Advanced Metering Infrastructure Communication Research Articles

5G New Radio channel coding for messaging in Smart Grid

The integration of the fifth generation of mobile communications (5G) into the distribution network has the potential to empower Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) applications, thus further advancing the concept of Smart Grid (SG). This paper analyzes the compatibility of 5G-NR (New Radio) standard-recommended coding schemes: Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) and Polar coding with message formats for generalized AMI and PMU communication recommended by standards IEEE Std 1703 and IEEE Std C37.118.2, respectively. Two standard-defined examples of communication sessions have been considered to determine the required 5G-NR transmission channel and associated coding scheme to be used for AMI and PMU-specific messages. The corresponding simulations have been performed following the specifics and boundaries defined by communication standards for 5G, AMI, and PMUs. In the AMI use case, simulation results indicate LDPC code superiority leading to the recommendation to be used for all message formats. PMU use case results reveal the Polar code application benefits for command messaging and its potential to be used for data messaging instead of LDPC code, which would require future adjustments of PMU data message format and further research on latency issues.

Analysis of AMI Communication Methods in Various Field Environments

In order to construct an efficient on-site communication network for an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in Korea, the high-speed power line communication (HS PLC), wireless smart utility network (Wi-SUN), and ZigBee modems are currently being used. In this paper, we first quantitatively analyze the communication performances of HS PLC, Wi-SUN, and ZigBee modems for AMI through both experimental testbeds and practical environment sites. For practical AMI sites, we selected 18 sites with 48 measurement points and classified the sites into five areas, and conducted measurements of signal and noise power spectra on the sites. We then derived linear regression models for received powers according to areas. Through the constructed models, we can efficiently choose an appropriate communication method and plan a methodology for building an AMI network depending on the area type. Furthermore, using the constructed regression models, we provided graphical simulation tools of received powers for both PLC and wireless communication methods based on a distribution information map.

Jamming-Resilient Backup Nodes Selection for RPL-based Routing in Smart Grid AMI Networks

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is the core component of the smart grid. As the wireless connection between smart meters in AMI is featured with high packet loss and low transmission rate, AMI is considered as a representative of the low power and lossy networks (LLNs). In such communication environment, the routing protocol in AMI network is essential to ensure the reliability and real-time of data transmission. The IPv6 routing protocol for low-power and lossy networks (RPL), proposed by IETF ROLL working group, is considered to be the best routing solution for the AMI communication environment. However, the performance of RPL can be seriously degraded due to jamming attack. In this paper, we analyze the performance degradation problem of RPL protocol under jamming attack. We propose a backup node selection mechanism based on the standard RPL protocol. The proposed mechanism chooses a predefined number of backup nodes that maximize the probability of successful transmission. We evaluation the proposed mechanism through MATLAB simulations, results show the proposed mechanism improves the performance of RPL under jamming attack prominently.

Efficiency Network Construction of Advanced Metering Infrastructure Using Zigbee

An advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) consists of a meter data management system, a concentrator, and a meter. Each component can communicate with all other components, through either wired or wireless connections. In an AMI local area networks, various protocols, such as Zigbee, WiFi, and power-line communication, have the potential to be used in AMI communication. Of these protocols, Zigbee offers self-constructing networks, low costs, and superior safety levels. Zigbee is adopted as the LAN communication protocol because of these advantages in this study. In a LAN, a concentrator may encounter many emergent situations, any of which might cause the concentrator to lose its network connection function. Consequently, additional time is required for network construction, which tends to reduce the reliability of smart grids with LANs of this type. To solve these issues, this paper proposes the fast join process (FJP) and enhanced FJP to shorten the time of Zigbee network construction. The strategy employed in this paper is to let every meter join a specified concentrator. The proposed FJP does not scan unnecessary channels. By simplifying association message exchange, we further propose a new method called the enhanced FJP. By using these methods, not only can message flow be managed easily, but the time of network construction can also be improved.

JamCatcher: A Mobile Jammer Localization Scheme for Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Smart Grid.

