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To address an important need for Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) to significantly reduce the amount of the required cables for sensor data communications, this Phase I SBIR effort successfully developed and demonstrated a novel low-cost proof-of-concept prototype of a secure wireless sensor network backbone communications system. This system combines commercially available low power, low cost XBEE wireless communications network and passive (battery-free) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems to report individual sensor data and their location through the containment wall for rapid response to anomalies in nuclear facilities. This WIreless Sensing and Locating (WISLO) system network architecture allows non-intrusive wireless collection of sensor data with the sensor’s accurate location information from inside of the instrumentation or containment area with minimal need for power sources. The multi-node sensor data in the containment area is wirelessly transmitted to outside through the metal reinforced concrete walls without the need for any batteries. The WISLO system could be readily used in current reactor fleet and future advanced reactors, as well as in small modular reactors (SMR). The WISLO system is the first dual frequency battery-free trough the wall communications backbone system developed specifically for use in nuclear power plants. It not only can modernize the sensor monitoring practices in the existing reactor fleet, but also offers a secure, low-cost solution to advanced reactors and SMRs by removing cables and issues related to them such as cable integrity, reporting delays, and installation and maintenance costs. The intent is to improve process safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost effectiveness to the monitoring and maintenance process in current and future plants. As we address the next productization and manufacturing capabilities in the next phase, this system will serve the needs of many commercial and government applications in remote monitoring of sensor data that demand battery-free transmission of sensor data such as Internet-of-Things (IOT).
A comprehensive evaluation of methods to compare the reliability of wired and wireless digital communication networks for use in nuclear power plants. The study underscores the critical role of communication reliability in ensuring operational safety in nuclear power plants. Key objectives include developing a methodology to assess communication technologies’ reliability, particularly for comparing wireless and wired networks, for nuclear facility applications. The framework focuses on technology-agnostic evaluations and emphasizes the importance of reliability metrics spanning safety, security, and monitoring functions. The framework emphasizes that the key performance indicators are application dependent and provides a hierarchy of different network types that will have different reliability requirements. The report considers both existing plants and advanced reactors, including small modular reactors.
Fifth-generation networks promise wide availability of wireless communication with inherent security features. The 5G standards also outline access for different applications requiring low latency, machine-to-machine communication, or mobile broadband. These networks can be advantageous to numerous applications that require widespread and diverse communications. One such application is found in smart grids. Smart grid networks, and Operational Technology (OT) networks in general, utilize a variety of communication protocols for low-latency control, data monitoring, and reporting at every level. Transitioning these network communications from wired Wide Area Networks (WANs) to wireless communication through 5G can provide additional benefits to their security and network configurability. However, introducing these wireless capabilities may also result in a degradation of network latency. In this paper, we propose utilizing 5G for smart grid communications, and we evaluate the latency impacts of encapsulating GOOSE, Modbus, and DNP3 for transmission over a 5G network. The OpenAirInterface open-source library is utilized to deploy an in-lab 5G Core Network and gNB for testing with off-the-shelf User Equipment (UE). This creates an effective 5G test platform for experimenting with different OT protocols such as GOOSE. The results are validated by measuring two different Intelligent Electronic Devices’ contact closure times for each network configuration. These tests are also conducted for varying packet sizes in order to isolate different sources of network latency. Our study outlines the latency impact of communication over 5G for time-critical and non-critical applications regarding their transition toward private 5G-based OT network implementations. The conducted experiments illustrate that in the case of GOOSE packets, simple encapsulation may exceed the protocol’s time-critical nature, and, therefore, additional measures must be taken to ensure a viable transition of GOOSE to 5G services. However, non-critical applications are shown to be viable for migration to 5G.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides a potent solution to securely distribute keys for two parties. However, QKD itself is vulnerable to denial of service (DoS) attacks. A flexible and resilient QKD-enabled networked microgrids (NMs) architecture is needed but does not yet exist. In this article, we present a programmable quantum NMs (PQNMs) architecture. It is a novel framework that integrates both QKD and software-defined networking (SDN) techniques capable of enabling scalable, programmable, quantum-engineered, and ultra-resilient NMs. Equipped with a software-defined adaptive post-processing approach, a two-level key pool sharing strategy and an SDN-enabled event-triggered communication scheme, these PQNMs mitigate the impact of DoS attacks through programmable post-processing and secure key sharing among QKD links, a capability unattainable using existing technologies. Through comprehensive evaluations, we validate the benefits of PQNMs and demonstrate the efficacy of the presented strategies under various circumstances. Extensive results provide insightful resources for building QKD-enabled NMs in practice.
