PB64204_01 GC8808/GC9808
Hybrid OFDMA PLC-RF Module
GC8808 HYBRID OFDMA PLC-RF MODULE
Figure 1 – Hybrid PLC-RF Module, GC8808
Overview
Power-line communications (PLC) and low-cost Radio
Frequency (RF) networking can suffer from high noise
and attenuation due to environmental factors which
often cause communication links between two nodes to
vary significantly in quality. A communication link which
may be optimal on certain medium and channel at a
given time may become sub-optimal as time passes
resulting in breakdown of the network. In certain cases,
communication can be totally disrupted due to
interferences or breakdown in the medium. For
example, in the case of PLC, a transformer or a
physical discontinuity in the power line would impede
communications while metallic and concrete objects to
the extent of weather (humidity, rain, lightning etc.) can
block or affect the quality of wireless communication.
The gridComm GC8808, in Figure 1, is a next
generation hybrid Power Line Communication - Radio
Frequency module providing complete hardware and
software networking solution. It automatically configures
the PLC and RF real-time and self-adapts to the varying
conditions in the different communication mediums with
the most optimal data routing paths, resulting in
extremely reliable and robust communications in a Low-
Voltage power network. This new generation GC8808
hybrid PLC-RF module utilizes the industry-leading
gridComm GC2200 integrated circuit, an OFDMA
(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) Power
Line Communication Transceiver and a built-in LoRa-
based wireless connectivity to allow adaptive
networking over different medium. When powered with
a DC12V@300mA power supply, it functions as a full
system-level PLC modem. The gridComm GC9808 PLC
© gridComm Pte. Ltd.
Product Brief
Module demonstration node, shown in Figure 2, is an
example.
Figure 2 – PLC Module Demo Board, GC9808
Benefits
By taking advantage of its inherent 18 independent PLC
channels and the additional 19th RF channel, the
GC8808 module is able to communicate over PLC and
RF concurrently via gridComm GCNet network layer.
This brings upon the benefits of operating in a single
unified communication network using common
communication protocol, command sets and ID
addressing scheme. This not only enables the GC8808
to serve as an automatic bridge or range extender but,
at the same time, also allows it to connect with discrete
PLC or RF devices which can be extremely useful in
IoT sensor applications.
The 18 PLC channels are capable of operating with up
to 54 carrier frequencies over a wide frequency range
from 5KHz to 500KHz on the power lines whilst the 19th
RF channel operates on 915MHz frequency band. The
new GC8808 is capable of communicating via low
voltage power network of up to 2 Km in range in either
PLC or RF modes. The GC8808 is ideal for applications
such as Industrial Automation, Automatic Meter Reader
(AMR), M2M and other applications that require
extremely reliable and robust communication links.
 Tackles signal variations that are commonly present
in power line applications due to signal attenuation,
impulsive noise, and changes in line impedance
 Allows selection of carrier frequencies to suit the
operating environment in power lines
 Automatically forms a multi-tier network to reach
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 PB64204_01 GC8808/GC9808
Hybrid OFDMA PLC-RF Module
Product Brief

otherwise non-contactable nodes

 Seamless connectivity between PLC and LoRa

devices within a unified network with common ID
scheme, network protocol and command set

 Maintains optimal routes between nodes

 Supports UART, I/Os, PWM and ADC via a

transparent protocol

 Factory set for PLC operation on CENELEC A, B,

C, & D, or FCC/ARIB bands.

 Small form factor design, easily integrated into a

target system

 Built-in AFE to work with external coupling circuit

on target system

Figure 4 – “Tree” Structure

Auto Network Applications
Figure 4 shows a hybrid “Tree” network (PLC/ wireless
The GC8808 is optimized for network topologies such modes).
as star or tree configurations (PLC/wireless modes).

Dimensions
The overall dimensions of the PLC module are
66mm L x 45mm W (see Figure 7). There is over-
current, over-voltage and electrostatic protection
on the PLC module.

