AMI Based Sensing Architecture for Smart Grid in IPV6 Networks

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a key part in the development of the smart grid, which integrates automatic meter reading, distribution automation, user data analysis, as well as realtime price adjustment functions. Existing AMI can offer good support for smart grid backbone. However, it still has some shortages when sensing the electric meter data acquisition, electric devices, and etc. Due to the vast number of meters, the use of IPv6 technology in AMI is an inevitable trend. Sensing architecture based on IPv6 can help AMI be aware of communication network topology and the access time of electrical devices, and calculate real-time electricity billing. Smart meter data is collected using cognitive architecture so that it would be more accurate and meaningful. In this paper, we firstly introduce the basic architecture of AMI, including master station system, smart meters and the key technologies of communication network. And then, for the existing AMI architecture, we analyze the current situation and challenges in the aspect of perception. Finally an AMI sensing architecture based on 6LowPAN and Mesh is proposed. Experiments show that the architecture can not only improve the accuracy of the meter data, but also sense the temporary access devices. As a result, the structure is feasible and could earn more commercial benifit.