We show experimentally that a continuous, linear, dielectric antenna in which a superluminal polarization-current distribution accelerates can be used to transmit a broadband signal that is reproduced in a comprehensible form at a chosen target distance and angle. The requirement for this exact correspondence between broadcast and received signals is that each moving point in the polarization-current distribution approaches the target at the speed of light at all times during its transit along the antenna. This results in a one-to-one correspondence between the time at which each point on the moving polarization current enters the antenna and the time at which all of the radiation emitted by this particular point during its transit through the antenna arrives simultaneously at the target. This has the effect of reproducing the desired time dependence of the original broadcast signal. For other observer-detector positions, the time dependence of the signal is scrambled, due to the nontrivial relationship between emission (retarded) time and reception time. This technique represents a contrast to conventional radio transmission methods; in most examples of the latter, signals are broadcast with little or no directivity, selectivity of reception being achieved through the use of narrow frequency bands. In place of this, the current paper uses a spread of frequencies to transmit information to a particular location; the signal is weaker and has a scrambled time dependence elsewhere. Here, we point out the possible relevance of this mechanism to 5G neighborhood networks and pulsar astronomy.
Increasing penetration levels of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution systems are creating challenges in system operation. Currently, wired or proprietary wireless communications are used by advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) to detect the state of the system and control the DERs for optimal operation. Wireless communications are an alternative solution that can enable connectivity between the dispersed assets used in distribution system applications. As demand for the seamless integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) continues to increase, proper networking and communications systems are becoming important to support the DER infrastructure. This report summarizes validation of a private wireless LTE network in a laboratory environment. The purpose of this work is to 1) demonstrate the effectiveness of private wireless LTE communication for grid applications and 2) provide a means of evaluating latency and overall performance of wireless communication in grid applications. First, private wireless LTE communication was validated in a direct transfer trip relaying scenario as an example of one-way communications using grid equipment. This study provided a baseline understanding of the variation in latency for seven different kinds of wireless scenarios shown in Figure A below. As expected, weak (attenuated) wireless signal-based communication yielded the widest ranges in latency. When higher priority was set for the trip signal communication, this resulted in lower latency in communication timing. In the final phase of this project, the private wireless LTE network was validated using two-way communications in an advanced distribution management system (ADMS) testbed which was developed in the ESIF at NREL. The purpose of this was to study the impact of wireless communication on grid performance.
Increasing penetration levels of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution systems are creating challenges in system operation. Currently, wired or proprietary wireless communications are used by advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) to detect the state of the system and control the DERs for optimal operation. Wireless communications are an alternative solution that can enable connectivity between the dispersed assets used in distribution system applications. This paper demonstrates an experimental test bed to enable the realistic evaluation of communications system characteristics for direct transfer trip (DTT) relaying of a photovoltaic inverter system using a private 900-MHz spectrum wireless LTE network. Private LTE network communications can be deployed to many remote DERs and other grid-edge devices to prevent costly infrastructure upgrades across distribution systems. In addition, this paper provides a framework for evaluating the impact of signal strength and network traffic in communications systems. The results shown develop a better understanding of the best practices for using LTE communications systems across multiple utility applications, such as protective relaying, voltage regulation, and supervisory control and data acquisition system messages.
