Cognitive radio sensor networks in smart grid

Abstract

Smart grid (SG) is envisioned to be the next generation of electric power systems with increased efficiency, reliability, and safety. There are some serious challenges to be overcome in the implementation of this overall SG vision, such as meeting the stringent reliability, bandwidth, and latency requirements, under irregular channel conditions caused by harsh environmental conditions of the smart grid. One of the most promising solution approaches in overcoming these challenges is to use cognitive radio (CR) technology. CR operation places additional burden on these nodes with additional operations such as spectrum sensing and spectrum management. Each Cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN) node provides means for dynamic access to the spectrum. The dynamic spectrum access property of CRSN requires physical layer parameters such as operating frequency, modulation type, channel coding, transmission power, and spectrum sensing duration to be adjustable. This is a challenge, since CRSN nodes are supposed to be low-cost devices.