This paper outlines important characteristics of hybrid power line/wireless data communication system for smart grid (SG) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Moreover, we discuss the hybrid systems advantages in comparison to nonhybrid ones. These advantages are demonstrated not only in the technical point of view, but also in the infrastructural perspective. Also, we highlight a connection between the capillarity of IoT and the communication infrastructure provided by SG. Furthermore, we address the environmental influence on wireless and power line communications. Additionally, we present ergodic achievable data rate expressions for the hybrid power line/wireless channel (HPWC) and hybrid power line/wireless single-relay channel (HSRC) and provide performance analyses by considering four different cases, which are associated with the relative relay position in the single-relay channel model. Based on numerical results, we show that HPWC and HSRC offer a more reliable data transmission path when compared to power line or wireless system working alone.

Hybrid PLC/Wireless Communication for Smart Grids and Internet of Things Applications

Internet of things (IoT), mobile edge computing (MEC), and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) have attracted significant attention in both industry and academic research. By consolidating these technologies, IoT can be facilitated with improved connectivity, better data transmission, energy saving, and other advantages. However, the communication between these entities is subject to potential cyber threats. In addition, the integrity of the data must be maintained after storing into local storage. Blockchain is a data structure that supports features like pseudonymity, data integrity etc. This paper represents a blockchain based data acquisition process in which information is gathered from IoTs using UAV as a relay and is securely kept in blockchain at MEC server. In the proposed scheme, data are encrypted prior to transfer to MEC server with the assistance of a UAV. Upon receiving the data, MEC server validates the data and the identity of the sender. Successful validation is followed by stocking of the data into blockchain, subsequent to obtaining consent from the validators. Security analysis is conducted in order to show the feasibility of the proposed secure scheme. Finally, the performance of the proposed scheme is analyzed via simulation and implementation.

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BUAV: A blockchain based secure UAV-assisted data acquisition scheme in Internet of Things

This paper presents a blockchain enabled secure data acquisition scheme utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarm where data are collected from the Internet of Things (IoT) devices and subsequently, forwarded to the nearest server through the UAV swarm. Before initiating data acquisition, the UAV swarm shares a shared key with the IoT devices in order to maintain communications. However, prior to transmitting data, the IoT devices encrypt the data and forward it to the UAV swarm. Upon receiving the data, the UAV swarm implements a two-phase validation utilizing the π-hash bloom filter and the digital signature algorithm to validate the sender; in addition, prior to forwarding data to the nearest server, it performs encryption. However, before adding data in blockchain, consent from all validators is required. Finally, the data are stored in blockchain with the approval of validators. A security analysis is performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is manifested through the implementation and simulation. The security analysis and the performance results show that UAV assist the IoT devices both in terms of connectivity and energy consumption, and provides security against the threats mentioned in the paper.

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BUS: A Blockchain-Enabled Data Acquisition Scheme With the Assistance of UAV Swarm in Internet of Things

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) subsystems monitor and control energy distribution through exchange of information between smart meters and utility networks. A key challenge is how to select a cost-effective communication system without compromising the performance of the applications. Current communication technologies were developed for conventional data networks with different requirements. It is therefore necessary to investigate how much of existing communication technologies can be retrofitted into the new energy infrastructure to cost-effectively deliver acceptable level of service. This paper investigates broadband power line communications (BPLC) as a backhaul solution in AMI. By applying the disparate traffic characteristics of selected AMI applications, the network performance is evaluated. This study also examines the communication network response to changes in application configurations in terms of packet sizes. In each case, the network is stress-tested and performance is assessed against acceptable thresholds documented in the literature. Results show that, like every other communication technology, BPLC has certain limitations; however, with some modifications in the network topology, it indeed can fulfill most AMI traffic requirements for flexible and time-bounded applications. These opportunities, if tapped, can significantly improve fiscal and operational efficiencies in AMI services. Simulation results also reveal that BPLC as a backhaul can support flat and clustered AMI structures with cluster size ranging from 1 to 150 smart meters.

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Broadband PLC for Clustered Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Architecture

Internet of things and data mining: An application oriented survey

This paper introduces the orthogonal chirp division multiplexing (OCDM) for baseband data communication systems. The OCDM scheme uses the discrete Fresnel transform in an analogous fashion as the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) uses the discrete Fourier transform. In this regard, this paper outlines the design of types of the OCDM schemes that allow data communication using real-valued time-domain signals and, as a consequence, making possible the application of the OCDM scheme in power line communication systems, which is supposed to operate in the baseband. Numerical analyses show that under the hardness of a noisy environment, the OCDM scheme is able to soften the impulsive noise effects better than previous schemes. Also, the OCDM scheme yields better results when the channel length is unknown, in comparison to Hermitian symmetric OFDM and single carrier–cyclic prefix schemes. Finally, the findings related to the OCDM scheme for baseband data communication are similar to those related to the passband one.

Orthogonal Chirp Division Multiplexing for Baseband Data Communication Systems

This work outlines important characteristics of hybrid PLC-wireless systems for smart grid applications. Moreover, it discusses the hybrid wireless-PLC systems advantages in comparison to not hybrid systems. These advantages are demonstrated not only in the technical point of view, but also in the infrastructural perspective. Moreover, It addresses the environment influence on wireless and power line communications as well as relevant security aspects for a Smart Grid implementation. Computational simulations based on physical layer of IEEE P1901.2 standard and PLC and wireless channel models show that the hybrid PLC-wireless system offers a gain of signal to noise ratio when compared to only a wireless or PLC system. Keywords— Power line communication, wireless, hybrid, smart grid.

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A Discussion About Hybrid PLC-Wireless Communication For Smart Grids

This work outlines the integration of a smart metering device with the novel Brazilian broadband power line communication (PLC) system, which was recently developed to fulfill the needs and demands related to smart grid communication and digital divide. With this regards, we discuss the developed hardware for interfacing with the smart metering device as well as the programs designed to collect the data which was transmitted by the smart meter using a PLC modem. A field trial was carried out in a low-income gated community and the attained results show that this integration can effectively fulfill throughput demands related to smart metering. Keywords— Smart Metering, Power Line Communication, Electric Power Grids.

Leonardo de M. B. A. Dib

Papers

Hybrid PLC/Wireless Communication for Smart Grids and Internet of Things Applications

Orthogonal Chirp Division Multiplexing for Baseband Data Communication Systems

A Discussion About Hybrid PLC-Wireless Communication For Smart Grids

Integration of a Smart Meter with the Brazilian Broadband PLC System