IEEE publishes final broadband over powerline standard

Broadband over Powerline (BPL) networking took another step forward today as the IEEE formally published the final IEEE 1901 BPL standard.

Finalized in December 2010, interested manufacturers and service providers rolling out home networking services such as smart energy, transportation and Local Area Networks (LANs) can purchase the BPL standard at the IEEE's website or from IEEE Xplore Digital Library.

According to the IEEE, IEEE 1901 compliant networking products will deliver 500 Mbps data rates in LAN applications, while in a last mile network it will be able to run over distances of up to 1500 meters.

As specified in the IEEE 1901, the new standard leverages two different PHY layers: one based on OFDM modulation and another based on Wavelet modulation as developed by HomePlug Powerline Alliance to transmit data over standard AC power lines of any voltage at transmission frequencies of less than 100 MHz. However, each PHY is optional so anyone implementing the standard could include both or just one of the PHY layers.

A service provider rolling out home networking services to consumers could use the BPL technology to complement wireless LAN coverage to overcome wireless LAN distance limitations and obstructions in a home or even to complement a hotel chain's network WiFi coverage.

For more:
- see the release

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