Sponsored by IEEE Communications Society’s Power-Line Communications Standards Committee, the approval follows completion of IEEE 1901.2’s first sponsor ballot in August 2013.
Featuring physical/medium access (PHY/MAC) layer, coexistence and electromagnetic-compatibility (EMC) requirements, the EEE 1901.2 supports the balanced and efficient use of the power-line communications (PLC) channel by all classes of low-frequency and narrowband devices.
IEEE Low-Frequency Narrowband Power-Line Communications Working Group chair Jim LeClare said the IEEE 1901.2 standard raises the performance bar with mandatory differential and robust coherent modulation, with added enhancements for increased data rates greater than 300kbps.
IEEE Low-Frequency Narrowband Power-Line Communications Working Group vice chair and STMicroelectronics Industrial and Power Conversion Division special assignments director Oleg Logvinov said, ”Having this standard widely available is paramount to the forward progress of technologies provided by semiconductor manufacturers, meter and systems manufacturers, software developers, service providers, utilities and more.”
IEEE 1901.2 is designed to address low-frequency, narrowband PLC over low-voltage lines of less than 1000V between transformer and meter, through transformer low-voltage to medium-voltage and through transformer medium-voltage to low-voltage power lines in both urban and in long-distance rural communications.
