• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.1255-1260
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• 2011

In this paper, we study on the reliability of Very High-rate Power Line Communication (VH-PLC) for Smart Grid, so that the resultant data rate is over 400Mbps at a physical layer. Firstly, reviewing the research trend of the PLC, we discuss the required techniques for supporting the Smart Grid. Considering a pre-specification with the value of several parameters, we investigate a multi-carrier modulation technique to overcome limitations of higher rate transmission under power line channel environments. Then, we propose a system specification of the VH-PLC in the sense of enhancing two features. One is resolving the problem of the co-existence of the deployed high-speed PLC according to the published standardization of KS X 4600-1 in Korea. The other is getting better performance on the grid adopting the diverse element techniques, such as multi-carrier modulation, a subcarrier utilization mode, a variable rate LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code, and a time and frequency diversity technique. Further, a simulation tool, composed of an Event-Driven simulator and a Time-Driven simulator, is developed for the purpose of verifying the system performance and continuously cross-checking the test bench signal of the proposed VH-PLC system.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2011

Power Line Communication (PLC) is a system for carrying data on a conductor used for electric power transmission. Recently, PLC has received much attention due to connection efficiency and possibility of extension. It can be used for not only alternative communication, in which communication line is not sufficient, but also for communication between home appliances. Korea Electronic Power Cooperation (KEPCO) is constructing the system, which automatically collects values of power consumption of every household. Due to the randomness and complicated physical characteristics of PLC protocol (KS X4600-1), it has been believed that the current PLC is secure in the sense that it is hard that an attacker guesses or modifies the value of power consumption. However, we show that the randomness of the protocol is closely related to state of the communication line and thus anyone can easily guess the randomness by checking the state of the communication line. In order to analyze the security of PLC, we study the protocol in detail and show some vulnerability. In addition, we suggest that PLC needs more secure protocol on higher layers. We expect that the study of PLC help in designing more secure protocol as well.