Device and method for designing power line communication system networks

A method of using a computer system to design a network layout for a power line communication system, comprising:

• using the computer system to perform at least the steps of:
• identifying a first position of a first communications device on a medium voltage power line segment;
• identifying a second position for a second communications device on the medium voltage power line segment for communications with the first communications device;
• outputting on a map the identified first position for the first communications device and the identified second position for the second communications device;
• estimating an attenuation for a first communication link between the first communications device and the second communications device;
• comparing the estimated attenuation with a link budget value for the first communication link;
• wherein said identifying a position of a first communications device, said identifying a position for a second communications device, said estimating, and said determining are performed prior to installation of either the first or second communications device;
• and
• if the attenuation of the first communication link is greater than the link budget value, outputting a notification that indicates that the attenuation of the first communication link is greater than the link budget value.

A method of using a computer to design a power line communication system, comprising:

• displaying a map of an area on a display;
• displaying medium voltage power lines on the map;
• displaying the location of distribution transformers on the map;
• positioning one or more bypass devices on the map corresponding to distribution transformers,
• displaying an icon on the map representing each bypass device positioned;
• positioning a backhaul point on the medium voltage power lines;
• displaying an icon on the map representing the backhaul point corresponding the position of the backhaul point;
• determining an attenuation for a link associated with each bypass device for communications with the backhaul point;
• comparing each attenuation to a link budget value;
• and
• providing a visual indication on the display to indicate bypass devices having an associated link with an attenuation that is less than the link budget value.