IEEE P1901
Encyclopedia
The IEEE 1901 working group of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
develops standards for high speed power line communication
s.
This technology allows computer network
s to send data over electrical power lines (contrasting with approaches such as power over Ethernet
which send power over computer network wires).
The group formed in 2005, approved its medium access control and physical layer
(PHY) draft specifications in 2009, and published its first standard in 2010.
(OFDM) modulation and another based on wavelet modulation
. Each PHY is optional, and implementers of the specification may, but are not required to include both. Devices that use the OFDM PHY only would not interoperate with devices based on Wavelet PHY. Some members maintain that this lack of interoperability defeats the purpose of having a standard. Others maintain that it is a necessary step to market consolidation. The OFDM PHY is derived from HomePlug
AV technology and is deployed in HomePlug-based products. The Wavelet PHY is more narrowly deployed, primarily in Japan.
The first option ("FFT PHY") is based on FFT OFDM modulation, with a forward error correction
(FEC) scheme based on Convolutional turbo code
(CTC). The second option ("Wavelet PHY") is based on Wavelet OFDM modulation, with a mandatory FEC based on concatenated Reed-Solomon (RS) and Convolutional code
, and an option to use Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) code.
On top of these two physical layers, two different MAC
layers were defined; one for In-home networking and the other for Access Networking. Two MACs were needed because each application has its unique and different requirements.
In October 2007 the working group completed selection process. The final proposal selected by the group was a combined HomePlug
proposal and Panasonic proposal known as HD-PLC. All other proposals were eliminated.
In December 2008 the working group voted to adopt the baseline with broad support (85% for the in-home cluster, 97% for the access cluster and 100% for the coexistence cluster).
In February 2009, the tasks of updating the baseline document were allocated to four Technical Subgroups (TSGs): TSG1 for editorial tasks, TSG2 for the confirmed FFT and Wavelet PHYs and MACs, TSG3 to develop a potential ITU-T
G.hn
compatible PHY/MAC option (subsequently removed), and TSG4 for coexistence aspects.
On 24 July 2009, the working group approved the draft standard at a meeting in Tokyo
.
In January 2010 the first draft standard was published.
In April 2010, the initial 30-day sponsor ballot on draft 3.0 yielded over 80% affirmative votes.
857 comments were received.
In April 2010, IEEE announced that the Homeplug Powerline Alliance and the HD-PLC Alliance were developing a joint certification program for IEEE 1901's ISP coexistence protocol and that the program would be available in May 2010.
In June 2010, the working group completed resolution of the sponsor ballot comments received on draft 3.0, and draft 4.0 was generated. With 93% affirmative votes, the group moved draft 4.0 to recirculation sponsor ballot.
In September 2010, Draft 4.01 was submitted to the IEEE-SA Standards Board for consideration as an IEEE Standard at the 28–30 September board meeting.
On 30 September, the standard was approved, and IEEE Std 1901-2010 was published 30 December 2010.
home networking standards known as G.hn
.
IEEE P1675
is another IEEE standard related to Broadband over Power Line. P1675 provides testing and verification standards for the hardware commonly used for Broadband over Power Line (BPL) installations (primarily couplers and enclosures) and provides standard installation methods to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
IEEE P1775 ("Powerline Communication Equipment — Electromagnetic Compatibility Requirements — Testing and Measurement Methods") is an IEEE working group focused on PLC equipment, electromagnetic compatibility requirements, and testing and measurement methods.
IEEE 1905 is a working group for a "convergent digital home network".
In Fall 2009, the idea for a new narrow band powerline communications standard, IEEE P1901.2, began taking shape.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a non-profit professional association headquartered in New York City that is dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence...
develops standards for high speed power line communication
Power line communication
Power line communication or power line carrier , also known as power line digital subscriber line , mains communication, power line telecom , power line networking , or broadband over power lines are systems for carrying data on a conductor also used for electric power transmission.A wide range...
s.
