DPL / PLC (Digital Power Line / Power Line Communication)
Field Test Report by P. Mateus

2003.08.30

The goal for this test is to the estabish a (sub)local area connection solution using DPL/PLC technology, integrated with other local area network equipment and solutions (UTP and WiFi oriented) and to cross benchmark them. Two DPL/PLC - Ethernet bridges were acquired at Niposom . The unitary cost was, at corporate rate, 67 Euros + VAT. Model is a "PLB11 Powerline Bridge" (ref. PWL11BRI / PLU 11).

Package contains:

1 Powerline bridge unit
1 DC power adapter
1 Encryption utility CD (Intellon Software/Drivers User Guide, PDF approx. 270k)
1 Quick install guide  (GIF, approx. 140k)
1 Category [UTP] 5 cable

Product specs:

Standard: IEEE802.3 , IEEE8023.u
Port: 10/100Mbps Ethernet RJ45
Modulation: OFDM, MDQPSK/DPPSK
Privacy: 56 bits DES encryption
Data rate: Up to 14 Mbps
Conformance: FCC, CE

External photos






Internal photos






Network Connection Test
Existing network consisting of a ADSL 768/128 connection based upon a Alcatel Home Speed Touch modem (with a Alcatel splitter) connected to a LinkSys BEFSR41V2 router with a 10/100 4 port switch, paired with two repeating LinkSys WAP11V22 (running modified D-LINK 900 firmware) WiFi Access Point 802.11b.
 

Room layouts and plug positions ( JPG, approx. 135k )
Main (blue) and Alternative (red) PLB11 setups




Detailed Network Diagram; DPL, LAN and Wireless
| JPG, approx. 46k | PDF, approx. 42k |
 

One UTP 5 RJ45 cable (5 meters) was extended from the LinkSys router/switch and connected to one of the PLB11 bridges, already connected, with a 6 power ports electrical extension, to the home power plug. The other PLB11 bridge was connected also to a 6 power ports electrical extension on a different room. A IBM ThinkPad R32 laptop, with built in 10/100 NIC, was connected, wih a 1,5 meter UTP 5 RJ45 cable to that PLB11. Both PLB11s were powered up, all lights went OK (both for the powerline and ethernet activity). The laptop NIC was able to receive immediatly a valid IP from the internal DHCP (provided by the LinkSys router), and internet/web browsing access was immediatly tested with success. Tests followed to two different rooms also with success.
 

From left to right: main DPL setup; alternative dpl setup; detail of IBM laptop with Linksys WiFi adapter; main ADSL modem, router and WiFi access point setup.



DPL # 1, WM Video, 8 sec.
Transmission lights blinking
aprox. 70k



DPL # 2,  WM Video, 8 sec.
Transmission lights blinking
aprox. 75K

 

Benchmark: Power Line, WiFi and LAN

A IBM ThinkPad R32 laptop, running Windows XP, with built in 10/100 NIC and one extra 11M LinkSys WiFi PCMCIA adapter (WPC11 V3), was used for benchmark. As server there was a Windows 2000 Adv. Server 10/100 NIC based file share, connected to the LinkSys 10/100 swith via UTP. WiFi access was provided via LinkSys WAP11 AP.
 
 
Tests performed

PING IRC.ONINET.PT

Power Line:
Minimum = 19ms, Maximum = 148ms, Average = 37ms
0% loss

WiFi:
Minimum = 22ms, Maximum = 121ms, Average = 32ms
2% loss

LAN:
Minimum = 18ms, Maximum = 145ms, Average = 31ms
0% loss
 

PING YAHOO.COM

Power Line:
Minimum = 236ms, Maximum = 599ms, Average = 252ms
1% loss

WiFi: 
Minimum = 239ms, Maximum = 394ms, Average = 249ms
12% loss

LAN:
 Minimum = 235ms, Maximum = 335ms, Average = 243ms
0% loss

One file, 48.12 Mbytes zip archive, LANMark File Copy
LanMark FileCopy: Version 8.2.181 1999
 

Power Line:

--Send-- --Receive--
Min: 5.25 - 5.31 --MBits/s
Max: 5.25 - 5.31 --MBits/s
Avg: 5.25 - 5.31 --MBits/s
0 errors
[ Avg Send and Receive: 5.15 MBits/s ]


WiFi (Signal Coverage >90%):

--Send-- --Receive--
Min: 4.45 - 2.35 --MBits/s
Max: 4.45 - 2.35 --MBits/s
Avg: 4.45 - 2.35 --MBits/s
0 errors
[ Avg Send and Receive: 3.40 MBits/s ]


LAN:
 --Send-- --Receive--
Min: 80.77 - 57.97 --MBits/s
Max: 80.77 - 57.97 --MBits/s
Avg: 80.77 - 57.97 --MBits/s
0 errors
[ Avg Send and Receive: 69.37 MBits/s ]
 

All serial numbers and unique part number identifiers were digitally removed from the photos. 2003. Copyrighted by P. Mateus, All rights reserved. No image or text, as a all or in sections or samples, can be reproduced without formal request and authorization. There is no sponsor or partnership of any kind between the author and any of the brands or companies refered. This is a private and independent report.