Performance of Time-Critical Smart Grid Applications in Narrow Band Power Line Communication

Tsado, Y., Lund, D. and Gamage, K. (2014) Performance of Time-Critical Smart Grid Applications in Narrow Band Power Line Communication. In: 7th IET International Conference on Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) 2014, Manchester, UK, 8-10 Apr 2014, ISBN 9781849198158 (doi: 10.1049/cp.2014.0458)

Abstract

A seamless, sustainable and reliable communication infrastructure is crucial to realise smart grid operations and functionalities. The communications infrastructure in smart grid is not only required to be pervasive, scalable, and secure but also expected to be resilient and guarantee a required Quality of Service (QoS) to an end node. Narrow band power line communications (NBPLC) is believed to be a natural and cost effective choice for smart grid communication because it uses the existing infrastructures of the power grid that is much more extensive and pervasive than any other wired or wireless alternatives. This also eliminates the need for additional wire installation and external subscription for data transfer. However, because most smart grid applications have critical timing requirements, the frequency and time varying characteristics of the power line channel together with its background noise, limited band width and harmonic interference results in unacceptable packet loss during service transmission. Communication solution with Reliable, timely delivery which supports a given QoS for smart grid applications with critical timing requirements will although challenging is highly desirable. This paper investigates the resilience and performance of time critical smart grid application data over power line channels; specifically DLC (Distribution Line Carrier). It was shown that employing RoHC compression scheme on smart grid application IP packets can maximise bandwidth usage and enhance low delay and latency on both uplinks and downlink in a DLC channel.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gamage, Professor Kelum
• Authors: Tsado, Y., Lund, D., and Gamage, K.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
• ISBN: 9781849198158