This study investigates the benefits of the existing diversity in the parallel use of both power line and wireless channels, which is termed hybrid power line communication (PLC)/wireless, to improve physical layer security (PLS) for low-bit-rate applications. In this regard, mathematical formulations of the ergodic achievable secrecy rate and the secrecy outage probability are developed for the hybrid PLC/wireless channel model and its incomplete versions. The results show that the hybrid PLC/wireless channel model can provide remarkable benefits in terms of PLS for low-bit-rate applications when the eavesdropper makes use of only one data communication interface.

Aimed at inspiring researchers and practitioners, this paper presents comprehensive and multidimensional discussions of the potential and benefits of integrating power line and wireless communication systems to enhance data communication in both indoor and outdoor environments. By systematically examining the strengths and weaknesses of power line and wireless communication systems, we first elucidate the rationale behind their integration—hybrid communication systems. Then we categorize these hybrid communication systems and provide an in-depth analysis of each category, considering technical, chronological, industrial, and standardization aspects. Moreover, we discuss strategies for designing hybrid communication devices. Next, a qualitative assessment of hybrid communication systems follows, offering guidance for advancing their use, while a concise summary of key lessons imparts valuable insights for future endeavors. Lastly, the paper identifies a range of pertinent topics for further exploration and, consequently, advancing hybrid communication systems for smart grid, Internet of Things, and Industry 4.0 or 5.0 applications.

This letter proposes a joint channel estimation and Schmidl & Cox synchronization for the orthogonal chirp-division multiplexing (OCDM) scheme. First, it is proven that a symbol composed of two identical halves in the Fresnel domain has two identical halves in the time domain, which is required by the considered synchronization technique. In sequel, a Fresnel-domain pilot symbol that enables joint channel estimation and synchronization is proposed, allowing overhead reduction and hence higher data rates. Finally, measurement and simulation results validate the obtained findings for both passband and baseband OCDM schemes.

In this paper, we review the current state-of-the-art of resource allocation for power line communication systems. The study systematically presents the advancements achieved in this field over the past decades. To achieve this, we adopt two complementary perspectives: a power line communication-centric view and an optimization-centric view. The former highlights resource allocation within the eye of the power line communication community, while the latter emphasizes optimization principles, focusing on the technical aspects of resource allocation. Subsequently, we meticulously present the progress made in both single-and multi-user scenarios, employing a chronological approach to provide readers with a coherent narrative of the evolution and important findings. Furthermore, we accentuate critical insights and valuable lessons gathered from these developments. In conclusion, we explore future trends and prospects within the scope of resource allocation for power line communication systems, intending to inspire research initiatives that push the boundaries beyond the existing state-of-the-art.

This paper investigates the physical layer security of in-home and broadband power line communications (PLC) systems threatened by colluding wireless communication (WLC) eavesdroppers, which are localized near or far from the transmitter and operate in the same frequency band. In this regard, we show that PLC and hybrid PLC-WLC channels can be considered as uncorrelated random processes. In the sequel, we confirm the severity of a WLC eavesdropper or a group of them located near the transmitter. Also, we show that a group of colluding WLC eavesdroppers located far from the transmitter poses the same security risk of only one WLC eavesdropper located near the transmitter. Finally, a discussion of wiretap code rates for achieving effective secrecy throughput is presented.