This technology allows computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
s to send data over electrical power lines (contrasting with approaches such as power over Ethernet
Power over Ethernet
Power over Ethernet or PoE technology describes a system to pass electrical power safely, along with data, on Ethernet cabling. The IEEE standard for PoE requires category 5 cable or higher for high power levels, but can operate with category 3 cable for low power levels...
which send power over computer network wires).
The group formed in 2005, approved its medium access control and physical layer
Physical layer
The physical layer or layer 1 is the first and lowest layer in the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking. The implementation of this layer is often termed PHY....
(PHY) draft specifications in 2009, and published its first standard in 2010.
Description
The 1901 standards include two different physical layers, one based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexingOrthogonal frequency-division multiplexing
Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing is a method of encoding digital data on multiple carrier frequencies. OFDM has developed into a popular scheme for wideband digital communication, whether wireless or over copper wires, used in applications such as digital television and audio...
(OFDM) modulation and another based on wavelet modulation
Wavelet modulation
Wavelet modulation, also known as fractal modulation, is a modulation technique that makes use of wavelet transformations to represent the data being transmitted. One of the objectives of this type of modulation is to send data at multiple rates over a channel that is unknown...
. Each PHY is optional, and implementers of the specification may, but are not required to include both. Devices that use the OFDM PHY only would not interoperate with devices based on Wavelet PHY. Some members maintain that this lack of interoperability defeats the purpose of having a standard. Others maintain that it is a necessary step to market consolidation. The OFDM PHY is derived from HomePlug
HomePlug
HomePlug is the family name for various power line communications specifications that support networking over existing home electrical wiring. Several specifications exist under the HomePlug moniker, with each offering unique performance capabilities and coexistence or compatibility with other...
AV technology and is deployed in HomePlug-based products. The Wavelet PHY is more narrowly deployed, primarily in Japan.
The first option ("FFT PHY") is based on FFT OFDM modulation, with a forward error correction
Forward error correction
In telecommunication, information theory, and coding theory, forward error correction or channel coding is a technique used for controlling errors in data transmission over unreliable or noisy communication channels....
(FEC) scheme based on Convolutional turbo code
Turbo code
In information theory, turbo codes are a class of high-performance forward error correction codes developed in 1993, which were the first practical codes to closely approach the channel capacity, a theoretical maximum for the code rate at which reliable communication is still possible given a...
(CTC). The second option ("Wavelet PHY") is based on Wavelet OFDM modulation, with a mandatory FEC based on concatenated Reed-Solomon (RS) and Convolutional code
Convolutional code
In telecommunication, a convolutional code is a type of error-correcting code in which* each m-bit information symbol to be encoded is transformed into an n-bit symbol, where m/n is the code rate and...
, and an option to use Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) code.
On top of these two physical layers, two different MAC
Media Access Control
The media access control data communication protocol sub-layer, also known as the medium access control, is a sublayer of the data link layer specified in the seven-layer OSI model , and in the four-layer TCP/IP model...
layers were defined; one for In-home networking and the other for Access Networking. Two MACs were needed because each application has its unique and different requirements.
History
The project was first authorized in June 2005.In October 2007 the working group completed selection process. The final proposal selected by the group was a combined HomePlug
HomePlug
HomePlug is the family name for various power line communications specifications that support networking over existing home electrical wiring. Several specifications exist under the HomePlug moniker, with each offering unique performance capabilities and coexistence or compatibility with other...
proposal and Panasonic proposal known as HD-PLC. All other proposals were eliminated.
In December 2008 the working group voted to adopt the baseline with broad support (85% for the in-home cluster, 97% for the access cluster and 100% for the coexistence cluster).
In February 2009, the tasks of updating the baseline document were allocated to four Technical Subgroups (TSGs): TSG1 for editorial tasks, TSG2 for the confirmed FFT and Wavelet PHYs and MACs, TSG3 to develop a potential ITU-T
ITU-T
The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector is one of the three sectors of the International Telecommunication Union ; it coordinates standards for telecommunications....
