scholarly journals Review and Progress towards the Capacity Boost of Overhead and Underground Medium-Voltage and Low-Voltage Broadband over Power Lines Networks: Cooperative Communications through Two- and Three-Hop Repeater Systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios G. Lazaropoulos

This paper reviews and analyzes the broadband capacity and the coexistence potential of overhead and underground medium-voltage/broadband over power lines (MV/BPL) and low-voltage/broadband over power lines (LV/BPL) topologies when one and two repeaters are additively deployed between their existing transmitting and receiving ends (overhead and underground MV/BPL and LV/BPL topologies with two- and three-hop repeater system, respectively). The contribution of this paper is four fold. First, the factors that influence the broadband capacity performance of overhead and underground MV/BPL and LV/BPL topologies with multihop repeater systems are identified, namely the number of repeaters, the distribution power grid type—either overhead or underground, either MV or LV, the initial distribution BPL topology, the multiconductor transmission line configuration, and coupling scheme applied. Second, the well-validated applicability of two-hop repeater systems is now extended in overhead and underground LV/BPL and MV/BPL networks. The significant mitigating role of two-hop repeater systems against capacity losses due to aggravated topologies or different coupling schemes is verified. Third, the deployment upgrade of two- to three-hop repeater systems in distribution BPL topologies is first examined in terms of broadband capacity performance. To study the occurred capacity improvement, suitable capacity contour plots are first proposed. Fourth, multi-hop repeater systems are identified as valuable technology solution so that the required intraoperability between overhead and underground MV/BPL and LV/BPL networks, which is a prerequisite condition before BPL systems symbiosis with other broadband technologies (interoperability), is promoted.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios G. Lazaropoulos

This paper considers broadband potential of distribution Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) networks when different well-known noise models of the BPL literature are applied. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the seven most representative and used noise models of the BPL literature are synopsized in this paper. With reference to this set, the broadband performance of a great number of distribution BPL topologies either Overhead (OV) or Underground (UN), either Medium-Voltage (MV) or Low-Voltage (LV), is investigated in terms of suitable capacity metrics. Second, based on the proposed capacity metrics, a comparative capacity analysis is performed among various well-validated noise models. Through the careful study of its results, it is demonstrated that during capacity computations of distribution BPL networks, the flat Additive White Gaussian Noise (FL noise model) can be comfortably assumed as an efficient noise model either in 3–30 MHz or in 3–88 MHz frequency range since its capacity differences with the other well-proven noise models are negligible.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios G. Lazaropoulos

This review paper reveals the broadband potential of overhead and underground low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) broadband over power lines (BPL) networks associated with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. The contribution of this review paper is fourfold. First, the unified value decomposition (UVD) modal analysis is introduced. UVD modal analysis is a new technique that unifies eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) and singular value decomposition (SVD) modal analyses achieving the common handling of traditional SISO/BPL and upcoming MIMO/BPL systems. The validity of UVD modal analysis is examined by comparing its simulation results with those of other exact analytical models. Second, based on the proposed UVD modal analysis, the MIMO channels of overhead and underground LV and MV BPL networks (distribution BPL networks) are investigated with regard to their inherent characteristics. Towards that direction, an extended collection of well-validated metrics from the communications literature, such as channel attenuation, average channel gain (ACG), root-mean-square delay spread (RMS-DS), coherence bandwidth (CB), cumulative capacity, capacity complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF), and capacity gain (GC), is first applied in overhead and underground MIMO/LV and MIMO/MV BPL channels and systems. It is found that the results of the aforementioned metrics portfolio depend drastically on the frequency, the power grid type (either overhead or underground, either LV or MV), the MIMO scheme configuration properties, the MTL configuration, the physical properties of the cables used, the end-to-end distance, and the number, the electrical length, and the terminations of the branches encountered along the end-to-end BPL signal propagation. Third, three interesting findings concerning the statistical properties of MIMO channels of distribution BPL networks are demonstrated, namely, (i) the ACG, RMS-DS, and cumulative capacity lognormal distributions; (ii) the correlation between RMS-DS and ACG; and (iii) the correlation between RMS-DS and CB. By fitting the numerical results, unified regression distributions appropriate for MIMO/BPL channels and systems are proposed. These three fundamental properties can play significant role in the evaluation of recently proposed statistical channel models for various BPL systems. Fourth, the potential of transformation of overhead and underground LV/BPL and MV/BPL distribution grids to an alternative solution to fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) technology is first revealed. By examining the capacity characteristics of various MIMO scheme configurations and by comparing these capacity results against SISO ones, a new promising urban backbone network seems to be born in a smart grid (SG) environment.


