`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Panasonic Communications Liaison Office ETC. (aramaki@research.panasonic.com)
`
`TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 78514189 - HD PLC - N/A
`
`6/15/2005 2:58:41 PM
`
`ECOM102@USPTO.GOV
`
`Attachment - 1
`Attachment - 2
`Attachment - 3
`Attachment - 4
`Attachment - 5
`Attachment - 6
`Attachment - 7
`Attachment - 8
`Attachment - 9
`
`[Important Email Information]
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) SERIAL NO:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) APPLICANT:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Panasonic Communications Liaison Office ETC.
`
`78/514189
`
`*78514189*
`
`RETURN ADDRESS:(cid:160)
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`P.O. Box 1451
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1451
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160) PANASONIC COMMUNICATIONS LIAISON OFFICE
`(cid:160) 550 S WINCHESTER BLVD STE 300
`(cid:160) SAN JOSE, CA 95128-2545
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`
`HD PLC
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) MARK:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO :(cid:160)(cid:160) N/A
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160) aramaki@research.panasonic.com
`
`Please provide in all correspondence:
`
`(cid:160)1
`
`.(cid:160) Filing date, serial number, mark and
`applicant's name.
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`2.(cid:160) Date of this Office Action.
`3.(cid:160) Examining Attorney's name and
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) Law Office number.
`4. Your
`telephone number and e-mail
`address.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`ESPONSE TIME LIMIT:(cid:160) TO AVOID ABANDONMENT, THE OFFICE MUST RECEIVE A PROPER RESPONSE TO THIS OFFICE
`
`OFFICE ACTION
`
`(cid:160)R
`
`ACTION WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE MAILING OR E-MAILING DATE.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Serial Number(cid:160) 78/514189
`
`The assigned examining attorney has reviewed the referenced application and determined the following.
`
`(cid:160)N
`
`o Conflicting Marks Noted
`The examining attorney has searched the Office records and has found no similar registered or pending mark which would bar registration under
`Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).(cid:160) TMEP §704.02.
`
`(cid:160)M
`
`ark is Merely Descriptive
`The examining attorney refuses registration on the Principal Register because the proposed mark merely describes the goods/services.(cid:160)
`
`(cid:160)
`
`
`Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1); TMEP §§1209 et seq.
`
`(cid:160)A
`
` mark is merely descriptive under Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1), if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic,
`function, feature, purpose or use of the relevant goods and/or services.(cid:160) In re Gyulay, 820 F.2d 1216, 3 USPQ2d 1009 (Fed. Cir. 1987);(cid:160) In re Bed
`& Breakfast Registry, 791 F.2d 157, 229 USPQ 818 (Fed. Cir. 1986); In re MetPath Inc., 223 USPQ 88 (TTAB 1984); In re Bright‑Crest, Ltd.,
`204 USPQ 591 (TTAB 1979); TMEP §1209.01(b).(cid:160) A mark that describes an intended user of a product or service is also merely descriptive
`within the meaning of Section 2(e)(1).(cid:160) Hunter Publishing Co. v. Caulfield Publishing Ltd., 1 USPQ2d 1996 (TTAB 1986); In re Camel Mfg.
`Co., Inc., 222 USPQ 1031 (TTAB 1984); In re Gentex Corp., 151 USPQ 435 (TTAB 1966).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he determination of whether a mark is merely descriptive is considered in relation to the identified goods and/or services, not in the abstract.(cid:160) In
`re Polo International Inc., 51 USPQ2d 1061 (TTAB 1999) (Board found that DOC in DOC-CONTROL would be understood to refer to the
`“documents” managed by applicant’s software, not “doctor” as shown in dictionary definition);
`In re Digital Research Inc., 4 USPQ2d 1242
`(TTAB 1987) (CONCURRENT PC-DOS found merely descriptive of “computer programs recorded on disk;” it is unnecessary that programs
`actually run “concurrently,” as long as relevant trade clearly uses the denomination “concurrent” as a descriptor of this particular type of
`operating system); In re Venture Lending Associates, 226 USPQ 285 (TTAB 1985); In re American Greetings Corp., 226 USPQ 365, 366
`(TTAB 1985) (“Whether consumers could guess what the product is from consideration of the mark alone is not the test”); TMEP §1209.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
` term need not describe all of the purposes, functions, characteristics or features of the goods and/or services to be merely descriptive.(cid:160) For the
`purpose of a Section 2(e)(1) analysis, it is sufficient that the term describe only one attribute of the goods and/or services to be found merely
`descriptive.(cid:160) In re H.U.D.D.L.E., 216 USPQ 358 (TTAB 1982); In re MBAssociates, 180 USPQ 338 (TTAB 1973); TMEP §1209.01(b).
