SAMBA project: Performance analysis of PLC network as return channel for interactive digital television applications

This paper presents an analysis of the network traffic generated by different interactive digital television applications using PLC as return channel on the context of SAMBA project. The analysis is conducted through the evaluation of performance of PLC compared to traditional IP network. The setup considers usual PLC network with presence of noise generated by electrical devices. It was evaluated the connection between the repeater and PLC modem (i.e. low voltage scenario), since the rest of transmission between server and repeater was done by the Internet (traditional Ethernet connection). As results, the impacts of those disturbances on the quality of service and on the usability of the applications are evaluated.