3.3.1 PL460

The PL460-EK board is equipped with a PL460 device in 81-Ball TFBGA (10 mm x 10 mm x 1.2 mm, 1 mm ball pitch).

The PL460 is a programmable modem for narrow-band Power Line Communication (PLC), able to run any PLC protocol in the frequency band below 500 kHz. PL460 embeds the PLC signal amplification stage, providing a highly integrated solution that reduces the total bill of materials, simplifies the layout and eases the modem design.

This device was designed to comply with FCC and CENELEC EN50065 regulations matching requirements of Internet of Things and Smart Energy applications. It supports state-of-the-art narrow-band PLC standards, such as ITU G.9903 (G3-PLC®), ITU G.9904 (PRIME) as well as any other narrow-band PLC protocols, being at the same time a future-proof platform able to support the evolution of these standards.

The PL460 is designed to be driven by external Microchip host devices, thus providing an additional level of flexibility on the host side. The Microchip host device loads the proper PLC-protocol firmware in the PL460, then controls the modem operation.

Figure 3-4 shows the different components of the PL460 Schematic.

Figure 3-4. PL460

The PL460 decoupling capacitors are shown in the following schematic.

Figure 3-5. PL460 Decoupling Capacitors Schematic

Microchip provides highly efficient and reduced BOM reference designs for the different coupling options, targeting common configurations in all PLC bands (<500 kHz) complying with existing regulations and PLC communication protocols.

Figure 3-6. PLC Bands Supported by PL460

The coupling circuit of the PL460-EK kit is described with more detail in 3.3.3 PLC Coupling Circuitry Description.