Leveraging PLC Technology to Interface Network Sensors and Subsystems on Legacy Platforms

Abstract

Power line communications (PLC)-based transceivers provide an alternative to establishing dedicated aircraft Ethernet networks. Adding new aircraft functionality or installing special purpose instrumentation often requires significant engineering and aircraft down time to complete. PLC-based networks can reduce project cost and schedule by enabling localized aircraft modifications and leveraging existing aircraft wiring for the Ethernet medium. PLC standards continue to evolve and achieve greater throughput rates and noise mitigation. Ethernet communications have been tested over AC and DC power busses, data busses, and discrete wiring. PLC networks have been successfully demonstrated in avionics test beds and aircraft (including live video transfers) without causing interference to the basic systems or the underlying wiring functionality. PLC transceivers provide a cost effective solution to the adding Ethernet capabilities or Ethernet-based subsystems to existing aircraft.