Robust Smart Utility Network in Challenging Conditions

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

A Smart metering utility network (SUN), as defined by IEEE 802.15.4g, enables the wireless transfer of controland information data in smart grids for diverse applications, including smart metering. Trilliant Networks(Canada) Inc. currently deploys smart metering solutions in very demanding conditions in terms of customerService Level Agreement (SLA) requirements, density of smart meter devices per square km, as well as in verychallenging environments such as underground areas, high rise buildings, etc. Smart meters and data collectionnodes are interconnected using a wireless mesh topology to expand communication range and cater to highdensity setups reaching up to ten thousand units per square kilometer. These devices use IEEE 802.15.4g withmulti-regional multiple-rate orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MR-OFDM), where multiple datarates from 50kbps up to 800kbps can be supported. New devices using Frequency-shift keying (FSK) will alsobe used in future by Trilliant Networks (Canada) Inc. In collaboration with Trilliant Networks (Canada) Inc.,we will perform a systemic study to clearly analyze the behavior of one technology versus the other in typicaldeployments. Further, in order to enhance the performance of both used technologies, we will develop a noveltechnique for rate adaptation that is non-computationally demanding, is robust against sporadic losses whilebeing responsive to severe channel changes, and that takes into account the mesh topology of the network. Thetechnique will be readily deployable without a costly hardware redesign of existing Trilliant Networks(Canada) Inc. equipment, and is aimed to significantly enhance the performance of the smart meteringnetworks.We will integrate the technique into Trilliant Networks (Canada) Inc test bed equipment, and we will conductfield tests to validate the results. The advancements made in this project will provide an important competitiveedge for Trilliant Networks (Canada) Inc. and contribute to leading edge technology for smart grids, providingCanada with an opportunity for global leadership in the area.