Delay modelling and synchronisation of telecontrol networks

Abstract

Eskom, South A6ica's largest supplier of electricity, uses a vast telecommunication network to control and monitor all operations in remote locations such as substations. As Eskom expanded the electricity network across South Africa, the telecommunications network expanded as well. With changing technology in the telecommunications industry, the telecontrol network of Eskom uses different protocols and communication mediums. This paper covers the study of these different protocols and mediums and the interconnectivity between them. The purpose of the study is to enable the network administrators of Eskom to easily time-synchronise all nodes on the network Even more importantly, the study is done to better understand the setup of the Eskom telecontrol network and the delays that occur between different protocols and using different communication mediums. The study quantifies all delays that occur between nodes, considering distance between nodes, switching between mediums and processing time within systems. A network simulation tool is established that enables the network administrator to simulate the network and find all delays that occur in the network before the network is actually implemented.