Large-scale PLC gateway-based architecture for smart metering deployments

Most smart metering systems, independent of the telecommunication technologies used, follow a classic Data Concentrator (DC)-based architecture. This architecture has advantages, but also some limitations that can be solved with a Gateway (GW)-based architecture. Gateways are low cost telecommunication devices that allow the adaptation different media and protocols. PLC Gateways specifically, allow PLC-enabled smart meters to connect to the central systems using different combinations of telecommunications connectivity. Using PLC Gateways, the limitations of DC-based roll-outs in parts of the grid where telecommunications connectivity is poor and the number of smart meters per secondary substations is low can be solved. This paper describes the GW-based architecture and shows the results of a large field roll-out of PRIME PLC Gateways.