ARRL Presentations for Amateur Radio Groups

ARRL Power Point Presentation on BPL
This presentation by ARRL was put together by Ed Hare, W1RFI, ARRL's Laboratory Manager. It has been given to Amateur groups and conventions and hamfests across the country. It starts with a brief tutorial on BPL, followed by a technical discussion of the inteference issues, ARRL testing and ARRL's work with the BPL industry to help it address its electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues responsibly.  It includes embedded audio files, but the BPL video must be downloaded separately.

How ARRL is Fighting Spectrum Pollution from BPL
August 28, 2004 -- At the Southwestern Division Convention, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, ARRL's CEO, outlined BPL issues and explained what ARRL is doing to address them.

ARRL Presentations at Standards Committee Meetings and EMC Society Meetings

ANSI Accredited C63™ EMC Committee

Calculated Impact of PLC on Stations Operating in the Amateur Radio Service
November 15, 2002 -- This overview of BPL was given by Ed Hare, W1RFI, ARRL Laboratory Manager, to the ANSI ASC C63™ committee. It outlined the impact of broadband emissions at FCC "Part 15" levels on the Amateur Radio Service.  This introduced the subject of BPL to  C63™. Hare chairs the C63 Subcommittee 5 on the immunity of electronic devices.

IEEE BPL Study Group

Distance Extrapolation from Line and Point Sources
July 2006 -- ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, provided the IEEE P1775 BPL EMC Working Group an analysis of the way field strength varies from point and line sources in free space. These elemental models explain the two extremes between which field strength can vary with distance from a radiating source. A short dipole model shows that for distances greater than wavelength/2pi, electric and magnetic fields vary as 1/R, or at 20 dB/decade. Most BPL distance extrapolations are made between 10 and 30 meters from the source.  At 5 MHz, the near-field region of a point source is approximately 10 meters, to any distance extrapolation at greater distances is being made in the far field region. For line emitters, the magnetic field follow a cylindrical Bessel function right up to the line, with the average of the standing wave of varying field strength following a 20 dB/decade extrapolation. The modeling also shows that this standing wave's location varies with frequency, making it difficult to make measurements of the "actual" extrapolation. For a line source modeled above ground, the magnetic field does increase at >1/R at 1 meter in height, but at the height of the line, or above it, where antennas would be located and at upward angles where skywave propagation from the aggregate of emitters would occur, the magnetic fields follow a 20 dB/decade average decay with distance.

Analysis of Differences of Opinion Over BPL Interference Issues
October 13, 2004 -- This presentation was given at the IEEE HQ in Piscataway, NJ by Ed Hare, W1RFI, ARRL Laboratory to the IEEE Standards Association working group that is studying BPL issues. ARRL presented technical information to help explain why the BPL industry and radio operators see the interference issue from entirely different perspectives. ARRL continued to extend its offers to work cooperatively with this industry to better understand the interference problem and to achieve levels of protection for amateur radio that will prevent most interference problems.

BPL and EMC
July 2004 -- In July, 2004 the IEEE Standards Association formed a BPL Study Group to look into what may be needed for IEEE BPL standards. At this first meeting in Denver, CO, ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, gave a presentation on what ARRL recommended be included in any standards that were developed.

IEEE Electromagnetic Society Meetings and Symposia

IEEE EMCS 2005 Symposium:
In August, 2005 ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, was an invited presenter at the IEEE EMCS 2006 Symposium in Chicago, IL. Hare presented the following peer-reviewed presentations. They covered the EMC issues and ARRL testing in various BPL locations.

