Analysis of protection scheme dependencies on communications

Many protection and control schemes highly depend on the quality of the underlying communications. Communications availability and reliability have a direct impact on security and dependability of the protection systems. Classical use cases include but are not limited to line differential protection, teleprotection schemes, etc. This paper analyzes how the quality of the underlying communications affects various protection schemes security and dependability. A number of protection and control applications will be discussed with a focus on the requirements that they impose on communications. An overview of current communications technologies and their characteristics will be given. Practical uses cases will be discussed and suggestions will be made on appropriated use of certain communication technologies for particular protection and control schemes.