Performance Evaluation Of Coding Techniques In Power-Line Communication Channel

ABSTRACT

Broadband Power-Line Communication (BPLC) is a technology which has drawn

attention to researchers in the field of digital communication. Using this technology

there is no need of new installation which is advantageous compared to other

technologies. However, due to noises and multipath fading in BPLC systems, studies on

coding techniques and suitable modulation schemes are unavoidable. Studies by other

researchers have shown that multicarrier modulation techniques perform better than

single carrier modulation techniques in power-line channels. In this work multicarrier

spread spectrum (MC-SS) has been adopted as a modulation scheme.

This work has investigated the performance of channel coding in power-line channel.

Due to their application in digital communication systems, the coding techniques

considered in this work are BCH codes, Reed-Solomon codes, Convolution codes,

Concatenated codes and the Low density parity check codes. The Generalized

transmission line (TL) theory model developed by Anatory et al has been adopted. A

typical power-line network found in Tanzania has been adopted and subjected to

different coding techniques in a typical noise environment.

It has been found that the coding gain of 16dB, 10dB, 6.5dB, 5.5dB and 4.5dB have

been realized using LDPC, RS, Concatenated, Convolution and BCH codes respectively

at BER of 10-6. This implies that LDPC is appropriate coding technique for BPLC

systems.