Allocation of PLC Devices in a Low-Voltage Grid

This paper presents a mathematical model and a solution strategy to the allocation problem of PLC devices (Power Line Communication) in a low-voltage (LV) grid. The proposed approach uses a Power Line Communication - PLC, based on the Master and Slave paradigm, to establish communication among the devices in place. The PLC Master provides access to the local data network, and the PLC Slaves are distributed in the LV grid. The PLC Master is strategically allocated in this grid to serve the PLC Slaves. The allocation problem of PLC Masters may be mathematically formulated as an integer linear programming problem. Thus, our proposal conducts a mathematical modeling of this problem and presents promising simulation results.