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n this case, the applicant’s proposed mark is HD PLC for (cid:160) “communications products”.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he term” HD” stands for “high definition.” (cid:160) The term “PLC” stands for “power line communications.” (cid:160) Please see the attached Internet
`evidence.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he mark merely describes the nature of the goods, namely, communication products for high definition ready power line communications.(cid:160)
`Consequently, registration is refused under Section 2(e)(1).
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`lthough the examining attorney has refused registration, the applicant may respond to the refusal to register by submitting evidence and
`arguments in support of registration.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`f the applicant chooses to respond to the refusal to register, the applicant must also respond to the following issues.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`dentification of Goods
`The identification of goods is unacceptable as indefinite.(cid:160) The applicant must amend the identification to specify the common commercial name
`of the goods.(cid:160) If there is no common commercial name, the applicant must describe the product and its intended uses.(cid:160) TMEP §1402.01.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual sets out acceptable language for identifying goods and services of various types.(cid:160)
`Utilizing identification language from the Manual may enable trademark owners to avoid problems relating to indefiniteness with respect to the
`goods or services identified in their applications for registration; however, applicants should note that they must assert actual use in commerce or
`a bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce for the goods or services specified.(cid:160) TMEP Section 1402.04.
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`or assistance with identifying goods and/or services in trademark applications, please see the online searchable Manual of Acceptable
`Identifications of Goods and Services at http://tess2.uspto.gov/netahtml/tidm.html.
`
`(cid:160)P
`
`lease note that, while the identification of goods and/or services may be amended to clarify or limit the goods and/or services, adding to the
`goods and/or services or broadening the scope of the goods and/or services is not permitted.(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.71(a); TMEP §1402.06.(cid:160) Therefore,
`applicant may not amend the identification to include goods and/or services that are not within the scope of the goods and/or services set forth in
`the present identification.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he applicant may adopt the following identification of goods and/or recitation of services, if accurate:
`
`(cid:160)C
`
`ommunications products, NAMELY, [SPECIFY], in International Class 9.
`
`(cid:160)M
`
`ultiple Class Application
`If applicant prosecutes this application as a combined, or multiple-class application, then applicant must comply with each of the following for
`those goods and/or services based on an intent to use the mark in commerce under Trademark Act Section 1(b):
`
`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160) Applicant must list the goods and/or services by international class with the classes listed in ascending numerical order.(cid:160) TMEP §
`1403.01; and
`
`(cid:160)
`
`
`(2)(cid:160)(cid:160) Applicant must submit a filing fee for each international class of goods and/or services not covered by the fee already paid (current fee
`information should be confirmed at http://www.uspto.gov).(cid:160) 37 C.F.R. §2.86(a)(2); TMEP §§810 and 1403.01.
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`f applicant has questions about its application or needs assistance in responding to this Office action, please telephone the assigned trademark
`examining attorney directly at the number below.
`
`NOTICE:(cid:160) FEE CHANGE(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160)
`
`Effective January 31, 2005 and pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, Pub. L. 108-447, the following are the fees that will be
`charged for filing a trademark application:
`
`(1) $325 per international class if filed electronically using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS); or(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`(2)(cid:160)(cid:160) $375 per international class if filed on paper
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`hese fees will be charged not only when a new application is filed, but also when payments are made to add classes to an existing application.
`If such payments are submitted with a TEAS response, the fee will be(cid:160) $325 per class, and if such payments are made with a paper response, the
`fee will be $375 per class.
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he new fee requirements will apply to any fees filed on or after January 31, 2005.
