Economic and Simple Power Line Modem Design for the Utility Applications in Micro-Hydro Power Systems of Nepal

This paper introduces a method for indigenous design and construction of a simple and economic low data rate power line modem. The target groups are small power systems of developing countries, like Nepal and its rural power infrastructure consisting of micro-hydro systems. Major focus is placed on how to design and construct a low cost power line modem with a locally researched downscaled technology and components. This work has introduced a power line modem test bed at educational institute of a developing country, Nepal, so that the study and testing of power line communication at local level becomes possible, and at the same time, technology for its application at local level can be made available. The major problems of power line communication like time varying noises, attenuation, and variable impedance characteristics were overcome. The work report detail study of the power line noise and the simplest digital modulation scheme. This paper describes low cost but reliable prototype power line modem design and construction for the purpose of utility applications in micro-hydro power systems. A generalized approach for indicating the applicability of the power line modem in utility application field is also illustrated by reporting the successful testing of computer serial data communication, voice communication, and device control