G3-hybrid PLC&RF dual-mode standard updated
The G3-PLC Alliance has released the latest 2022 version of the G3-Hybrid PLC&RF dual mode standard for IoT applications.
The release follows plugfests to demonstrate interoperability, with the latest aimed to test the interoperability between three G3-PLC dual mode solutions including frequency hopping, and successfully realising seamless communication of such frequency hopping.
Other revisions in addition to frequency hopping and general corrections and clarifications include:
- Last gasp
- RF/PLC media switching improvements
- Trickle and cluster head support for hybrid
- New RF bands
- FCC sub banding.
Plugfest participating manufacturers included Renesas, Semitech and Vertexcom, the latter participating with its partner Hexing Electrical Co., Ltd, which used Vertexcom’s G3-Hybrid PLC+RF dual-mode chip to make modules.
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The G3-Hybrid PLC&RF standard is aimed to provide enhanced capabilities for smart grid and IoT applications in a seamless managed network over the wired and wireless media, PLC and RF.
The hybrid protocol stack is built using open standards IEEE 802.15.4-2015 in addition to the existing G3-PLC protocol. Each device in the mesh network can use PLC as well as RF for the communication. Depending on the actual conditions in the field, messages between two devices are sent over the ‘best’ available channel.
In this way coverage and connectivity can be maximised.
The solution also opens up new use cases as it extends the connectivity of G3-PLC to RF-only devices such as in-home displays, industrial sensors and communication with water and gas meters.
In other developments the G3-PLC Alliance has started certification of hybrid devices in the Japanese Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) bandplan.
This follows the release in September 2022 of the Hybrid PLC&RF solution with its extension to include the ARIB bandplan for the Japanese market.
