Title: Overview of power line communication: innovations and the integration of artificial intelligence

Authors: Laksir Samir

Addresses: The Moroccan School of Engineering Sciences (EMSI), LSIA Laboratory, Tangier, 90000, Morocco

Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive review of the evolution, standardisation, applications, and advancements of power line communication (PLC) technologies. It presents a historical overview of key standards, from EN 50065 to the latest IEEE 1901c amendment, alongside an examination of significant patents and licensing efforts. The analysis highlights the diverse roles of PLC in smart grids, industrial automation, electric vehicle infrastructure, and broadband access. A central contribution of this work is its focus on the emerging integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into PLC systems, a topic not yet extensively synthesised in the literature. We show how AI augments PLC by enabling adaptive fault detection, intelligent security, noise mitigation, and performance optimisation under variable conditions. By consolidating global research and practical implementations, this review identifies a unique gap at the intersection of PLC and AI, offering insights into how their convergence can enhance versatility, resilience, and scalability. Finally, the study outlines future research avenues, including hybrid communication architectures, sustainable designs, and AI-driven frameworks for secure and scalable PLC innovations.

Keywords: PLC; power line communication; PLC standards; artificial intelligence; smart grids; noise mitigation; hybrid communication; IoT integration; sustainable networks; PLC security.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAACS.2026.152833

International Journal of Autonomous and Adaptive Communications Systems, 2026 Vol.19 No.2, pp.143 - 220

Received: 17 Jun 2025
Accepted: 16 Sep 2025
Published online: 13 Apr 2026 *

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