwidth consumption. Therefore, OFDM as such is not sufficient to support commercial broadband communications over the electricity grid. Enhancing the technology to support not only the physical layer, but also layer two and the application layer, makes BPL/PLC a feasible option in a widely commercial implementation.

MainNet's Unique BPL/PLC Technology Offerings

Capitalizing on the company’s vast experience in commercially-deployed networks, MainNet offers its PLUS solution – a combination of algorithms and mechanisms optimally adapted from wireless and wireline technology. Using three additional communication methods (CSMA/CA, Smart Repetition and Access Unit Hopping) makes the PLUS solution ideal for managing and controlling data traffic over powerline grids – the behavior of which is known to be unpredictable.

Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA)

The CSMA/CA method is designed for data transmission where reliable collision detection is not possible – such as, in powerline communications. Performance improvement is achieved by reducing the probability of collision and retry. While the CSMA/CA method improves line performance and data throughput, it may affect data latency. MainNet's unique QoS (quality of service) mechanisms, implemented in addition to CSMA/CA, enhance performance of all jitter-sensitive applications such as Voice and Video, thereby guaranteeing QoS.

Smart Repetition – Reduced Network Planning Hassle

In a MainNet-based BPL network, dynamic repeaters are installed sporadically over the network, eliminating the need for complex network planning or costly maintenance.  To meet the changing demands for bandwidth and speed when using BPL for broadband communication services, MainNet incorporates a Smart Repetition mechanism that allows each unit to choose the best route to achieve the best performance at any given time. This dynamic routing feature enables the service provider to maintain quality of service (QoS) at all times, while enabling Plug-and-Play installation and maintenance of the system.

Access Hopping

In a typical communication network, the constant changes in electricity wire conditions, as well as the fluctuating demands in bandwidth, require even more dynamic solutions than those of other broadband network media. MainNet’s patented Access Hopping (AH) mechanism uses a network cell topology similar to that used in the cellular phone market, where each cell phone automatically migrates between base-stations.

The Access Hopping mechanism enables dynamic routing of up to 1000 connected users in a single cluster, while maintaining high-frequency bandwidth. Each cluster of customer premises units (NtPLUS) is connected to a single concentrating unit (CuPLUS). In the event of a noisy electrical grid or an overloaded network, the AH mechanism allows any PLUS unit to automatically "hop" between CuPLUS units, thus avoiding speed loss and maximizing bandwidth sharing efficiency.