An Adaptive Network Selection Algorithm for Smart Grid Communication

A key element to realize smart grids is an efficient and reliable communication network. Now smart grids could benefit from a multitude of heterogeneous radio access networks for communications independently of positions. The synergic operation of wireless network is a promising technology, which can improve the efficiency of smart grids significantly. In this paper, a new adaptive network selection algorithm based on technologies of data prioritization classification and data buffer is proposed for assuring ubiquitous communications in smart grids. The priorities are assigned to users depending on their category. Buffers are defined to prioritize high priority data. A dynamic attribute technique is proposed to reflect the situation of the network compared with the conventional Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, which aims at performing the network selection with high reliable and low delay. Finally, a numerical example is adopted to illustrate the feasibility and practicability of the proposed algorithm. The results highlight the number of handoffs obtained by applying the proposed method is efficient and well suited for potential applications.