Statistical analysis and characterization of low voltage power line noise for telecommunication applications

The power line network presents a readily available medium that can be utilized for the delivery of both low and high data rate communication services. This ready available infrastructure implies that the cost of network set up is very low compared to other technologies, like fiber optics. However, the power line channel is very noisy and presents a hostile environment for communication purposes. But, given the expansive and extensive coverage of the power line network; it presents the most ubiquitous medium, and therefore there is need for a thorough understanding of the channel characteristics, one of the most important being noise. In this paper, we present both parametric and nonparametric models of the noise encountered in an indoor power line network. The models are derived both parametrically and non-parametrically from noise measurements carried out in both frequency and time domains.