Ariane Controls a Powerline and RF Communication Technology Provider - Products

PRODUCTS / Powerline Modem

Overview

PLM-1 is a digital modem implementing a half-duplex transmitter/receiver for powerline communication (PLC). Designed as an ASIC, the device is a very efficient solution for cost sensitive, medium data rate applications. The PLM-1 uses Ariane’s patented narrowband FSK (Frequency-Shift Keying) modulation technique. The information is encoded by shifting the frequency of the carrier signal between two discrete values in a very narrow range. Featuring complete media access control (MAC), Forward Error Correction algorithm, programmable parameters and simple external circuits, PLM-1 provides reliable communication and allows designing more cost-effective PLC transceivers than possible with any other solution.

PLM-1 Data Sheet

Features

Very robust narrowband FSK modulation
Programmable transmission rate from 100 bps to 30,000 bps
Programmable communication frequency from 50 to 500 kHz
CSMA/CD type collision detection and resolution
Programmable automatic preamble generation
Programmable automatic packet-priority management with four levels
Error detection (CRC 16)
High-efficiency Forward Error Correction (FEC)
Full transaction-type management using unacknowledged and acknowledged messages
Nibble-oriented efficient data encoding/decoding
Parallel and SPI interfaces
Protocol neutrality
RoHS compliant

Specifications

Supply voltage: +3.3Vdc +/- 10%
Power consumption: 33mW max.
3V (5V tolerant) TTL I/O
Clock frequency: 4 to 20MHz
Ambient temperature: -40ºC to +85 ºC
Package: 44-pin plastic LQFP (10x10mm)

Typical application

Home & Building Automation Solutions

Lighting systems
Solar panel systems
HVAC systems
Security systems
Clocks / sensors

Utilities Solutions

Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)
Load Shedding (Demand Response)
Remote Diagnostic
Street Light Monitoring
Traffic Light Control

PLM-1-based transceiver

Few external components are required to complete the functionality of PLM-1, enabling designers to easily build high-performance powerline communication devices.

Development tools

Evaluation and development boards and test software allow for both evaluating and developing PLM-1-based applications.
PLM-1 User Manual provides complete design and application information.
Firmware libraries and sample code are designed for easy start-up.
PCB footprint libraries for various layout design software.
Technical support and design review are available to help you succeed.

PLM-1 User Manual