chapter 8

Simulation Results & Performance Analysis

CHAPTER 8SIMULATION RESULTS & PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

8.1 Console Master Computer Console Master Computer (CMC) is a GUI built on MATLAB software. CMC

performs many functions which include:

a) Fixing the set point

b) Visualizing data for future use.

c) Start/Stop Communication

d) Enable Data Logger

e) Plot

The CMC is based on Vehicular Network Toolbox (VNT) provided by MATLAB. Figure

(8.1) shows the complete GUI. The GUI consists of a status panel which gives the status of

current physical node.

Since in an actual setup the various physical nodes will be communication

through their own controllers, we have in our simulation, connected them through a

loopback mechanism. Two CAN channels are created which are connected in loopback

mechanism through VNT; the two channels are sending data through the MATLAB

environment. The current values for various nodes are generated through a random number

generator. The random values are then transmitted through the specified CAN channels

and received by another CAN channel. The CMC then analyses the data and compares it

with the set point fixed by the user. If the random value exceeds the set point then the

CMC sends OFF command to the physical node through CAN bus.

Throughout the process the data of the physical node is stored in the program

for plotting and analysis purpose the user at any time can view the plot for the data.

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8.2 Comparative Analysis of PLC, SCADA, CAN, LAN

Power Line Communication PLC/SCADA CAN based

RTULocal Area

NetworkInitial Cost Low Very High Moderate Low

Wiring Requirements

None, since it works on existing

wiring

Requires standard

BUS,STAR or Mesh Topology hence uses large

connections

Very Low since only two wire

interface (TWI) is the USP of CAN protocol

requires standard

BUS,STAR or Mesh Topology hence uses large

connections

Maintenance Cost

High since its performance at 11 kV is poor

hence maintenance cost

is high

Moderate because for any defects in any

module the entire PLC has to be replaced

Low since the RTU is

homemade and hence it can be easily repaired or replaced at

low cost

High , since at 11kV LAN

cables tend to work like

antennas and possess

problems

Failure Rate[2] HIGH LOW LOW HIGH

Noise Immunity at

11kV[19]

Very less and can’t be

practically used

Excellent Excellent as per CAN protocol based research

papers

Very less

Up gradation Cost[8]

High Moderate

Data Security[12]

very less because of noise

High Excellent because of CAN protocol based

addressing scheme

Very less because of noise

Data Rate[11] in kbps max in kbps max minimum 50 Mbps

around 1Mbps max

Software Cost Can’t say Very high because

SCADA is proprietary software

None since the software is

currently made by us

High because router based software are expensive

Table 8.1 Comparative Analysis of PLC, SCADA, CAN, LAN



Fig. 8.1 Snapshot of GUI for a particular time



Fig. 8.2 Visual status nodes at instances of time

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Fig. 8.3 Visual status nodes at different instances of time



Fig. 8.4 Data Logger showing data in real time (values in hexadecimal system)



Fig. 8.5 Data Logger showing data in real time (values in decimal system)



Fig. 8.6 Plot of “current” for transformer 1 for various instances of time

Fig. 8.7 Plot of “voltage” for transformer 2 for various instances of time



Fig. 8.8 Plot of “power factor” for transformer 1 for various instances of time

Fig. 8.9 Plot of “frequency” for transformer 3 for various instances of time



Also for visual inspection, the status of physical node changes from green to red indicating that a stop command is given to that particular node. Figure 8.2 shows the GUI for a particular time instant and the status of the nodes are also visible. Figure 8.4 indicate the data logger.

The plot utility provides a great facility for the supervisor in an actual distribution setup. With the help of plot button, the supervisor can visually inspect the values coming from the physical nodes and also the set point allocated for that particular node. This allows the supervisor to check for any discrepancy that may have crept in at an earlier time. Figure 8.6 shows the graph displayed by the plot button for the physical node labeled current; the graph clearly indicates all the parameters that are required in an distribution setup.

The CMC also allows the user to start logger for the whole communication session. With the help of data logger, the VNT will store all the data appearing on the CAN bus into a CAN data bus file. This file can be used for further supervisory analyses.


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