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Development of Communication and Control (C 2 ) Subsystems. AIF Research Forum, Fredericton, New Brunswick, May, 19, 2006 Julian Meng and Shane Barnes. Task Description. Development of cost-effective communication and supervisory control technologies for DPG.
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Development of Communication and Control (C2) Subsystems AIF Research Forum, Fredericton, New Brunswick, May, 19, 2006 Julian Meng and Shane Barnes
Task Description • Development of cost-effective communication and supervisory control technologies for DPG. • Concentrate on internet access and low-cost point-to-point (multipoint) wireless solutions. • Simple but effective link between Energy Control Center (ECC) and desired DPG device.
DPG C2 Requirements • Requirements: Modular, Reliable, Flexible • Bandwidth: Low, kbps (based on anticipated control requirements) • Distance: Variable • Control protocol: MODBUS compliant
Deliverables • Solutions for short and long distance communication links to form a DPG network. • Hardware and software for communication links. • Control interface: ECC-DPG. • Demonstration of reliable field operation.
DPG Communication System • System components: WAN (Internet), LAN (unlicensed serial radio), Gateway (cellular radio)
Scalable Point-to-point Solution • Low-cost unlicensed (900 MHz ISM band) radios for Gateway to DPG link • Maxstream, Microhard, others • Cost: $200 US (low end) to $1500 US (high end) • Can radios achieve performance of stated specifications?
Gateway Solution • Cellular Modems: Airlink Redwing ($500 US) • Low cost wireless access to the Internet
Test Bench • Performance expectations of low-cost radio solutions must be managed. • Field deployment testing is difficult. • RF test bench was developed to test and validate performance of radios under varying conditions. • Components include: various RF components, spectrum analyser, signal generator and FPGA channel simulator
Test Bench • Performance expectations of low-cost radio solutions must be managed. • Field deployment testing is difficult. • RF test bench was developed to test and validate performance of radios under varying conditions. • Components include: various RF components, spectrum analyser, signal generator and FPGA channel simulator
FPGA-based Channel Simulator Characteristics: • Low-cost • Quick data collection & analysis • Real-time simulation of real-world channel conditions • Critical performance comparison • Problem identification before costly market failure • Re-configurable FPGA for broad range of scenarios
FPGA-based Channel Simulator • Free space loss • Propagation delay and multipath reflections • Additive white Gaussian noise • Multi-access interference • Narrowband interference
MODBUS Protocol Control layer: • Internet based • Open standard • Scaleable • Universal recognition
MODBUS Protocol MODBUS Communication Drive PLC HMI I/O PLC I/O MODBUS on TCP/IP Gateway Gateway Gateway PLC PLC MODBUS on RS232 MODBUS on RS485 MODBUS on MB+ HMI I/O Drive I/O I/O I/O Device Device
Where we are … • Two low-cost P-to-P radios have been bench tested. • Simple Gateway/P-to-P solution was shown to be successful. Meaning: From anywhere in the world where we can access the internet, we can observe/control the DPG conditions. • The selected (as are most) telemetry radios are MODBUS capable to allow for flexibility, interoperability and industry compliance.
Where we need to be … • Communication layer utilization by the application layer i.e. ECC to DPG. • Bench level mockup. • Field testing and validation.