WiMAX for data aggregation in smart grid communication network—A review

In Smart grid network, number of smart meters and other electronic devices such as sensors will generate large quantity of data. Secure and reliable aggregation of this data to the utility center is necessary for monitoring of wide area network and various control functions. This data will also be utilized to determine the overall grid status within appropriate time. Hence secure, reliable, efficient, robust data communication network is important in smart grid. Various wireless communication standards like WiMAX, GSM, GPRS, and UMTS cellular communication, LTE, ZigBee, Bluetooth, and WLAN etc. are experimented to develop smart grid communication network for distribution system. In this paper, we present an overview of work done by the researchers using WiMAX as a good choice of technology for smart grid communication network.