PL 3120/ PL 3150/ PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceivers Frequently Asked Questions
The Transceivers
Application Development
The Transceivers
When do I use the PLT-22 Power Line Transceiver Vs the new PL 31x0 (PL 3120
/ PL 3150 / PL 3170) Smart Transceivers?
The PLT-22 Power Line Transceiver requires (1) a Neuron® Chip, (2) coupling
circuitry, and (3) power supply to implement a complete power line device whereas
the PL 31x0 Power Line Smart Transceivers do not require a Neuron Chip
(since it is already integrated). The Power Line Smart Transceivers require (1)
an external discrete interface circuitry in addition to (2) the coupling circuitry
and (3) power supply. The discrete interface circuitry is a layout-sensitive
circuitry that needs to be implemented per the guidelines provided in the Development
Support Kit (DSK) that may be purchased from Echelon. As a result, the initial
design and layout of a Power Line Smart Transceiver device will require closer
attention than when designing with the PLT-22 Power Line Transceiver. On the
other hand, the Power Line Smart Transceivers enable a much more cost-effective
solution. A complete power line device can be implemented for roughly one-third
the cost of implementing the same device with the PLT-22 power line transceiver.
In summary, the Power Line Smart Transceiver is the ideal solution for large
volume applications whereas the PLT-22 Power Line Transceiver is better suited
for low volume applications.
Are the PLT-22 Power Line Transceivers and PL 31x0 Smart Transceivers compatible with each other?
Yes. The PLT-22 Power Line Transceiver and the PL 31x0 Power
Line Smart Transceivers are compatible and may communicate with each
other on the same power line network.
What are the differences between the PL 3120, PL 3150 and the PL 3170 Smart Transceivers? Which one do I use?
All the Power Line Smart Transceivers have the
same power line transceiver and Neuron processor cores. The key differences
between them follow.
(1) The PL 3120 Power Line Smart Transceiver has 4K Bytes of embedded EEPROM
for the application program and is offered in a smaller 38 TSSOP package. It
is designed for applications that require up to 4K Bytes of memory.
(2) The PL
3150 Power Line Smart Transceiver provides an interface to address external memory
and comes in a slightly larger 64 LQFP package. This solution is designed for
more complex applications that require more than 4K Bytes of memory. Refer to
the product datasheet for a complete overview of technical specifications of
the two products.
(3) The PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver is similar to PL 3120 Smart Transceiver and has 4K Bytes of embedded EEPROM for the application program and is offered in a smaller 38 TSSOP package. However, PL 3170 Smart Transceiver includes Interoperable Self Installation (ISI) functions built into the firmware stored in the ROM so that complete 4KB of application space is available to the developer even when using ISI functions in the application.
Is this a new technology?
The underlying core technology used in the Power Line Smart Transceivers
was developed and optimized through years of field-testing in applications
worldwide. More than 7.5 million Echelon transceivers have been deployed
in a wide range of consumer, utility, building, industrial, and transportation
applications. Some of the OEMs who are fielding products using Echelon's
power line technology include Phillips, Samsung, Motorola, Fuji Electric,
Bombardier, Enermet, Horstmann Controls, Milab, and Kamstrup. Visit www.echelon.com/powerline for
a list of some of the deployments worldwide.
What is the "maximum communication distance" and the "maximum
number of devices" possible with Echelon's power line transceiver
solutions? Why doesn't Echelon list such specifications?
In power line systems it is difficult and sometimes not meaningful to specify "maximum
communication distance" or "maximum number of devices." This
is because communication distance is dependent on the wiring, topology, and
type of devices already on the network at any given time and their noise and
distortion characteristics. All of these impediments are unique to a given power
line network and could vary widely from one environment to another. As a result,
the "maximum communication distance" will also vary from one environment
to another. For example, Echelon's power line solutions are used in freight
train braking applications where the device-to-device distance is up to 1.6km.
On the other hand, they are also used for communication with off-shore oil platforms
where the devices are up to 20km apart! As far as in-home applications are concerned,
Echelon's power line solutions were designed to support reliable communication
between devices in typical homes (< 5000 s foot / 465 s meter) worldwide.
Are there any limitations on the voltage on the power line wires
used for communication?
No. Echelon's power line solutions can communicate over virtually any AC or
DC power mains, as well as unpowered twisted pair wires! In each case, only
the external coupling circuit will have to be modified. Echelon provides detailed
schematics and bill of materials for coupling circuits optimized for a wide
variety of applications.
How can I get started? Is there an inexpensive way to validate the
technology?
You can begin by testing your target environment with a pair of PLCA-22
Power Line Communication Analyzers. The PLCA-22 is a complex, yet
easy-to-use tool to test the reliability of the Power Line Smart Transceiver
in your target environment. They may be plugged into a source and destination
point in the network and may be used to determine the attenuation (signal
strength reduction) tolerance/communication margin, signal to noise ratios,
error rate, and relative phase of the units under test. One unit may
be selected to be a transmitter and the other will automatically get
configured to be a receiver. The PLCA-22 is designed so that all tests
may be conducted by just one person. This is a quick and inexpensive
means for testing the performance of the Power Line Smart Transceiver
before investing in any development effort. Once you have validated the
reliability of the Power Line Smart Transceiver in your target environment
you may move to next phase of designing it into your application.