Figure 3 – “Star”-Shaped Network

Figure 3 shows a simple hybrid PLC-RF network

system connected with five modems installed in a
“Star” configuration.

Figure 5 – Pin Definitions (Top View)

© gridComm Pte. Ltd. Production Product Brief Page 2 of 4

 PB64204_01 GC8808/GC9808
Hybrid OFDMA PLC-RF Module
Product Brief

4 GND Ground

5 TxD UART1 (3.3V TTL)

6 RxD UART1 (3.3V TTL)

7 RS485 RS485 Control

Specifications

 Single Power Supply: DC12V @ 300mA with

within ±10% tolerance limit and ± 5%
maximum permissible ripple
Figure 6 – Pin Definitions (Bottom View)
 UART input/output with preset COM Port
settings: 115200 Baud rate, No Parity Bit, 8
Data Bit and 1 Stop Bit

 Support user packet size of up to maximum

of 512 bytes

 32-bit addressing scheme

 Four operation modes: Point-to-Point, Simple

Broadcast, Auto-Routing, and Broadcast-
Routing

 One Master node supports up to 240 Slave

nodes in Auto-Routing and Broadcast-Routing
modes

 Distance: Up to 2km- actual distance depends

on environments

 Operating Temperature -40°C to +85°C

Figure 7 – Module Dimensions and Pin Locations
(Bottom View)  0.5W Standby Power in listening mode

 PLC: 18 independent OFDMA channels

operating with up to 54 out of 100 pre-
Pins Descriptions
configured carrier frequencies between 5 kHz
The pin locations are shown in Figure 6. to 500 kHz

Pin No. Name Functionality  LoRa RF: 1 channel serving as 19th

communication channel
1 N Power Line
 PLC: 3QPSK, 3BPSK, or 1BPSK modulation
2 L Power Line schemes with up to 18 levels of redundancy

3 VCC 12V@300mA Power  Lora RF: FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK, LoRaTM
and OOK RF modulation scheme

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 PB64204_01 GC8808/GC9808
Hybrid OFDMA PLC-RF Module
Product Brief

 PLC: Maximum raw data rates at PLC Phy  LoRa RF: Packet engine up to 256 bytes with
layer between 1.22 Kbps to 7.32 Kbps CRC
depending modulation scheme

 LoRa RF: Data rate up to 2.4 kbps at LoRa Contact Information

Phy layer
For more information regarding the GC8808
 PLC: Options for operation on CENELEC A, Hybrid OFDMA PLC-RF Module including
CENELEC B, CENELEC C, CENELEC D, FCC reference design, pricing and ordering please
or ARIB frequency bands. contact:
gridComm Pte Ltd
 LoRa RF: 915MHz communication frequency
www.gridComm-plc.com
 PLC: Normal Power Consumption- Receiving sales@gridComm-plc.com
(Rx) Mode: 12V@42mA

 LoRa RF: RX current of 10.3 mA, 200 nA

register retention

 PLC: Tx Power Consumption- Maximum up to

12V@210mA

 LoRa RF: Tx Power Consumption- +18 dBm -

60 mW constant RF output vs. V supply

 PLC: Rx Sensitivity: down to -75 dBm

 LoRa RF: High sensitivity down to -148 dBm

 LoRa RF: 168 dB maximum link budget

 LoRa RF: +14 dBm high efficiency PA

 LoRa RF: Bullet-proof front end: IIP3 = -12.5

dBm

 LoRa RF: Excellent blocking immunity

 LoRa RF: Fully integrated synthesizer with a

resolution of 61 Hz

 LoRa RF: Built-in bit synchronizer for clock

recovery

 LoRa RF: Preamble detection

 LoRa RF: 127 dB Dynamic Range RSSI

 LoRa RF: Automatic RF Sense and CAD with

ultra-fast AFC


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