A sounding method based on OFDM modulation for PLC channel measurement

Abstract

The measurement and characterization of electric power grid as medium to provide data communication is a task of practical importance for understanding signal propagation and impairment as well as pursuing new generation of power line communication (PLC) technologies. With this regards, this contribution aims at discussing a channel estimation methodology that is constituted by a sounding technique for channel estimation, a time synchronization technique, and a measurement setup. This methodology allow to measure linear time invariant, time variant, and periodically time variant PLC channels if the clock offset between the transmitter and receiver devices of the measurement setup is irrelevant. Measurement results reveal the effectiveness of this methodology for estimating PLC channels.