Convergence of frequency, time and data over ethernet networks

This paper outlines an instance of frequency, time and data networks convergence based on Ethernet technology which can be utilized in smart grid in a cost effective manner. The basic components of this converge network are Ethernet transport, rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP), synchronous Ethernet and precision time protocol version 2 (PTPv2). RSTP provides loop-free active network topology. Synchronous Ethernet provides the means to achieve frequency synchronization between peers. PTPv2 provides the means to synchronize time among participating networked nodes. The mechanisms to distribute time, frequency and data are different from one another, which results in different active network topologies with respect to time, frequency and data. The driving force behind much of this convergence work is to design a framework which captures the information from individual building blocks and creates a network model which achieves better accuracy and predictable network settling time under network failure conditions without compromising reliability, availability and simplicity of the network design. This paper only focuses on ring network topology.