Power Line Channel Characteristics with Applications to Smart Grid Networks

Wireless, power line communication (PLC), fiber optic, Ethernet, and so forth are among the communication technologies on which smart grid communication infrastructure is envisioned to bebuilt. Smart grid aims at improving the efficiency, reliability, security, and quality of service (QoS) of the current electricity grid by exploiting the advances in communication and information technology. Among the communication technologies available, wireless and power line communication (PLC) based solutions are comparatively attractive especially considering cost of the initial investmentrequired for the realization of a communication network with such an immense size. In proposing solutions to smart grid communication needs, two approaches are likely to be followed. One is basedon the use of existing wireless and PLC technologies with some modifications, and the other reliesupon developing novel communication protocols particularly addressing the smart grid needs. Both of these approaches require an in-depth knowledge of communication channel characteristics. The aim of this study is to reveal the wireless and PLC channel characteristics of smart grid environments interms of several parameters such as path loss and attenuation, time dispersion, time selectivity, amplitude statistics, and noise characteristics

Power Line Channel Characteristics with Applications to Smart Grid Networks Keywords:

wireless technology , power line communication , smart grid , channel characteristics