OFDM-Based PLC Modem delivers 100 kbps max at 10-490 kHz.
July 22, 2008 -
Compliant with worldwide signaling regulations, MAX2990 power-line communication (PLC) modem employs broadband-communication techniques to deliver 2-way data communication over existing AC and DC powerlines. Integrated SoC uses OFDM technology with DBPSK modulation and forward error correction to provide reliable data communication in presence of narrowband interferers, group delays, jammer signals, impulsive noise, and frequency-selective attenuations.
First OFDM-Based, Powerline Communication Modem Delivers up to 100kbps at 10kHz to 490kHz
10kHz to 490kHz OFDM-Based Power Line Communications Modem
o Industry's first OFDM-based broadband PLC modem, the MAX2990 delivers data at speeds up to 100kbps over the 10kHz to 490kHz frequency range.
o This device complies with worldwide signaling regulations, including FCC, CENELEC, and ARIB.
o This highly integrated SoC enables robust data communication over the same electrical lines that supply power to other devices on the network, thus saving space, reducing cost, and speeding time to market.
o The MAX2990 is ideal for applications such as automatic meter reading; energy management and load control; lighting control; and building, industrial, and home automation.
SUNNYVALE, CA-May 23, 2008-Maxim Integrated Products (PINK OTC MARKETS: MXIM) introduces the MAX2990 OFDM-based, power-line communication (PLC) modem. This device employs advanced broadband-communication techniques to deliver cost-effective, two-way data communication over AC and DC powerlines at speeds up to 100kbps. By using existing powerlines, it reduces the need for external cables to interconnect between network nodes.
Supporting a wide, 10kHz to 490kHz frequency range, the MAX2990 complies with international power-line signaling regulations, including CENELEC, FCC, and ARIB. This highly integrated SoC is ideal for applications requiring high data rates over long distances, such as automatic meter reading (AMR); energy management and load control; lighting control; and building, industrial, and home automation.
The challenge of communicating through existing powerlines
The power-line network is by far the largest network in the world. While the idea of using power lines for communication goes back to the 1920s, the number of communication devices installed on dedicated wires far exceeds the number installed on AC powerlines today.
Powerlines are hostile environments. The lower, 10kHz to 500kHz frequency region is especially susceptible to interference, background noise, impulsive noise, and group delays. Figure 1 shows the average noise in a typical power-line channel.
To overcome these challenges, many companies have tried different modulation techniques such as spread spectrum and other narrowband schemes. None of these solutions achieved high data rates reliably over the long distances required by today's demanding applications.
OFDM and advanced networking technologies ensure robust data communication
Maxim has solved the problems inherent to PLC by applying advanced, broadband communication techniques. The MAX2990 uses OFDM technology with DBPSK modulation and forward error correction (FEC) to provide robust data communication in the presence of narrowband interferers, group delays, jammer signals, impulsive noise, and frequency-selective attenuations. Consequently, the MAX2990 is the industry's only broadband PLC chip that transfers data at the 10kHz to 490kHz frequency range.
Advanced networking techniques ensure a reliable, highly secure communications network. Specifically, a CSMA/CA scheme controls the data traffic flow in multiple-nodes distributed networks, and an automatic repeat request (ARQ) function ensures the delivery and receipt of incoming packets. The MAX2990 also integrates a fast DES encryption/decryption coprocessor to enhance data security.
Improved bandwidth utilization maximizes data recovery
Figure 2 compares a narrowband technology, such as FSK, to a broadband technology, such as OFDM. These two technologies differ in the number of tones that each uses to transmit data per symbol (a symbol is the smallest unit of data transmitted at one time). The graph illustrates that OFDM uses bandwidth more efficiently than a narrowband method, thereby allowing more tones to be transmitted per a given bandwidth.
The higher number of tones available from OFDM systems enables the MAX2990 to implement data-recovery schemes such as Reed Solomon and convolutional encoding. These advanced channel-coding techniques provide error-correction bits that can be transmitted with the data on different tones to maximize data recovery. This OFDM capability makes the MAX2990 the industry's most robust PLC modem.
Superior performance at higher data rates
When evaluating a modem, one of the most significant values to consider is the bit-error rate (BER) at a given signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The BER is the ratio of the lost bits to the transmitted bits at a certain noise level.
Whereas a typical FSK system has a BER of ~104 at 12dB SNR with a data rate of ~2kbps, the MAX2990 achieves the same BER at ~4dB SNR with data rates of ~32kbps in Cenelec bands between 10kHz and 95kHz. Thus, using OFDM technology with error-correction techniques enables an ~8dB improvement in performance at much higher data rates.
To further improve performance, the MAX2990 automatically switches to robust mode when input-signal variations exceed predefined thresholds, such as SNR levels, input-fluctuation levels, and potential in-band tone reductions. As a result, this mode achieves ~5dB improvement in SNR, but at lower data rates.
Samples and further information
The MAX2990 combines the physical (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layers in a single chip that also integrates Maxim's 16-bit RISC MAXQ® microcontroller. The MAX2990 includes 32kB of flash memory to run the MAC code and user-defined custom applications, plus 8kB of SRAM for data memory. Additionally, the MAX2990 supports UART, SPI(TM), and I²C serial interfaces for glueless communication between the powerline and other devices on the network. See Figure 3 for details.
The MAX2990 is available in a 64-pin LQFP package and is fully specified over the -40°C to +85°C extended temperature range. Pricing starts at $8.50 (1000-up, FOB USA). For more information, visit: www.maxim-ic.com/PLC-Modem.
Main features of the MAX2990
o Combines the Physical Layer (PHY) and Media Access Controller (MAC)
o Integrated microcontroller with 32kB flash memory and 8kB SRAM
o Maximum effective data rate in normal mode: 32kbps at 10kHz to 95kHz; 100kbps at 10kHz to 490kHz
o Complies with:
- CENELEC (10kHz to 140kHz)
- FCC (10kHz to 490kHz)
- ARIB (10kHz to 450kHz)
o Includes forward error correction (FEC) mechanism and CRC16 and CRC32
o Includes fast DES engine as the encryption/decryption coprocessor
o Jammer cancellation for FCC and ARIB
o User-configured start and end operating frequency
o CSMA/CA channel-access arbitration and ARQ
o Supports SPI, I²C, and UART interfaces
o Real-time-clock (RTC)
o PWM counters for applications such as LED light control
Maxim Integrated Products is a publicly traded company that designs, manufactures, and sells over $2 billion of high-performance semiconductor products annually. It was founded over 25 years ago with the mission to deliver innovative analog and mixed-signal engineering solutions that add value to its customers' products. To date, Maxim has developed over 5600 products serving the industrial, communications, consumer, and computing markets. For more information, go to www.maxim-ic.com.
Customer Service: 1-800-998-8800 Company Information: Name: Maxim Integrated Products Address: 120 San Gabriel Dr. City: Sunnyvale State: CA ZIP: 94086 Country: USA Phone: 408-737-7600 FAX: 408-737-7194 http://www.maxim-ic.com
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