• EMC Factors Applicable to Broadband Over Power Line Systems: This presentation outlined the EMC issues surrounding BPL, including explanations of why BPL operating at the FCC Part-15 limits will cause interference locally on any spectrum BPL uses and levels at which BPL can operate on spectrum that may need to be protected.
• ARRL Testing of Broadband Over Power Line Systems:  ARRL had done testing in over 15 BPL cities. This presentation described the test methods ARRL used to gather data and explained results that ranged as much as 25 dB over the present FCC limits. Hare also outlined testing done by one BPL operator that showed impossible results, such as BPL apparently reducing noise outside of its occupied spectrum by the mere act of turning the system on.
• Broadband Over Power Line and Radio Services: This presentation was given to the IEEE EMC Society, Technical Committee 6 (TC6), Spectrum Management. It focused on EMC issues from a spectrum user point of view, with emphasis outside of the scope of Amateur Radio.
• Broadband Over Power Line and Amateur Radio:  Hare was asked to give a brief presentation at the Amateur Radio luncheon that always accompanies the EMCS EMC symposia. The presentation covered issues, testing and concerns, with a strong emphasis on Amateur Radio. 

IEEE EMC Society Chapter Meetings:
The following presentations give an overview of BPL from an EMC perspective:

• 2006 - Berskshire Chapter meeting at the EPRI facility
• 2005 - Chicago Chapter meeting
• 2006 - Long Island Chapter meeting
• 2006 - EMC Expo, Maryland

Other Industry Events:
Antenna Measurement Techniques Association Presentation
November 1, 2005 -- ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, was invited to give a presentation to the AMTA on the modeling and measurement techniques ARRL has been using to investigate BPL interference.

Presentation to AASHTO (spectrum users group)
May, 2006 -- This group of state entities using HF and VHF spectrum was very interested in the topic of BPL.  They invited ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, to give a presentation on the EMC aspects of BPL.

ARRL Presentations at BPL Industry Events

IQPC Broadand Over Power Lines 2006
July 26, 2006 -- ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, was an invited presenter at this annual BPL industry symposium. This presentation discusses the various aspects of investigating and mitigating the RF interference issues assciated with BPL systems. It also describes the progress being made with some vendors, utilities and technologies to resolve and prevent problems.

Pike Fischer Audio Conference
July 11, 2006 -- ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI; Chano Gomez, DS2, and Pete Griffin, Radio Shack, the President of HomePlug, conducted an audio teleconference about BPL.  Hare discussed interference issues and the steps being taken by some in the industry to resolve them. The following are the Power Point files for the two segments conducted by Hare.
     BPL - Rules and Regulations Described
     BPL - The EMC Issues  

BPL Presentation at Columbia Institute for Tele-Information by Dave Sumner, K1ZZ
May 24, 2005 -- Presented by Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, ARRL CEO, at Spectrum 2005, a meeting of the National Spectrum Managers Association.

BPL Presentation at Columbia Institute for Tele-Information by Dave Sumner, K1ZZ
March 18, 2005 - Presentation included the BPL info page, the October 2002 QST editorial and a short video (Windows Media format).
BPL: The Amateur Radio Perspective October 28, 2004 -- ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, was invited to make a presentation at the Power Line Communications Association Strategic Summit. He reminded the participants that the NTIA BPL Report 04-413 said interference was likely to mobile and fixed stations 75 m and 460 m respectively. He said that the FCC has placed regulatory limits on BPL emissions but they are not enough to protect amateur stations in neighborhoods served by BPL. He encouraged industry to participate in standards activities and to avoid use of amateur bands in future BPL equipment designs.

 

Other Presentations By Amateur Operators or Clubs 

Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club BPL presentation
This presentation by the Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club outlines how they successfully convinced the Borough of Chambersburg, PA not to implement BPL. This is must reading for those who are going to deal with their local government officials or utilities in their quest to prevent BPL from coming to town. The approaches, techniques, and references outlined in the presentation are a good place to start with your fight. Note: the cost numbers were specific to theirsituation and should only be used as a guide. CVARC and ARRL both would like to know about your success if you use this material. See also the CVARC BPL page.

The Hazards of BPL This presentation was given to the Borough Council in Chambersburg, PA by the Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club. It outlines the value of Amateur Radio and the potential impact of BPL on its ability to communicate. The business aspects of BPL are discussed as a local issue. The CVARC successfully persuaded the Council not to pursue BPL at this time. The club has prepared a BPL page to answer its members questions about BPL interference.

(New!) Balancing Amateur Radio and Broadband over Powerlines 5/20/2006 - Dick Illman, AH6EZ, Motorola This video presentation outlines how the Motorola Powerline LV system was designed to be compatible for Amateur Radio. Note: Large file - broadband connection strongly recommended.  

