ABB Switzerland Ltd 1KHW001494-EN

Archive No.: Rev. Date:

APLC Channel Equalization for ETL600 - F 2013-03-15
Responsible Department: Prepared: Approved: Distribution: Lang.: Page:
PSND 2005-09-15 H.-J. Maag 2013-03-28 H. Benninger - EN 1/7
Valid for: Derived from: Replaces: Classification-No.: File:
- 1KHL015943-EN - - 1KHW001494FE APLC Channel
Equalization for ETL600.doc

Power Line Carrier Equipment: Series ETL600

APLC Channel Equalization for ETL600

Contents

1 Purpose of document 2
2 Abbreviations and Definitions 2
3 Equalizer concept 2
3.1 None (no equalizer) 3
3.2 Short equalizer 3
3.3 Medium equalizer 3
3.4 Long equalizer 4
4 Establishing a new equalizer 4
5 Equalizing a channel 4
6 Changing the length or mode of a running equalizer 5
7 Remote equalizer manipulation 6
8 Application specific equalizer choices 6
8.1 Rules if external teleprotection in the selected channel is used 6
8.2 Equalizer for NSK600 modems with data rates of 2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 kbps 6
8.2.1 ETL600 Rel.3.0 or earlier ETL600 releases 6
8.2.2 ETL600 Rel.3.1 or later ETL600 releases 6
9 Recommended procedure to equalize a channel 7
10 Recommended procedure to change the equalizer settings 7

List of equipment:
PC with Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7
HMI600 software
PC  P4LT/U/V/X cable 1:1 serial RS-232

Note:
• Please refer 1KHW001490 for compatibility between software HMI600, firmware and hardware of ETL600.

We reserve all rights in this document and in the information contained therein. Reproduction, use or disclosure to
third parties without express authority is strictly forbidden. © 2013 ABB
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1 Purpose of document
This document describes the equalization process for the equipment ETL600, supported by the PC
program HMI600.

2 Abbreviations and Definitions

PLC link: Two ETL600 terminals using a power line for signal transmission.
Local/Remote: To distinguish between the two terminals of a PLC link, one of them is referred
to as 'local equipment', the other one as 'remote equipment'. Both directions of
a link are equalized separately.

 Note: To access the remote equipment, log ON using the equipment address of the
remote equipment. This is especially applicable for chapters 4, 5, 6, 8.2.2 and
10.

Channel: An ETL600 PLC link offers up to three AF channels for transmission of analog
signals. Each channel is equalized separately.
Equalizer: A filter that flattens the amplitude and/or group delay response of a channel.
BER: Bit error ratio

3 Equalizer concept
The ETL600 has an integrated equalizer separately for each configured channel. Two operation
modes are available: Amplitude equalization only and combined amplitude with group delay
equalization. The resulting amplitude response of each channel (with the selected equalizer and
none) can be viewed with the HMI600 software before activation and during operation without
interrupting services on the link.
It is possible to change later an active equalizer with amplitude equalization only to one with
combined amplitude and group delay equalization and vice versa (with short interruption of the link
due to equipment reset).
Instructed personnel can choose between 4 possible equalizer settings: None (no equalizer),
short, medium or long equalizer.

 Note: After changing RF settings (Tx, Rx nominal frequency or overall channel mode),
all active equalizers have to be updated.

 Note: After changing the number of APLC channels from or to 3 channels in 8 kHz, all
active equalizers have to be updated.

 Note: Frequency response measurements in case of 3 channels in 8 kHz produce out

of band noise signals which could impair other services:
1. The measurement of channel 1 disturbs the RF frequency range from fn
down to fn - 800 Hz in erect mode or from fn up to fn + 800 Hz in inverted
mode.
2. The measurement of channel 2 disturbs the AF frequency range up to
1750 Hz in channel 3.
3. The measurement of channel 3 disturbs the RF frequency range from fn +
Bn to fn + Bn + 1600 Hz in erect mode or from fn - Bn down to fn - Bn - 1600
Hz in inverted mode.
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 Note: When in the APLC channel to be equalized internal teleprotection is configured

with own guard, the frequency response measurement will show a peak at the
frequency of the own guard, because the own guard must not be switched off
during the frequency response measurement. As the signal for the
teleprotection receiver doesn’t pass the equalizer, the teleprotection
performance is not influenced in any way by the equalizer. Moreover, the peak
usually is not perceived by other analogue services (speech, teleoperation) that
might be present on the channel, because these services must suppress the
own teleprotection guard signal anyway by suitable filters.

