POWERLINE VOICE COMMUNICATION

INTRODUCTION
To communicate within a building or between two nearer buildings a power line intercom is a very practical means. They are very practical and economical since no wiring is needed between two intercoms. Instead they use the mains line to pass the signal. Usually, power line intercom has a carrier frequency in between 100 and 300 KHz. This frequency range is chosen in order to reduce the losses due to radiation. The intercom discussed in this project is designed for a carrier frequency of 140 KHz. Frequency modulation is done on this carrier with the audio and transmitted to the mains line. Since FM is used, the noises and interruptions present in the power line do not affect the clarity of the audio.

METHODOLOGY
In this design the coil used for receiving the signal is also used for transmission. The VCO used to modulate the signal during transmission is that one present in the PLL. The same PLL is used for demodulating the signal when the intercom is working as a receiver. Due to this when the receiver is aligned, the transmitter gets aligned automatically. The speaker used for receiving the audio is also used as the buzzer. In the receive mode, the mains coupling unit separates the carrier signal present in the main line and passes it to the phase comparator input of the PLL transceiver. Since the free running frequency of the VCO present in the PLL unit is set to the carrier frequency, the frequency deviation in the carrier is reflected as voltage deviation at the output of the PLL unit. This will be the demodulated signal, which is amplified using an audio amplifier, and is fed to the speaker. In the transmitting mode, the signal from the microphone is inputted to the VCO of the PLL unit. Therefore, the frequency of the VCO is varied with the instantaneous amplitude variation in the microphone signal and appears at the output. This FM signal is then transmitted to the mains using the coupling unit.

Source : Magnum Technologies.

ADVANTAGES
1) Since a majority of components are common for the transmitter and the receiver, the cost and size of the intercom are reduced almost to half. 2) When there is no audio, the amplifier input is disconnected in order to avoid the noise in the speaker. 3) When receiving an audio do not change over to transmitter even if we press the push-to-talk button and hence the audio is not lost.

APPLICATIONS
1) Used to communicate within a school or college building. 2) It can be used in industries to communicate between various departments.

Source : Magnum Technologies.

BLOCK DIAGRAM:
Signal conditioning Audio Amplifier

MIC as transducer to convert audio into electricity

Coupling to power line

Coupling to power line

Signal conditioning Speaker Audio Amplifier

Explaniation:
MICROPHONE

A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical system. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, tape recorders,hearing aids, motion picture production, live and recorded audio engineering, FRS radios, megaphones, in radio and television broadcasting and in computers for recording voice, speech recognition, VoIP, and for non-acoustic purposes such as ultrasonic checking or knock sensors.

SIGNAL CONDITIONING

It is a Processing the form or mode of a signal so as to make it intelligible to or compatible with a given device, such as a data transmission line, including such manipulation as pulse shaping, pulse clipping, digitizing, and linear zing. Signal conditioning can include amplification, filtering, converting, range matching, isolation and any other processes required to make sensor output suitable for processing after conditioning

Source : Magnum Technologies.

COUPLING TO POWER LINE

Before going in emission there are still two circuits to tune, the coupling between the transmitter and the line, and the coupling between the line and the antenna. This coupling circuit is mainly used when the feed line displays a high impedance like an open-wire and is usually not necessary when a coaxial line is used since the SWR is low enough to be adjusted by the transmitter antenna tuner.

SPEAKER

A device that converts analog audio signals into the equivalent air vibrations in order to make audible sound. Although CRT usage has faded, speakers designed for computers are shielded to avoid magnetic interference with the CRT's magnetic coil.

Source : Magnum Technologies.