A concept to enhance system data rate for PLC access networks

This paper presents an approach to divide a PCL single-master operated cell into multiple sub-cells featuring each an individual master (i.e. multi-master), in order to increase the overall system data rate. This is achieved by using blocking filters to allow frequency reutilization. Measurements were carried out in the village of Saint Sulpice, near the city of Lausanne in Switzerland, in order to verify the concept and the possible use of the blocking filters. Our results show that the radio frequency (RF) separation obtained using blocking filters is, in certain cases, effective enough to properly separate signals belonging to different low voltage (LV) feeders on the same substation. In some other cases, despite the use of properly designed and integrated blocking filters, additional mechanisms must be used. In particular, the Synchronised Tx/Rx for all masters and the Rx/Tx frequency duplexing mechanisms are discussed.