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AFE031: 250 AFE031 Powerline Communications

ilgin sarican
Prodigy 225 points
Part Number: AFE031
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AFE030, AFE032

Hello,

I plan to communicate 250 AFE chips with a single processor.Each of AFE chip will send smoke dedector alarm and status data.

This means processor(I use MK60DN512VLL10) must read 250 analog data.

But I think this will be complicated and I want the processor to evaluate the data quickly.

Is there any AFE chip that can send datas  SPI or I2C ect. instead of ADC?

Or I would be pleasure If you offer any solution.

Thanks.

  • 0
    Guru 140200 points

    Hi,

    I'm not sure whether I understand you correctly. Do you really need 250 AFE031 chips? Do you have 250 powerlines?

    I would use tiny slave processors for each group of let's say 4 or 8 AFE031 doing all the processings with the AFE031. You can even use a cascade topology with other slave processors handling the data of these lowest level slave processors.

    Kai

  • 0 in reply to kai klaas69
    Prodigy 225 points

    Hi again.

    I plan to use AFE chips for smoke dedector.The smoke dedectors will communicate via 24V DC power line.

    Because of that 250 afe chips are needed(correct me if I am wrong.) and I want to use 2 wires for both communication and power.

    There will be a control unit.The control unit will communicate with the detectors.

  • 0 in reply to ilgin sarican
    TI__Guru 55141 points

    Hello user4961587,

    TI offers AFE030, AFE031 and AFE032 PLC ICs. However, individual AFE03x chip does not offer digital output for PLC communications, unless we are talking about individual transceiver with MCU in each module in a system. Here is why. 

    AFE03x is narrow bandwidth PLC Analog Front-End components. It can transmit and receive specific frequency analog signals that represent "1" or "0". For instance, 131kHz transmission signal represents “1”, and 141kHz signal represents “0”. The frequency of the analog signal is modified to reflect binary data. The transceiver signals are sent via Binary Frequency Shift Keying (BFSK) method.

    For PLC transmission’s input in AFE03x, the input transmission signals are sent through DAC or PWM mode, where digital data is converted to analog signals. SPI communication interface is present in AFE03x ICs, however, the SPI is used for controlling the onboard registers in data sets, gains, modes of operations etc..

    For PLC transmission’s output in AFE03x, the output transmission signals are received and converted through ADC. AFE03x is the analog front-end interface only, and the BFSK demodulation is done through ADC and MCUs.

    In order to communicate through various nodes, say 250 (yes, you will require 250 AFE03x chips), each transceiver will consist of low cost MCU, which it will send data to AFE03x, and demodulate the analog frequency to digital data through power line (either AC or DC power lines).

    Without any communication protocols, the transmission data are broadcasted across the entire PLC networks. In other words, any PLC communication nodes can receive data from the entire PLC network. With a standard communication protocols, each nodes can be addressed and will have security built in the system. The communication protocols are done through software via MCUs. TI does offer sample programs for development works (via TI’s MCU), however we do not offer communication protocols with the IC, such as the international Standards Organization (ISO)’s 7 layer model or a simplified network communication protocols in Open Systems Interconnections (OSI). The OSI communication protocol is very similar to TCP/IP or wireless phone network.

    For your smoke detector application, assumed that it is an unidirectional communication per node, you may simplify the test setup and build your own communication protocols. For instance, you may define each detector with specific address in your network. When the detector is triggered, an unique transmission data stream is sent to a central location (MK60DN512VLL10), providing that all smoke detectors are connected under the same power line (AC or DC power lines). When a transmission data stream is received by MK60DN512VLL10, you have to decode the analog signals via ADC or other demodulation technique (only one ADC is required). The data signals are transmitted in analog frequency through the power line. If multiple detectors are triggered, you have to service the received signals sequentially. Each PLC node has to broadcast the signal continuously (we are talking about msec to seconds time delay). Anyway, you may not need 250 MCUs or DACs for the application (you have to use PWM mode for data transmission), and you will not need 250 ADCs in the application. Then, the control unit can communicate to the outside world, link to WAN or Wireless cell phone network.

    For bidirectional communication in PLC communication, the setup will be more complicated. You may need low cost MCUs to handle the application.

    Please let me know some details about your application. If you want communicate privately, please let me know.

    Best,

    Raymond

  • 0 in reply to Raymond Zhang1
    TI__Guru 55141 points

    Hello user4961587,

    Please let me know your product's design requirements. As you can see, the regulator digital signals such as I2C or SPI are unable to transmit through either DC or AC power lines. To do what you described initially, you will need at least two spare lines to transmit and/or receive digital data. 

    Let us know if we have answered your questions. If AFE031 does not meet your product requirements, we can close the inquiry. If you are interested, we can discuss it further. We have ways to lower the cost of the technology if we have more information about the design or product requirements. 

    Best,

    Raymond

  • 0
    TI__Guru 55141 points

    Hi Oleg,

    Piccolo(F280049C) has the hardware capabilities to handle two transceivers that operating simultaneously. However, you are going to increase the complexity of interrupts in handling both events at the same time. 

    What applications do you require to handle both transceivers at the same time?

    When AFE03x sends messages across the PLC networks, all nodes on the same power line will receive the analog signals. For DC power lines, the PLC communication can be established as long as the same power supply is used across all nodes. For AC power lines, the PLC communication can be established as long as the power line comes from the same breaker or with same ac phase in the power line. All PLC nodes must "see" impedance paths in order to transmit/receive analog signals. 

    Best,

    Raymond