European powerline comms standard by year end

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 18 October 2005 15:03

Business IT - Technology

OPERA (Open PLC European Research Alliance) will publicly release a specification for powerline communications (PLC) by the end of the year.

The new specification covers the PHY, MAC and equipment of broadband PLC systems and is claimed to be the only open PLC standard that ensures full interoperability for PLC broadband access and in-building distribution systems without recourse to proprietary technologies. (Recently the term broadband over powerlines (BPL) has become the preferred acronym for these technologies).

According to OPERA, The final document is in advanced state of development. "OPERA Steering and Technical Committee agreed during its last meeting (Mannheim, 8th September) to actively cooperate with the Universal Powerline Association (UPA) in order to ensure this standard fulfils the requirements of all international markets and to promote it on a worldwide basis."

According to two BPL equipment vendors, ASCOM and Schneider Electric Powerline Communications, "PLC equipment based on the OPERA standard will be available on the market very early in 2006. Major access PLC manufacturers have been contributing to the developments in the OPERA technical working groups, so most of the features included in the specification are already under design."

OPERA has 37 partners including electricity utilities, OEM manufacturers, technology providers, universities, engineering and consultancy companies and telecom operators. OPERA is co-financed by the European Union.