Specifications

PL 3120/PL 3150/PL 3170 Power Line Smart Transceiver Data Book 221
Each DSK reference design has been subjected to thorough electrical and thermal analysis which addresses all of the
above issues. The DSK reference designs have been thoroughly validated by Echelon using the following:
• A multi-hundred hour validation test at voltage and temperature extremes;
• Verification of compliance with a twenty-six point checklist, which was developed based on
knowledge drawn from dozens of Smart Transceiver implementations; and
• Circuit simulation using Monte Carlo techniques covering thousands of circuit instantiations to
ensure that all critical performance parameters are maintained over the full range of component
tolerance and environmental conditions.
Any deviation from the DSK reference layouts will very likely result in degraded performance in one or more of the
areas listed in the table below.
Critical Area
Consequences of not
following Guidelines
Causes for Consequence(s) Solutions
Electromagnetic
Compliance
(e.g., conducted
emissions, surge,
or ESD)
- Multiple PCB layout
iterations
- Field failures due to
degraded surge immunity
- Intermittent operation
due to degraded ESD
immunity
- Deviating from DSK reference lay-
outs
- Ignoring the coupling circuit and
power supply recommendations in
Chapters 4 and 5
- Use an approved DSK reference
design without modification
- Follow the recommendations in
Chapters 4 and 5
- Submit the design for a design
review by Echelon
Heat Management - Premature field failure - Changing the relative position of
components on the reference layout
- Reducing the quantity or location of
copper on the reference layout
- Adding “thermal reliefs” to the
reference copper design
- Use an approved DSK reference
design without modification
- Submit the design for a design
review by Echelon
Communication
Performance
- Devices that function
under typical laboratory
conditions may not be
able to communicate
under worst case field
conditions
- Low production yield
- Changing the relative proximity or
dimensions of certain PCB traces on
the reference design
- Ignoring the coupling circuit and
power supply recommendations in
Chapters 4 and 5
- Use an approved DSK reference
design without modification
- Follow recommendations in
Chapters 4 and 5
- Verify that the frequency of the
crystal oscillator is centered as
described in Chapter 2
- Verify communication performance
as described in Chapter 7
- Submit the design for a design
review by Echelon
All of the above issues can be avoided by using DSK reference designs without modification, and by following the
coupling circuit, power supply, and crystal oscillator recommendations in Chapters 2, 4, and 5 of this data book.
Echelon offers a comprehensive design review service to assist developers with respect to adherence to the DSK and
Data Book requirements. Contact your local distributor or Echelon sales person to arrange for a design review.