 Note: In case of nominal bandwidth Bn = 2 kHz or 2.5 kHz (only available in ETL600
R4), the resulting equalizer is not useful. Do not activate any equalizer.

3.1 None (no equalizer)

The equalizer is bypassed.
This setting is working during first power up of the ETL600 equipment until instructed personnel
measures the channel and chooses another equalizer. There is no added system delay. This is the
best possible value for the system group delay. Note that the operation mode 'Amplitude
response equalization only' or 'Combined group delay and frequency response equalization'
has no effect in this case.

3.2 Short equalizer

The short equalizer compensates the amplitude response of the channel with a minimum of
additional delay. This additional delay can be viewed in the 'Select equalizer' box.
If 'Amplitude response equalization only' is selected, no group delay equalization is performed.
The resulting amplitude response is acceptable.
If 'Combined group delay and frequency response equalization' is selected, a combined
amplitude and group delay equalizer is activated. Due to the additional group delay equalization,
the equalized channel amplitude response could have quite a ripple. Group delay distortion up to
1 ms can be equalized.
Please note that the additional group delay equalization must only be activated if there is a modem
present on that channel and the performance is better than with the 'allpass filter for group delay
equalization' enabled only (in 'Configuration' / 'System' / 'Channel Settings'). The default
setting is 'Amplitude response equalization only' enabled.
Always check the amplitude response of the short equalizer in the pilot channel if used in
conjunction with external protection system before activation through instructed personnel.

3.3 Medium equalizer

The medium equalizer compensates the amplitude response of the channel with additional delay.
This additional delay can be viewed in the 'Select equalizer' box.
If 'Amplitude response equalization only' is selected, no group delay equalization is performed.
The resulting amplitude response is good.
If 'Combined group delay and frequency response equalization' is selected, a combined
amplitude and group delay equalizer is activated. Due to the additional group delay equalization,
the equalized channel amplitude response could have quite a ripple. Group delay distortion up to
1.5 ms can be equalized.
Please note that the additional group delay equalization must only be activated if there is a modem
present on that channel and the performance is better than with 'allpass filter for group delay
equalization' enabled only (in 'Configuration' / 'System' / 'Channel Settings'). The default
setting is 'Amplitude response equalization only' enabled.
Always check the amplitude response of the medium equalizer in the pilot channel if used in
conjunction with external protection system before activation through instructed personnel.
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3.4 Long equalizer

The long equalizer compensates the amplitude response of the channel with additional delay. This
additional delay can be viewed in the 'Select equalizer' box.
If 'Amplitude response equalization only' is selected, no group delay equalization is performed.
The resulting amplitude response is excellent.
If 'Combined group delay and frequency response equalization' is selected, a combined
amplitude and group delay equalizer is activated. Due to the additional group delay equalization,
the equalized channel amplitude response can have a ripple. Group delay distortion up to 2 ms can
be equalized.
Please note that the additional group delay equalization must only be activated if there is a modem
present on that channel and the performance is better than with 'allpass filter for group delay
equalization' enabled only (in 'Configuration' / 'System' / 'Channel Settings'). The default
setting is 'Amplitude response equalization only' enabled.
Always check the amplitude response of the long equalizer in the pilot channel if used in
conjunction with external protection system before activation through instructed personnel.

 Note: The equalizer is applied on the receive signal whereas the allpass filter is
applied on the transmit signal. As a consequence the equalizer has to be
configured on the receiving equipment and the allpass filter on the transmitting
equipment.

4 Establishing a new equalizer

To establish a new equalizer, use the following step-by-step procedure:
1. Measure the frequency response of the channel to equalize ('Equipment' / 'Commissioning &
maintenance' / 'Frequency response').
2. Check the equalized frequency response with the 'View' button in 'Select Equalizer' of the
desired channel. If you are not satisfied with all new equalizers, repeat the measurement. If you
decide not to change the running equalizer, quit the 'Select Equalizer' dialog box with the
'Cancel' button.
3. Activate the chosen equalizer with the 'Download' button in 'Select Equalizer'. The new
settings are downloaded, stored in the EPROM and the equipment is reset.

 Note: • External protection equipment, voice, teleoperation and modems will be

automatically disconnected during the channel measurement.
• Due to sporadic noise and other disturbance during measurement, the
measured channel response can be quite noisy. In this case it is advised
to repeat the channel measurement. During measurement of the
channel, each appearing sporadic noise could jam the measurement.
• Depending on the configured alarm pick-up and setup time some alarms
could appear for a short moment during channel measurement.
• During channel measurement, NSD600 teleprotection commands can
still be transmitted without further delay. The measurement will be
cancelled as soon as NSD600 commands are transmitted. If this
happens, the measurement must be repeated.
• A system reset is performed automatically after downloading new
equalizer settings. As a consequence the link transmission will be
interrupted completely for a moment.

