Decode and Forward Relay-Assisted Power-Line Communication

Abstract Capacity and coverage represent challenges for any kind of network, including electric ones. In view of data exchange over the existing infrastructure, many factors can directly influence the quality of the transmitted signal. With the arrival of Smart Grids new challenges arise to improve the current transmission conditions by including information technologies such as wireless com- munication and especially the use of relay stations. This has been the object of many researches seeking a better quality of service. In this paper we will discuss the contribution of the integration of a relay station with a power-line communication (PLC). Dis- cussion is about comparing the capacity of the relay-assisted PLC to the direct transmission capacity. Two relaying protocols are considered. In fact, comparison concerns the Decode and Forward (DF) and the Amplify and Forward (AF) protocols. The DF relay is using the Joint Modulation technique (DF-JM). Simulation, based on theoretical studies, aims to compare the capacity of the wired system (PLC) when considering a frequency selective channel, with a relay-assisted one (RA-PLC) where the time and power allocation play important role in capacity improvement. The simulation considers different cable length and relay transmit power. It also covers different position of the relay station. Results have proved that the performance of the transmission through the relay station exceed direct transmission regardless the cable length. Concerning wireless communication, the DF protocol gives higher capacity when compared to the AF in the case of using equal resource allocation (time, power) and optimized values. This result shows the contribution of the DF-JM relaying protocol when added to a wired communication system in a smart grid environment, in conformity to the outcomes previously concluded in purely wireless systems.