Wifi Revolution

Tropos Networks (News - Alert), a vendor of wireless IP networks for smart grids, has introduced Distribution Automation mesh router for communications to DA devices such as reclosers and sectionalizers, according to company officials. 

This new router features "the low latency, high bandwidth and Quality of Service required by many mission critical DA applications," company officials said, adding that it "can be connected with many different vendors’ DA devices, reducing operational cost and network management complexity." 

The DA mesh router is described by company officials as part of Tropos’ GridCom 2.0 standards-based architecture for smart grids, and extends mesh connectivity for DA applications. Network management for the Tropos 1310 is via Tropos Control, a server-based wireless network management system. 

A number of utilities have wireless communications to some DA devices today, Tropos officials said, "typically narrowband proprietary radio systems or commercial cellular data services. Proprietary radios provide utilities with the ability to control technology migration; however, each DA vendor has their own management tool requiring utilities to operate multiple management systeTms resulting in operational inefficiencies and higher costs." 

Tropos’ DA mesh router allows utilities to build a private wireless network with the needed low latency and high performance that can support a wide range and number of DA devices. For latency sensitive DA applications, it supports under three millisecond link latency allowing for sub-cycle response times needed by DA protection and control systems.

Last year ?TMC (News - Alert)'s Anuradha Shukla wrote that Glendale Water & Power, a part of the Glendale community, along with Tropos Networks, announced that Tropos' GridCom architecture was chosen for GWP's Smart Grid Initiative.

GridCom runs on  Tropos' wireless broadband mesh network system and will deliver high-speed communications between the utility, utility applications and utility customers.

"Reportedly, $51 million will be invested in GWP's Smart Grid Initiative and $20 million will be funded by The U.S. Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," Shukla wrote.

Want to learn more about Smart Grid technologies? Then be sure to attend the Smart Grid Summit, collocated with TMC’s ITEXPO East, taking place Feb 2-4, 2011, in Miami. The Smart Grid Summit is the first event of its kind to address the unprecedented opportunity coming from the intersection of two core building blocks of our economy – utilities and communications. This unique event is based on the joint vision of TMC and Intelligent Communications Partners (News - Alert) to create a new forum for and actively engage an entire community. To register, click here.