The power line is an extremely difficult and noisy communications medium characterized by several unpredictable and strong forms of interference, making it an extraordinarily perilous environment for non-robust communications. Every appliance that is connected to an outlet contributes line interference, which can be approximated as Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN). Dimmer switches, motorized electrical appliances and computers introduce pulse interference. Fast fading also corrupts power line communication channels, which have non-flat frequency responses and suffer from unpredictable jamming as well as carrier wave signal interference. All the forgoing make it exceedingly difficult to ensure reliable power line communication and help explain the difficulties alternative technologies have had in delivering reliable power line communication.

Power line Communications is the study of digital signals connecting the electronics in our home or office through the existing power lines within a building. The ultimate aim is the provision of High speed digital Internet- worldwide, fast and secure surfing on the Internet, e-commerce, e-mail and e-banking.