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.
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