AFE031: AFE031 and SunSpec RSD application - Can I achieve both SunSpec RSD certification and monitoring function from PLC?

Hi T.Ryan,

Can I achieve both SunSpec RSD certification and monitoring function from PLC?  

AFE031 is an integrated PLC transceiver (Tx/Rx) for PLC application. The SunSpec Rapid Shutdown is a protocol for safety operation (mainly for firefighter, rescue and other relevant access/operation in installed perimeters) and established by National Electrical Code (NEC 2017 requirements).   

Yes, SunSpec Rapid Shutdown takes a some amount of MCU resources to manage the safety requirements, but it has enough BW for PLC's Tx/Rx data transmission. Yes, AFE031 is able to monitor both PLC's Tx/RX and BW in SunSpect RSD safety management. In order to achieve both features, MCu has to be powerful enough to handle the both tasks.  So the issues are dependent on the MCU's processing speed and the PLC application written code, e.g. BFSK protocol as in typical SunSpec RSD application. As you may be aware, the data rate in BFSK protocol is not required to be fast. 

BTW, the SunSpec RSD feature per NEC requirements are only applicable in U.S. under the law or product that is designed for US solar market. It may be optional and/or unnecessary to operate in a different country depending on the local electrical safety code/compliance. In addition, not all solar panels or solar farm installations shall comply with the NEC 2017 code about SunSpec RSD requirements.   For instance, solar panels installed at certain height above ground and/or roof top does not require to comply with the SunSpec RSD requirements, which are very specific and addressed to certain types of solar panel installations (mainly applicable in residential solar installation market/application). 

If you have additional questions, please let me know. 

Best,

Raymond 

Dear Raymond,

Really appreciate your prompt and kind reply.

So in conclusion, there is no problem for getting SunSpec RSD certi. and PLC monitoring function via same PLC channel.

Of course it has some limitations because one need to establish on their own PLC comm. protocol based on SunSpec protocol

(e.g. BFSK modulation scheme, bit encoding etc.)

By the way, I checked the UserGuide_BOOSTXL-AFE031-DF1.pdf and SunSpec specifications and found below waveform.

SunSpec request Tx to broadcast Permission to Operate packet in every 1 sec and Rx should

receive it to continue to operate. 

If I want to build some PLC communication in addition to SunSpec RSD, 

do I need to insert any informative packet in "Zero Energy" range?

Doesn't it conflict with SunSpec?  

Hi T.Ryan,

I will ask our C2000 firmware engineer to reply to your question. 

Meantime, I will attached slide and a link for your reference. If you have additional questions, please let us know. 

https://www.ti.com/lit/an/sprac94d/sprac94d.pdf?ts=1658520554476&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F

Best,

Raymond

Hi T.Ryan,

I am from the C2000 MCU team.

T.Ryan said:

If I want to build some PLC communication in addition to SunSpec RSD, 

do I need to insert any informative packet in "Zero Energy" range?

Doesn't it conflict with SunSpec?  

I think it's best to contact SunSpec directly for the interpretation of the 'Zero Energy' portion (https://sunspec.org/contact-us/). From the SunSpec specification it seems to me the zero energy represents the signal is not a Mark or Space signal and that other protocols on the same channel would be allowed.

Assuming this is true, using the "Zero Energy" portion of the protocol would be the simplest for adding any custom data transmission. Other frequency bands may need to be used however.

The C2000 software solution is available in the C2000WARE installation, for F2837x and F28004x devices. We provide the source so you can make changes as needed.

Best,

Kevin