What is new in revision B of the PL 3120 and PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceivers and will it affect my existing design?
The new Revision B Power Line Smart Transceivers eliminate the need for an external inverter, thereby reducing the cost of external components. Circuits without an external inverter can only be used with Revision B parts.
- Revision B parts are fully backward-compatible with Revision A PL 3120 (Model 15310-1000) and PL 3150 (Model 15320-960) Power Line Smart Transceivers, and no changes are required to use Revision B parts in Revision A circuits. Revision B parts can be used in a design intended for Revision A parts.
- Revision A parts cannot be used in a design intended for Revision B parts.
The model numbers for new Revision B PL 3120 and PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceivers are as follows:
- Model 15311-1000 PL 3120-E4T10 Power Line Smart Transceiver
- Model 15321-960 PL 3150-L10 Power Line Smart Transceiver
Application Development
In addition to the Power Line Smart Transceiver IC, what other components
are required to implement a complete power line communication device?
Only a small number of inexpensive external components are required to create
a complete Smart Transceiver-based device. These components include:
- Discrete interface circuitry comprised of a roughly 50 components, primarily
resistors and capacitors. Echelon offers a comprehensive Development Support
Kit (DSK) with which customers can implement this interface circuitry.
Contact your salesperson for details about purchasing the DSK.
- Coupling circuit consisting of approximately 10 components, mainly capacitors,
inductors, and surge protection components.
- Power supply
What does the Power Line Smart Transceiver Development Support Kit
(DSK) provide?
The DSK provides reference designs of the external discrete interface
circuitry that needs to be implemented with the Power Line Smart Transceiver
IC. The kit contains the bills of material, schematics, and layout plots
for multiple PCB formats. Also offered as part of the kit is a confidential
Design Review service. This service enables a customer to have the design
of a pre-production device to be reviewed by Echelon's engineers. The
review includes an in-depth analysis of the device's schematic, parts
list, and printed circuit board layout to ensure the proper design of
the power line communication section of the device.
How much PCB area will the Smart Transceivers and their
interface circuitry require?
The PL 3120and PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceivers are offered in an extremely compact
38 TSSOP package while the PL 3150 Smart Transceiver is offered in a slightly
larger 64 LQFP package. The table below lists the approximate PCB area required
for the Power Line Smart Transceiver and its discrete interface circuitry:
| Power Line Smart Transceiver |
Type of PCB |
Approximate Dimensions |
| PL 3120/ PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver |
2 layer 1 sided (rectangular format) |
0.9 in x 2.5 in
23 mm x 63 mm |
| 2 layer 1 sided (square format) |
1.5 in x 1.3 in
33 mm x 38 mm |
| 4 layer 2 sided (SIP design) |
0.7 in x 1.3 in
17 mm x 38 mm |
| 4 layer 2 sided |
0.8 in x 1.5 in
20 mm x 38 mm |
| 4 layer 2 sided with 2A p-p transmit amplifier |
1.2 in x 2.1 in
31mm x 53mm |
| PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceiver |
4 layer 2 sided |
1.4 in x 1.9 in
36 mm x 48 mm |
| 4 layer 2 sided with 2A p-p transmit amplifier |
1.9 in x 2.6 in
48 mm x 66 mm |
Additional area required for the coupling circuitry will depend on
the type of coupling circuitry implemented. See PL 3120/PL 3150/PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver Data Book for schematics
and bill of materials.
How can I develop application programs for
the Power Line Smart Transceivers?
The PL 3120 and PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceivers require
the new Version 14 of the LonTalk® system
firmware . Application development support for the Smart Transceivers
is provided by the new NodeBuilder® 3.1
Development Tool upgrade. Contact your
Echelon sales representative for more details on purchasing a NodeBuilder
3.1 Development Tool upgrade. At this time, Echelon does not have plans
to support the Smart Transceivers with the LonBuilder® Developer's
Workbench.
How can I ensure that I have a robust design?
The PL 3120/PL 3150/PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver Data Book provides
step-by-step design guidelines to ensure design of a robust node. The
Data Book provides guidelines and recommendations on:
- Coupling circuit's design for a wide variety of applications including
schematics and bill of materials;
- Low-cost, optimized power supply options for a variety of applications;
- Electromagnetic compatibility and ESD immunity along with EMI compliance
verification tests;
- Communication performance verification procedures;
- Final design checklist to ensure that every aspect of the design
is done properly; and
- Recommendations for assembly line production test.
In addition to the support documentation above Echelon also provides
a confidential Design
Review service which is offered as part of the DSK, described earlier.
How will I be able to order samples of the
new
Power Line
Smart Transceivers?
You may order samples of the new PL 3120 / PL 3150/ PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceivers
by contacting your local sales office or
distributor.
