A Brief Survey of Embedded System Models for Implementing Adaptive Fault Monitoring in Wide Area Networks

Abstract

Wide Area Networks (WANs) for power systems fault monitoring represents an emerging field which involves several different but associated fields such as communications, electronics, geographical sciences and structural engineering to mention but a few. The benefits of such systems can be seen from the coverage area as the power systems networks are growing bigger and as the population and consumer requirements are becoming much bigger. In particular, the use of embedded electronics expands the capabilities of existing WANs into more capable software controllable and adaptive systems.  However, notwithstanding the very important benefit of coverage in addition to other associated benefits, the power systems powered by WANs are still faced with a number of challenges bordering on non-standardization of embedded system communication protocols, a large plethora of embedded microcontrollers to choose from, and some other generic fundamental issues in the embedded systems deployed such as communication latency, model compactness, mobility issues as well as issues bordering on the cost-quality values. In this paper, a succinct review of the important application of embedded systems model for adaptive fault monitoring in WANs is presented. The particular challenges as in the aforementioned are identified in relation to the typical or actual hardware in use and with respect to their inherent limitations. Furthermore, suggestions are put forward to guide potential experimenters in the power systems and other allied fields.