Power-Domain NOMA for Massive Connectivity in Smart Grid Communication Networks

The exploitation of information and communication technology (ICT) and the development of smart electricity networks have become the main concerns worldwide. To leverage ICT in the existing electrical power network, 5G wireless systems are integrated toward the development of smart grid networks. For reliable, efficient, and secure communication infrastructure in a smarter electricity network, the non-orthogonal asynchronous transmission is essential. Besides, a massive number of smart meters (SMs) measure energy consumption and convey instantaneous information to the utility through communications networks. However, data rates beyond 10 Gbps, connectivity to support 1 million per sq km device density, and sub-millisecond latencies are challenging issues when implementing a smart distribution grid. Therefore, this paper presents the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) scheme and optimized power control strategy for smart microgrids to integrate numerous sensor devices with higher data transfer rates and lower latencies. This new microgrid configuration enables multiple electricity users to transmit and receive data simultaneously using the same frequency and enables optimized power flow with high flexibility.