Demonstration of the technical viability of PLC systems on medium- and low-voltage lines in the United States

Several companies in the United States are interested in applying power line communications for broadband Internet access. This article provides an in-depth report of one specific end-to-end PLC trial carried out in the United States. This article includes useful information on the various devices utilized to construct the network, the applications demonstrated, and the performance characteristics of the particular field trial selected as emblematic. Insight into the main components and challenges involved in the testing activity is also given.