`
`(cid:160)N
`
`OTICE:(cid:160) TRADEMARK OPERATION RELOCATION
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Trademark Operation has relocated to Alexandria, Virginia.(cid:160) Effective October 4, 2004, all Trademark-related paper mail (except documents
`sent to the Assignment Services Division for recordation, certain documents filed under the Madrid Protocol, and requests for copies of
`trademark documents) must be sent to:
`
`Commissioner for Trademarks
`P.O. Box 1451
`Alexandria, VA(cid:160) 22313-1451
`
`(cid:160)A
`
`pplicants, attorneys and other Trademark customers are strongly encouraged to correspond with the USPTO online via the Trademark
`Electronic Application System (TEAS), at http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html.
`
`/alrademacher/
`April Rademacher
`Examining Attorney
`Law Office 102
`(571) 272-9210
`(571) 273-9102 (fax)
`
`HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS OFFICE ACTION:
`ONLINE RESPONSE:(cid:160) You may respond formally using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) Response to
`Office Action form (visit http://www.uspto.gov/teas/index.html and follow the instructions, but if the Office Action issued via email you
`must wait 72 hours after receipt of the Office Action to respond via TEAS).
`REGULAR MAIL RESPONSE:(cid:160) To respond by regular mail, your response should be sent to the mailing return address above and include
`the serial number, law office number and examining attorney’s name in your response.
`
`(cid:160)S
`
`TATUS OF APPLICATION: To check the status of your application, visit the Office’s Trademark Applications and Registrations Retrieval
`(TARR) system at http://tarr.uspto.gov.
`
`(cid:160)V
`
`IEW APPLICATION DOCUMENTS ONLINE: Documents in the electronic file for pending applications can be viewed and downloaded online at
`http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/tow.
`
`(cid:160)G
`
`ENERAL TRADEMARK INFORMATION: For general information about trademarks, please visit the Office’s website at
`http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`
`
`FOR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING
`ATTORNEY SPECIFIED ABOVE.
`
`FOR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING
`ATTORNEY SPECIFIED ABOVE.
`
`(cid:160)
`
`
`(cid:160) N
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`ote:
`
`n order to avoid size limitation constraints on large e-mail messages, this Office Action has been split into 2 smaller e-mail messages.(cid:160) The
`Office Action in its entirety consists of this message as well as the following attachments that you will receive in separate messages:
`
`Email 1 includes the following 4 attachments(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`1. hdplc-1(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`2. hdplc-2(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`3. hdplc-3(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`4. plc-1(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Email 2 includes the following 5 attachments(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`1. plc-2(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`2. plc-3(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`3. plc-4(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`4. hd-1(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`5. hd-2(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Please ensure that you receive all of the aforementioned attachments, and if you do not, please contact the assigned-examining attorney.
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`
`htt
`rm-\-xvii’-r-r. cworld.comfnewsfarticlei'D aid 114199 DD.as DEr"15f2DD5 022402113 PM
`
`
`
`Po‘.n.'::rLitc S3
`
`
`Finally, a projector that performs perlecliy in the office 8. home.
`
`L:rEEI:I 'n'L|lJ|1 I
`
`Lpson
`
`JUNE 15, 2005
`
`HOME | NEWS | nevnsws | HOW-TO | DIGITAL ouo
`
`DOWNLOADS | Toms | PRODUCT FINDER | MAGAZINE
`' BROWSE BY TOPIC
`USE Fl N£l.PC'WORi.D.CDH
`-:2: .a rn -2 re
`-:2:-Fliu: -2 T-:.-:: l-_=.
`E: -2 -: u ritI_.I
`|_| F. g ra d e
`
`Topics 3- Electronics >
`RELATED ARTICLES
`
`IN F-D CENTERS
`
`Panasonic Showers CES With Tech Tools
`High-speed networking, connected T‘v's, slim camcorder on display.
`
`James Niccolai, IDG News Service
`Thursday, January 08. 2004
`
`LAS \-'EGr5iS -- Panasonic is showing off its bag of technology tricks at the Consumer Electronics Show here. The
`company's top executive demonstrated several technologies during his keynote address, including a new networking
`technology that could soon shuttle data around the home or office at a nifty 1'.-‘D megabits per second.
