Imtiaz Parvez

Frequency band for HAN and NAN communication in Smart Grid

Smart Grid metering and control applications require fast and secured two-way communication. IEEE 802.15.4 based ZigBee is one of the leading communication protocols for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). In North America, ZigBee supports two distinguished frequency bands - 915 MHz and 2.4 GHz. In Home Area Network (HAN) of AMI, home appliances communicate with smart meters whereas the communication among neighboring meters is termed as Neighborhood Area Network (NAN). In this study, optimum frequency bands for NAN and HAN communication have been proposed based on the throughput, reliability and scalability. We evaluated and compared the performance of bands 868/915 MHz and 2.4 GHz for AMI context. The solution also meets the requirements for Smart Grid communication standards as recommended by the US Department of Energy (DOE).

RSS based loop-free compass routing protocol for data communication in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) of Smart Grid

Communication is the heart of the Smart Grid. Smart Grid metering and control applications require fast, reliable and secured two-way communication network. In this study, random signal strength (RSS) based localization of smart meters of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) has been proposed using the location information of meters whose position are known. Based on the location information, a loop free routing protocol has been developed. As a consequence, loop freedom, local routing decision and limited flooding, faster and reliable data transmission can be achieved.

LAA-based LTE and ZigBee coexistence for unlicensed-band smart grid communications

The advent of smart grid introduces abundant number of smart meters which require bidirectional reliable communication. The deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in smart grid networks will be auspicious if the existing infrastructure of LTE networks can be utilized. On the other hand, use of LTE infrastructure and spectrum by AMIs will further load the already congested broadband wireless networks. Recently, use of the unlicensed spectrum by the LTE technology is seen as a promising approach to offload the existing traffic from the licensed spectrum. In our study, we investigate the coexistence of LTE and ZigBee networks at the unlicensed frequency band of 2.4 GHz. We consider a time division duplexing (TDD)-LTE system accompanied by ZigBee network with FTP traffic model for system level simulations. The simulation results demonstrate that the simultaneous operation of LTE and ZigBee on the 2.4 GHz band reduces ZigBees performance, but still meets the data communication requirements for AMI as prescribed by Department of Energy (DoE).

Multi-armed bandit for LTE-U and WiFi coexistence in unlicensed bands

In order to cope with the phenomenal growth of mobile data traffic, unlicensed spectrum can be utilized by the Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular systems. However, ensuring fair coexistence with Wi-Fi is a mandatory requirement. In one approach, periodically configurable transmission gaps can be used to facilitate a coexistence between WiFi and LTE. In this paper, a Multi-Armed Bandit (MAB) based dynamic duty cycle selection method is proposed for configuration of transmission gaps ensuring a better coexistence for both technologies. Then the concept is further strengthened with downlink power control mechanism using the same algorithm leading to a high energy efficiency and interference reduction. Performance results are given for different user equipment and WiFi station densities in which it is shown that significant improvements in overall throughput and energy efficiency can be achieved.

Reliability assessment of access point of advanced metering infrastructure based on Bellcore standards (Telecordia)

Since Access Point (AP) is a vital part of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for communication and data collection from smart meters, its reliability issue has become one of the prominent issues in the context of the Smart Grid. AP is responsible for collecting data from humongous meters. Any defect in or malfunctioning of the device can result in humungous loss of data, consequently foundering the revenue. In this paper, we assess the reliability of the AP based on the Bellcore standards. Calculating the failure rate is facilitated by applying this reliability driven method for the AP. The reliability prediction for electronic products has been used to speculate the probable reliability level, according to the selection in the design process, such as circuit structure, components, and reliability structural model as well as working environment, work stress and accumulated statistical data.

