Performance Analysis of WLAN-WiMAX Smart Distribution Grid

The smart grid requires the integration of intelligent electronic devices such as Automatic Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in the distribution side. This Automatic Metering Infrastructure needs wireless communication technology for relaying information from the energy meters to the control center. In this paper, a Smart Distribution Grid (SDG) using WLAN-WiMAX technology is proposed. The proposed architecture significantly improves the efficiency of the Smart Distribution Grid at reduced cost. The performance of this WLAN-WiMAX communication architecture is studied and parameters like delay, Signal-to-Noise Ratio(SNR), packet drop etc., have been obtained using discrete event simulation model based on OPNET. KeywordsWLAN, WiMAX and Smart Distribution Grid.