Now There’s BPL! A New Radio Interference Source

Recently, the Federal Communications Commission adopted Rules for a new type of consumer-oriented Internet/World Wide Web data service, known as Broadband over Power Lines (BPL). This new service is intended to provide an additional means of consumer access to the Internet, supplementing existing data services now carried by telephone lines, cable television systems, fiber optic networks, and by some wireless networks.

Usually such a new data service would not be of particular interest to radio system operators and would receive little attention from them. BPL, however, is different for two important reasons, and it can affect your radio system operations if it is established in your area.

First, BPL attempts to utilize the existing electrical power distribution network to provide broadband data service. It superimposes broadband radio frequency signals onto the electrical power distribution lines and brings them into customer premises through the building’s electrical service entrance. These data signals then flow through all of the building’s electrical circuits.

The radio frequency range over which BPL operates can potentially extend from 2 MHz to about 80 MHz. Regrettably, at these radio frequencies overhead power distribution lines, situated well above ground on utility poles, form fairly efficient antennas, and the data signals can be radiated from the lines into space. These overhead electrical distribution lines were never designed to carry radio frequency energy and they do not provide the electrical shielding necessary to prevent inadvertent radiation of the BPL radio frequency signals into space. In contrast, cable television data services operate through coaxial cables, while telephone-based data services use “twisted pair” cables, both of which do shield against unintended radiation of their equivalent radio frequency signals, and fiber optic systems are self-contained “light pipes.”

Thus BPL systems can act as inadvertent radio transmission systems, operating continuously and creating radiated (and also conducted) interference to existing radio communications over wide areas in their geographical service territories. Field tests have already indicated the potential for problems. In geographical areas where demonstration BPL networks have been operated, Amateur Radio Service operators have reported “radii of obliteration” for (short-wave) signal reception extending up to one-half mile distance from an individual overhead electrical distribution line. Such signal reception destruction, as might be expected, increases as the proximity to the power line also increases.

The FCC rules in 47 CFR 15.615(f)(2) establish so-called “excluded frequency bands” where BPL cannot operate because of potential interference with critical receivers and also establish “exclusion zones” in locations close to sensitive operations such as Coast Guard or radio astronomy stations. This is particularly critical with respect to a large number of USCG radio stations providing GMDSS safety and distress communications on 2182 kHz and other MF and Shortwave frequencies. These stations rely on a low noise environment to hear calls from ships in distress off our coasts.

Since RF emissions from Part-15 regulated BPL systems do have the potential of causing interference to existing licensed radio services, any BPL interference that does occur (true also of any unlicensed device regulated by Part 15 of the FCC rules) is nominally required to be corrected by the device operator. However, the new FCC Part 15 Rules for BPL do not strongly recognize and enforce the rights of existing radio system operators to protection against interference from newly established BPL networks. Moreover, many electrical distribution utility companies, who will be the operators of these BPL networks, have no practical experience in resolving radio interference complaints.

The extent of potential interference is relative to both the strength of the radiated emissions from BPL systems and the signal levels being used by affected radio services near BPL systems. Some of the factors governing the strength of these emissions are:

• Frequencies being used by both the BPL and licensed radio systems
• BPL power level into the power lines
• Radiation pattern and radiation efficiency of the power line
• Path attenuation between the power line and the radio receiving antenna
• Sensitivity and other parameters of the radio receiving system.

It will be incumbent upon you, the radio system operator, to recognize, to document, and to prosecute the fight for relief from BPL interference. LBA, with its extensive experience in radio interference identification and resolution, can help you with this. LBA suggests that you monitor developments with your local electrical distribution utility to determine if/when they establish a new BPL network, routinely observe your radio operating environment for unexplained increases in the radio noise level and decreases in system performance, and contact LBA if trouble is suspected.

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