Channel-aware optimal placement algorithm for data concentrator unit in smart grid systems

In this paper, the channel-aware optimal location algorithm for the data concentrator unit placement in smart grid systems is proposed. The M/M/1/K queuing model is adopted for analyzing the averaged throughput and delay. The optimization algorithm based on a minimum hop count approach with the acceptable averaged throughput and delay constraints, and the optimal DCU localization methodology are proposed. Specifically, the optimal location algorithm will determine the optimal location for DCU by using the principle of minimum hop count first. If there are multiple locations achieving the minimum hop count and constraints, the averaged received signal strength for the 1st-hop tier will be used as the additional performance metric to select the ultimately optimal location, in which the optimal location achieving the maximum averaged received signal strength will be selected. Hence, the system reliability and performance will be maximized. From the simulation results, it is obvious that the proposed methodology is significantly effective, in which the optimal location for DCU yielding the acceptable averaged throughput and delay with the maximum received signal strength is achieved.