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Power Line Development Resources

We have years of experience helping customers with power line-based solutions for a broad range of applications. We offer a wide variety of technical documentation, diagnostic tools, support programs, and training courses to help you with your projects. Our extensive library of support documentation includes:

  • Recommended architectures for utility, commercial/residential automation and transportation applications
  • Coupling circuit schematics for a variety of applications
  • Guidelines on site testing and communication performance verification
  • Guidelines for creating very low-cost, efficient power supply designs
  • Proper design and testing procedures for compliance with EMI limits

PL Development Support Kit (PL DSK v2.2)

The Power Line Smart Transceiver Development Support Kit (PL DSK v2.2) provides reference designs for the external discrete interface circuitry that needs to be implemented with the Power Line Smart Transceiver IC. Additional key enhancements in this version of the PL DSK include:

  • Instantaneously evaluate Power Line technology in real life environments – This kit contains two evaluation boards (one based on PL3120 and the other based on PL3150) that come with a simple-to-use, pre-loaded application. Plug in the test kit and you're ready to begin.
  • Expanded reference designs – The number of reference designs in our DSK has increased from 7 to 8. The additional design includes a PL3120/PL 3170 single in-line package (SIP) even smaller than the previous one available. Now, designs engineers have the flexibility to pick a design that has been commonly used and tested for their application. 
  • Expanded layout tool support – The PL DSK v2.2 has two enhancements for layout tools support compared to PL DSK v2.1. It not only provides binary layout files for all layout tools supported, but also has support for Altium layout tool in addition to P-CAD(R), OrCAD(R), and PADS(R).PowerPCB.  This means you can port your your reference designs faster and more accurately. Technical details on these tools can be found in the latest version of PL 3120/PL 3150/PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver Data Book.

Please review the PL DSK datasheet and Power Line Development Support Kit Quick Start Guide. Contact your local Echelon sales representative to order the Power Line Smart Transceiver Development Support Kit (PL DSK v2.2).

Programming Solutions for PL Smart Transceivers

  • BP Microsytems
    www.bpmicro.com
    Programmer models supported: BP-1600 or higher
    Socket modules required: ASM38TS or SM38TS
  • HiLo Systems
    www.hilosystems.com.tw
    Programmer models supported: ALL-11
    Socket modules required : ADP-PL3120-TS
    Contact programmer manufacturer for details.

PCB area required to design in the Power Line Smart Transceivers

The layout support and the reference designs provided in PL Development Support Kit (PL DSK v2.2) give a good idea on the PCBarea required to design in PL SmartTransceievrs. See Power Line Smart Transceivers FAQ for more details. 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

Files Included

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 		* Layout design file and plots in P-CAD, OrCAD, PADS/PowerPCB, Altium and pdf (Adobe), DXF (AutoCAD) and Gerber formats

* Bill of materials

* Schematic in OrCAD® , P-CAD®, PADS/PowerPCB, Altium and pdf format
2 layer 1 sided (square format)
1.3 in x 1.5 in
33 mm x 38 mm
4 layer 2 sided (SIP design) 0.7 in x 1.5 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
4 layer 2 sided (SIP design) 0.7 in x 1.1 in
17 mm x 28 mm
PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceiver
 4 layer 2 sided 1.4 in x 1.9 in
36 mm x 49 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.

Firmware Version Numbers for Neuron Chips and Smart Transceivers

This table lists the memory configuration and LonTalk® firmware version numbers associated with all Neuron Chips and Power Line and Free Topology Smart Transceivers currently in production.
Firmware Version Numbers for Neuron Chips and Smart Transceiver.