BPL at TXU - Current Technologies In this presentation, ARRL Assistant Director Jory McIntosh, KJ5RM, outlines the background on BPL, and what the interference potential is from different BPL systems. It provides significant information about the Current Technologies system that will be deployed by TXU in the Dallas, TX area.

BPL In North Texas
Jory McIntosh, KJ5RM, explains the status of BPL in North Texas and the work being done locally to look at interference issues.

Presentation to City Council in Bridgeport, TX
May 17, 2005 -- This presentation by Jory McIntosh was one of the reasons that Bridgeport, TX chose not to implement BPL at this time.

Broadband Over Powerlines: BPL Pilot Programs in Texas Presented by Assistant Section Manager for West Texas, Bill Lawless, W5WRL. It is used to inform Amateur Radio clubs throughout West Texas about BPL and the BPL pilots that are going on in our State.

Broadband Over Powerlines - Curse or Cure?
April 6, 2005 -- Presentation by Dennis Kidder, WA6NIA

 

Update on BPL - From the Radio User's Vantage Ponit - 2006 MIPSYCON
This follow up paper and powepoint were presented at the 2006 MIPSYCON conference in Minneapolis on November 8, 2006 by Gary Box, N0JCG. It explores the EMI successes and failures of pilot programs and deployments from across the country as well as exploring the pros and cons of the various technologies employed and the lessons learned. MIPSYCON is an annual conference that provides electric utility engineers and consultants the opportunity to stay abreast of today's power system technology. The conference emphasizes the unique challenges faced by electric utilities in the Midwest. 
     Update on BPL - From the Radio User’s Vantage Point - Word document
     Update on BPL - From the Radio User’s Vantage Point - PowerPoint file

BPL: The RFI Challenges - MIPSYCON 2004
At the 40^th Annual Minnesota power Systems Conference on November 3, 2004 (MIPSYCON), Gary Box, N0JCG, presented a paper titled "BPL: The RFI Challenges". The paper outlines the challenges and obligations utilities would be taking on with BPL, and goes on to review recent field experiences and studies to put those challenges in perspective. The presentation, which was prepared after the FCC released the BPL R&O, updates the challenges presented in the paper by detailing the impact on BPL of the R&O changes to Part 15. MIPSYCON is an annual conference that provides electric utility engineers and consultants the opportunity to stay abreast of today's power system technology. The conference emphasizes the unique challenges faced by electric utilities in the Midwest.

 

Broadband over Power line and its effect on emergency services July 19, 2005 -- Ron LaPedis, N6QGK Many of the slides in this presentation were taken from other ARRL presentations on BPL but added to the mix are an introduction to radio waves, how amateur radio can be used as an adjunct to public or private disaster recovery, and one slide showing that getting an amateur license is so easy that even 7, 11, and 12 year olds can do it.   BPL and Amateur Radio Presented by W4FAL, N4TAB and KN4AQ about the BPL system in Raleigh, NC. This is a program prepared to support BPL presentations at local radio clubs in the North Carolina area, based on the Progress Energy trials. It probably won't work "stand-alone," but look through it for ideas of items to include in your own presentation. The presentation was given by hams with a lot of personal experience with BPL, so not everything is on the slides. It took about 45 minutes when presented at a good clip, and "way too long" when done at a leisurely pace.

Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) and Radio Services
This PowerPoint explains the recent BPL rules changes and has been presented to amateur clubs in Western Washington by Ed Bruette, N7NVP, ARRL Western Washington Section Manager. It provides a general overview of BPL. It shows the potential loss of spectrum and some of the local businesses that could be affected because they have licenses on spectrum that BPL will use in the BPL intended area of operation. The AMRAD test showing strong interference TO BPL is covered in the closing slides. The "notes" field in the Power Point file has additional information about each slide. This replaces an earlier presentation given by Ed before the last round of rules changes.

