scope:

This standard defines medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specification for high-speed (>100 Mb/s at the physical layer) communication devices as well as lower speed Internet of Things communication devices. It is usable for communication on any media including but not limited to, communications on power lines (AC or DC), coaxial cables, signal cables, optical fiber, and communications using light (visible, infrared), and radio waves. It is applicable to communication devices used for local area network (LANs) in buildings, Smart Energy/Smart Grid applications, transportations, and other data distribution. This standard defines how to apply PHY/MAC specifications for transmission over various media (e.g., communications on power lines, coaxial cables, signal cables, underwater communication, near field communications using loop antennas). This standard uses transmission frequencies below 100 MHz for communications on power lines and transmission frequencies below 125 MHz for communications on coaxial cables, signal cables or using radio waves. The standard address the necessary security, privacy, authentication, and authorization questions to provide secure communications and network operations. This allow this standard to be used for security-sensitive services. It is limited to the physical layer and the medium access sublayer of the data link layer, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Basic Reference Model. The standard is usable by all classed of broadband over power line (BPL) devices, including BPL devices as well as BPL devices used in building for local area network (LANs). This standard defines detailed mechanisms for coexistence and interoperability between different BPL devices assuring a balanced and efficient use of the power line communications medium by all classes of BPL devices, and that desired bandwidth and quality of service may be delivered.

Purpose:

New modulation techniques offer the possibility to use any media for high-speed or long-range (lower speed) communications. The standard enables a seamless integration with other networking protocols, such as bridging for seamless interconnection via the IEEE 802.1 series of Standards for Local and Metropolitan Area Network and enables seamless communications over different media and between high-speed and long-range (lower speed) networks. The standard complies with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) limits for communications on power lines set by national regulators, so as to enable successful coexistence between BPL systems and wireless and telecommunications systems. The standard also complies with EMC limits for communications using radio waves set by national regulators.