http://www.sunrom.

com

Document: Datasheet Date: 26-Aug-16 Model #: 1187 Product’s Page: www.sunrom.com/m/1187

Power Line Communication Modem (PLC)

Power line modem is useful to send and receive serial data over existing AC mains power lines of
the building. It has high immunity to electrical noise persistence in the power line and built in error
checking so it never gives out corrupt data. The modem is in form of a ready to use circuit module,
which is capable of providing 9600 baud rate low rate bi-directional data communication. Due to its
small size it can be integrated into and become part of the user’s power line data communication
system.
Features
• Transmit and Receive
serial data at 9600 bps
• Data Tx/Rx LEDs
• Powered from 5V
• Low Cost & Simple to
use
• Built in Error Checking
• Direct interface with
microcontroller uart txd,
rxd pins

Applications
• Home Automation
• Automatic Meter Reading
• Process Control
• Heating & Ventilation, Air conditioning Control
• Lighting Control
• Status Monitoring and Control
• Low Speed Data Communication Networks
• Intelligent Buildings
• Sign and Information Display
• Fire and Security Alarm System
• Remote Sensor Reading
• Data/File Transfer
• Fire & Security Alarm System Back View of Modem
• Power Distribution Management
Information
The module provides bi-directional half-duplex communication over the mains of any voltage up to
250V AC and for frequency 50hz or 60hz. Half Duplex communication means it can either transmit
or receive data at a time but not both at same time. Normally module is in receiving mode all the
time listening to incoming communication on the power line. Once your application gives serial data
to transmit on its RX-IN pin, it switches over to transmit and transmits the data through power line.
Once transmit process is complete it switches back to receive mode. The transmission of data is
indicated by Red LED. The reception of data by modem is indicated by Green LED which is on TX-
out pin itself. Data communication of the modules is transparent to user’s data terminals and
protocol independent, as a result, multiple units can be connected to the mains without affecting the
operation of the others. There is no hassle of building interface circuits. Interface to user’s data
devices is a simple data-in and data-out serial link.

Transmission is based on byte by byte basis. Once you give one byte to module for transmission,
you will have to wait at least 500ms(mili second) before a new byte is given to module again since
the module waits for zero crossing of AC mains to transfer a bit. For AC 50Hz system the zero
crossing of AC signals happens every 10ms and modem needs 50 zero crossings to transmit one
byte with error checking data. That is why it takes 500ms for one byte. For example we want to
transmit character “TEST”, then we will have to transmit ‘T’, then wait 500ms, then transmit ‘E’ and
wait 500ms, then transmit ‘S’ and wait 500ms, then transmit ‘T’ and wait 500ms. This can be quite
slow speed for big data transfer, but the purpose of this module is transfer of small data bytes like
sensor readings and remote control for which this speed is ok to implement.
Application Diagram
AC Power Line
5V 5V
Sunrom.com L
L
L Sunrom.com
GND GND
Customer’s PLC Modem PLC Modem Customer’s
TXD N N TXD
Device Model: 1187 N Model: 1187 Device
RXD RXD

Specs Overview
• Embedded ready-to-go Power Line Carrier Modem module with SMT components
• Small form factor for easy of system integration
• Bi-directional half-duplex data communication over the mains
• Applicable to universal mains voltage and frequency up to 250v, 50 - 60 Hz
• Protocol independent, data transfer transparent to user's data terminals
• High noise immunity and reliable data communication
• Simple serial interface to user's data devices of 9600 bps
• Built-in on board AC coupling circuit with direct connection to mains
• Built-in carrier generation and detection
• Multiple units can be connected to the power line of the distribution transformer
• TTL level serial interface to user's data devices
• Built with industrial grade components for operation under harsh environment
• Indicates Transmit and Receive with LEDs
• Built in Error Checking so it never gives out corrupt data.

2 Sunrom Technologies Your Source for Embedded Systems Visit us at www.sunrom.com

Shock Hazard
It has built-in on board AC isolated coupling circuit, which allows direct and simple connections to
mains. Due to isolation on AC part, there is no worry to get shock on the low voltage side when
working with it which is shown in blue box below. When AC main line is connected to module do not
touch the non insolated part which is shown in red.

Blue Box Red Box

Isolated Part, Ok to Touch AC mains section, Shock Hazard, Do not Touch

Interfacing Pin Details

Pin Pin Name Details
RX-IN Receive Input Input serial data of 5V logic level
Usually connected to TXD pin of microcontrollers.
TX-OUT Transmit Output Output serial data of 5V logic level
Usually connected to RXD pin of microcontrollers.
+5V Power Supply Regulated 5V supply input.
GND Ground Ground level of power supply. Must be common ground
with microcontroller.

Interfacing with microcontroller

You can interface the module with directly VCC
TTL UART INTERFACING
microcontroller pins since the level of module is at
5V level. You can use any microcontroller like U2 C1
40

AT89S52 100n U4
8051, AVR, PIC or such. Just configure your 39 21 PLC MODEM SUNROM#1187
VCC

38 P0.0/AD0 P2.0/A8 22
P0.1/AD1 P2.1/A9
microcontroller to communicate at 9600 baud rate.
TX-OUT

37 23
P0.2/AD2 P2.2/A10
RX-IN

36 24
GND
P0.3/AD3 P2.3/A11
+5V

35 25
34 P0.4/AD4 P2.4/A12 26
33 P0.5/AD5 P2.5/A13 27
The TXD pin of MCU will go to RX-IN pin of PLC
1
2

