On cooperative coding for narrow band PLC networks

Low-frequency narrowband (LF NB) power line communications (PLC) is an old data-communication concept that has received renewed interest in industry, standardization, and academia for its potential to become an important element of the communication infrastructure supporting Smart Grid applications. In this paper, dedicated to Prof. Johannes Huber on the occasion of his 60th birthday, we review and discuss channel modeling and cooperative coding methods for LF NB PLC systems operating in low-voltage access networks.