User's Manual

PB64021-01)GC9838))
DIN)Rail)Hybrid)PLC-RF)Modem))))
Product)Brief)
© gridComm Pte. Ltd. Product Brief Page 1 of 4
GC9838-VE - INTELLIGENT HYBRID PLC-RF DIN RAIL MODEM
Overview
Power-line communications (PLC) and low-cost Radio
Frequency (RF) networking can suffer from high noise and
attenuation due to environmental factors which often cause
communication links between two nodes to vary
significantly in quality. A communication link which may be
optimal on certain medium and channel at a given time
may become sub-optimal as time passes resulting in
breakdown of the network. In certain cases,
communication can be totally disrupted due to
interferences or breakdown in the medium. For example,
in the case of PLC, a transformer or a physical discontinuity
in the power line would impede communications while
metallic and concrete objects to the extent of weather
(humidity, rain, lightning etc.) can block or affect the quality
of wireless communication.
The gridComm GC9838-VE is a next generation hybrid DIN
Rail Power Line Communication - Radio Frequency
modem providing complete hardware and software
networking solution. It automatically configures the PLC
and RF real-time and self-adapts to the varying conditions
in the communication links with the most optimal data
routing paths, resulting in extremely reliable and robust
communications in a Low-Voltage power network. This
new generation GC9838-VE DIN Rail hybrid PLC-RF modem
utilizes the industry-leading gridComm GC2200 Integrated
circuit, an OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiple Access) Power Line Communication Transceiver
and a built-in sub-GHz wireless module to allow adaptive
networking over different media. The wireless connectivity
can be available in LoRa for tree-structure network or
gridComm proprietary VE mesh-structure network.
Benefits
By taking advantage of its inherent 18 independent PLC
channels and the additional 19
th
RF channel, the GC9838
is able to communicate over PLC and RF concurrently via
gridComm GCNet network. This brings upon the benefits
of operating in a single unified communication network
using common communication protocol, command sets
and ID addressing scheme. This not only enables the
GC9838 to serve as an automatic bridge or range extender
but, at the same time, also allows it to connect with discrete
PLC or RF devices which can be extremely useful in IoT
sensor applications.
The 18 PLC channels are capable of operating with up to
54 carrier frequencies over a wide frequency range from
5KHz to 500KHz on the power lines whilst the 19th RF
channel operates on industrial-strength ISM frequency
bands. The new GC9838-VE is capable of communicating via
low voltage power network of up to 2 Km in range in either
PLC or RF modes. The GC9838-VE is ideal for applications
such as Industrial Automation, Automatic Meter Reader
(AMR), M2M and other applications that require extremely
reliable and robust communication links.
The GC9838-VE is also equipped with a set of Digital Input and
Dry Contact Relay controlling up to 2KW AC power output.
By making use of gridComm
GCNet Network Management
Command APIs or gridComm PLCM Utility tool
1
, the user
can attach a sensor tied to the Digital Input for trigger-
based event scenarios. Likewise, the user can also
perform remote On/Off switching for a motor or any
electrical device.
Note 1: For availability of the Digital Input and Dry Contact
Relay GCNet APIs and PLCM Utility tool, please contact
gridComm.
Auto Network Applications
The GC9838-VE is optimized for network topologies such as
star or tree configurations (PLC/wireless modes). With
gridComm VE wireless module, the RF link layer can be
implemented in a “Tree and Mesh” network structure.
Figure 1 shows a simple hybrid PLC-RF network system
connected with five modems installed in a “Star”
configuration. Figure 2 shows a hybrid “Tree” network with
PLC and wireless nodes. Figure 3 shows a hybrid PLC
and wireless nodes in “Tree and Mesh” network.