Appliance Design - January 2009 - (Page 38)

ELECTRONICS more quickly and efficiently to changes in demand across the distribution network. It will also enable customers to use power more efficiently and drive down costs. In this type of home area network or building automation application, utilities would use a variety of PLC products to intelligently manage lighting, heating and cooling, security, access control, and energy usage. Keypad controllers, for example, would act as standalone transceivers and replace standard switches in the powerline home or building network, and communicate with intelligent PLC-enabled appliances. The PLC system manufacturer would provide software to program the keypad controller and create various control scenarios for the managed network. PC-based powerline transceivers ensure reliable communication of data across the network, communicating with host computers via Ethernet or USB interfaces. An analog front end performs signal conditioning and couples the modulated signals, generated from a custom modem chip with the powerlines. Using specialized software, the modem chip is capable of implementing custom configurations and more advanced functions such as signallevel measuring and signal repetition. At the networking level, simple plug-in PLC load modules provide remote control of individual appliances or lights via command signals transmitted over the same electrical wires that power the appliance. Each module is programmed by a keypad controller or transceiver to respond to on/ off, bright/dim, or ramp up/ramp down commands. Installation is simple. The user plugs each load module into the wall outlet closest to the appliance or light. The appliance or light is then plugged directly into a receptacle on the module. No wiring installation is required. Each powerline module and transceiver capable of functioning within a powerline network will require a digital modem IC and a controller. Eventually this functionality could be either embedded in an appliance’s motherboard or mounted on a separate daughtercard. The daughtercard approach allows appliance manufacturers to easily modify or update their designs by replacing the card as industry standards evolve. Once industry standards are resolved, most appliance manufacturers will probably opt to embed the modem onto the motherboard to reduce space requirements and minimize cost. Design flexibility and cost are key considerations when selecting a modem IC for PLC applications. Ideally, a PLC modem must support a wide range of programmable transmission rates as well as communication frequencies. It should also offer a range of on-chip security peripherals. Reliability is also crucial. To reap the benefit of PLC technology, utilities need command and control solutions that are always available. Proven IC manufacturing processes and the integration of extensive on-chip error correction capabilities help ensure data accuracy and system uptime. To give the PLC network designer maximum flexibility, a modem IC should also support the use of more than one protocol within the same network and the use of more than a single protocol in a given www.applianceDESIGN.com 38 applianceDESIGN January 2009 http://www.dymax.com http://www.dymax.com http://www.dymax.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - January 2009 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Supplier Spotlights Commercial Appliances Plastics & Parts Electronics Motors Design Marts Association Report: NAFEM Advertiser’s Index

Appliance Design - January 2009

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