5 Equalizing a channel
In this section the letter 'X' names the channel to equalize. This can be channel 1, 2 or channel 3.
Do not mix up the channel during the whole equalization process. The selected channel from the
remote to the connected ETL600 system will be equalized.
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Please note that equalizing a channel over the EOC network or on the remote side may take
several 10 minutes.
Make a connect with write access to the desired ETL600 equipment and upload the configuration.
Select in the menu bar 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and maintenance' / 'Frequency
response' / 'APLC channel X'. A dialog box appears telling the user that he is going to disable the
system. By pressing the 'Cancel' button, no channel measurement will be started. By selecting the
'Yes' button, a channel measurement on channel X from the remote to the local ETL600 terminal
will be started. This is also the last chance to abort an equalizer selection process without
interrupting normal services.

 Note: During measurement of the frequency response of the selected channel,

voice, data and external protection are automatically switched off for about
one minute. Corresponding alarms may appear. Protection signal trans-
mission is only possible with NSD600.

After up to 5 minutes, the measurement is finished and the dialog box 'Select equalizer' appears.
The amplitude response of the link from remote equipment to the connected ETL600 can be
viewed for channel X.
With the help of the 'Select equalizer' dialog box, it is possible to select the best possible equalizer
for a specific purpose. When this dialog box first appears, the active equalizer is easily recognised
in the 'Actual equalizer' field. The equalizer delay describes the additional delay added by the
equalizer. The less this delay is, the better it is for applications with external teleprotection
equipment. Please note that the internal teleprotection NSD600 is working independently from this
equalizer delay. The average ripple describes the average ripple left in the complete AF band by
the equalizer. By selecting the desired equalizer before pressing the 'View' button, the frequency
response is visible with and without the equalizer.
In order to return to the 'Select Equalizer' dialog box, select 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and
maintenance' / 'Select equalizer' / 'APLC channel X' again. It is possible to repeat this procedure
again and again.
If the amplitude response with the equalizer is quite 'noisy', the measurement went wrong due to
sporadic noise on the high voltage line during the measurement. In this case repeat the
measurement by selecting 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and maintenance' / 'Frequency
response' / 'APLC channel X'.

 Note: If a system reset or configuration download is performed after a frequency

response measurement before downloading new equalizer settings, all
measurement data are lost.

Discarding a new equalizer: If after several measurements all new equalizers have worse results
than the actual equalizer, it is better to leave the old equalizer unchanged by quitting 'Select
equalizer' with the 'Cancel' button.
Activating a new equalizer: After finding a new equalizer suitable, select the new desired equalizer
in 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and maintenance' / 'Select Equalizer' / 'APLC channel X'.
Then press the 'Download' button. A dialog box appears which warns the user of an ETL600
system reset. By pressing 'Yes', the selected equalizer settings will be downloaded, stored in the
EPROM and after the restart the new equalizer will be activated.

6 Changing the length or mode of a running equalizer

The length ('None', 'Short', 'Middle', 'Long') and/or the mode ('Amplitude response equali-
zation only', 'Combined group delay and amplitude response equalization') of a running
equalizer can be changed without performing a new frequency response measurement. In this
case the new equalizer is based on the measurement of the actual equalizer.
Please note that after downloading the new settings, the equipment is reset in order to activate the
new equalizer. This leads to a short interruption of services on the whole ETL600 link, not only of
the affected channel.
In order to display the frequency response of an equalizer select in 'Equipment' / 'Commissio-
ning and maintenance' / 'Select equalizer' / 'APLC channel X' the equalizer settings of the
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equalizer you would like to view and click on the 'View' button. By pressing 'Cancel' the window
can be closed without further action.
Changing the equalizer length or equalizer mode: Select the length and mode of the desired
equalizer and press the 'Download' button. A dialog box appears which warns the user of an
ETL600 system reset. By pressing 'Yes', the selected equalizer settings will be downloaded, stored
in the EPROM and after the restart the new equalizer will be activated.

7 Remote equalizer manipulation

Equalizing a channel or changing the equalizer settings can also be done on the remote ETL600
equipment or anywhere else in the ETL600 network. Using the EOC (in most cases) for remote
access can take several 10 minutes for a complete equalizer operation. Be patient.
It is recommended only to equalize the remote equipment, not any ETL600 further away in an
ETL600 EOC network. In this case a complete channel equalization will take around 20 minutes.
Connect to the desired ETL600 station with the corresponding equipment ID or with the remote
button. Don’t forget to set the write access with the correct password. Then follow the procedure
described in chapter 5 and 6 depending on the desired equalizer action. The procedure is the same
except of the longer waiting periods until the necessary data is transmitted over the 100 bps EOC.