As the core component of the smart grid, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is responsible for automated billing, demand response, load forecasting, management, etc. The jamming attack poses a serious threat to the AMI communication networks, especially the neighborhood area network where wireless technologies are widely adopted to connect a tremendous amount of smart meters. An attacker can easily build a jammer using a software-defined radio and jam the wireless communications between smart meters and local controllers, causing failures of on-line monitoring and state estimation. Accurate jammer localization is the first step for defending AMIs against jamming attacks. In this paper, we propose JamCatcher, a mobile jammer localization scheme for defending the AMI. Unlike existing jammer localization schemes, which only consider stationary jammers and usually require a high density of anchor nodes, the proposed scheme utilizes a tracker and can localize a mobile jammer with sparse anchor nodes. The time delay of data transmission is also considered, and the jammer localization process is divided into two stages, i.e., far-field chasing stage and near-field capturing stage. Different localization algorithms are developed for each stage. The proposed method has been tested with data from both simulation and real-world experiment. The results demonstrate that JamCatcher outperforms existing jammer localization algorithms with a limited number of anchor nodes in the AMI scenario.

Demonstrability of Narrowband Internet of Things technology in advanced metering infrastructure

The deployment cost of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), one of the key elements for smart grid, often arises from three sub-systems, respectively referred to as data management system, communication network, and smart devices. Among them, the costs of communication network account for a considerable proportion. In smart grid, smart devices are generally fixed in a certain position and schedule reading of interval meter data. They do not only cover smart meters, but also extend gas, water meters, and other sensors measuring light, humidity, and temperature. Many of them are often with battery supply, and this will bring utilization constraints especially in communication network. The deployment needs of reducing cost and the energy-constrained network for an extremely large-scale AMI infrastructure both require optimum communication technologies that consider energy consumption, minimize energy use, simplify network topology, and prolong network lifetime. As an emerging 3GPP radio interface technology specifically designed for low power wide area networks (LPWANs), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) inherits from the existing LTE but does many simplifications. Its most prominent features, enhanced coverage and low power consumption, are being pursued for a large-scale AMI communication network. In this paper, we provide a survey of AMI communication, emphasize on the key technologies of NB-IoT, analyze the performance of NB-IoT network over a real-world, and demonstrate the potential of NB-IoT to support and boost AMI in smart grid.

Genetic algorithm-based optimisation of load-balanced routing for AMI with wireless mesh networks

The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in a smart grid contains hardware, software, and other electronic components connected through a communication infrastructure. AMI transfers meter-reading data between a group of smart meters and a utility centre. Herein, a wireless mesh network (WMN) with a random mesh topology is used to deploy the AMI communication network. In a WMN, paths are identified using a hybrid wireless mesh routing protocol (HWMP) with a load balancing feature called load aware-HWMP (LA-HWMP). These paths reduce the demand on links with a minimal air time metric; however, the delay in the data transmission of certain smart meters is high, given the large number of retransmissions caused by packet drop. To avert this problem and enhance the end-to-end delay, a genetic algorithm is applied on the LA-HWMP to obtain the optimal path. The optimisation process will result in the selection of paths with minimal delay. The genetic algorithm is developed with a rank-based selection, a two-point crossover, and a random reset mutation with a repair function to eliminate duplicate entries. The proposed method is compared with the HWMP, the LA-HWMP, and a state-of-the-art method that uses a combination of the ant colony algorithm and simulated annealing (ACA-SA) for AMI networks of different sizes. The obtained results show that the path identified by the proposed method yields a shorter delay and higher throughput than paths identified using the other methods.

Congestion Minimizing Scheme for Enhanced Data Aggregation in ZigBee-Based SG AMI Network

It is envisaged that the multi-directional communication of end user’s energy consumption data in a smart grid advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network needed for billing and other grid controlled purposes will raise concerns about the potential violations of the privacy of end users’ personal data. Preserving the privacy of consumers can be achieved by designing robust and resilient AMI communication architectures with state-of-the-art cryptographic algorithms and data aggregation protocols. However, research has shown that these aggregation protocols can result in a congestive network scenario in the absence of a proper congestion management scheme. Unfortunately, there is no efficient mechanism for congestion management in the current ZigBee standard. In this paper, a well-designed Ring Triangulation Communication Architecture (RTCA) is utilized in our congestion minimizing scheme for enhancing data aggregation in a ZigBee based SG AMI network. The RTCA is implemented with a well-constructed ZigBee data and its aggregation algorithms. The average throughput and latency results from our scheme indicates a significant reduction in transmission congestion as well as traffic overheads incurred during message aggregation relative to the congestion control schemes (ZCCF and ZTCC) proposed in the literature.

