Application-layer performance analysis of PRIME in Smart Metering networks

On-field evaluation of the performance of IP-based data transmission over narrowband PLC for smart grid applications

“… The most recent version of PRIME, v.1.4, introduces several improvements (e.g., reduction of signaling frames, flexibility of the size of the MAC frames) that reduce the traffic at a global level, as showed in [20]. However, existing traffic in the subnetwork has not turned out to be the most influential aspect for the obtained data rate, as previously demonstrated.…”

A Novel Methodology for the Scalability Analysis of ICT Systems for Smart Grids Based on SGAM: The InteGrid Project Approach

“…Although experimental tests in real environments, such as mock-ups or laboratories, presents benefits such as the validity of the obtained results if the tests are properly carried out [30][31][32], simulation tools represent a powerful, flexible and cost-effective solution to quantitatively assess scalability issues in Smart Grid infrastructures. There are a number of advantages when taking a simulation approach to study this kind of scenarios, such as cost reduction or the evaluation of several alternative solutions for a given scenario at once.…”

The Role of Power Line Communications in the Smart Grid Revisited: Applications, Challenges, and Research Initiatives

“…On the other hand, once the communication infrastructure of NB-PLC has been deployed for AMI, it can be used for additional applications other than metering. In this line, two approaches to extend the possibilities of the PLC infrastructures are being studied: first, the IP-based data transmission in the PLC infrastructure, within the same frequency range used for Smart Metering [33], [132], [136]; and second, the use of the extended frequency range up to 500 kHz for advanced use cases [134], [137], [138]. In addition, PLC has been also recently connected with the backhauling required for the connectivity needs of 5G antennas [139].…”

“…On this matter, two interesting studies [134], [135] demonstrate the significance of adapting the communication parameters, mainly those that provide an adequate MAC layer parametrization, to the specific constraints of each scenario, in order to improve the network performance. In particular, the potential of the MAC layer to improve the efficiency of the transmission is evaluated in [134], as some strategies not defined in the standard provide better performance in some particular scenarios.…”

“…On this matter, two interesting studies [134], [135] demonstrate the significance of adapting the communication parameters, mainly those that provide an adequate MAC layer parametrization, to the specific constraints of each scenario, in order to improve the network performance. In particular, the potential of the MAC layer to improve the efficiency of the transmission is evaluated in [134], as some strategies not defined in the standard provide better performance in some particular scenarios. Moreover, in [135], the possibilities of the configuration of the PRIME technology are analyzed, as the configuration of the communication parameters is left to manufacturer discretion, showing that the specific configurations must be adapted to the particularities and requirements of each situation.…”