3
4

32 P0.6/AD6 P2.6/A14 28
P0.7/AD7 P2.7/A15
modem 1
P1.0/T2 P3.0/RXD
10
2 11
The RXD pin of MCU will go to TX-OUT pin of PLC 3
4
P1.1/T2EX
P1.2
P3.1/TXD
P3.2/INT0
12
13 VCC
P1.3 P3.3/INT1
modem 5
6 P1.4/SS P3.4/T0
14
15
7 P1.5/MOSI P3.5/T1 16
8 P1.6/MISO P3.6/WR 17
P1.7/SCK P3.7/RD
Ground & +5V Power Supply between PLC modem VCC
31
EA/VPP 29
and MCU should be connected. + PSEN
ALE/PROG
30
C8
10uF 16V 9
XTAL1

XTAL2

RST
GND

This document below has remote control R1

10K
application notes below with source code.
20

19

18

Y1

11.0592
C9 C10
33p 33p

3 Sunrom Technologies Your Source for Embedded Systems Visit us at www.sunrom.com

Interfacing with RS232
If you wish to interface the module with RS232 level like a PC serial port or any other device you
need a level convertor such as MAX232 as shown below.

U5 VCC
PLC MODEM SUNROM#1187 C16 P2
100n DB9-CONN-F
TX-OUT

U6 1

16
RX-IN

MAX232 6
GND
+5V

11 14 2

VCC
9 T1IN T1OUT 8 7
12 R2OUT R2IN 13 3
1
2

3
4

10 R1OUT R1IN 7 8
T2IN T2OUT 4
1 4 9
VCC + C+ C2+ + 5
C13 C12
10uF 16V 3 5 10uF 16V
C1- C2-

GND
2 6
V+ V-
+ C15
C14 15 +
10uF 16V
10uF 16V

VCC
RS232 INTERFACING

Interfacing to USB Port and Powering from USB Port

U7 U8
PLC MODEM SUNROM#1187 USB to Serial Board SUNROM#1151
TX-OUT

TX-OUT
RX-IN

RX-IN
GND

GND
+5V

+5V
1
2

3
4

1
2
3
4

USB INTERFACING

It will appear as virtual serial port on PC to which you can

communicate two ways through any software which can transmit
/ receive by this serial port like hyperterminal or custom made
software.

4 Sunrom Technologies Your Source for Embedded Systems Visit us at www.sunrom.com

Remote Control Application
To show what the PLC modem is capable of we will see one remote control application. In this
application there will be first unit which will be control panel with ON and OFF switch. When ON
switch is pressed, character ‘A’ is transmitted, When OFF switch is pressed character ‘B’ is
transmitted through PLC modem.
VCC
The receiver side listens to the data CONTROL PANEL ON/OFF
through power line modem and switches
on or off relay accordingly. U3 C2

40
AT89S52 100n U9
39 21 PLC MODEM SUNROM#1187

VCC
38 P0.0/AD0 P2.0/A8 22
Source Code for this application can be P0.1/AD1 P2.1/A9

TX-OUT
37 23
P0.2/AD2 P2.2/A10

RX-IN
downloaded from product page. 36 24

GND
P0.3/AD3 P2.3/A11

+5V
35 25
34 P0.4/AD4 P2.4/A12 26
33 P0.5/AD5 P2.5/A13 27
The source code is in Keil C51 compiler.

1
2

3
4
32 P0.6/AD6 P2.6/A14 28
P0.7/AD7 P2.7/A15
1 10
P1.0/T2 P3.0/RXD
Transmit Code View 2
3 P1.1/T2EX P3.1/TXD
11
12
4 P1.2 P3.2/INT0 13 VCC
5 P1.3 P3.3/INT1 14
6 P1.4/SS P3.4/T0 15
7 P1.5/MOSI P3.5/T1 16
8 P1.6/MISO P3.6/WR 17
P1.7/SCK P3.7/RD

VCC
31 SW1 ON
EA/VPP 29 SW
+ PSEN 30
C17 ALE/PROG
10uF 16V 9

XTAL1

XTAL2
RST
GND

R2 OFF
10K SW2
20

19

18
Y2 SW

11.0592
C11 C18
33p 33p
Receive Code View
VCC
REMOTE UNIT RELAY

U10 C3
40

AT89S52 100n U11

39 21 PLC MODEM SUNROM#1187
VCC

38 P0.0/AD0 P2.0/A8 22
P0.1/AD1 P2.1/A9
TX-OUT

37 23
P0.2/AD2 P2.2/A10
RX-IN

36 24
GND

P0.3/AD3 P2.3/A11
+5V

35 25
34 P0.4/AD4 P2.4/A12 26
33 P0.5/AD5 P2.5/A13 27
1
2

3
4

32 P0.6/AD6 P2.6/A14 28
P0.7/AD7 P2.7/A15
1 10
2 P1.0/T2 P3.0/RXD 11
3 P1.1/T2EX P3.1/TXD 12
4 P1.2 P3.2/INT0 13 VCC
5 P1.3 P3.3/INT1 14
6 P1.4/SS P3.4/T0 15
7 P1.5/MOSI P3.5/T1 16 VCC VCC
8 P1.6/MISO P3.6/WR 17 LS2
P1.7/SCK P3.7/RD 5V Relay
31 R5 5
VCC EA/VPP CN2
29 1K 3
+ PSEN 30 4
C20 ALE/PROG D3 1
10uF 16V 9 1N4007 2
XTAL1

XTAL2

RST D4
GND

LED PBT2
R3
10K
20

19

18

Y3
R4
4K7
11.0592 Q2
C19 C21 BC547
33p 33p

5 Sunrom Technologies Your Source for Embedded Systems Visit us at www.sunrom.com

Module Dimensions

6 Sunrom Technologies Your Source for Embedded Systems Visit us at www.sunrom.com