Application of digital radio for distribution pilot protection

The traditional solutions for protecting networked distribution lines, sub-transmission lines, and industrial facility incoming supply lines use some form of pilot protection. A significant challenge for pilot protection, especially in retrofit situations, is the cost of installing pilot communications channels. Digital radio is an inexpensive method to provide digital communications for pilot protection at the distribution level. Digital radio has the ability to send permissive, blocking, and transfer trip signals over short to medium distances. Relay to relay messaging protocols have now become standardized through the IEC61850 GOOSE profile and can provide not only protection information but also metering, monitoring, and control.