`
`The technology uses an adapter that plugs into a wall outlet and
`converts data into a format that can be carried over standard
`power lines. It should be fast enough to send multiple streams of
`high-definition video to every room in the home, something not
`possible today, Panasonic officials say.
`
`Called HD—PLC, for high—definition—ready high—speed power—line
`communication, the technology has been proposed to the
`HomePlug Power Alliance, an industry consortium, for adoption as
`part of its standard. If the consortium does adopt HD—PLC,
`Panasonic plans to begin selling products to customers in the
`second half of this year, the company says.
`
`Connectivity Is Key
`
`It was one of several technologies highlighted by Fumio Ohtsubo,
`president of Panasonic .-‘WC Networks,
`in a speech at the start of
`E. The ability to network consumer devices together--and to
`do so in a way that doesn't require users‘ wading through
`instruction manuals——wil| be key to the electronics industry in the
`future, he said.
`
`
`
`"From now on, our industry's products must communicate with each other. They can provide more value by connecting
`to each other than they provide alone. That's how we now approach everything that we do" at Panasonic, he said.
`
`The goal is to let people shoot video, take pictures, and download music, and then play back that content on any
`device, at work, at home, or even in the car. The vision, which Panasonic calls "Lifestream," draws heavily on SD
`(Secure Digital) storage cards, which a Panasonic official here says will reach 4GB by 2006. That's enough for more
`than 2 hours of DVD—guality video.
`
`Big Screens and
`Better Prices
`Tech for the Trail
`Let There Be Lights
`Double Vision:
`Binocular Tech
`Seeing Stars with
`High-Tech Telesco|:_|es
`See all related items
`
`RELATED FILES
`Useful downloads for
`xour Palm
`Track your golf score,
`and more
`See all related downloads
`
`BARGAIN FINDER
`
`Hgd-rail
`bargains and
`special offers.
`Save money
`E
`on products
`you want. New listings
`every day! Check out
`todag's offers.
`
`PRDDUCT FINDER
`Find the best
`prices on the
`technology
`products you
`want.
`
`I
`
`2!
`
`
`
`v I
`I Select Product
`See all cate ories
`
`
`
`htt
`:fA-ww-r. cworld.comfnewsfarticlel'D aid 114199 DD.as DE:"15f2DD5 0223102113 PM
`
`
`
`Lllclll
`
`41
`
`l|ULJl‘3 Ul LJ\.I'LJ‘L.|LJcl||L\!" ‘J'|LJ|:.‘U.
`
`In contrast to the speech given here on Wednesday by Bill Gate , Microsoft's chair and chief software architect,
`CIhtsubo's presentation made no use of PCs. Consumers can take SD cards from their cameras, MP3 players, or
`camcorders and plug them directly into a DVD player or teleyision to play back their files. The company is showing off
`fiot—scroon toloyisions that include SD slots.
`
`"There's no need for booting up a PC or any other source deyice," Reid Sulliyan, vice president of Panasonic's
`Entertainment Group, said during Ohtsubo's speech.
`
`Sudden Shower
`
`Ohtsubo surprised the audience by starting his presentation with a shower of water that poured like rain from the roof
`of the Hilton Theater into a large bowl before him. The idea was to show how electronics products can become as
`ubiquitous and affordable as water. In fact, he noted, some are already cheaper.
`
`Ohtsubo said he was at a supermarket recently where calculators the size of credit cards were on sale for 99 cents.
`Two aisles oyer, bottles of Eyian water were selling for $2. "Electronics is cheaper than water," he said, beaming
`happily.
`
`The company also showed a prototype of a sleek, black high definition camcorder not much larger than a pack of
`playing cards. The device will let consumers record top-quality yideo when it goes on sale by 2DDEu. "This technology
`will reyolutionize the camcorder market," Ohtsubo asserted.
`
`Officials here also showed a digital yideo camera the size of a credit card and a futuristic teleyision remote control
`that looks like a silver pen. The remote works in conjunction with a new interface for teleuisions——a rotating, graphical
`carousel——that is supposed to make it easier for people to select upcoming programs they want to record. No release
`date for the products was giyen.
`
`See PC Wor.lo"s ongoing CES coverage.