Increasing penetration levels of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution systems are creating challenges in system operation. Currently, wired or proprietary wireless communications are used by advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) to detect the state of the system and control the DERs for optimal operation. Wireless communications are an alternative solution that can enable connectivity between the dispersed assets used in distribution system applications. This paper demonstrates an experimental test bed to enable the realistic evaluation of communications system characteristics for direct transfer trip (DTT) relaying of a photovoltaic inverter system using a private 900-MHz spectrum wireless LTE network. Private LTE network communications can be deployed to many remote DERs and other grid-edge devices to prevent costly infrastructure upgrades across distribution systems. In addition, this paper provides a framework for evaluating the impact of signal strength and network traffic in communications systems. The results shown develop a better understanding of the best practices for using LTE communications systems across multiple utility applications, such as protective relaying, voltage regulation, and supervisory control and data acquisition system messages.
Digital wireless communication has become a foundational technology for the nation. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science (DOE-SC) is the Nation’s largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences discovering new materials, designing advanced microelectronics, and understanding the physics of radio frequency signaling. The expanding national rollout of a new fifth-generation (5G) mobile network, coupled with the torrent of scientific data generated by next-generation devices such as battery-powered Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, has created an urgent need to enhance cutting-edge wireless technology. Breakthroughs in the deployment, integration, security, and operational range of wireless networking can provide new scientific capabilities for the next decade - from autonomous mobile instruments for scientific user facilities to intelligent sensors networks distributed over thousands of kilometers to study environmental processes. To realize this promise, however, we must continue to drive innovations in computing, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced materials, high-speed networking, and microelectronics. In March 2020, the DOE-SC convened a workshop to identify the potential opportunities and explore the scientific challenges of advanced wireless technologies.
Increasing penetration levels of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution systems are creating challenges in system operation. Currently, wired or proprietary wireless communications are used by advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) to detect the state of the system and control the DERs for optimal operation. Wireless communications are an alternative solution that can enable connectivity between the dispersed assets used in distribution system applications. This paper demonstrates an experimental test bed to enable the realistic evaluation of communications system characteristics for direct transfer trip (DTT) relaying of a photovoltaic inverter system using a private 900-MHz spectrum wireless LTE network. Private LTE network communications can be deployed to many remote DERs and other grid-edge devices to prevent costly infrastructure upgrades across distribution systems. In addition, this paper provides a framework for evaluating the impact of signal strength and network traffic in communications systems. The results shown develop a better understanding of the best practices for using LTE communications systems across multiple utility applications, such as protective relaying, voltage regulation, and supervisory control and data acquisition system messages.
The rise of real-time information communication through smartphones and wireless networks enabled the growth of ridesharing services. While personal rideshare services (individuals ride alone or with people they know) initially dominated the market, the popularity of pooled ridesharing (individuals share rides with strangers) has grown globally. However, pooled rideshare remains less common in the U.S., where personal vehicle usage is still the norm. Vehicle design and rideshare services may need to be tailored to user preferences to increase pooled rideshare adoption. A national U.S. survey ( N = 5,385) used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to identify four key factors influencing riders’ willingness to consider pooled rideshare: comfort/ease of use, convenience, vehicle technology/accessibility, and passenger safety. Understanding and implementing these user-centered design principles and service-related factors may be critical for increasing the future use of pooled rideshare services
This project will develop foundations for energy-efficient, high-data-rate, and reliable communication links for next-generation advanced wireless technologies. The Internet of Everything is emerging as a major technology that can establish a massively connected network among both human-type users and machine-type devices. Particularly, massive machine-type communication is becoming the dominant communication paradigm for numerous emerging areas, including data center networking and wireless backhaul, healthcare (e-health), manufacturing (industry 4.0), utilities, transportation (connected cars and public safety), and virtual or augmented reality for human-machine interaction applications. The rising demand for high data rates, especially in indoor scenarios and densely populated outdoor environments, will eventually overload conventional RF-based technologies. This project aims to conduct fundamental research to design, optimize, and validate a communication-aware, energy-efficient, and reliable network (CommAwareNet) architecture for future smart facilities and environments that require unprecedented high throughput needs for massive numbers of the machine- and human-type users. The scientific and technical merit of this work lies in the research required to bring the proposed transformative CommAwareNet solution into fully functional and practical architecture.
