A simple distributed measurement system based on power line communications

A simple and inexpensive distributed measurement system that uses the common low voltage power line network as a communication medium is presented and discussed. This system is based on a simple low speed FSK PLC modem and its functionalities and ruggedness have been evaluated on a laboratory network in presence of various kind of background noise. A proper Microsoft Windows based user interface has been developed both for the client and the server side of the measurement system to simplify its configuration and use. In addition a PC based virtual instrument for the automatic and in-line measurement of the SNR ratio has been developed to evaluate the minimum value of SNR that must be guaranteed on the client side to assure the proper system efficiency.