IEEE International Conference on Communications, Control, and Computing Technologies for Smart Grids (IEEE SmartGridComm 2021) — recording passcode: SGC-VC21

Session K2: Next Generation Edge-Cloud-based Security Challenges and Solutions for Smart Grid SCADA Systems
Session S4: Session 4: Measurements and Channel Modelling Session S5: Session 5: Network Layer Techniques in PLC Systems Session RR: Recent Results and Industry Session
Session ISP-Key-4: ISPLC Keynote 4: Can Machine Learning Bring Disruptive Innovation in PLC? Session ISP-Key-5: ISPLC Keynote 5: G3-PLC Alliance
Session CNS2: Modelling and Simulation for Smart Grid Communications and Networking Session CYS2: Network attacks, detection, and control Session LabTour: Laboratory Tour in E.ON ERC organised by OPAL-RT Session COS3: Cyber-physical power systems Session CYS3: Mitigation Session GAS2: Forecasting methods and energy storage Session GC3: Regulation
Session ISP-Pan-2: ISPLC Panel 2: PLC for IoT Applications
Session W1: Workshop on Artificial and Human Intelligence for Community-empowered Sustainable Energy Systems

Session S4

Session 4: Measurements and Channel Modelling

Conference
9:45 AM — 11:05 AM CEST
Local
Oct 27 Wed, 2:45 AM — 4:05 AM CDT

Validation of a Transfer Function Computation Methodology in the PLC Frequency Range

Arbia Haded (CentraleSupélec & EDF R&D, France); Cedric Lavenu (EDF R&D, France); Dominique Picard (CentraleSupelec, France); Mohammed Serhir (GeePs, CentraleSupelec, France)

0
Several approaches have been proposed in the literature to model the transfer functions of low voltage electric networks in the frequency range used for narrowband Powerline Communication, i.e. from 9 to 500 kHz. In this paper, we propose a bottom-up approach relying on unitary models of grid components to compute the transfer functions between any pair of PLC transmitter and PLC receiver nodes within a tree-like network topology composed of various cables. Cables are modelled using their primary and secondary parameters based on the transmission line theory. The grid topology is used to assemble all the component models. The computation of the transfer functions is carried out, for each PLC transmission scenario, by iterative forward and backward propagation stages where the voltages and currents are computed for each node and asset of the grid. We validate our methodology on two simple grid topologies by confronting the simulation results with the associated experimental measurements.

Measurement Aided Training of Machine Learning Techniques for Fault Detection Using PLC Signals

Yinjia Huo (University of British Columbia, Canada); Gautham Prasad (The University of British Columbia, Canada); Lutz Lampe (University of British Columbia, Canada); Victor C.M. Leung (Shenzhen University, China & The University of British Columbia, Canada); Rathinamala Vijay (DESE, IISC, Bangalore, India); Prabhakar TV (Indian Institute of Science, India)

0
The re-use of channel estimation performed by power line communication (PLC) modems for monitoring of cable health conditions has recently been investigated in several works. In particular, cable diagnostics solutions based on machine learning techniques have been shown to process the PLC channel-estimation samples intelligently to differentiate fault conditions from the benevolent load changes. Previous studies have been based on synthetically generated training and test signals to optimize and validate the machine learning models. To deal with the mismatches between the purely synthetically generated signal samples and those encountered in a real implementation, in this paper, we propose S-parameter measurement aided generation of channel estimation samples. Specifically, we describe the behaviour of our device under test (DUT) through its S-parameter measurement and synthetically generate varying terminal load conditions. Then we train and use machine learning models to determine the health of the DUT. We describe the proposed approach and apply it to data obtained from laboratory measurements.

Measurement of Notch Depths for G3-PLC

Philipp Horwat (Hochschule Ruhr West, Germany); Gerd Bumiller (Hochschule Ruhr West & University of Applied Sciences, Germany)

0
Nowadays, Power Line Communication gains wide usage across several European countries. One of the used Power Line Communication standards is the G3-PLC standard. To enable coexistence with several radio services, the G3-PLC standard provides the option to notch certain frequencies. Since the method to measure the depth of these notches described by the standard is not suitable, this work is going to introduce a new method. This method estimates the power spectrum under usage of the Bartlett-Hann window. From this spectrum, only those bins are selected that lie on active or notched subcarriers. The spectrum is measured in sections, and each section is assigned to one of several differently modulated frame parts. For each part, the notch depth is calculated and the lowest notch depth among all frame parts is selected as the overall notch depth achieved by the G3-PLC device. The method also offers the possibility to detect violations where this notch depth is not reached.

