Broadband over Power Line

Broadband over Power Line (BPL) is a system that provides high-speed internet into home and office by means of electrical outlet. Theoretically, BPL has the ability to enable data to be transmitted over power lines into homes and offices systematically. BPL is also called Power-line Communications (PLC).(Christian, 2004)

How BPL Works? The below image shows how the electricity is distributed to the end-users at home. First, electricity generates power from the power plant. Second, the power is transferred by using high voltage transmission lines to power substation inorder to reduce the power of the voltage to medium. Third, it passes to power poles using low-voltage line to deliver safely the needed power to start up BPL at home.

 

Figure 1(example of how the power dilivered to our home, 2011).

The transmission of line is not simply diffusing electricity to pass the data at home because it carries high voltage. The voltage of transmission is broke down into medium yet safe mode to be able to transmit the data safely at home by power poles. The BPL uses Substation (Medium-Voltage) which is suitable for data transmission. The data travel from one point to another point by using special device called coupler. The repeater take the data until it reaches the last station which is the home.BPL modems connect the power socket in the building to access BPL RF signal. It converts the RF signal to digital data and vice-versa. The process on how to connect using BPL modem are: 1) End-user connects the BPL modem to any power socket in the building or at home to access the BPL RF signal; 2) The BPL modem converts the RF signal back into digital data; 3) End-user then connects the BPL modem into a computer, server, switch, or wireless access point (Valdes).

Figure 2(example of how data traval by using power line, 2011).



The applications for Broadband over Power Line systems are divided into two broad categories:

1. In-house BPL, this application allow you to use traditional channels: telephone or cable broadband to access internet on all parts of your home by using power outlets. You simply plug the Ethernet lead from your normal modem into a special adapter that fits into one of the power outlets. The home electricity circuit takes the broadband to and from every room in your home as a high-frequency signal superimposed on top of the power supply. If you want to use broadband to any parts in your home, you simply plug another Ethernet adapter into one of the power outlets in that room and plug your computer into it.

2. Access BPL,it provides communications between homes and ISP outside the home by using the power outlet within the home or by using the access point attached within power poles through wireless devices.

BPL is already being tested in several cities around the United States and the United Kingdom. In these places, network and infrastructure are already in place.  Applying BPL elsewhere is a cost-effective type data transmission since almost hundred percent anywhere has electricity. It empowers the community to be in touch with the world e.g. using voice, data, internet. Moreover, it helps technical people build WAN, MAN and LAN without spending extra cost. On the otherhand, BPL has its downside, it never get the chance to be materialized since its application is always in the pilot stage. Although some areas have electricity but it does not guarantee stability.

References:

Christian, D. (2004). What is Broadband over Power Line (BPL). Retrieved 11 08, 2011, from SearchNetworking: http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Broadband-over-Power-Line

Valdes, R. (n.d.). How Broadband Over Powerlines Works. Retrieved 11 08, 2011, from howstuff works: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bpl3.htm

Figures:

Figure 1:example of how the power dilivered to our home, 2011,

retrieved from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bpl3.htm

Figure 2:example of how data traval by using power line, 2011,

retrieved from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bpl3.htm