Performance comparison of heterogeneous classifiers for detection of Parkinson's disease using voice disorder (dysphonia)

Speech signal processing and its recognition system have gained a lot of attention from last few years due to its widespread application. In this study, we have conducted a comparative analysis for effective detection of Parkinsons disease using various machine learning classifiers from voice disorder known as dysphonia. To investigate robust detection process, three independent classifier topologies were applied to distinguish between PD patient and healthy individual, and to make a comparison of the results. The classifiers used here are Random Tree (RT), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Feedforward Back-propagation based Artificial Neural Network (FBANN). To validate the overall classification with acceptable error rate, a 100 times repeated 10-fold cross validation analysis has been carried out for all classifiers. With optimized statistical parameters and using selective feature set, the proposed scheme has achieved up to 97.37% recognition accuracy. FBANN classifier outperformed than the others. Considering the classification accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, all classifiers achieved better than chance level. The proposed modality and computational process may clinically effective, viable, noninvasive, powerful technique to develop decision support system (DSS) for remote diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders at early stage with propitious results.

Toward a Smart City of Interdependent Critical Infrastructure Networks

A smart city requires synergistic interaction between several functionally interdependent networks like energy, transportation, water, oil, gas, and emergency services to provide on-demand, reliable services to prosumers. The sustainability of smart city can be guaranteed only through ubiquitous communication and decentralized information exchange between optimization and computational models for the operation, visibility, and control of each constituent network. With the city spanning different societies and jurisdictions, the models must also account for challenges like interoperability, security, latency, resiliency, policymaking, and social behavior. Solutions in the current literature address these challenges in each network exclusively, but the interdependency between them is not properly emphasized. The chapter addresses this gap in research by considering smart city networks with special emphasis on energy, communication, data analytics, and transportation. It introduces each of these networks, identifies state of the art in them and explores open challenges for future research. As its key contribution to the literature, the chapter brings out the interdependencies between these networks through realistic examples and scenarios, identifying the critical need to design, develop, and implement solutions that value such dependencies. Thus, the chapter aims to serve as a starting point for researchers entering the domain of smart city and is interested in conducting cross-functional research across its different interdependent networks.

A gossip algorithm based clock synchronization scheme for smart grid applications

The uprising interest in multi-agent based networked system, and the numerous number of applications in the distributed control of the smart grid leads us to address the problem of time synchronization in the smart grid. Utility companies look for new packet based time synchronization solutions with Global Positioning System (GPS) level accuracies beyond traditional packet methods such as Network Time Protocol (NTP). However GPS based solutions have poor reception in indoor environments and dense urban canyons as well as GPS antenna installation might be costly. Some smart grid nodes such as Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), fault detection, Wide Area Measurement Systems (WAMS) etc., requires synchronous accuracy as low as 1 ms. On the other hand, 1 sec accuracy is acceptable in management information domain. Acknowledging this, in this study, we introduce gossip algorithm based clock synchronization method among network entities from the decision control and communication point of view. Our method synchronizes clock within dense network with a bandwidth limited environment. Our technique has been tested in different kinds of network topologies-complete, star and random geometric network and demonstrated satisfactory performance.

CBRS Spectrum Sharing between LTE-U and WiFi: A Multiarmed Bandit Approach

The surge of mobile devices such as smartphone and tablets requires additional capacity. To achieve ubiquitous and high data rate Internet connectivity, effective spectrum sharing and utilization of the wireless spectrum carry critical importance. In this paper, we consider the use of unlicensed LTE (LTE-U) technology in the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band and develop a multiarmed bandit (MAB) based spectrum sharing technique for a smooth coexistence with WiFi. In particular, we consider LTE-U to operate as a General Authorized Access (GAA) user; hereby MAB is used to adaptively optimize the transmission duty cycle of LTE-U transmissions. Additionally, we incorporate downlink power control which yields a high energy efficiency and interference suppression. Simulation results demonstrate a significant improvement in the aggregate capacity (approximately 33%) and cell-edge throughput of coexisting LTE-U and WiFi networks for different base station densities and user densities.

Trends and Future Directions of Research for Smart Grid IoT Sensor Networks

This chapter provides a high-level description and summary of smart grid IoT entity’s three logical modules responsible for its intelligence: wide, medium, and local area sensor networks. For each module, the architecture, key applications, and potential challenges to future research are discussed using a widely recognized system as an example. In particular, the interdependency between these IoT entity modules, underlying power system and overlying operational entity, is presented, with a special emphasis on big data, communication, and security challenges. This chapter will serve as a starting point for researchers entering the field of smart grid IoT big data analytics, communication, and security.