In this design unit, a design to test the performances of varying models was developed for the simulations in the PLC-base data link layer. The design includes a smart home and a Smart Grid environment where a comparison between Zigbee and WiMax-based models can be performed. The Smart Grid Test Bed has been designed using OPNET and Power Line Communication is proposed in this book. It is being designed to allow test bed experiments in four layers among OSI 7 layers. This chapter is organized as follows: The Physical Layer and Datalink Layer for Smart Grid Test Bed in Section 1; the Transport Layer for Smart Grid Test Bed in Section 2; and finally, Application Layer for Smart Grid Test Bed in Section.
Top1. Physical Layer And Datalink Layer For Smart Grid Test Bed
As for the Test Bed for a Smart Grid, networking was performed on the Physical and Data Link Layer of the OSI 7 Layer, as indicated in the section in Figure 1. The Test Bed experiment was conducted with Zigbee which is popular in the Republic of Korea while both the WiMAX and the Power Line Communication networks have been designed with OPNET for the Test Bed experiments.
Figure 1. Physical layer and datalink layer for smart grid test bed
OPNET was used to implement the Smart Grid Test Bed and Power Line Communication has been proposed for the implementation where the Test Bed experiments can be conducted in four out of OSI 7 layer.
Top2. Transport Layer For Smart Grid Test Bed
TCP demonstrates rather high packet loss rate and tends to over-respond to the ever-changing network dynamism of wireless networks which often show considerable delay variation. And also, it undergoes back off state repeatedly and enters into a slow starting mode, which in turn leading to the low through put and excessive end-to-end latency. On the other hand, UDP does not consider recovery of lost packets and the problem of out-of-order delivery, resulting in much more data losses. For these reasons, RUDP was proposed at the IETF Internet Draft. In this book, the focus was given to the minimization of data packet delay time with the aim of reducing packet losses while delivering data in due order with a proposed protocol.
Hence, by using the OPNET program under the identical environment, have conducted the comparative analysis simulations between TCP, UDP and RUDP considering ‘Retransmission Function’, sequence acknowledgement numbers that are used to monitor packet losses, the order of the received packets, and various timers as major testing factors. Figure 2 shows transport layer for Smart Grid Test Bed. As for the Transmission Layer, RUDP was tested and presented as the most suitable protocol that includes benefits of both TCP and UDP for the Power Line Communication networks.
Figure 2. Transport layer for smart grid test bed