Network Communications News (NCN) April 2017 | Page 19

WIRELESS NETWORKS
The utility of the
future requires seamless
communications between assets,
field workers and operations
centres, creating a stronger
problem-solving foundation based
on realtime data. Without a reliable
wireless network that sends and
receives accurate data in real
time, a utility may be working off
obsolete data, or no data at all.
Both the utility and its
customers benefit from maximised
access to integrated, accurate
data: The utility runs more
efficiently and profitably because
it can connect and manage
information from all assets, thus
making better use of its employees’
time, while customers experience
less downtime during outages.
A reliable communications
network can make a utility
future ready in three main ways;
enhanced remote access; improved
customer service and safety; and
more efficient asset management.
What to look for in a wireless network:
10 must-have wireless network requirements
So how do you decide what kind of network will help your utility to
achieve these benefits? A utility puts itself in the best position for
future success by selecting a network that is:
‘The utility
of the future
requires
seamless
communications
between assets,
field workers
and operations
centres.’
S calable: As a utility expands or restructures, it should be easy
to scale the network up and down.
R edundant: Each node should have multiple connections to
other nodes. The network should have no single point of failure
or bottlenecks.
C ontinuously connected: A network with constant connectivity
ensures real time communications between assets and employees.
A ble to integrate with other technologies: A network should
support Wi-Fi as well as easily integrate with Ethernet connected
devices, such as microwave backhaul, cellular data/LTE networks
and third party satellite.
H igh bandwidth and low latency: A network should be
able to support a number of high bandwidth applications
without weakening, because dropped packets can have major
implications on human safety and welfare.
M obile: To support a utility’s mobile workforce, network access
should not be limited to fixed locations. The network should
leverage mobile assets for additional coverage and mobile access.
N ot bound to a handoff: A handoff occurs when network
connectivity has to ‘hop’ from radio to radio. This means the
network constantly must negotiate the connection between radios
to determine the best signal. Look for a network that establishes
and maintains multiple live connections to avoid handoffs.
A daptable: Municipal environments in particular are known for
their radio frequency inter ference challenges. A strong wireless
network infrastructure must have features or functionality that
will help to mitigate or manage high degrees of inter ference.
A b l e t o b e f u t u r e p r o o fe d : A n et w o r k s h o u l d b e a b l e to
b e u p g ra d e d w i t h o u t a m a j o r n et w o r k re c o n f i g u ra t i o n o r a
‘ fo r k l i f t u p g ra d e ’ .
N ot roaming or ‘fast roaming’: According to Network Computing,
‘Fast roaming… allows a client device to roam quickly in
environments implementing WPA2 Enterprise security, by
ensuring that the client device does not need to re-authenticate…
every time it roams from one access point to another’. Although
this sounds like a positive, fast roaming involves a handoff and
creates situations of intermittent connectivity.
Enhanced remote access
A communications network that
allows fast remote access lets
power utilities be more resourceful
with their staff and more effective
from anywhere despite their
physical location.
W i t h a ro b u st
co mmu n i c at i o n s n et wo r k , a
p owe r u t i l i t y c a n re m ote l y co nt ro l
su b stat i o n s f ro m a n o p e rat i o n s
c e nt re to t u r n p owe r o n a n d of f,
o p e n a n d c l o se sw i tc h e s, a n d
r u n d i a g n o st i c s. T h i s a cc e ss i sn ’ t
p o ssi b l e w i t h o u t a co nt i n u o u sl y
co n n e cte d n et wo r k , b e c a u se
ot h e r w i se t h e re i s a d e l a y i n
re sp o n se – a n d eve n a delay of
a few se co n d s c a n h ave a b i g
i mp a ct o n o p e rat i o n s.
Having real time remote access
also means that a utility doesn’t
need to send workers out to
flip a switch or run diagnostics
every time there is an issue at a
substation. This improves worker
health and safety, because
employees won’t need to venture
to remote locations at night or
in bad weather to make simple
adjustments or changes. Instead,
they can perform tasks from any
location within the network if
properly designed.
April 2017 | 19