G.hn
G.hn
G.hn is the common name for a home network technology family of standards developed under the International Telecommunication Union's Standardization arm and promoted by the HomeGrid Forum...
compatible PHY/MAC option (subsequently removed), and TSG4 for coexistence aspects.
On 24 July 2009, the working group approved the draft standard at a meeting in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
In January 2010 the first draft standard was published.
In April 2010, the initial 30-day sponsor ballot on draft 3.0 yielded over 80% affirmative votes.
857 comments were received.
In April 2010, IEEE announced that the Homeplug Powerline Alliance and the HD-PLC Alliance were developing a joint certification program for IEEE 1901's ISP coexistence protocol and that the program would be available in May 2010.
In June 2010, the working group completed resolution of the sponsor ballot comments received on draft 3.0, and draft 4.0 was generated. With 93% affirmative votes, the group moved draft 4.0 to recirculation sponsor ballot.
In September 2010, Draft 4.01 was submitted to the IEEE-SA Standards Board for consideration as an IEEE Standard at the 28–30 September board meeting.
On 30 September, the standard was approved, and IEEE Std 1901-2010 was published 30 December 2010.
Related standards
Another trade group called the HomeGrid Forum was formed in 2008 to promote the incompatible ITU-TITU-T
The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector is one of the three sectors of the International Telecommunication Union ; it coordinates standards for telecommunications....
home networking standards known as G.hn
G.hn
G.hn is the common name for a home network technology family of standards developed under the International Telecommunication Union's Standardization arm and promoted by the HomeGrid Forum...
.
IEEE P1675
IEEE P1675
IEEE 1675-2008 was a standard for "broadband over power line hardware." Developed by the IEEE Standards Association, the IEEE 1901 standard was another related attempt...
is another IEEE standard related to Broadband over Power Line. P1675 provides testing and verification standards for the hardware commonly used for Broadband over Power Line (BPL) installations (primarily couplers and enclosures) and provides standard installation methods to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
IEEE P1775 ("Powerline Communication Equipment — Electromagnetic Compatibility Requirements — Testing and Measurement Methods") is an IEEE working group focused on PLC equipment, electromagnetic compatibility requirements, and testing and measurement methods.
IEEE 1905 is a working group for a "convergent digital home network".
In Fall 2009, the idea for a new narrow band powerline communications standard, IEEE P1901.2, began taking shape.
See also
- Power line communicationPower line communicationPower line communication or power line carrier , also known as power line digital subscriber line , mains communication, power line telecom , power line networking , or broadband over power lines are systems for carrying data on a conductor also used for electric power transmission.A wide range...
- G.hnG.hnG.hn is the common name for a home network technology family of standards developed under the International Telecommunication Union's Standardization arm and promoted by the HomeGrid Forum...
- HomePNAHomePNAThe HomePNA Alliance is an incorporated non-profit industry association of companies that develops and standardizes technology for home networking over the existing coaxial cables and telephone wiring within homes.-Overview:HomePNA does not manufacture products, although its members do...
- HomeRFHomeRFHomeRF was a wireless networking specification for home devices to be connected to each other. It was developed in 1998 by the HomeRF Working Group, a consortium of mobile wireless companies that included Proxim Wireless, Siemens, Motorola, Philips and more than 100 other companies...
- HomeIR
- HomePlugHomePlugHomePlug is the family name for various power line communications specifications that support networking over existing home electrical wiring. Several specifications exist under the HomePlug moniker, with each offering unique performance capabilities and coexistence or compatibility with other...
- Multimedia over Coax AllianceMultimedia over Coax AllianceMultimedia over Coax Alliance is a trade group promoting a standard that uses coaxial cables to connect consumer electronics and home networking devices in homes. It allows both data communication and the transfer of audio and video streams....
- Power over EthernetPower over EthernetPower over Ethernet or PoE technology describes a system to pass electrical power safely, along with data, on Ethernet cabling. The IEEE standard for PoE requires category 5 cable or higher for high power levels, but can operate with category 3 cable for low power levels...