`
`Related Topics: Diqital Cameras, Diqital Camcorders, Power Line, Trade Shows, TV
`
`SUBSCRIBE
`Get 2 Trial
`Issues + 15
`C-Tiftfl
`Renew your
`subscrigtion
`
`subsI:ri|:_Ition
`I'I{I:I: NI:W'tiLI:I II:I{5
`
`
`
`Get our weekly news
`recap or daily downloads
`digest.
`r ‘Weekly Brief
`]‘ Daily Downloads
`Enter your e—mail:
`
`|S
`
`Submit
`
`ee all newsletters
`
`MIJBILE COMPUTING
`'|arnes Martin
`helps you
`make the
`most of your
`computing on "
`the go.
`Scc oll Mobilc Corn utin
`
`
`
`Pl'II'ItBl' F|'IBl'IElI! \."Bl'SIlJI'I
`
`PC World's Marketplace
`
`a Portable Cooling for Computer Rooms at Air—N—Water
`Air—N—Water Offers Portable Air Conditioner Systems for Computer Rooms, Seryer Rooms, Offices and More. Fast Shipping, Order Now
`
`- set the best computer deals onl.y to: Tioeroirect com
`We have what you are looking for in stock 8: ready to ship at a great price! Computers, Notebooks, Monitors, Digital Cameras, CPU‘...
`
`a Garmin GPS Systems
`Find the right Garmin GPS Systems for your car or personal needs. Offering a wide selection of Garmin handheld GPS sytems, iQue 2...
`
`o Electronic Air Cleaners and Air Purifiers
`Huge selection of Electronic Air Cleaner and Air Purifier Systems for commercial, industrial and businesses use. Coyers up to 14,...
`
`0 km antenna
`u"‘n I:|n.—-h—nni.—~ L-.—n— rlrn-H‘ nriru-n— nn VMI
`
`I'.|—u-lin mm-l
`
`I:‘iri:u— I:‘—.+n|iil-n I'.|—u-lin —IrH'rw'w'I—n— rnr-ni\.Inrr mm-l -uh-F-rurrnrinr
`
`
`
`httpiffl-\-wvv.pcworldcomfnewsfarticleffl aid 114199 Dflasp
`
`DEHSIEDDS D2:i1D::13 PM
`
`Go Electronic has great prices on XM Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio antennas, receivers and accessories.
`
`0 Notebook Online Store
`Supplies notebook parts and accessories for all major brands. Offers competitive prices on reliable original and third-partv prod...
`
`o Spgware Doctor 3.1 — Fast Spvware Removal
`Free Scan, top—rated Spvware and Adware Remover. Download Now!
`
`1- NEC IT Guy Games. Plav to win an NEG 61" plasma displav.
`How fast can vou ride your desk chair down the office luge track? Get vour fingers limbered up and give it vour best shot.
`
`a Vonage: The BROADBAND Phone Company;
`Make all vour phone calls over vour high-speed Internet and save! Plans start at just $14-.99/month!
`
`PC World's Free Whitepapers
`0 WAN performance problems slowing vou down?
`Accelerate applications 1DD>< and expand bandwidth 1D>< with Riverbed. To find out how Riverbed's
`comprehensive '-A-'ide—area Data Services (WDS) solution can radically improve throughput to make vour WAN
`perform like a LAN, download our free white paper.
`. Ground'w'ork——Dptimi2inq ngplication Monitoring
`Learn practical, |ow—cost techniques for application monitoring in todav's IT environment using svnthetic
`transactions, multi—measure containers, monitoring plugins, port—based "gets" and other techniques.
`a File Replication - luster Environment
`Peer-to-peer E1 one-to-manv, scheduled file replication and content distribution for cross platform deplovments
`on Windows, UNIX, Linux and NAS svstems, including cluster environments.
`
`Whitep-apers by Topic
`- Internet and Networking
`- Privacy 8: Security
`- Software
`- All Others
`
`£&i&
`
`Receive 2 RISK-FREE Issues of PC World and 15 FREE Power Guides!
`
`See All Whitepapers >-
`
`pay just $19.93’ for 10 more
`
`Trv PC World Risk-Free, just fill
`Enter 5'0Ur trial Subscription
`and you'll receive 2 Risk-Free
`.
