GC8800
The intelligent small form-factor GridComm Power Line Communication (PLC) module, GC8800, is a complete hardware and software networking solution. The module works with an external coupling circuitry installed on the base board and when powered with a DC15~18V@300mA power supply, it functions as a full system-level PLC modem.
The GC8800 module supports PWM and Digital Outputs that are controllable remotely, and ADC values and Digital Inputs that may be read remotely from the Master Node. These control and monitoring packets uses gridComm Network Management commands that are communicated through the UART/RS-485/RS-232 of the Master Node.
The PLC module is designed to serve as a slave node for use in small and tight enclosures especially for applications such as Smart Lighting Control, Automated Meter Reading (AMR), Industrial/Home Automation, Alternative Energy and M2M. It is first used and deployed in gridComm's MJX-100-X-P Digital Power Supply.
Features
- Low-cost, small form--factor design
- Next generation OFDMA transceiver with 175kbps maximum data rate
- Repeater mode to increase the distance coverage
- 3QPSK, 3BPSK, or 1BPSK modulation schemes with up to 18 levels of redundancy
- Configurable for FCC, Arib and CENELEC modes of operation
- Built-in AFE and line coupling Circuit
- Distance: Up to 3km tested (actual distance depends on power line conditions)
Benefits
- Tackles signal variations that are commonly present in power line applications due to signal attenuation, impulsive noise, and changes in line impedance
- Simple "plug-and-play" operation. Connects directly to AC and DC power lines.
- Robust Communications: Based on GC2200, communications over up to 18 OFDM channels
- Reliable, Predictable Communications: Automatic configuration in noisy environments via best channel scan to provide most robust and reliable data transmission
Applications
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
- Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
- Street lighting control
- Smart energy home area networking
- Home automation (HA)
- Building automation (BA)
- SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition)
- Frequency range: 5KHz to 500KHz
- 3QPSK, 3BPSK, or 1BPSK modulation schemes with up to 18 levels of redundancy
- Single Power Supply: DC12V @ 300mA
- Normal Power Consumption- Receiving (Rx) Mode: 12V DC @42mA
- Rx Sensitivity: -75 dBm
- Scan Frequency tool to scan for best 18 carrier frequencies based on RSSI and Received Success Rate for up to 8 nodes
- Noise Indicator tool to detect noise level for selected frequency channels
- Debug tool to test success rate of communication link.