BPL Measurements of the Main.net G1 system in Omaha

Non-US Amateur Presentations

Jane van Renen discusses Powerline Communications in Tshwane, South Africa, with interviews broadcast on the DSTV Business Channel 55 (Johannesburg SA) Summit TV program "TechnoLogic," 03/22/2004 (5.48 MB, ~ 9mins) 5:39 Impact on amateur radio 5:59 Graham Hartlett, President of the SARL: "...From technical reports and tests carried on around the world, PLC or powerline communication has not come up with a clean board. ..." 7:25 Charles Kuun, managing engineer for operations systems in the electricity department of the City of Tshwane says: "...we have found that it needs to be addressed although it's not that serious as they are claiming it to be..." via the South African Radio League (SARL)

FCC and Other Regulator Presentations

Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) Test Procedures and Equipment Authorization Andy Leimer, FCC OET, Equipment Authorization Branch

Broadband Over Power Lines Presented May 24, 2005 by Tom Sullivan, NTIA, at Spectrum 2005, National Spectrum Managers Association   Broadband over Power Line: U.S. Innovation Driving Economic Growth September 16, 2005 -- Michael Gallagher, NTIA    FCC Update on Broadband Over Power Lines Presented May 24, 2005 by Bruce Franca, FCC OET, at Spectrum 2005, National Spectrum Managers Association.   FCC Presentation at the Platts Broadband Power Lines Conference December 8, 2004 - Bruce Franca, FCC OET This presentation outlines the changes the FCC made to the BPL rules and the responsibilities of BPL manufacturers and operators to avoid harmful interference.

Lessons Learned About Frequency Sharing in the Amateur Radio Service
This presentation was given by Greg Lapin, N9GL, at the July 2005 meeting of the FCC Technological Advisory Council.

BPL and Electric Utility Industry Presentations

Broadband Over Power Lines and Successful Coexistance with Radio Systems
Presented May 24, 2005 by Jim Mollenkopf, Current Technologies, at Spectrum 2005, National Spectrum Managers Association

BPL - Wireless Over LV
This presentation by Motorola outlines the Motorola system architecture and its general compatibility with Amateur Radio. (New!) Balancing Amateur Radio and Broadband over Powerlines 5/20/2006 - Dick Illman, AH6EZ, Motorola This video presentation outlines how the Motorola Powerline LV system was designed to be compatible for Amateur Radio. Note: Large file - broadband connection strongly recommended.

Building the Smart Grid, TXU BPL Initiative
PowerPoint slides from presentation by Steve Houle, TXU Electric Delivery Vice President, Corporate Technology & Development. Explains what BPL is, and what TXU expects it to do for them: Digital protection and control. Transmission superconductivity; Advanced transmission substation equipment monitoring; Digital fault analysis. Self-healing grid. Broadband over Powerlines and Automated Meter Reading. PDF 15pages. 3.75MB.

Technical Trial of Broadband IP/Internet over ESB Power Networks
This 49-page report discusses the problems with implementing both major types of HF - BPL products using DS2 and ITran chipsets. Engineers Ireland found that shortwave broadcasts and MV line noise caused poor operation. Their conclusion reads, in part: "Broadband Power Line Technology is nowhere near an appropriate state of development required for ‘mass market’ rollout."

Other Presentations

Broadband Powerline (BPL) Interference into VDSL2 on Drop Lines: Measurements and Analyses
12/1/2006, Ken Kerpez, Telecordia Technologies
This presentation has been given at several of the IEEE BPL-standards committee meetings. It outlines calculations that show that BPL may impact the data rates available on nearby VDSL2 wiring.

Networking over Power Lines: EMC Considerations
11/9/2004, Tom Cokenias, T.N. Cokenias Consulting
Presentation on BPL EMC to the Santa Clara Chapter of the IEEE EMC Society

Deploying VOIP on the Outside Cable Plant
Ron Hranac, N0IVN, Cisco Systems -- This presentation, done by Ron for the cable industry, outlines the strict techncial standard to which cable plants must comply in order for VOIP to operate reliably. Ron is a member of the ARRL EMC Committee, advising ARRL on EMC matters related to the cable industry. (Note: click on the notes field near the bottom of the screen to see notes about many of the slides.)