`Issues plus 15 FREE Instant
`Clttl
`Name
`Power Guides and Bonus CD-
`l
`|
`ROM. If you like PC World,
`State Zip Code
`Address 1
`i55_'-icfilillfi in"nll}'- OthCrWi5CJ
`write cancel on the bill. IT I: [T
`return it, and owe nothing.
`Address 2
`E-Mail (optional)
`
`in the form and click Submit!
`
`
`
`—
`—
`-
`‘-
`Pav now and get 2 EXTRH
`155UI:5 I'I{I:I:! Ihat's 14
`issues forthe same
`
`;
`
`l
`
`l
`
`{jubmfl
`
`I
`
`_
`Special
`Bonus: Free
`Software
`
`CD-ROM!
`Digital
`Subscriptions
`
`low prlcel slickhere
`
`Canadian residents, click here | All otherforeign residents, click here
`Customer service, click here
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`line communication:i'i'en.wiki edia.or i‘wil<iIPowerhtt DEI15i'2DD5 02:42:05 PM
`
`
`
`
`
`r.
`
`‘f _';q,:-
`1
`.
`;.
`1 l{ 5,!
`
`
`
`“H
`
`I
`_
`I
`_
`_
`I
`law] discussion
`editthis page
`history
`Power line communication
`
`From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
`
`3 Create account! log in
`
`Power line communication (PLC), also called Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) or Power Line Telecoms (PLT), is a wireline
`method of communication that uses the existing electric powertransmission and electricity distribution lines. The carrier can communicate
`voice and data by superimposing an analog signal overthe standard SD orl3D fl alternating current (AC). Traditionally electrical utilities used
`|ow—speed power—|ine carrier circuits for control of substations, voice communication, and protection of high—voltage transmission lines.
`lvlore
`recently, high-speed data transmission has been developed using the lowervoltage transmission lines used for power distribution. A short-
`range form ofpower—line carrier is used for home automation and intercoms.
`Cnnten-ts
`gm
`1T
`l
`TPLCH h
`n oor
`.
`1e1S|Dd
`at no 0
`1.2 Outdoors
`
`gy
`
`WIK]PP.DIA
`1-_i,2;.-M. ,r:-,,(.}T,:,r,,y,M«_;_,
`'
`
`H I
`' gal" Peg?
`' C::le:;'l;l\l‘_l::t: a
`Recemchanges
`I Random page
`.
`- Helpi'Contactus
`I Donations
`Search
`
`I I
`
`|
`
`2 Broadband overpowerlines
`Go I Search! 4 Potential TIZII’ ll’1lEl’TBl'El‘lCE
`toolbox
`5 FCC
`I What links here
`6 References
`' Related CHENQES
`T External links
`
`I Special pages
`in otherlanguages
`I Deutsch
`I Espanol
`I Frangais
`_ BEE
`
`TYPES Of PLC technology
`
`E]
`
`Indoor
`Indoors, the PLC equipment can use the household electrical powerwiring as a transmission medium. This is a technique used in home
`automation for remote control oflighting and appliances without installation of additional control wiring. The Homeplug system is an example
`ofthis technology. The fl home automation system uses power line communication at the zero crossing voltage point in the AC wave.
`
`El
`
`Typically these devices operate by injecting a iierwave of between 20 and 20D kHz into the household wiring at the transmitter. The carrier
`is modulated by digital signals. Each receiver in the system has an address and can be individually commanded by the signals transmitted
`overthe household wiring and decoded at the receiver. These devices may either be plugged into regular power outlets or else permanently
`wired in place. Since the carrier signal may propate to nearby homes [or apartments) on the same distribution system, these control
`schemes have a "house address" that the owner.
`
`There are also some very low—bitrate power line communication systems used for meter reading.
`
`Outdoors
`
`lfll
`
`Utility companies use special coupling capacitors to connect low—frequency radio transmitters to the power—frequency AC conductors.
