ITU-T Advances G.hnem Recommendations

The G.hnem standard has entered the final stages of approval at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).



G.hnem will leverage low frequency (9-500 KHz) powerline communications (PLC) for smart meters, energy management systems, electric vehicle communications, control and home automation. Links will offer performance of up to 1 Mb/s and can operate in the CENELEC as well as the FCC bands. Various improvements incorporated into G.hnem include significant blocking of impulsive noise, improved cross-phase signal propagation, and increased robustness under challenging powerline conditions.



The new standard consists of two new recommendations: G.9955 (PHY and system architecture) and G.9956 (DLL). The two G.hnem standards ITU-T G.9955 and G.9956 contain the physical layer specification and the data link layer specification, respectively, for narrowband OFDM power line communications transceivers for communications via alternating current and direct current electric power lines over frequencies below 500 kHz. These ITU-T standards support indoor and outdoor communications over low voltage lines, medium voltage lines, through transformer low-voltage to medium-voltage, and through transformer medium-voltage to low-voltage power lines in both urban and long distance rural communications.



The schedule at ITU-T calls for the completion of final Approval of both Recommendations later this year.



The HomeGrid Forum welcomed the milestone. "We are delighted that the ITU-T has been able to develop the G.hnem Recommendation in just a year," said Lantiq's Dr. Vladimir Oksman, Chairman of the HomeGrid Forum's Smart Grid Working Group. "This is a great step forward in collaboration between the ITU-T, the IEEE, SAE, ISO/IEC and HomeGrid Forum, with HomeGrid Forum leading in the ITU-T's development of this next generation of PLC. This new Recommendation is a significant move as it represents the ITU-T's first step in the smart grid arena, promoting interoperable devices and opening new global markets to innovative PLC products. The HomeGrid Forum has been one of the leaders in the ITU-T's development of this next generation of PLC."



Malcolm Johnson, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, said: "Reaching Consent for G.hnem PHY and DLL Recommendations is a significant milestone and demonstrates just how effectively this industry can work together for the benefit of everyone. We particularly acknowledge the hard work of the HomeGrid Forum, whose members have embraced this important work from the outset and have shown sustained support and commitment in helping us reach this stage."http://www.homegridforum.org