PowerLink IP
A revolution in PLC technology for digital
transmission grids
Unrestricted | © Siemens 2021
A revolution in modern PLC technology
for digital transmission grids
Agenda
Use Cases
Evolution of powerline communications
and digital substations
Highlights
System overview and benefits
PowerLink IP
Use cases and migration scenarios in detail
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PowerLink IP –
Use Cases
Power line as only communication path
Power line with PLC
communication
10101010 10101010
Teleprotection Teleprotection
Backup communication parallel to fiber-optic
Optical ground wire (OPGW)
Power line with PLC
communication
MPLS MPLS
Teleprotection Teleprotection
10101010 10101010
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Siemens Powerline Carrier Technology –
More than 85 years of experience
Ew Send 6 ESB 500 ESB 2000 PowerLink PowerLink 50/100 PowerLink IP
1930 … 1960 1970 1980 1990 2004 2010 2015 2017
Pure packet-based architecture
Analog PLC Digital PLC
Digital signal processing
Transistor technology
Valve technology
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PowerLink IP – The door to innovative
powerline communication
From traditional To digital
HV substation HV substation
• Few applications • Bouquet of applications
Teleprotection, control Grid control, teleprotection,
center commands, analog video surveillance, access
voice, grid control control, remote access,
monitoring, data analytics
• Standalone systems
No/limited integration • IT environment
into enterprise IT Full integration into Ethernet
infrastructure
• Declining expert know-how
Rapidly declining PLC competence • Focus on IP-based technology
IP knowledge readily available
Low data rate sufficient Data rate demand increasing
Up to max. 320 kbps Fiber? What about backup?
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A revolution in modern PLC technology
for digital transmission grids
Highlights
Data rate up to 2 Mbit/s
For modern digital substations
Smart frequency management
Up to 256 kHz bandwidth, simplified frequency planning
High availability
<1 sec synchronization time incl. automatic levelling
Optimized for Ethernet-LAN/IP
Packet-based communication
PowerLink IP Convenient, integrated spectrum analyzer
No need for additional external device
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PowerLink IP –
Data speed
Bi-directional traffic up to 2 × 2.0 Mbps;
>1 Mbps up to ~400 km under ideal line conditions
High data rate
Bit rate1
(kbps)
Assumptions
• Amplifier power 100 W capabilities
2,000 • Start frequency 36 kHz
• Bandwidth 256 kHz • A data rate up to 2.0 Mbps can
Spread indicates variation be achieved under ideal line conditions
depending on weather at a bandwidth of 256 kHz
(acc. IEEE 62488-1)
• Decreasing power from
100 W to 50 W reduces maximum bitrate
256 kHz by ~200 kbps @256 kHz
1,000
• Moving from low frequency (≥36 kHz)
to high frequency band (≥200 kHz)
reduces range and increases sensitivity
to line conditions
0
0 100 200 300 400 500
Estimation of max. distance (km)
1 Ethernet Layer 1 Bandwidth (based on simulation)
Source: Simulation based on typical line data acc. IEEE 62488-1 Weather conditions Adverse Fair
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PowerLink IP –
Flexible bandwidth from 8 kHz up to 256 kHz
Classic PLC Classic PLC
Preselected, fixed bandwidth
from 2 kHz to 32 kHz
32 kHz
for each transmission direction
36 500 f (kHz)
PowerLink IP PowerLink IP
Variable channel bandwidth from
8 kHz to 256 kHz (250 Hz steps)
256 kHz for each transmission direction
36 500 f (kHz)
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PowerLink IP – Smart frequency management provides easy handling and
efficient bandwidth utilization
1 Notched frequencies Notched frequencies
Parts of the frequency band can be blocked (notched)
within the PowerLink IP system’s channel band.
PowerLink IP PowerLink IP
Allows higher data rates due to the extension of the
PowerLink IP frequency band beyond blocked frequencies
f (kHz)
that are, for example, used by radio services.
2 Asymmetrical data streams Asymmetrical data streams
PowerLink IP’s data upstream and downstream channels
PowerLink IP PowerLink IP can be adjusted to different bandwidths.
(upstream) (downstream) Enables the data throughput to be adapted to the special
requirements of modern grid applications.
f (kHz)
3 Channel spreading Channel spreading
If part of the PowerLink IP frequency band is disturbed, additional
frequency bandwidth can be requested from adjacent PowerLink
PowerLink IP System 1 PowerLink IP System 2 IP systems. Systems operating in adjacent channels automatically
exchange information about the individual throughput and optimize
f (kHz) the band utilization across all systems operating in neighboring
PowerLink IP frequency bands.
PowerLink IP System 1
System 2 Ensures maximum data throughput for all PowerLink IP
systems in the event of external disturbances.
f (kHz)
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PowerLink IP – Smart Frequency Management
Safeguarding other systems, maximizing bandwidth utilization
1
Examine available
spectrum
2
Reserve frequency bands
for other services
3
Define maximum
bandwidth for PowerLink IP
4 Let PowerLink IP
dynamically manage
available bands
Source: Field test on 110 kV powerline (30 km)
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PowerLink IP – Efficient bandwidth utilization
Dynamic frequency allocation between neighboring1 PowerLink IP
CONCEPTUAL
MARC 1
Level
MARC 2 MARC 3
Frequency Notches
PL IP
PL IP System
System 2
2 PL IP
PL IP System
System 11 PL
PL IP
IP System
System 3
3
(Actually used bandwidth) (Actually used bandwidth) (Actually used bandwidth)
Min. Min. Min.
