Initial measurement and connectivity testing over INEEL medium and low voltage power lines began August 13. Test and measurement equipment from Ambient is being connected to circuits serving some of INEEL's 45 laboratories at the site. The testing will use the INEEL facility's unique environment to simulate real-world market conditions. Tests will be conducted on overhead and underground power lines and will include data transmission to end users within the INEEL complex.
Bechtel Telecoms president George Conniff noted, "Sending high frequency data transmissions over power lines to connections in end user premises is pace-setting technology that could not be tested on such a large scale anywhere but at INEEL."
Testing will be conducted in phases and will include Component Testing and System Simulation Testing. Individual components, such as inductive couplers and shunt capacitors, will be tested to verify operation on medium and low voltage lines. System Simulation Testing configurations will include those found in urban, suburban, rural, and undeveloped locations. Tests also will include radio frequency emissions and other certification tests.
Additional testing will ensure compliance with appropriate safety, environmental and other standards and regulations by all components of Ambient's system. Through an Ambient agreement with Bechtel Telecoms, INEEL also will also serve as a demonstration site to showcase Ambient's PLT technology to interested parties from the utility and financial investment community.
Bechtel Telecoms is providing support in the market delivery of Ambient's PLT technology by providing general contracting related to system mapping surveys, demonstrations, lab testing, project management, crew support, and commercial implementation support. Bechtel will also assist Ambient with compliance with utility commission or utility board regulations and guidelines, and applicable state and federal laws, in the United States and abroad.
Ambient Corporation has developed and owns innovative and proprietary technology that facilitates the transfer of Internet and high-speed data through ordinary electric power lines. The same electric wiring that is ordinarily used to transmit electrical power to individual homes and businesses also can be used to transmit high-speed data. Ambient's PLT technology is designed to enable utilities and power companies to partner with Ambient in creating baskets of utility and consumer services.
These utility services may include features such as automatic meter reading (AMR), load switching/balancing, demand management, outage reporting, real-time billing, and alarm monitoring. Consumer services may feature Internet, telephony, video-on-demand, content delivery, and smart appliances. Both baskets of services will be achieved using Ambient's PLT technology across electrical power lines and using existing infrastructure.