`Frequencies used are in the range of3D to 3DD kHZ, with transmitter power levels up to hundreds ofwatts. These signals may be impressed
`on one conductor, on two conductors or on all three conductors ofa high—voltage AC transmission line. Several different PLC channels may
`
`
`
`http:ffen.wikipedia.orgl‘wikiIPower line communication
`
`DEIISIQDDS 02:42:05 PM
`
`Ull uric ..u...........u., Ull
`
`tvvu ..u.............-.9 Ul on an unis: ct.-.........,.u.;. UI a ...g..-I-wage (‘xv ..a..s....ss...-.. .....:.
`
`..ev.:.a. ......-:..:....
`
`|_Mr ....a.....:.;. may
`
`be coupled onto one HV line. Filtering devices are applied at substations to prevent the carrierfreqeuncy current from bypassed through the
`station apparatus and to ensure that distant faults do not affect the isolated segments ofthe PLC system. These circuits are used for control
`of switchgear, and for protection oftransmission lines. For example, a protection relay can use a PLC channel to trip a line ifa fault is
`detected between its two terminals. but to leave the line in operation ifthe fault is elsewhere on the system.
`
`While utility companies use microwave and now, increasingly, fiber optic cables fortheir primary system communication needs, the power-
`Iine carrier apparatus may still be useful as a backup channel orforvery simple low-cost installations that do not warrant a fibre drop.
`
`edit
`
`Broadband over power lines
`
`Broadband over Power Lines [ElPL) is the use ofPLC technology to provide broadband Internet access through ordinary power lines. A
`computer [or any other device) would need only to plug a EIPL "modem" into any outlet in an equipped building to have high-speed Internet
`access.
`
`l:ll—'L otters obvious benefits over regulari org connections: the intensive infrastructure already available would allow more people in
`more locations to have access to the Internet. Also, such ubiquitous availability would make it much easierfor other electronics, such as
`televisions or sound systems, to hook up. The amount ofbandwidth a EIPL system can provide compared to cable and wireless is in
`question, however.
`High-speed data transmission, or Broadband over Power Line {BPL} uses the electric circuit between the electric substations and home
`networks. A standard used forthis is ETSI PLT.
`
`PLC modems transmit in medium and high frequency (1.5 to 30 @ electric carrier]. The asymmetric speed in the modem is generally from
`255 mm 2.? lvlbitfs.
`In the repeater situated in the meter room the speed is up to 45 lvlbitfs and can be connected to 255 PLC modems.
`In the medium voltage stations, the speed from the head ends to the Internet is up to 135 Mbitfs. To connect to the Internet, utilities can use
`optical fiber backbone orwireless link.
`
`In North America relatively
`Differences in the electrical distribution systems in North America and Europe affect the implementation of EIPL.
`few homes are connected to each distribution transformer, whereas European practice may have hundreds ofhomes connected to each
`substatiurl. Since the EIPL signals du |'|UI prupagate tllruugll the distribution trarlsfurrrlers, extra equiprrlerit is needed III the Nurtll Arrleriuarl
`case.
`
`edit
`
`Standards
`
`Several competing standards are evolving including the HomePlug powerline alliance (which has defined the HomeP|ug1.l] and is finalizing
`the HomePlug AV high-speed networking technology), Universal Powerline Association i§, and the IEEE if‘.
`It is unclearwhich standard will
`come out ahead.
`
`edit
`
`Potential for Interference
`
`Some groups oppose the proliferation ofthis technology, mostly due to its potential to interfere with radio transmissions. As power lines are
`typically untwisted and unshielded, they are essentially large antennas, and will broadcast large amounts of radio energy (see the American
`Radio Relay League's article l§].
`Recently, power and telecommunications companies have started tests ofthe ElPLtechno|ogy, overthe protests ofthe radio groups. After
`claims ofinterference by these groups, many ofthe trials were ended early and proclaimed successes, though the i and other groups
`claimed othen-vise. Some ofthe providers conducting those trials have now begun commercial roll—outs in limited neighborhoods in selected
`cities, with some level of user acceptance. There have been many documented cases ofinterference reported to the FCC by Amateur Radio
`
`
`
`http:ffen.wikipedia.orgi‘wiI<iIF'ower line communication
`
`DEIISIQDDS 02:42:05 PM
`
`..__,
`
`_. __..._ ._._. _. ___. _.___,_.....__.
`
`._._..
`
`___.. ..._...J ____..._
`
`__ __..._ _.
