Industrial Automation System on Device (IndASoD) -A device modeling industrial automation scenarios

Power System Automation which includes automation of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity are undergoing evolution or modernization. Electric Utilities have a long tradition of owning and controlling the communication networks for mission critical applications because of the concerns about reliability, safety, security and cost. The convergence of these communication networks with the internet and open communication standards leads to new challenges like the finding of faults in these systems requires new skills and capabilities. This evolution necessitates system/tools for early diagnostics and analysis of communication subsystem. The paper discusses the automation system perspectives of Quality of Control (QoC) and Loss of Visibility to arrive at a relationship between scenarios and communication traffic flows. This relationship serves as the basis of building a device which has Industrial Automation Scenarios inbuilt, termed - Industrial Automation System on Device (IndASoD). The architecture of the device includes combining innovative models and simulators in mainstream communication research and leveraging emerging technology platforms like Software Defined Networks (SDN). The paper also discusses the feasibility of such a device in the context of modernization scenarios like upgrade and technology evaluations.