Connecting to Real PLC Hardware
ChargeLink runs on Windows for all charging communication over Ethernet and IPv6, and for IEC 61851-23/-24 System A over Kvaser CAN interfaces. A real powerline (PLC) link to a vehicle or a charger is different: it is connected through the DEVlink PLC Relay Unit, a Linux-based transparent bridge for IPv6 placed between the ChargeLink PC and each PLC modem. This page explains why, and how the parts fit together.
In development. PLC support with the DEVlink PLC Relay Unit is in development. SLAC for DIN 70121 comes first; ISO 15118-2 and ISO 15118-20 over PLC follow. Contact DEVlink for availability.
What runs on Windows alone
No extra component is needed for these setups:
| Setup | Link | Where it is documented |
|---|---|---|
| Software-in-the-loop | Both roles on one PC over the IPv6 loopback stack | First Successful Session |
| Two-PC bench | Ethernet and link-local IPv6 between the charger PC and the vehicle PC | EVSE Role Guide, EVCC Role Guide |
| NI VeriStand HIL rig | Ethernet and link-local IPv6, with the charger coupled to a VeriStand plant model | NI VeriStand Bench |
| IEC 61851-23/-24 System A | Kvaser CAN interfaces | IEC 61851-23/-24 System A Runbook |
The DEVlink PLC Relay Unit
The DEVlink PLC Relay Unit is a Linux-based transparent bridge for IPv6, placed inline between the ChargeLink PC and each PLC modem. It is needed because SLAC frames, which match the vehicle's and the charger's HomePlug Green PHY modems, are raw Ethernet frames that Windows cannot send without a third-party packet driver.
| Traffic | What the unit does |
|---|---|
| ISO 15118 / DIN 70121 IPv6 traffic | Passes through transparently. |
SLAC frames (HomePlug, EtherType 0x88E1) | Go to ChargeLink. |
SLAC and all protocol logic run in ChargeLink on Windows. The unit contains no protocol logic. A bench with a ChargeLink charger and a ChargeLink vehicle has one unit and one PLC modem board on each side, as shown in the figure.
Supported PLC modems
PLC support is being developed against HomePlug Green PHY modems based on the Lumissil IS32CG5317. For other modem chips, contact DEVlink.
Commands
There is no ChargeLink command or option for PLC yet. Until PLC support is available, use the setups in What runs on Windows alone.