PL 3120® and PL 3150® Power Line Smart Transceivers
Models 15310-1000, 15320-960, 15311R-1000, and 15321R-960
Overview
The PL 3120 and PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceivers
integrate a Neuron processor core with a power line transceiver,
making them ideal for appliance, audio/video, lighting,
heating/cooling, security, metering, and irrigation applications.
Essentially a system-on-a-chip, the Power Line Smart Transceivers
feature a highly reliable narrow-band power line transceiver, an
8-bit Neuron processor core for running applications and managing
network communications, a choice of on-board or external
memory, and an extremely small form factor – all at a price that
is compelling for even the most cost-sensitive consumer product
applications.
A Global Product
Compliant with FCC, Industry Canada, Japan MPT, and
European CENELEC EN50065-1 regulations, the PL 3120 and PL
3150 Power Line Smart Transceivers can be used in applications
worldwide.
The Power Line Smart Transceivers implement the CENELEC
access protocol, which can be enabled or disabled by the user. This
eliminates the need for users to develop the complex timing and
access algorithms mandated under CENELEC EN50065-1.
Additionally, the Power Line Smart Transceivers can operate in
either the CENELEC utility (A-band) or general signaling
(C-band) bands, eliminating the need to stock multiple parts for
different applications.
Unmatched Performance
Intermittent noise sources, impedance changes, and attenuation
make the power line a hostile signaling environment. The PL 3120
and PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceivers incorporate a variety
of technical innovations to insure reliable operation:
M Combines an ANSI-709.2 compliant Power Line Transceiver
with an ANSI 709.1 compliant Neuron® 3120 or Neuron 3150
processor core
M Designed to comply with FCC, Industry Canada, Japan MPT,
and European CENELEC EN 50065-1 power line communications regulations
M Supports CENELEC A-band and C-band operation
M Dual carrier frequency mode and digital signal processing
M 4K Bytes of embedded EEPROM for application code and
configuration data on the PL 3120 Power Line Smart Transceiver
and 0.5K Bytes of embedded EEPROM for configuration data
on the PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceiver
M Interface for external memory for applications with larger memory requirements (PL 3150 Power Line Smart Transceiver only)
M 2K Bytes of embedded RAM for buffering network data and
network variables
M Full duplex hardware UART and SPI serial interfaces
M 12 I/O pins with 38 programmable standard I/O modes to
minimize external interface circuitry
M -40 to +85°C operating temperature range
• Unique dual carrier frequency feature automatically selects
an alternate secondary communication frequency should the
primary frequency be blocked by noise;
• Highly efficient, patented, low-overhead forward error
correction (FEC) algorithm to overcome errors induced by
noise;
• Sophisticated digital signal processing, noise cancellation,
and distortion correction algorithms. These features correct
for a wide variety of signaling impediments, including
impulsive noise, continuous tone noise, and phase distortion;
• High output, low distortion external amplifier design that
can deliver 1Ap-p into low impedance loads, eliminating
the need for expensive phase couplers in typical residential
applications.
The combination of these special features enable the Power
Line Smart Transceivers to operate reliably in the presence of
consumer electronics, power line intercoms, motor noise, electronic ballasts, dimmers, and other typical sources of interference. The
Power Line Smart Transceivers can communicate over virtually
any AC or DC power mains, as well as unpowered twisted pair, by
way of a low-cost, external coupling circuit.
The PL 3120 Power Line Smart Transceiver is targeted at very
low cost designs that require up to 4K Bytes of application code,
and an ultra-compact 38 TSSOP package. The chip includes 4K
