IEEE 1901

Description / Abstract: The project defines a standard for high-speed (gt;100 Mbps at the physical layer) communication devices via electric power lines, so-called broadband over power line (BPL) devices. This standard uses transmission frequencies below 100 MHz. It is usable by all classes of BPL devices, including BPL devices used for the first-mile/last-mile connection (lt;1500 m to the premise) to broadband services as well as BPL devices used in buildings for local area networks (LANs), smart energy applications, transportation platform (vehicle) applications, and other data distribution (lt;100 m between devices). This standard focuses on the balanced and efficient use of the power line communications channel by all classes of BPL devices, defining detailed mechanisms for coexistence and interoperability between different BPL devices, and assuring that desired bandwidth and quality of service may be delivered. The standard addresses the necessary security questions to provide privacy of communications between users and allow the use of BPL for security-sensitive services. It is limited to the physical layer and the medium access sublayer of the data link layer, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Basic Reference Model.

Purpose

New modulation techniques offer the possibility to use the power lines for high-speed communications. This new high-speed medium is open and locally shared by several BPL devices. Without an independent, openly defined standard, BPL devices serving different applications will conflict with one another and provide unacceptable service to all parties. The standard will provide a minimum implementation subset that allows fair coexistence of the BPL devices. The full implementation will provide interoperability among BPL devices, as well as interoperability with other networking protocols, such as bridging for seamless interconnection via IEEE Std 802.1X™-2010.¹ It is also the intent of this effort to progress quickly toward a robust standard so power line applications may begin to impact the marketplace. The standard also complies with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) limits set by national regulators, so as to enable successful coexistence with wireless and telecommunications systems.

¹ Information on references can be found in Clause 2.