A Chirp Spread Spectrum Modulation Scheme for Robust Power Line Communication

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme for power line communication that achieves robust data transmission in challenging conditions, with reduced synchronization needs and practical FPGA implementation.

Contribution

It presents a new modulation scheme inspired by LoRa for power line communication, demonstrating improved robustness and lower synchronization requirements through simulations and FPGA experiments.

Findings

Effective in channels with extreme multipath interference and low SNR (-40dB)

Successfully transmits load data from LV feeders to MV substation

Demonstrated through simulations and FPGA hardware implementation

Abstract

This paper proposes the use of a LoRa like chirp spread spectrum physical layer as the basis for a new Power Line Communication modulation scheme suited for low-bandwidth communication. It is shown that robust communication can be established even in channels exhibiting both extreme multipath interference and low SNR (-40dB), with synchronisation requirements significantly reduced compared to conventional LoRa. ATP-EMTP simulations using frequency dependent line and transformer models, and simulations using artificial Rayleigh channels demonstrate the effectiveness of the new scheme in providing load data from LV feeders back to the MV primary substation. We further present experimental results based on a Field Programmable Gate Array hardware implementation of the proposed scheme.