Precise timing and data transmission within stringent time constraints are critical for numerous applications, such as robotics, virtual and augmented reality, industrial automation, energy and medical business, and various other sectors. Time-sensitive networks (TSN) and fifth-generation wireless communications (5G) are crucial for industrial communications, enabling convergent communication for various services using a common network core. Applications that are time-sensitive and require deterministic communications with low latency fall into this category, such as generation plant systems. This paper presents a simulated model of 5G-TSN for a fossil power plant based on the wired network parameters implemented in situ. Metrics analysis, comparison and future work are presented. © 2024 IEEE.
The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices resulted in the proliferation of wireless technologies to cater to their increasing data rate requirements and support multiple applications. However, such ever-increasing wireless technologies present numerous challenges such as incompatible wireless standards, increased energy consumption, and insecure communication. The traditional gateways proposed in the literature suffers from limitations such as computational complexity, resource requirements, increased cost, and device size. We vision an era of seamless wireless communication to alleviate the aforementioned challenges in IoT applications. through three inter-dependent functionalities namely detection and identification of wireless technologies, energy-efficient transmit power control, and secure end-to-end communication. To prove the concept, a new gateway is proposed to achieve these three functionalities with only physical layer measurements so that the different communication protocols in the higher layers can be avoided. Novel schemes are conceptualized for resource-limited seamless IoT applications. Moreover, the conceptual seamless IoT platform is validated through software-based computer simulation and software-defined radio-based testbed implementation. Finally, the preliminary analysis demonstrates that the proposed platform has great potential in advancing seamless IoT applications.
The rise of real-time information communication through smartphones and wireless networks enabled the growth of ridesharing services. While personal rideshare services (individuals riding alone or with acquaintances) initially dominated the market, the popularity of pooled ridesharing (individuals sharing rides with people they do not know) has grown globally. However, pooled ridesharing remains less common in the U.S., where personal vehicle usage is still the norm. Vehicle design and rideshare services may need to be tailored to user preferences to increase pooled rideshare adoption. Based on a large, national U.S. survey (N = 5385), the results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested that four key factors influence riders’ willingness to consider pooled ridesharing: comfort/ease of use, convenience, vehicle technology/accessibility, and passenger safety. A binomial logistic regression was conducted to determine how the four factors influence one’s willingness to consider pooled ridesharing. The two factors that positively influence riders’ willingness to consider pooled ridesharing are vehicle technology/accessibility (B = 1.10) and convenience (B = 0.94), while lack of passenger safety (B = –0.63) and comfort/ease of use (B = –0.17) are pooled ridesharing deterrents. Understanding user-centered design and service factors are critical to increase the use of pooled ridesharing services in the future.
Significant cost savings can be made if electrical cables can be replaced by wireless technology in current Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) and in advance reactor designs. Wireless technology can also provide in-core opportunities by significantly reducing the number of penetrations in the pressure vessel, cost and complexity of sensor installation and by increasing the efficiency of current and advanced reactors. Unlike other deployment scenarios for an industrial environment, operators need to have centralized control over all the networks. Centralized control will reduce implementation costs, provide single point control and enable monitoring of network devices, improve security, and enhance connectivity. Micro-sensors that can simultaneously monitor temperature and pressure within a fuel rod inside nuclear reactors will enable preventative actions during abnormal operating conditions. This ability could avert accidents and enable the expedient development of accident tolerant fuels. A novel micro-sensor suite (~ mm) to simultaneously measure multiple parameters such as temperature, strain, pressure, and neutron/gamma flux inside a fuel rod is being developed for use in reactors. The necessary communication architecture is also being developed to transmit measurement signals from the core to the plant's data cloud or control room. A three three-tier strategy has been developed to support wireless transmission of in-core measurements to the control room or to a secure cloud platform for control, analytics, and decision-making purposes. 1. In-core: data signal from in-core to outside of the pressure vessel within the containment building 2. Containment building: data signal from inside to the outside of the containment building and into the balance of the plant network 3. Balance of the plant network: information transmitted to the data cloud and control room This plan presents a wireless sensing and communication system for use within a reactor core and elsewhere. The communication technology is advantageous to compensate for network equipment failures and adverse data transmission conditions. Wireless technology will significantly increase the resiliency of the plants network system. The wireless system naturally provides multiple transmission path capability and data redundancy.