Mechanism of Unlimited WAN Expansion for Networks in Power Distribution Systems

There has been increasing use of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) with communication capability for modern power distribution system protection, control and monitoring. This increases the need of LANs for IEDs to exchange data for improved and coordinated operations through peer-to-peer networking. Distributed Network Protocol (DNP3), commonly used for power system communications, is lack of effective internetworking LANs and individual IEDs. To improve the internetworking capability, this paper proposes a network address mechanism (NAM) that provides dynamic routing operations and a variable address field. The NAM is designed to provide WAN internetworking capabilities that can be implemented for IEDs with minimal effects on the network specifications, such as continuous use of established network addresses. The NAM is also designed to provide the capability for unlimited WAN expansion regardless of network structures and to enhance the network cyber-security.