Top-down random channel generator for the narrowband power line communication

Abstract This paper proposes a random channel generator for the narrowband power line communication (PLC). Based on the top-down approach, an analytical formulation with a limited set of parameters is established for the PLC channel transfer function in the frequency band below 500 kHz. Then, the extracted parameters deduced from measurements are fitted with proper distribution functions. The top-down random channel generator is validated through the comparison between measured and generated channels in terms of time–frequency characterization metrics, especially the average channel attenuation, the root mean square (RMS) delay spread and the coherence bandwidth. Obtained results show the good agreement between the proposed modeled channels and the experimental ones with very close mean values and distributions of the main metrics.