Comparison of IWSN MAC Protocols for IEC 61850 Application

Abstract: Electric power utilities need status and conditions monitoring of assets in addition to measured and metered data, in order to increase the reliability of power delivery. One of the main standards in the scope of communication networks and systems in electrical power grid is IEC 61850. In smart grid applications, IEC61850 is accepted and deployed for in substation automation as well as other applications such as Condition Monitoring Diagnosis (CMD). Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) facilitate the realization of CMD of any device, anytime, anywhere by any service. This provides the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology for CMD. Some WSN communication profiles are based on IEEE802.15.4 and have specific industrial applications, where time and reliability are critical parameters. In this paper, the specifications of Wireless HART, ISA100.11, and WIA-PA as the most popular industrial WSN protocols are reviewed, in order to define the suitability in supporting IEC61850 message types for smart grid Machine to Machine (M2M) communications. It is concluded that ISA100.11 is much more appropriate to adopt for IEC61850 Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) messages.

Keywords: CMD, IEC 61850, ISA100.11, IWSN, TSCH MAC protocol, WIA-PA, Wireless HART.