Echelon introduces Power Line Smart Transceivers (PL 3120®, PL 3150®, PL 3170®)
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The PL 3120, PL 3150, PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceivers integrate a Neuron processor core with a power line transceiver, making them ideal for appliance, audio/video, lighting, heating/cooling, security, metering, and irrigation applications. Essentially a system-on-a-chip, the Power Line Smart Transceivers feature a highly reliable narrow-band power line transceiver, an 8-bit Neuron processor core for running applications and managing network communications, a choice of on-board or external memory, and an extremely small form factor—all at a price that is compelling for even the most cost-sensitive consumer product applications.
Unmatched Communication Reliability
The Power Line Smart Transceivers incorporate a variety of technical innovations to ensure reliable operation:
- Narrow-band technology with digital signal processing: We use a sophisticated digital signal processing core that employs patented noise cancellation and distortion correction algorithms. These features allow the transceiver to correct for a wide variety of impediments to power line signaling, including impulsive noise, continuous tone noise, and phase distortion. The result: Our smart transceivers can successfully receive signals that other solutions can't even detect.
- Dual-carrier frequency: This unique feature automatically selects an alternate secondary communication frequency if the primary frequency is blocked by noise.
- Forward error correction: Many noise sources interfere with power line signaling by corrupting data packets. Our Smart Transceivers use a highly efficient, low-overhead forward error correction (FEC) algorithm in addition to a cyclical redundancy check (CRC) to overcome packet errors.
- Powerful output amplifier: The external, high-output amplifier technology used with the smart transceivers can deliver 7Vp-p while complying with emission requirements worldwide.
- Wide dynamic range: Dynamic range relates to the sensitivity of the receiver. The PL Smart Transceivers have a dynamic range of > 80dB. On a quiet line, the smart transceivers can receive signals that have been reduced by a factor of 104.
Integrated, Low-Cost, Small-Size Design
You need only a small number of inexpensive external components to create a complete smart transceiver-based device. Our comprehensive Development Support Kit (DSK) lets you implement this interface circuitry. To buy a DSK, contact your distributor.
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Features
- Combines an ANSI-709.2 compliant Power Line Transceiver with an ANSI 709.1 compliant Neuron® 3120 or Neuron 3150 processor core.
- Designed to comply with FCC, Industry Canada, Japan MPT, and European CENELEC EN 50065-1 power line communications regulations.
- Supports CENELEC A-band and C-band operation.
- Dual carrier frequency mode and digital signal processing.
- Choice of on-board (PL 3120/PL 3170) or external memory (PL 3150), •
- Interface for external memory for applications with larger memory requirements (PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceiver only).
- Includes Interoperable Self Installation (ISI) functions in the firmware image (PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver only).
- 2K Bytes of embedded RAM for buffering network data and network variables.
- Full duplex hardware UART and SPI serial interfaces.
- 12 I/O pins with 38 programmable standard I/O modes to minimize external interface circuitry.
- -40 to +85°C operating temperature range