I wonder if it is possible to send data through the power grid

Like… A bigger version of Powerline networking… Would it actually work?

@yassie_j Not exactly this, but ELF antennas look like kilometers of power lines and can send (very low bandwidth) messages to submerged submarines.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremely_low_frequency

@lukyan woah cool!!!

@yassie_j With the run distances of copper cables, more than likely not. The inductance is too high and would prevent any high frequencies from getting through, and the numerous long stubs would cause way too many reflections, distorting any signals. Not to mention it's very difficult to arbitrate multi-client communication over a common electrical bus to begin with.

@yassie_j Oh, and any transforming equipment would filter your communications out.

@yassie_j 90s internet related movies would like a word.

@spinach I suppose it makes sense inside a house where the lengths are in the handful of metres so degradation isn’t a problem. Doesn’t make sense outside of the house where traditional methods are just more effective.

@yassie_j lain

@yassie_j Yeah - locally, it works just fine. We are much better suited repurposing cable-TV for comms than we are to layer comms on top of the electric grid

@FawnOverFun lain would entail sending yourself through there

@tomo

@yassie_j @spinach

It's a thing. The long cable runs and stubs definitely cause problems and it's not suitable for broadband in most locations though it's not unheard of.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-line_communication

@yassie_j @kryptskiddy I'm fully aware - I worked on this tech at my previous company. But it has trouble reaching even the full distance of an American football field (funny enough, this is something that I tested at an actual football field).

@spinach @yassie_j yeah. I know it's highly dependent on the particular power distribution infrastructure (which is the bit I'm most familiar with from working in public utilities) also which is iirc why it's more common in some places than others.

@kryptskiddy @yassie_j For some applications it's great and for others it's not a good fit. Like any other method of comms.

Extra bonus - getting your device FCC certified with powerline communication is very difficult, typically.

@spinach @yassie_j that tracks lol, I imagine the bits about interference are part of the problem? or is it more of a weird bureaucracy thing?

@yassie_j shit Ton of noise on that and more local power outages. Not too mention everyone can listen in through there outlets. sound like a nightmare to me.

@yassie_j @kryptskiddy One of the tests is conducted emissions - measured both from the case and from any cables going in. It's much more difficult to restrict the frequency response of a communications device over a physical connection because you don't have the antenna transfer function attenuating emissions outside a narrow band around the target frequency.

You have to be very careful to segregate the comms from the rest of your device, electrically.