Improvement of the LPWAN AMI backhaul\u2019s latency thanks to reinforcement learning algorithms

Low power wide area networks (LPWANs) have been recently deployed for long-range machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. These networks have been proposed for many applications and in particular for the communications of the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) backhaul of the smart grid. However, they rely on simple access schemes that may suffer from important latency, which is one of the main performance indicators in smart grid communications. In this article, we apply reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms to reduce the latency of AMI communications in LPWANs. For that purpose, we first study the collision probability in an unslotted ALOHA-based LPWAN AMI backhaul which uses the LoRaWAN acknowledgement procedure. Then, we analyse the effect of collisions on the latency for different frequency access schemes. We finally show that RL algorithms can be used for the purpose of frequency selection in these networks and reduce the latency of the AMI backhaul in LPWANs. Numerical results show that non-coordinated algorithms featuring a very low complexity reduce the collision probability by 14% and the mean latency by 40%.

OpenAMI: Software-Defined AMI Load Balancing

The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is one of the main services of smart grid (SG), which collects data from smart meters (SMs) and sends them to utility company meter data management systems (MDMSs) via a communication network. In the next generation AMI, both the number of SMs and the meter sampling frequency will dramatically increase, thus creating a huge traffic load which should be efficiently routed and balanced across the communication network and MDMSs. This paper initially formulates the global load-balanced routing problem in the AMI communication network as an integer linear programming model, which is NP-hard. Then, to overcome this drawback, it is decomposed into two subproblems and a novel software defined network-based AMI communication network is proposed called OpenAMI. This paper also extends the OpenAMI for the cloud computing environment in which some virtual MDMSs are available. OpenAMI is implemented on a real test bed, which includes Open vSwitch, Floodlight controller, and OpenStack, and its performance is evaluated by extensive experiments and scenarios. Based on the results, OpenAMI achieves low end-to-end delay and a high delivery ratio by balancing the load on the entire AMI network.

Cost Analysis for a Hybrid Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Korea

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) refers to the electricity service infrastructure between electricity consumers and suppliers and is technically essential for the realization of a smart grid environment. To implement AMI, various communications technologies are being used based on the application environment according to the utility. However, using a single communications method can give rise to attenuation in the downtown underground distribution line section or cause higher supply costs due to decreased density in the range from farming to fishing areas. A hybrid AMI is one solution to this problem. According to an economic analysis of previous AMI deployment, the cost to install a communications network accounts on average for 45% of the total cost. Since the installation cost of a communications network is influenced by the density of the installation environment, a hybrid AMI, which allows the configuration of a flexible network using both wired and wireless communications, can be a good alternative, both technically and financially. This study conducted a simulation based on density of the installation environment and configuration of the communications network to analyze the economic effect of installing a hybrid AMI communications network. It assumed that a hybrid AMI was deployed in an overhead distribution line in a low-density area. The simulation outcomes were compared and analyzed against the power line communication (PLC)-only AMI method. The results showed that the hybrid AMI method had a 10% communications network cost reduction effect compared to the PLC-only AMI method. In addition, the analysis indicated that there was a maximum 19% cost reduction effect in communications network installation depending on the method of network installation, suggesting that the hybrid AMI was economically more effective than the PLC-only AMI method.

Introducing the Latest 3GPP Specifications and their Potential for Future AMI Applications

Despite the exponential throughput improvement in mobile communications systems, their ability to satisfy requirements of state-of-the-art and future applications of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is still under investigation. Challenges are mainly due to the inadequacy of third generation partnership project (3GPP) networks to support large amounts of devices simultaneously, while the number of AMI end-devices and the frequency of their data transmission increase with new AMI-based applications. In this introductory survey, innovative and future AMI applications and their communication requirements are first reviewed. Then, we identify challenges of 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) in enabling future AMI applications. More importantly, the latest improvements to LTE-A standard release 12 and 13 are reviewed and analyzed with regards to their potential to improve the quality of LTE-enabled AMI. It is found that 3GPP enhancements on machine type communications (MTC) standards will significantly enhance AMI communications. Beyond MTC specifications, non-MTC-specific enhancements such as carrier aggregation and multi-connectivity for user equipment will also contribute greatly to improving reliability and availability of AMI devices. The paper's focus is towards improved backhaul support for innovative and future AMI applications, beyond traditional automatic meter reading.

