A study of Wireless and Power Line Communication Propagation Channel Characteristics with Applications to Smart Grid Networks

Wireless, power line communication (PLC), fiberoptic, Ethernet, and so forth are among the communicationtechnologies on which smart grid communication infrastructureis envisioned to be built. Smart grid aims at improving theefficiency, reliability, security, and quality of service (QoS) ofthe current electricity grid by exploiting the advances incommunication and information technology. Among thecommunication technologies available, wireless and power linecommunication (PLC) based solutions are comparativelyattractive especially considering cost of the initial investmentrequired for the realization of a communication network withsuch an immense size. In proposing solutions to smart gridcommunication needs, two approaches are likely to be followed.One is based on the use of existing wireless and PLCtechnologies with some modifications, and the other relies upondeveloping novel communication protocols particularlyaddressing the smart grid needs. Both of these approachesrequire an in-depth knowledge of communication channelcharacteristics. The aim of this study is to reveal the wirelessand PLC channel characteristics of smart grid environments interms of several parameters such as path loss and attenuation,time dispersion, time selectivity, amplitude statistics, and noisecharacteristics.

کلیدواژه ها:

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