`
`..._.._._..__ ._l__.___ ._
`
`._.
`
`_ _ -4 .
`
`...._..__.
`
`...._._
`
`users. Avideo clearly showing the interference at a site at Elriarcliff Manor, NY is available on the ARRL website. Elecause ofthese continued
`problems, Amateur Radio operators and others filed a petition for reconsideration with the FCC in February ZDDE. Austria, Australia, New
`Zealand and other locations have also experienced EIF'L's spectrum pollution and raised concerns within their governing bodies.
`
`New FCC rules require EIF'L systems to be capable of remotely notching out frequencies on which interference occurs, and of shutting down
`remotely if necessary to resolve the interference. EIPL systems operating within FCC Part ‘I5 emissions limits may still interfere with wireless
`radio communications and are required to resolve interference problems. A [flifl] early trials have been [ ], [dwifl] though whether it
`was in response to complaints is debatable.
`
`In North America relatively
`Differences in the electrical distribution systems in North America and Europe affect the implementation of EIPL.
`few hnmes are nnnnnnted tn each rlistrihiitinnIran:-1fnrmnr_whF!n=!a:-1 Eiirnpean practice may have hnnr'|n=!r'ls=. nfhnmes nnnnenterl tn each
`substation. Since the EIPL signals do not propagate through the distribution transformers, extra equipment is needed in the North American
`case.
`
`Recently, Motorola has [announced@] a new Low Voltage Access EIPL system that has a reduced potential for interference overthe
`Amperion Inc. and Current Technologies LLC systems.
`
`FCC
`
`On October ‘I4, 2EIDt1, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to facilitate the deployment of "Access EIPL" —— i.e., use
`of EIF'Lto deliver broadband service to homes and businesses. The technical rules are more liberal than those advanced by ARRL and other
`speutrurn users, but include pruvisiuns that require EIF'L pruviders tu investigate and LZUIIl:.‘L£I any interference they cause. These rules rriay be
`subject to future litigation.
`EIF'L vendors such as Amperion Inc. and Current Technologies LLC have begun offering EIPL service in limited areas.
`
`References
`
`J. L. Blackburn (ed),App.I'red Protective Rei'ayr'ng, Westinghouse Electric Corporation (19F"E)Newark, New Jersey USA, no ISEIN, Library of
`Congress Card No. F"E—EIDED
`.
`External links
`
`Ii]
`E
`I
`
`I AEIEI description of power line carrier equipment for hiqh-voltaqe lines |§I
`I GoEIF'L§'
`I Associations
`I F'LC Forum ii?‘
`I Universal Powerline Association l§I
`I EIF'L2DD5 International Powerline Communications Seriesi§
`I EIPL October2DEI:'-I
`International Powerline Communications Series I5.
`
`ICJPC Leading provider in Powerline Communications Trainingi§
`I
`F‘LT standard fl
`I
`I Utilities
`I Austria
`I Linz AGi§'
`I TiWaui§‘
`
`
`
`http:ffen_wikipedia.orgi‘wil<iIPower line communication
`
`DEI15i'2DD5 02:42:05 PM
`
`|l'v'\.I'ag|Er'
`I
`I Germany
`I Drewagi§'
`I Stadtwerke Hamelni§‘
`I Spain
`I
`lberdrolaifl
`I Union Fenosai§
`
`I PLC Endesaifl, Spanish utility offering commercial PLC to their customers since September2DEI‘l
`I Switzerland
`
`I EEFi§‘, Swiss utility offering commercial broadband PLC to their customers since September2DD1
`I USA
`
`I Cinergvifl
`I Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) and Amateur Padioifi
`I BPL FAQi§
`I News
`
`I FCC moves ahead with power—line broadband rulesfil
`I
`International Broadband Electric Communications - Company providing BPL Internet Access i§‘: BPL vendors such as Amperion Inc.
`and Current Technologies LLC have begun offering BPL service in limited areas.
`I Companies
`I Amperionlncifl.
`I CurrentTechnologiesi:‘F
`I Ascom PLCi§
`I Broadband Horizonsifl
`
`riberbridge i§
`I
`I ='owerline Publishing if
`I 3owerline World i§‘
`
`