Hardware implementation of Ethernet based DNP3 data link

The Distributed Network Protocol (DNP) is the communication protocol standard for Electric Power Systems (EPS) and it is a promising communication standard for the Electric Intelligent Devices (IEDs) found in Smart Grids. This paper presents a hardware implementation of the Data Li nk layer specified in version 3.3 of DNP (DNP3). A 100 Mbps Ethernet-based Distributed Network Protocol has also been implemented in order to provide a faster communication link for embedded applications. The protocol behavior architecture has been described using hardware description language (VHDL) and implemented using field programmable gate array (FPGA) technology from Xilinx®. The proposed solution allows a reliable data transfer between devices of a local area network using a standardized protocol.