8 Application specific equalizer choices

8.1 Rules if external teleprotection in the selected channel is used

If external teleprotection is used on a channel, following additional points must be considered and
understood before equalizing this channel:

Caution During frequency response measurement, the transmission path of external

teleprotection equipment will be automatically interrupted without further
warnings. For the duration of the measurement, no teleprotection commands
can be transmitted.

Select the shortest possible equalizer (smallest additional added delay) with flat amplitude
response in the external teleprotection channel. If possible use 'Amplitude response equalization
only'.

8.2 Equalizer for NSK600 modems with data rates of 2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 kbps
Starting with ETL600 Rel.3.1, an adaptive equalizer is available for 2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 kbps NSK600
modems.

8.2.1 ETL600 Rel.3.0 or earlier ETL600 releases

By default the long equalizer in connection with the 'Amplitude response equalization only'
setting is used for NSK600 modems with data rates of 2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 kbps. Additionally the
allpass filter has to be enabled on the transmitting equipment ('allpass filter for group delay
equalization' setting in 'Configuration' / 'System' / 'Channel Settings'). If the performance of the
modem is unsatisfactory, the equalizer mode can be changed to 'Combined group delay and
frequency response equalization'.
In order to evaluate the modem performance a BER test equipment transmitting pseudo random
data should be used. Which equalizer to choose is based on the measured BER. Alternatively the
equalizer yielding the better signal quality (during transmission of random data) in the NSK600
status can be selected.

8.2.2 ETL600 Rel.3.1 or later ETL600 releases

By default, the adaptive equalizer is enabled for NSK600 modems with data rates of 2.4, 4.8 and
9.6 kbps ('Configuration' / 'NSK600' / 'NSK600 modem N' / 'Signal Settings' / 'Adaptive
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equalizer' / 'On'). The static channel equalizer and the all-pass filter – should they be enabled - are
bypassed. The advantage of the adaptive equalizer is that it adapts to changing channel
characteristics.
If for some reason the adaptive equalizer needs to be disabled, the channel equalization procedure
as described in section 8.2.1 is required. However, the adaptive equalizer will usually be the better
choice, as for most transmission channels encountered in practice it outperforms the static channel
equalizer.

9 Recommended procedure to equalize a channel

1. Logon to the desired ETL600 using the HMI600 dialog 'Equipment' / 'Connect' with 'Read &
Write access' enabled, correct Equipment ID, correct password and with the checkbox
'Upload configuration' selected.
2. Start channel measurement by selecting 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and maintenance' /
'Frequency response' / 'APLC channel X'.
3. Wait until the window 'Select equalizer' appears.
4. View the frequency response of the desired equalizer with the 'View' button. By default,
'Amplitude response equalization only' is active. With 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and
maintenance' / 'Select equalizer' / 'APLC channel X', it is possible to go back into the
'Select equalizer' dialog box.
5. If the channel measurement is noisy, repeat the measurement with 'Equipment' /
'Commissioning and maintenance' / 'Frequency response' / 'APLC channel X' and go
back to point 4.
6. Select with 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and maintenance' / 'Select Equalizer'/ 'APLC
channel X' the desired new equalizer with the desired group delay equalization mode and
press the 'Download' button. The equipment is reset now.
7. Wait until the equipment has restarted. The new equalizer is active now.
8. Exit.

10 Recommended procedure to change the equalizer settings

1. Logon to the desired ETL600 using the HMI600 dialog 'Equipment' / 'Connect' with 'Read &
Write access' enabled, correct Equipment ID, correct password and with the checkbox
'Upload configuration' selected.
2. Select the desired channel with 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and maintenance' / Select
equalizer / 'APLC channel X'.
3. View the frequency response of the desired equalizer with the 'View' button. It is also possible
to change only the group delay equalization mode. With 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and
maintenance' / 'Select equalizer' / 'APLC channel X', it is possible to go back into the
'Select equalizer' dialog box.
4. If the user doesn’t want to change the equalizer settings, press 'Cancel' to exit the dialog box.
5. Select with 'Equipment' / 'Commissioning and maintenance' / 'Select Equalizer' /
'Channel X' the desired actual equalizer with the desired group delay equalization mode and
press the 'Download' button. The equipment is reset now.
6. Wait until the equipment has restarted. The new equalizer is active now.
7. Exit.