10-04-2017, 08:19 PM
Modeling and Performance Analysis of Automatic
Meter Reading Systems Using Power Line
Communications
B. Sivaneasan, P. L. So, Senior Member, IEE, and E. Gunawan, Member, IEE
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Nanyang Technological University
Abstract This paper presents an analytical model to study the
performances of two schemes for automatic meter reading
(AMR) systems using power line communications (PLC) access
networks. These two schemes, namely clustered simple polling
(CSP) and neighbor relay polling (NRP), are shown to be
effective and efficient AMR schemes typically in overcoming the
silent node problem associated with AMR systems. The
analytical model presents a tree-like topological structure of the
PLC access network assuming automatic 3-level clustering
mechanism. The metering unit with silent node problem is
represented by a two-state transition Markov model. The data
collection time and success rate of the two schemes are studied.
Through the comparison of the analytical results with the
simulation results, it is verified that the analytical model to study
the performances of the AMR schemes is accurately developed.
INTRODUCTION
Power lines were originally developed for transmission of
AC power to electrical loads, but the use of the electrical
supply networks for communication purposes began as early as
in the 20th century [1]. In communication network
infrastructures, access network design is very important
considering the high cost investments required for the
realization of direct access networks to the end users. The
inherent communication infrastructure presented by PLC,
which significantly reduces the cost of building a new
communication network, makes PLC a favorable solution for
last mile communication networks.
The liberalization and deregulation of the
telecommunication industry has provided the growth potential
for PLC to serve as a real alternative to existing
telecommunication networks. This has enabled utility
companies to compete with existing telecommunication
companies in providing various data, voice and video
communication services. Furthermore, the deregulation of the
power supply industry to separate generation, transmission and
distribution of electric power has created a new environment
which allows a healthier competitive business environment to
benefit the consumers [2]. Apart from the commercial aspect
on compelling generators and transmission grids to be more
efficient and cost conscious, it has set the stage of more
requirements for timely information on consumption, load
profile and power quality [2].
The rapid growth of population and technology has
increased the number of power consumers and electric power
consumptions. Current metering trend of manual data recording
and account-based billing would be manpower intensive and
expensive to operate. Furthermore, reading inaccuracy, manmade
errors and inability to provide other value-added services
have engaged utilities to look at the deployment of automatic
meter reading (AMR) system. AMR would enable utilities to
reduce the operating costs, improve meter reading accuracy,
eliminate man-made errors and improve efficiency through
demand management.
Low-voltage power supply networks are not designed for
communications; they are therefore not favorable for data
communication. Power supply networks operate on standard
electrical wirings which consist of a variety of conductor types
and interconnections joined almost at random. This will give a
variety of characteristic impedances in the network. Also, the
network terminal impedance will vary with communication
signal frequency and with time as the consumer load pattern
varies [3]. This impedance mismatch results in a multi-path
effect causing significant attenuation on the power lines
especially with longer transmission distance. Furthermore, PLC
systems have to operate within limited signal power in order to
ensure low electromagnetic interference. These physical
characteristics would affect the efficiency and reliability of
upper layer services [4] such as AMR. This is typically
categorized as the silent node problem where a meter unit
cannot directly communicate with the base station to receive
signals or send metering data which results in unreliable
metering data acquisition and additional data collection delay.
Utility companies prefer PLC technology for AMR due to
the already present communication infrastructures. Therefore,
viable, reliable and efficient AMR schemes should be
guaranteed for the development of the PLC-based AMR
systems. In this paper, an analytical model is developed to
analyze the performances of two AMR schemes, clustered
simple polling (CSP) and neighbor relay polling (NRP),
overcoming the silent node problem in PLC systems. The
paper is organized as follows: Section II describes the meter
unit model and its transition probabilities. In Section II, a PLC
access network with a 3-level cluster model is introduced.
Section IV briefly reviews the polling protocol and describes in
detail the AMR schemes. The analytical model to analyze the
performances of the AMR schemes is presented in Section V.
The conclusion is discussed in Section VI
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http://ieexplore.ieeiel5/4723881/4737131...er=4737422