
The information in this table is only given as an indication but it should enable
designers to choose the PLC technology best suited to the community specifications.
Supervision of the PLC Distribution Network
In the same manner as corporate PLC networks, the PLC distribution networks
require a system for the supervision of the infrastructure devices.
The architecture of a PLC distribution network includes the following elements:
•
PLC distribution network consisting of PLC devices in the master-slave mode
and using the public electrical network up to the final subscriber.
•
Connection of the PLC distribution network to other Internet constituent IP
networks (via “peering” agreements) or directly to the Internet via an Internet
access provider.
•
NOC (Network Operation Center), central station where the stations super-
vising the various PLC distribution networks are grouped; these are used for
checking the status of the network constituent PLC devices by means in partic-
ular of GPS mapping functionalities used for giving the position of each
device.
Figure 12.12 illustrates an example of PLC distribution network architecture
implementing VPN tunnels connecting the NOC to the PLC gateways existing in the
electrical substations with links dedicated to the supervision of the network head
devices.
284 PLC for Communities
Table 12.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of PLC Technologies for a Distribution Network
PLC SERVICE
TECHNOLOGY
DEVICE AND
FUNCTIONALITY
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Main.net
–CuPLUS master
–RpPLUS repeater
–NtPLUS slave
–Proven technology in various
PLC projects
–Good range of the PLC signal
–Supervision tool (NmPLUS)
–Technology a bit
obsolete
Spidcom
–Head-end master
–Repeater
–CPE slave
–Possible advanced configuration
(notching, power spectral density,
and so forth)
–Strong engineering support
–SPiDMonitor tool for administration/
supervision
–224-Mbit/s throughput at PHY level
–Few deployments in
France
–Complex
administration
DS2
–HE master
–Slave of the apartment
building type HG
–Slave of the CPE
apartment type
–Stable throughput over public networks
–Simple management interface by HTTP
–OMS-PLC tool for administration/
supervision
–Product integration by Corinex
equipment vendor
–Not compatible
with HomePlug
products
Ascom
–Master
–Slave
–Easy Telnet interface
–Easy software update
–Low throughput
–Obsolete technology
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