PL 3170Power Line Smart Transceivers
Models 15330R-1000 and 15330R-2500
t Combines an ANSI-709.2 compliant Power Line Transceiver
3120 processor core
with an ANSI 709.1 compliant Neuron
t Designed to comply with FCC, Industry Canada, Japan MPT,
and European CENELEC EN 50065-1 power line communica-
tions regulations
t Supports CENELEC C-band operation
t Dual carrier frequency mode and digital signal processing
t 4K Bytes of embedded EEPROM for application code and
conguration data
t 2K Bytes of embedded RAM for buffering network data and
network variables
Overview
t Full duplex hardware UART and SPI serial interfaces
The Power Line Smart Transceivers integrate a Neuron proces- t 12 I/O pins with 38 programmable standard I/O modes to
minimize external interface circuitry
sor core with a power line transceiver, making them ideal for
appliance, audio/video, lighting, heating/cooling, security, and t Includes Interoperable Self Installation (ISI) functions in the
rmware image
irrigation applications. The PL 3170 Smart Transceiver is the latest
addition to the family of Power Line Smart Transceivers. It t -40 to +85C operating temperature range
includes Interoperable Self Installation (ISI) functions built into the t RoHS-compliant
rmware stored in the ROM so that complete 4KB of application
space is available to the developer even when using ISI functions
Highly efficient, patented, low-overhead forward error
in the application. The Power Line Smart Transceivers feature a
correction (FEC) algorithm to overcome errors induced by
highly reliable narrow-band power line transceiver, an 8-bit
noise;
Neuron processor core for running applications and managing
Sophisticated digital signal processing, noise cancellation,
network communications, a choice of on-board or external
and distortion correction algorithms. These features correct
memory, and an extremely small form factor all at a price that
for a wide variety of signaling impediments, including
is compelling for even the most cost-sensitive consumer product
impulsive noise, continuous tone noise, and phase distortion;
applications.
High output, low distortion external amplier design that
can deliver 1Ap-p into low impedance loads, eliminating
A Global Product
the need for expensive phase couplers in typical residential
applications.
Designed to Comply with FCC, Industry Canada, Japan MPT,
The combination of these special features enable the Power
and European CENELEC EN50065-1 regulations, the Power Line
Line Smart Transceivers to operate reliably in the presence of
Smart Transceivers can be used in applications worldwide. The
consumer electronics, power line intercoms, motor noise, electron-
CENELEC access protocol, implemented in the Power Line Smart
ic ballasts, dimmers, and other typical sources of interference. The
Transceivers, can be enabled or disabled by the user. This elimi-
Power Line Smart Transceivers can communicate over virtually
nates the need for users to develop the complex timing and access
any AC or DC power mains, as well as unpowered twisted pair, by
algorithms mandated under CENELEC EN50065-1.
way of a low-cost, external coupling circuit.
The PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver is targeted at very
Unmatched Performance
low cost designs that require up to 4K Bytes of application code,
Intermittent noise sources, impedance changes, and attenuation
and a compact 38 TSSOP package. The chip includes 4K Bytes of
make the power line a hostile signaling environment. The Power
EEPROM and 2K Bytes of RAM. The Neuron system rmware
Line Smart Transceivers incorporate a variety of technical innova-
and software application libraries are contained in on-chip ROM.
tions to insure reliable operation:
Applications that need more than 4KB of EEPROM can use PL
Unique dual carrier frequency feature automatically selects
3150 Smart Transceiver. The PL 3150 Smart Transceiver allows
an alternate secondary communication frequency should the
applications to address up to 58KB of external memory (16KB
primary frequency be blocked by noise;is dedicated to the Neuron system rmware) using a 64 LQFP voltage rises to an acceptable level. This unique feature allows the
package. use of a power supply with one-third the current capacity other-
The PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver operates at wise required. The net result is a reduction in the size, cost, and
10.0MHz and supports the CENELEC C-band, which is used for thermal dissipation of the power supply. Power management is
general purpose signaling and all non-utility related applications. especially useful for high volume, low-cost consumer products
Application programs stored in the embedded EEPROM may such as electrical switches, motion detectors, outlets, light sensors,
be updated over the power line network. This valuable feature and dimmers.
enables products to be updated without physically accessing them,
i.e., from a local PC with a power line interface or from a remote Flexible I/O, Simple Configuration
service center through an i.LON Internet Server. The embedded
The Power Line Smart Transceivers provide 12 I/O pins which
EEPROM may be written up to 10,000 times with no data loss.
can be congured to operate in one or more of 38 predened
Data stored in the EEPROM will be retained for at least ten years.
standard input/output modes. Combining a wide range of I/O
models with two on-board timer/counters enables the Power Line
Interoperable Self-Installation (ISI)
Smart Transceivers to interface with application circuits using
Interoperable Self-Installation is an application layer protocol minimal external logic or software development. The Power Line
that allows LonWorks devices to be self-installed automatically or Smart Transceivers also feature a full duplex hardware UART
at the push of a button. When using ISI, no network management supporting baud rates of up to 115kbps, and an SPI interface that
tool is required to install the devices or manage the network con- operates up to 625kbps.
guration. ISI is a licensed protocol that can be used royalty-free
when used with Echelon transceivers. The PL 3170 Power Line External Components
Smart Transceiver includes ISI library functions in the rmware
Only a small number of inexpensive external components are
image stored in the ROM. Some of the features of the ISI protocol
required to create a complete Power Line Smart Transceiver-based
are:
device (see the PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver Block
Supports up to 32 devices for simple networks
Diagram). These components include:
Supports up to 200 devices for networks with a simple
Discrete interface circuitry comprised of roughly fty
domain address server
components, primarily resistors and capacitors. This circuitry
Leverages LonMark standards to allow devices from differ-
provides front-end ltering for the on-chip A/D, and implements
ent manufacturers to work together
the power amplier that drives the on-chip D/A transmit signal
Enables network isolation for power line networks
onto the power line. Echelon offers a comprehensive Power Line
Installs simply and reliably, even if many devices are off
Development Support Kit* (DSK) with which customers can
when new ones are added
implement this interface circuitry. Contact your salesperson for
Operates on top of the ANSI/CEA-709.1 (also known as
details about purchasing a PL DSK.
ISO/CEN EN14908) Control Network Protocol
Coupling circuit consisting of approximately ten components,
Can transition to a managed network
mainly capacitors and inductors, which acts as a simple high-pass
lter located between the Power Line Smart Transceiver and the
Inexpensive Power Supply
power mains. This circuitry provides surge and line transient
The Power Line Smart Transceivers use +8.5 to +18VDC and protection in addition to blocking the low frequency, 50Hz/60Hz
+5VDC power supplies and support very low receive mode current AC mains signal. Detailed schematics are provided in the PL 3120
consumption. The wide power supply range and very low receive / PL 3150 / PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver Data Book.
power requirements allow the use of inexpensive power supplies.
*Echelon Corporation has developed and patented certain methods of implementing
Additionally, the Power Line Smart Transceivers incorporate a
circuitry external to the PL 3120, PL3170 and PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceiver
chips. These patents are licensed pursuant to the Echelon Power Line Smart
power management feature that constantly monitors the status of
Transceiver Development Support Kit License Agreement.
the devices power supply. If during transmission the power supply
voltage falls to a level that is insufficient to ensure reliable signal-
ing, the transceiver stops transmitting until the power supply
2