Business challenges

With the implementation of smart grid construction, in order to improve the operational efficiency and safety of substations, new smart systems such as smart inspection, smart monitoring, mobile operation and environmental perception are gradually becoming the "standard configuration" of digital substation construction. The business scenarios of new smart systems generally show characteristics such as "mobility and decentralization", and traditional wired communication methods can no longer meet the network access requirements.

WAPI has become the optimal choice for trusted WALN technology in the power industry. WAPI can support various bandwidth services such as substation inspection robots and mobile PADs, while substations also have narrowband service access and wireless positioning requirements. These diverse services have varying requirements for bandwidth, latency, and reliability. Building a unified wireless network infrastructure to provide secure, flexible, and ubiquitous wireless access for Security Zones III and IV has become a necessity for the construction of digital substation infrastructure.

Solution

H3C's WAPI solution for digital substations is an integrated broadband and narrowband wireless solution based on the "digital wireless infrastructure of substations." The solution uses the WAPI broadband network as its foundation, supports on-demand expansion with narrowband LoRa and different positioning technologies, and constructs an integrated wireless network infrastructure for substations to support wireless access for various new smart system services in digital substations.

Figure: WAPI Network Architecture of Digital Substation

Solution Architecture (Digital Wireless Infrastructure for Substations):

• Integrated network: Based on the WAPI network, it can be expanded to include wireless LoRa/RFID/UWB networks as needed to flexibly meet the access needs of different business terminals in substations;

• One central hub: Wireless Service Center (integrated AC), providing unified management, control, and operation and maintenance for the entire WAPI network, enabling full lifecycle management of the WAPI network from deployment to operation and maintenance;

• One platform: Oasis IoT Platform, which supports mainstream IoT standard protocols and can quickly adapt to third-party sensors to complete the collection and standardization of IoT data across the entire substation.

Solution Value

1Innovative roaming technology ensures uninterrupted mobile patrol services.

Pain point of the scenario: The inspection robot has a long roaming and switching time between different AP devices during the movement process (roaming and switching time is greater than 50ms), which often causes business interruption and affects the inspection business application;

Key features of the solution: Based on the innovative "dual-link" roaming switching technology, the roaming switching time is reduced to 20ms, ensuring stable transmission of inspection robot business.

2High-precision personnel positioning ensures full operational safety.

Pain points of the scenario: Routine inspections and maintenance operations by personnel cannot be monitored in real time, and dangerous behaviors such as crossing boundaries, misconceptions, and operational errors cannot be alerted in real time. Generally, they can only be reviewed through video afterward.

Key features of the solution: Based on a unified network, the solution covers both WAPI and UWB networks in substations. Combined with positioning terminals such as UWB personnel cards and smart safety helmets, it supports applications such as real-time positioning, electronic fence alarms, and historical trajectory playback.

3Full-domain perception helps substation digitalization

Pain points in the scenario: With the implementation of smart substation construction, more and more sensors such as temperature, humidity, water immersion, and vibration are being deployed. The wired deployment of new equipment involves issues such as wiring and power supply, resulting in high transformation costs.

Key features of the solution: Based on a unified network that carries WAPI and LoRa network coverage for substations, it is compatible with various sensors with built-in LoRa modules, such as temperature and humidity sensors, smoke detectors, and water immersion sensors, and can also be quickly adapted to third-party sensors.