Max. requested bandwidth
Maximum requested bandwidth Maximum requested bandwidth
1 Devices on neighboring links
Source: Conceptual layout based on field test
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PowerLink IP –
Significant CAPEX and OPEX reduction
Benefit
• Aggregated data capacity of several
traditional PLC systems
• Less network equipment and
Max. 320 kbit/s infrastructure
per System
• Highly simplified, smart frequency
Up to 2 Mbit/s management
PLC 1 PLC 2 PLC 3 PLC 4 • State-of-the-art IP technology
Bandwidth, reliability, and flexibility
Aggregation
router make PowerLink IP an attractive
backup or substitute for fiber-optic
communication
Ethernet switches PowerLink IP
Protection RTU Phone Corporate Protection RTU Phone Corporate
devices applications devices applications
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PowerLink IP
Easy to operate
The PowerLink IP management system
• Remote administration or by local
craft terminal
• Use of commercial Web browsers
• Secure access using user specific
log-in and password
• State-of-the-art Web user interface
in Siemens‘ digital grid design
• Ready for touch-screen operation
• Supports integration into higher-
level management systems using Benefits
SNMP
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PowerLink IP
Intuitive user
interface
and device
management
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PowerLink IP – Use Cases
Exclusive solution for HV substations
with no fiber or radio connection Characteristics/
Coupling capacitor Power line with PLC
Benefits
and line trap communication
Coupling unit
• Power line as only communication path
between HV substations
HV substation PowerLink IP • Single communication system for a
variety of communication requirements
Integrated SWT
3000 IP router • Developed to meet the communication
(firewall, IDS, VPN) challenges of future-proof digital HV
Ethernet Ethernet substations (IP/Ethernet)
switches switches
• Integrated SWT 3000 for distance
Station bus Communication LAN protection devices
• Most economical solution for robust
communication
S/S IEC 1041 PMU Fault PQ Protection CCTV IP phone Corporate Physical
controller RTU recorder recorder devices applications access control
Field devices
1 IEC 60870-5-104
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PowerLink IP – Use Cases
Backup communication solution in parallel
with a fiber-optic link Characteristics/
Coupling capacitor
Optical ground wire (OPGW)
Power line with PLC
Benefits
and line trap communication
Coupling unit
• Primary communication path provided
by Ethernet over SDH system
HV substation PowerLink IP Primary or multi-protocol label switching
MPLS
Backup path Path
• PowerLink IP is a reliable backup path
Integrated SWT
3000 IP router
for critical grid applications (including
(firewall, IDS, VPN) protection, RTUs, voice)
Ethernet Ethernet • The combination of fiber-optic
switches switches communication technology with
Station bus Communication LAN broadband PowerLink IP offers the
highest possible availability for HV grids
S/S IEC 1041 PMU Fault PQ Protection CCTV IP phone Corporate Physical
controller RTU recorder recorder devices applications access control
Field devices
1 IEC 60870-5-104
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PowerLink IP
Migration scenario 1
Integration of legacy devices via gateway/router Characteristics/
Coupling capacitor Power line with PLC
Benefits
and line trap communication
Coupling unit
• New substation devices using
IP/Ethernet interfaces only can be
HV substation directly connected to PowerLink IP
PowerLink IP
with integrated • Traditional functions like analog phone
SWT 3000
and IEC 60870-5-101 RTU can be
connected via small gateway, router
or converter
Binary
• Stepwise exchange of legacy devices
contacts
or IEC 61850 can be realized in line with customer
strategy
Distance Corporate IEC 1041 IP/analog IEC 1012 PABX
protection applications RTU phone RTU
Field devices
1 IEC 60870-5-104; 2 IEC 60870-5-101
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PowerLink IP
Migration scenario 2 Classic PLC Classic PLC RF
coexistence of traditional
RF channel
PowerLink IP RF band
channel Characteristics/
PLC and PowerLink IP
36 kHz 500 kHz Benefits
Coupling capacitor Power line with PLC
and line trap communication • Legacy devices are connected
Coupling unit to the classic narrowband PLC
HV substation • New IP/Ethernet-based devices
PowerLink IP with Existing traditional PLC will be connected to PowerLink IP
integrated SWT 3000
• Step-by-step replacement of legacy
IP router devices according to customer strategy
(firewall, IDS, VPN)
Ethernet Ethernet
• Reuse of coupling capacitor,
switches switches line trap, and coupling unit possible
Station bus Communication
LAN
S/S IEC 1041 PMU Fault PQ Protection CCTV IP phone Corporate Physical
controller RTU recorder recorder devices applications access control
Field devices
1 IEC 60870-5-104
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PowerLink – PLC technology for data
transmission in HV networks
PLC accessories
• Line trap *
HV substation Inductor inserted on the power line to guide the
Power line
with PLC radio signal, and to reduce frequency disturbances
communication
* e.g. wideband line trap from Trench Austria GmbH, or
Yangzhou Golden Sunshine Technology Co Ltd.
Substation Line trap
transformer • Coupling capacitor
HV capacitor used to couple/decouple the
Coupling capacitor communication signal onto the power line and
to provide safety insulation between HV and
Coupling unit LV side
• Coupling or Line matching unit
Impedance matching between HV line
Coax cable and communication signal, incl. overvoltage
protection
• Power line carrier equipment (PLC)
Modem to transmit and to receive
PowerLink IP communication signals between
HV substations
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