This paper considers broadband signal transmission via high-voltage/broadband over power lines (HV/BPL) channels associated with overhead power transmission. To determine the end-to-end channel characteristics of various overhead HV/BPL multiconductor transmission line (MTL) configurations, the chain scattering matrix or T-Matrix (TM) method is adopted. The overhead HV/BPL transmission channel is investigated with regard to its spectral behavior, its end-to-end signal attenuation, and phase response. It is found that the above features depend critically on the frequency, the coupling scheme applied, the physical properties of the cables used, the MTL configuration, and the type of branches existing along the end-to-end BPL signal propagation. Unlike the older models that underestimate the broadband transmission potential of overhead HV lines significantly, the results demonstrate that the overhead HV grid is a potentially excellent communications medium, offering low loss characteristics over a 100 km repeater span well beyond 100 MHz and guarantees the imminent coexistence of low-voltage (LV), medium-voltage (MV), and HV BPL systems towards a unified transmission/distribution smart grid (SG) power grid.
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