Performance evaluation of cognitive radio in advanced metering infrastructure communication

Smart grid is an intelligent electricity grid system. A reliable two-way communication system is required to transmit both critical and non-critical smart grid data. However, it is difficult to locate a huge chunk of dedicated spectrum for smart grid communications. Hence, cognitive radio based communication is applied. Cognitive radio allows smart grid users to access licensed spectrums opportunistically with the constraint of not causing harmful interference to licensed users. In this paper, a cognitive radio based smart grid communication framework is proposed. Smart grid framework consists of Home Area Network (HAN) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), while AMI is made up of Neighborhood Area Network (NAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN). In this paper, the authors only report the findings for AMI communication. AMI is smart grid domain that comprises smart meters, data aggregator unit, and billing center. Meter data are collected by smart meters and transmitted to data aggregator unit by using cognitive 802.11 technique; data aggregator unit then relays the data to billing center using cognitive WiMAX and TV white space. The performance of cognitive radio in AMI communication is investigated using Network Simulator 2. Simulation results show that cognitive radio improves the latency and throughput performances of AMI. Besides, cognitive radio also improves spectrum utilization efficiency of WiMAX band from 5.92% to 9.24% and duty cycle of TV band from 6.6% to 10.77%.

Hybrid Key Management Scheme for Secure AMI Communications

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is an essential attribute of Smart Grid. To ensure secure communication for smart metering one must ensure that the data which is sent or received is authorized and confidential. This article deals with a hybrid encryption scheme for unicast, multicast and broadcast communication in AMI. To ensure confidentiality, integrity and authenticity, a Key Management Scheme (KMS) for hybrid communication modes is proposed. The proposed scheme provides excellent level of security and reduces the computational load on Smart Meter (SM).

Performance Analysis of In-Network Caching in Content-Centric Advanced Metering Infrastructure

In-network caching is a key feature of content-centric networking. It is however a relatively costly mechanism with hardware requirements besides placement/replication strategies elaboration. As content-centric networking is proposed in the literature to manage smart grid (SG) communications, we aim, in this research work, to investigate the cost effectiveness of in-network caching in this context. We consider, in particular, the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) service that comes into prominence since its outputs are imperative inputs of most smart grid applications. In this research work, AMI communication topology and data traffic are characterized. Corresponding simulation environment is then built. Thereafter, various placement and replacement strategies are compared in a simulation study to be further able to propose a suitable cache placement and replacement combination for AMI in Smart Grid.

An Efficient Security Scheme Authenticationand Encryption

Smart grid communication facilitate intelligent and distributed electric power transmission systems, but also introduces many security problems. In this paper the concept of dynamic secret is applied to design dynamic secret based authentication and encryption scheme for smart grid wireless communication. Between two parties of communication, the previous packets are coded as retransmission sequence, where retransmitted packet is marked as “1” and the other is marked as “0.” During the communication, the retransmission sequence is generated at both sides to update the dynamic encryption key. Any missing or misjudging in retransmission sequence would prevent the adversary from achieving the keys. In addition with this we introduce a new protocol, Integrated Authentication and Confidentiality (IAC), to provide efficient secure AMI communications in smart grid. With the help of IAC, an AMI(Advanced Metering Infrastructure) system can provide trust services, data privacy, and integrity by mutual authentications whenever a new smart meter initiates and joins the smart grid AMI network.

Communication and Cyber Security Analysis of Advanced Metering Infrastructure of Smart Grid

AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) is the first step of the implementation of the smart grid. The communication network is the important part of AMI. The reasonable communication network architecture and effective cyber security measures are the keys of the realization of AMIs functions. The components, functions and communication network architecture are studied. Communication technologies that can be used in AMI are analyzed. Based on ZigBee, fieldbus/industrial EtherNet and GPRS, a typical AMI are constructed. The cyber security threats, communication data types and cyber security requirement of AMI are analyzed. The cyber security strategy and implementing scheme are offered. The communication standards and cyber security standards that can be referred while constructing AMI are analyzed. The necessity that publishes AMIs communication standard and cyber security is put forward.