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AFE031: Power Line Communication DC 24V Used development question.

JunHyeon Song
Prodigy 50 points
Part Number: AFE031
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TIDA-060001, PLC010935BP, TIDA-010935, THS6222, THS6232, THVD8000, LAUNCHXL-F28P55X

Tool/software:

Hello, I have big worry so I Writed new thread.

Sorry, but I have English proficiency terrible.

I deeply appreciate your Considerate.

I was interested in PLC(Power Line Communication) System.
So, I want to development PLC System used AFE031.

I read the Reference marked below.

- AFE031 Datasheet

- TIDA-060001 Design Guide

usually, in order to development PLC System need to add MCU.
in the reference, used C2000 MCU.

if I want to used other MCU, Can I change and development?
I want to used STM32 MCU.

if used STM32 MCU, Is there a problem PLC System?

if give a lot of advice from developers Thank you.

  • 0
    TI__Genius 17306 points

    Hello JunHyeon,

    The difficult choice with MCU for AFE031 is to have the ability to use software.  The software design is needed to support AFE031 hardware.  If you can do the software on an MCU, you would need a MCU with enough flash memory and compute cores to operate the PLC protocol.  I do not recommend using a less performance MCU for AFE031 hardware unless you can optimize and write your own software.

    Are you using for SunSpec Solar Rapid Shutdown?  We have a non-SunSpec (not using a standard) reference design for lower data rate PLC.  This design uses UART to PLC with OOK (on-off keying).  The reference design is TIDA-010935, with and orderable reference design PLC010935BP.  We see customers evaluating PLC010935BP for solar rapid shutdown, especially in markets where SunSpec is not required.

    If you do not need SunSpec, I can help you support a hardware choice of PLC line driver (either AFE031 or THS6222 or THS6232).  AFE031 does FSK and OFDM, the THVD8000 + THS622x2 line driver uses OOK with a 500kbps data rate.

    Overall, you can use an MCU which has the required performance.  PLC modem functions and encryption can require high resources, which typically needs a more powerful MCU.

    If you use the TIDA-010935 (you can order PLC010935BP) you can use a much less powerful MCU to operate the UART commands to the THVD8000.

    If you need help moving code or designs from using STM32 to a TI MCU, I can help connect you to the embedded processor team.

    Please share any details about your worries.  We are here to help.  You communication and description has been good to me, do no worry about being clear.

    Thank you!

    Best,

    Alec

  • 0 in reply to Alec Saebeler
    Prodigy 50 points

    Hello

    I don't use SunSpec.
    but, THVD8000 + THS622x2 Driver interesting.

    I want to use Input Voltage DC 24V and output Voltage DC 24V.
    also, Communication is Uart(RS232) or RS485.

    but, it's difficult select MCU.
    I'm worried what to select use TI Products or STM32. 

    Can you select the TI MCU recommend for the development?
    also, Is it possible Development With DC 24 Voltage and Communication(Uart or RS485)?

  • 0 in reply to JunHyeon Song
    TI__Genius 17306 points

    Hello JunHyeon,

    The design for the TIDA-010935 reference design shows the DC line can be between 20V and 50V.  You can couple the PLC signal to the DC line through a transformer, as seen in the schematic.

    I would recommend reading the TIDA-010935 documentation and if you are interested, you can order a PLC010935BP (booster pack) to put onto a TI LP-MSPM0G3507 launchpad.  Since the THVD8000 uses UART, you would not need as powerful of an MCU to drive the TIDA-010935 design.

    To order PLC010935BP: www.ti.com/.../PLC010935BP

    The AFE031 is also a good choice; you will need to decide what modulation scheme (OOK, FSK, OFDM) you require for your design.  As solar rapid shutdown is a simpler design than most PLC implementations, you can evaluate the THVD8000 + THS6222.

    We do have a newer PLC line driver, the THS6232, which can support higher voltages with a higher (up to 40V) supply.  This device is lower bandwidth and would potentially work in your design also.

    The THS6222 and THS6232 are broadband PLC line drivers, while the AFE031 supports narrowband PLC.

    For a more powerful MCU with a DAC, you can ask about the TMS320F28P55x real-time microcontroller from the C2000 product line.  There is a launchpad available for this device: LAUNCHXL-F28P55X.

    Best,

    Alec