WHAT IS X-10?
The X-10 system is based on the "Power Line Carrier" technology which utilizes the existing electrical wiring to send commands/voice signals to products/receiver that are designed to respond to these commands/signals.
The X-10 PLC system consists of Transmitters, generally in the transmitter a mike which is a condenser mike, which converts voice signals into electrical signals, which send out voice signal in the range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz with the bandwidth of 4 KHz same as that of the telephone communication are present. The Receivers, generally called Modules, receive the signals and gives to the speaker as an output device.
The two main reasons there will be communication problems with PLC transmissions are LOW SIGNAL LEVEL and NOISE. Typical frequency ranges used in power line communication are from 30 KHz to 200 KHz. It gives general requirements, frequency bands and electromagnetic disturbances... Higher frequencies are usable. Popular "wireless" intercom systems for example operate at around 150 kHz-500 KHz frequency range.
The power line environment is hard environment for any communication. Many techniques can be used for mains power line communications. With transmitter with the use of frequency or amplitude modulation system, which is generally used in communication for longer distance, the transmission could be performed with Amplitude, Frequency, Phase, PSK, ASK, FSK, modulation etc. This is a well-known technology that is inexpensive, but its performance is limited. Power line communication technology, which is the ability to transfer data over standard AC wiring, has existed for many years. However, the technology has not yet been widely adopted for data networking in homes and small businesses due to low speed, low functionality, and other barriers.
