Implementation of AMR system using power line communication

It is the advantage of power line carrier (PLC) that digitalization and networking of existing facilities could be organized at low cost. Because there is no need for any further construction of communication lines, given that home appliances, information devices and other various kinds of control devices therein related are easily digitalized. Moreover, automatic meter reading (AMR) is very attractive to utility companies because not only does it reduce the cost of reading meters, but controls and monitors energy demand, and resolves consumer problems effectively. Furthermore, utilities could expand such areas into the value added service sector using the constructed networks. Because the PLC modem under development needs to be tested further, and the outdoor modem especially, the Korea Electric Power Research Institute has been focusing its energy on implementing the AMR system in the context of experimenting and investigating actual performance of various types of modems under real power distribution system. In this paper, we examine the technical elements necessary for the design of the AMR system through the PLC, Concentration Modem, and the communication protocol applicable for the various PLC modems simultaneously.