ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of Ultra narrowband (UNB)-, Narrowband (NB)- and Broadband (BB)-power line communications (PLC) systems and standards. NB-PLC systems usually operate in the frequency range from 3 to 500 kHz, that is, the Comite Europeen de Normalisation Electrotechnique/ Association of Radio Industries and Businesses/ Federal Communications Commission (CENELEC/ARIB/FCC) bands. A pioneering low data rate (LDR) NB-PLC system is definitely LonWorks. While PLC standards only specify one or two of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-Open Systems Interconnection (ISO-OSI) layers, the LonWorks system includes all seven tiers from programming networked applications down to the physical media power line, twisted pair, RF and fibre optics. The idea of using power lines also for communication purposes has already been around since the beginning of the last century. It is broadly referred to as power line communications (PLCs).
