Broadcast radio system for distribution communications. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6339219

Martinez, L

The goal of this project is to develop and test a prototype bidirectional radio communication concept that will be sufficiently reliable and cost effective to satisfy most utility requirements. EPRI contracted with Altran Electronics to fabricate the prototype radio system for test and evaluation by Southern California Edison (SCE), the Host Utility. The system concept uses a phase-modulated (PM) digital control signal superimposed in a non-interfering manner on existing AM broadcast station transmissions to provide a forward link to remote points. The return link uses a low power narrowband VHF radio transmitter at each remote point to communicate digital information to the utility central station via a central VHF receiver. These VHF transmitters are synchronized by the broadcast station to provide extremely stable communications and improved range and maximum system reliability. Altran designed and fabricated 50 prototype devices that were installed by SCE for approximately six months testing. The clear channel broadcast station KNX, a CBS station in Los Angeles, was employed to conduct system tests. It is concluded by Altran and SCE that an AM broadcast station is ideal for transmitting digital PM signals, in the manner proposed, and no interference was detected between the broadcast programming and the digital load management signals. Furthermore, relatively simple, reliable, inexpensive radio receivers can be designed to detect and decode these signals. The results also indicate return-link transmitters can be synchronized with the broadcast station in a practical and economical manner to achieve utility requirements for distribution automation.

• Research Organization: Altran Electronics, Inc., Harbor City, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6339219
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EL-1868
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
AUTOMATION
CONTROL SYSTEMS
RADIO EQUIPMENT
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
DESIGN
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MONITORING
POWER SYSTEMS
RF SYSTEMS
DATA
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
NUMERICAL DATA
PUBLIC UTILITIES
200301* - Power Transmission & Distribution- AC Systems
EHV & UHV- (-1989)