On the global EMC aspect of broadband power line communications using the "HF" frequency band

Measurement data and computer modelling is used to assess the potential of global cumulative radio interference effects caused by over the horizon ionospheric propagation of unwanted emissions from broadband power line communications (PLC) systems operating in the HF band (1-30 MHz). A comparison of the results with the ITU-R atmospheric radio noise atlas indicates that the present natural noise levels in electromagnetic quiet areas will not change significantly with a possible future large deployment of local access telecommunication systems using the low voltage electricity distribution networks if the maximum transmit power spectral density per PLC cell (user group sharing the same spectral resources) is below -40 dBm (Hz/sup -1/).