International standardization of power line communications (PLC) by IEEE is in the final stages. The draft for international standardization of PLC, which uses HD-PLC technology as the baseline, was completed in July 2009. A new version of the document (draft 2.0), which reflected the opinions from the industry, was approved in December 2009. The draft was also made public. Although international standardization is to be officially approved at the end of 2010, manufacturers are already in the position to start developing PLC equipment based on the international standard. This should fuel the market to grow at a rapid pace.

Discussions with Unprecedented Speed

The international standard for PLC, which IEEE decided on, includes all the specifications for the physical layer and the layer above, the MAC layer, used in HD-PLC, making it compatible to communicate with HD-PLC. Coexistence specifications (see related article) to prevent communication interference between PLC equipment with different formats are also included. In the past, placing multiple PLC with varying formats in the same network would cause communication to halt. In the new international standard, PLC equipment with different standards will be able to coexist. Users can now set up networks with ease, without having to think about the difference in equipments (and standards).

Over 3,000 comments on the first draft issued by the standardization committee in July 2009 were sent in from engineering experts in the industry. The number of comments is a surprise in itself, but the speed in which those comments were reflected into the draft was also a surprise. This process is normally said to take 2 years; the committee processed the opinions in just 6 months. This shows the manufacturers’ big expectation for early standardization. The draft which was also released to the public at the end of 2009 will officially become the international standard after the sponsor committee members, the committee that ranks above the IEEE P1901 working group, vote on it. The content is thought to be very similar to that of draft 2.01. This is why the development of PLC equipment based on the international standard has already begun based on the draft. A flurry of new equipment will most likely hit the market as soon as the official international standard is approved at the end of 2010.

HD-PLC: Possibilities for Innovation for the Environment

One of the reasons HD-PLC won such support is its possibility of making a big impact in lessening the effect on the environment. HD-PLC will have less impact on the environment, based on the Green Ubiquitous concept, allowing for a world where users can connect to the network from anywhere they want. Considerations for the environment is a must factor for society; all industries and companies must be environmentally conscious when improving their value and creativity. Because HD-PLC has the possibility of realizing an innovation for the environment in various areas, it has won big support.

Examples of Environmentally Conscious practices using HD-PLC

Reduction of LAN cables and power cables (see related article)

Reduction of electric consumption of PLC communication modem (see related article)

Reduction of electricity by Smart Grid application (eco-monitor, automatic meter check, electric control) (see related article)