Plug and Play Topology Estimation via Powerline Communications for Smart Micro Grids

In this paper we propose a plug-and-play approach for estimating the network topology which is based upon time of flight (TOF) measurements between network nodes. TOF is evaluated via power line communication (PLC) employing a standard two-way-handshake protocol as used, e.g., in the ultra wide band (UWB) wireless standard IEEE 802.15.4a. TOF measures are then cast into an hypothesis testing setting, for which a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) solution is pursued. Both the exact solution and a closed-form low- complexity approach based on Gaussian approximations are considered. The algorithm is then tested on realistic SMG to show the merits of the proposed technique.