Tata power’s experience on improvement of distribution automation on 3G mobile network

Public mobile network is widely used option for connecting field RTU devices located at Consumer Substation. However, maintaining the communication availability of FRTU connectivity through mobile network becomes a challenge as the availability of mobile data service depends on various factors such as network signal at CSS location, number of users sharing of cell site resource, reliability of backhaul link, application characteristic of traffic etc.

This Paper contains various technical solution used for improvement of communication availability from 92% to 97%. The technical solution included tuning of application protocol parameter to suit the latency and bandwidth constraint on 3G channel, Improvement of network signal strength using RF solutions, improve the performance of modem devices, backing up critical backhaul links. The Paper also covers practical experience on use of the data services of public mobile network for Distribution automation of electric operation at Consumer Substation which helps to improve reliability indices as per regulatory guidelines. It also discusses the problems of field devices and the probable solutions of the same.