2010 ◽  
Vol 108-111 ◽  
pp. 771-776
Author(s):  
Nan Tian Huang ◽  
Xiao Sheng Liu ◽  
Dian Guo Xu

The power line communication (PLC) channel has been a transmission medium that enables to transfer high-speed digital data through the classical electrical wires. Channel characteristics of power lines are very important for communications systems design. In order to get the suitable model for power line communications analysis and improve the PLC communication quality, researchers do lots of study about the PLC channel characterizations based on actual measurement and theoretical analysis. This paper reviews the conclusions of recent studies, summaries the characteristics of PLC channel for medium voltage power lines and low voltage power lines. The further research is also put forward.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios G. Lazaropoulos

This paper investigates the efficiency and accuracy of the best L1 piecewise monotonic data approximation (best L1PMA) in order either to approximate the transfer functions of distribution BPL networks or to reveal the aforementioned transfer functions when various faults occur during their determination. The contribution of this paper is quadruple. First, based on the inherent piecewise monotonicity of distribution BPL transfer functions, a piecewise monotonic data approximation is first applied in BPL networks; best L1PMA is outlined and applied during the determination of distribution BPL transfer functions. Second, suitable performance metrics such as the percent error sum (PES) and fault PES are reported and applied so as to assess the efficiency and accuracy of the best L1PMA during the determination of distribution BPL transfer functions. Third, the factors of distribution BPL networks that influence the performance of best L1PMA are identified. Fourth, the accuracy of the best L1PMA is assessed with respect to its inherent properties, namely, the assumed number of monotonic sections and the nature of faults, that is, faults that follow either continuous uniform distribution (CUD) or normal distribution (ND), during the determination of distribution BPL transfer functions. Finally, best L1PMA may operate as the necessary intermediate antifault method for the theoretical and practical transfer function determination of distribution BPL networks.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios G. Lazaropoulos

The established statistical analysis, already used to treat overhead transmission power grid networks, is now implemented to examine the factors influencing modal transmission characteristics and modal statistical performance metrics of overhead and underground low-voltage/broadband over power lines (LV/BPL) and medium-voltage/broadband over power lines (MV/BPL) channels associated with power distribution in smart grid (SG) networks. The novelty of this paper is threefold. First, a refined multidimensional chain scattering matrix (TM2) method suitable for overhead and underground LV/BPL and MV/BPL modal channels is evaluated against other relative theoretical and experimental proven models. Second, applying TM2 method, the end-to-end modal channel attenuation of various LV/BPL and MV/BPL multiconductor transmission line (MTL) configurations is determined. The LV/BPL and MV/BPL transmission channels are investigated with regard to their spectral behavior and their end-to-end modal channel attenuation. It is found that the above features depend drastically on the frequency, the type of power grid, the mode considered, the MTL configuration, the physical properties of the cables used, the end-to-end distance, and the number, the electrical length, and the terminations of the branches encountered along the end-to-end BPL signal propagation. Third, the statistical properties of various overhead and underground LV/BPL and MV/BPL modal channels are investigated revealing the correlation between end-to-end modal channel attenuation and modal root-mean-square delay spread (RMS-DS). Already verified in the case of overhead high-voltage (HV) BPL systems, this fundamental property of several wireline systems is also modally validated against relevant sets of field measurements, numerical results, and recently proposed statistical channel models for various overhead and underground LV/BPL and MV/BPL channels. Based on this common inherent attribute of either transmission or distribution BPL networks, new unified regression trend line is proposed giving a further boost towards BPL system intraoperability. A consequence of this paper is that it aids in gaining a better understanding of the range and coverage that BPL solutions can achieve; a preliminary step toward the system symbiosis between BPL systems and other broadband technologies in an SG environment.


Author(s):  
Benbouza Naima ◽  
Benfarhi Louiza ◽  
Azoui Boubekeur

Background: The improvement of the voltage in power lines and the respect of the low voltage distribution transformer substations constraints (Transformer utilization rate and Voltage drop) are possible by several means: reinforcement of conductor sections, installation of new MV / LV substations (Medium Voltage (MV), Low Voltage (LV)), etc. Methods: Connection of mini-photovoltaic systems (PV) to the network, or to consumers in underserved areas, is a well-adopted solution to solve the problem of voltage drop and lighten the substation transformer, and at the same time provide clean electrical energy. PV systems can therefore contribute to this solution since they produce energy at the deficit site. Results: This paper presents the improvement of transformer substation constraints, supplying an end of low voltage electrical line, by inserting photovoltaic systems at underserved subscribers. Conclusion: This study is applied to a typical load pattern, specified to the consumers region.


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