Discussion on power line carrier applications

Communication networks in homes and offices are becoming more and more popular. Appliances, cash registers, burglar alarms, computers, and their peripherals all rely on such interconnected networks, at which a number of networking technologies are aimed However, many of such technologies still remain costly, overly limited, and difficult to apply. The power line carrier communication (PLCC), which refers to transmitting information data using power lines as communication channels, is a new way to implement residential and commercial communication networks. This paper discusses both the market and technical aspects of PLCC to promote its development and applications. It reviews the strength and weakness of the PLCC in relation to alternative local access technologies. The paper also reveals the technical challenges facing the applications of PLCC and the possible solutions for such challenges.