communication - Using of RF transcieivers to communicate over 230VAC powerline

Initially I need to communicate between several devices placed within one appartment (or a building). All those devices will be connected to 230 VAC power line.

I'd like to skip any wireless communication as it will not guarantiee that neighbours will not interfere with each other.

And I'd like to have a cheap and small solution.

Initially I stuck with TDA5051A which is created directly for what I need. In addition its datasheet including detailed application schemes:

However the chip is moderately big (10mm long SO16 package) and a bit pricie (about $3/piece not including price of additional needed components).

So this is why I turned to figure out how to do this with in the same way as RF-wireless communication does. But instead of the air I will use 230VAC power line as the medium:

So my questions are:

1. 
   

   Is it enough to use a capacitor between the powerline and the transceiver?

   
   



2. 
   

   Which wire is better to use for communication: line of neutral?

   
   


3. 
   

   How can I be sure that the signal will reliably transmitted within one single powerline wire AND will not be transmitted wirelessly with any significant power to the neighbours electrically isolated powerline wires?

   
   


4. 
   

   Is it possible to place any filter at the apartment (or building) inlet to restrict data transmission to/from neighbours?

   
   


5. 
   
   

   I will be very appreciated if anyone will share ready-to-use schematic

   
   


6. 
   

   Is there anything else I should think about or take into account?

   
   

Thank you in advance!

Answer

This question assumes that connecting an RF signal to a power line does not convert the power line into an antenna. The power line will become an antenna and you will find that neighbors will in fact interfere with each other.

It's also quite probable (in some cases) that powerline comms will extend their range to neighbouring houses.

So, what you need to do is think about using some kind of protocol that can allow neighbours to interfere with each other without this necessarily causing an operational problem.