Power line communication channel models

Abstract

In this chapter, rather than providing a broad view about the existing models found in the literature, we follow the top-down approach, aiming to provide a concise description of simple models that can be used in simulations to assess the performance of PLC communications systems and smart grid applications. In this sense, the chapter has been structured as follows: first, the analytical multipath propagation model is presented, which is the basis for generating synthetic frequency responses, for both broadband and narrowband PLC (NB-PLC); then, we present usual models for the noise present in the PLC communication channel. In the sequence, we present the general procedure for generating channel frequency responses for simulation scenarios for broadband and NB-PLC, and, finally, we comment about recent extensions of such models to MIMO PLC systems.