An On-Line Measurement Approach for EMI Filter Characterization

Christoph Szymczyk and Christoph Nieß (Hochschule Ruhr West, Germany); Gerd Bumiller (Hochschule Ruhr West & University of Applied Sciences, Germany)

0
A measurement system to analyze and characterize impedance and transfer function of EMI-filters is presented. The system allows to examine filters at mains voltage and under load, thus ensuring realistic conditions and measurement results. Despite up to date standards the specification of filters under real operational conditions is necessary as these standards use unrealistic testing environments under exclusion of the mains voltage and possible influence of the mains impedance. While injecting a signal directly on line at given frequency points, a modified Discrete Fourier Transformation is used to convert the measured values into the frequency domain. Instead of averaging over the integration time a raised cosine window is used to minimize interharmonic signal disturbances. Additionally a zero crossing detection algorithm is used to align the phasors with the mains cycles, allowing subcycle measurements in multiple time slots per mains cycle. Working in the frequency domain allows compensation of the measurement equipment and the circuitry components which provides minimal measurement errors and repeatability.
Session Chair

Thokozani Calvin Shongwe (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

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Session S5

Session 5: Network Layer Techniques in PLC Systems

Conference
11:35 AM — 12:55 PM CEST
Local
Oct 27 Wed, 4:35 AM — 5:55 AM CDT

Network Attack Analysis of an Indoor Power Line Communication Network

Emmanuel C Uwaezuoke and Theo G. Swart (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

0
The use of network security mechanisms within communication networks, should be prioritized and considered more in a small office/home office (SOHO) network setup such as power line communication (PLC) network. In PLC networks, network attacks such as denial of service attack (DOS), phishing attacks and man-in-the-middle attacks are some of the network security issues yet to be critically researched on SOHO network setups such as PLC network. Therefore, this paper describes and analyzes the possibility of various network attacks on the network and data link layer of a PLC network setup. To achieve this, the PLC network setup will be assessed for vulnerabilities, of which detected, will be exploited using various attack techniques. Graphical charts will be plotted to represent the possibility and effect of the attacks on the PLC network setup. Finally, network security solutions will be provided to mitigate some of the recorded possible attacks on the PLC network setup. The observations and solutions presented in this research paper is for educational purposes and will be helpful to subsequent network security researchers and help improve security within an indoor PLC network setup.

A Comparative Study on Class AB and Class D Amplifier Topologies for High Temperature Power Line Communication Circuits

Martijn Duraij, Yudi Xiao, Tiberiu-Gabriel Zsurzsan and Zhe Zhang (Technical University of Denmark, Denmark)

0
Power line communication (PLC) is widely used in the well intervention industry to control tools performing maintenance on oil and gas well pipes. This paper compares PLC driver power amplifiers and the impact of temperature towards them. As both a Class AB and Class D amplifier stages form suitable candidates, a comparison is made on performance indicators, such as total harmonic distortion (THD) and intermodulation distortion (IMD), as well as power limitations and efficiency. Measurements are performed both at room temperature and at high temperature of 150 °C. The trade-off between Class AB and Class D based on the mentioned indicators is then further emphasized using plotted responses. These show a clear advantage in the use of a Class D amplifier topology based on efficiency by outperforming the Class AB topology by a factor of two at high temperature. However the THD is found to be approx. 25dB better in the Class AB amplifier. This article discusses and thereby identifies future research trends and topics required for high temperature PLC driving circuits.

Planning Tool for Fast Roll-Out of G.hn Broadband PLC in Smart Grid Networks: Evaluation and Field Results

George Hallak, Marcel Berners and Anil Mengi (Devolo AG, Germany)

0
Broadband Power Line Communications (BPL) has the potential to play a significant role in smart metering and smart grid, due to its ability to transfer data with high rate and low latency over the existing infrastructure. The current planning and design of BPL networks for smart grid is manual, experience based, time consuming, and sub-optimal. In order to automate the planning process, compare multiple scenarios, and optimize the roll-out taking into account various input criteria and constraints, a planning tool is needed. In this paper, evaluation and validation results from the field test of an BPL planning tool for smart grid networks are presented. Two network setups has been first initiated in the laboratory to validate the concept of the BPL planning tool. The BPL planning tool has been then evaluated in the field. The simulation results of the BPL planning tool were fitting with the results of the field test.

Data Analytics in G3-PLC Deployments for Coverage Prediction

Francesco Marcuzzi (Alpen-Adria-Universitaet, Austria); Andrea M Tonello (University of Klagenfurt, Austria); Cedric Lavenu (EDF R&D, France)

0
Power Line Communications (PLC) are the communication technology at the base of Smart Grid operation. They rely on the preexisting infrastructure that enables power delivery. To evaluate performance of this technology, usually the main metric that is looked at is the SNR at the receiver in a link. In order to predict this performance, different approaches can be used: bottom-up approaches implement physical models to employ characteristics of the medium to understand its channel response, while top-down ones focus on data from measurements to identify patterns and create stochastic models. Due to a hard-to-model noise and channel, these approaches come up short. In this work, we consider measurement data from Low Voltage distribution networks, we show how the classic SNR value relates to the network topology; additionally, we discuss how coverage in terms of distance from the central element of the network can be used as a performance indicator and how it relates to a novel, easy-to-compute density factor.
Session Chair

Alfredo Sanz (University of Zaragoza, Spain)

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Session RR

Recent Results and Industry Session

Conference
4:15 PM — 5:15 PM CEST
Local
Oct 27 Wed, 9:15 AM — 10:15 AM CDT
Session Chair

Eugen Mayer (Power Plus Communications, Germany)

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