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 FCC
approval for Broadband over Power Line devices
The term Broadband over Power Line (BPL) refers to the delivery
of IP-based broadband service (internet) on electrical lines.
The current administration and the FCC have expressed enthusiasm
over this new technology which will compete directly with cable
modems, DSL and wireless internet service. Many in industry are
betting on BPL as the most likely “last mile” solution for
offering broadband service to the masses. Also termed Power
Line Communications (PLC), this technology offers many avenues
of potential growth beyond that of broadband services. PLC
equipped devices could utilize the existing power line
infrastructure to pass data for uses far beyond internet access.
BPL is broken into two categories, In-house (also called Low
Voltage) and Access (also called Medium Voltage). In-house BPL,
largely developed and promoted by the HomePlug Alliance, is used
to move data from outlet to outlet within a home. Access BPL is
the ability to send internet traffic over medium voltage supply
line, such as the lines that feed into a neighborhood.
Utilizing both technologies, a service provider may offer
high-speed broadband to end users by feeding internet traffic
onto the medium voltage lines, using repeaters to get that data
stream into neighborhoods and then taking the data stream from
the outdoor line into the home’s wiring where it is accessed via
In-house devices.
Numerous companies began to develop actual working prototypes of
both low and medium voltage BPL devices around 1999. Chipset
manufacturers and end product designers were eager to work with
a laboratory that was familiar with the technology, but more
importantly, familiar with the existing FCC rules and the inner
workings of FCC legislative development. Placing high speed data
on the power grid was obviously going to create a new challenge
in terms of complying with the FCC rules governing radiated and
conducted RF noise. Product Safety Engineering (PSE) had
already developed a reputation for fast and accurate FCC
approvals and rule interpretation. With over 15 years of
experience, the PSE staff was able to step-up and offer these
technology pioneers substantial guidance and assistance.
Working directly with chip-set manufacturers to prove out
designs, and then eventually with the product designers to
ensure the end products meet FCC requirements, PSE quickly
became known as one of very few expert labs in this field.
Working with private manufacturers as well as groups like
HomePlug and the Consumer Electronics Alliance (CEA), PSE brings
a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to this field.
On April 23, 2003 the FCC confirmed interest in the technology
by issuing a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking public comment.
The FCC is responsible for governing the RF spectrum in the
United States. One of the immediate concerns over the
widespread use of BPL products is the impact in terms of radio
frequency noise. Numerous powerful organizations weighed in
with comments both in support and opposition. Eventually the
FCC was able to propose rules which would govern BPL in a manner
similar to the rules applicable to personal computers and other
digital devices.
Early attempts to prove a product met the existing FCC rules of
that time period proved to be both challenging and educational.
It seemed as if senior lab personnel at PSE had a continually
open line with the FCC to discuss and debate the application of
the rules, which lacked specificity. Though the existing rules
allowed the unlicensed use of BPL systems, they did not provide
specific measurement procedures or guidelines. As the BPL
industry grew, PSE moved forward in developing a test
methodology that could be used to supplement the existing FCC
rules and ensure an appropriate amount of compliance to the
intent of the FCC legislation. Many manufacturers worked with
PSE to test new product designs using our test methodology and
PSE continued to provide the FCC with documentation of our
progress and findings to aid in their research for the
development of new rules. In 2004 the FCC published proposed
rules for comment and it is no coincidence that much of the test
methodology PSE had developed and used in recent years is
duplicated in the current rule proposal.
Product Safety Engineering Inc. continues to move forward in
supporting manufactures of BPL related equipment. By offering
consulting, informal and formal test services PSE stays in touch
with the leaders in this field. Our proven test methodology
calls out the common unintentional testing as a digital device
as well as field testing at three typical residences. These
three homes are representative of varying size and construction
techniques (wood, block, etc.) and need to have a 10 meter
unobstructed periphery allowing for positioning of test
equipment. Sixteen equidistant antenna measurement locations
are pre-selected around the residence common to the center of
the dwelling. The equipment under test (EUT) is placed inside
the house, one set in the center and another set adjacent to an
exterior wall. Data is streamed between the two EUT
configurations to simulate normal operation while measurements
are made. The antenna is positioned at each of the sixteen
locations and data is recorded. The process is completed using
one antenna for measurements below 30MHz and then repeated with
a second appropriate antenna for 30-500MHz measurements. Upon
completion the data is formatted into a report which also
contains information about the equipment used in test,
dimensions of the houses, measurements point diagrams, photos
and other pertinent information. This report can be used by the
manufacturer to demonstrate compliance to the FCC Part 15 rules
for unintentional radiators.
If your firm is involved in Broadband over Power Line, Power
Line Communications or any type of carrier current technology
development or installation, contact PSE today to inquire about
how our team may be of assistance. Our vast experience in this
field makes us very unique among test labs. Product Safety
Engineering also offers related compliance testing such as UL
approvals, European CE testing and access to many other
markets. Contact us today for more information.
LINK: FCC Rules
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featured in "BPL Today" Article.