A Heterogeneous Communications Network for Smart Grid by Using the Cost Functions

Abstract

Smart Grids (SG) is an intelligent power grid in which the different SG node types with different communication requirements communicates different types of information with Control Stations (CS). Radio Access Technologies (RATs) due to its advantages are considered as the main access method to be used in order to have bidirectional data transferring between different node types and CS. Besides, spectrum is a rare source and its demand is increasing significantly. Elaborating a heterogeneous in order to fulfill different SG node types communication requirements effectively, is a challenging issue. To find a method to define desirability value of different RAT to support certain node types based on fitness degree between RAT communication characteristics and node type communication requirements is an appropriate solution. This method is implemented by using a comprehensive Cost Function (CF) including a communication CF (CCF) in combination with Energy CF (ECF). The Key Point Indicators which are used in the CCF are SG node type communication requirements. The existing trade of between Eb/N0 and spectral efficiency is considered as ECF. Based on the achieved CCF and ECF and their tradeoffs, SG node types are assigned to different RATs. The proposed assigning method is sensitive to the SG node types densities. The numerical results are achieved by using MATLAB simulation. The other different outcomes of the research output such as cognitive radio in SG and collectors effect number on data aggregation are discussed as well.