Decentralized Power, Need for Smarter Products, Total Cost of Ownership, and Security

Abstract:
Increasingly decentralized communication networks, including power solutions, are driving the need for smarter products. For example, from fewer 10,000 amps central offices systems towards multiples of more radio base stations handling 3G networks and 48V/13W Power-over-Ethernet. These products should take a minimum amount of time to install and configure, and should have co-operation functionality, should adapt to the environment, and provide selfdiagnoses and employ troubleshooting techniques to fix problems automatically. More equipment (due to decentralization); more mixing of different technologies such as 2G-3G wireless, cable, DSL, Wi-Fi and WiMAX; tougher competition; and shorter economic life makes calculations like Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Return on Investment (ROI) even more important. Solutions for lowering TCO include simplified and automatic business processes - lean operations, use of technologies such as standardized element management and controller area networking, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Global Positioning System (GPS), wireless sensors and mesh networks, and zero configuration networking - intelligent infrastructure. Various alternative technologies - e.g. Bluetooth vs. ZigBee, proprietary vs. standards (SNMP and XML) have their strengths and weaknesses and require evaluation. XML for instance, has great advantages but due to space inefficiencies this technology is not yet suitable for embedded applications (e.g. power controllers). Inefficiency issues are addressed by new proposals like SOAP Message Transmission Optimization Mechanism (MTOM) and XML-binary Optimized Packaging (XOP). Along with decentralization, more automatic functionality and with progressively more wireless technologies, there is also an increased need for, and focus on, security. Wireless networks are great due to ease of deployment and use, but also pose security challenges because they are easier to breach, including unnoticed entry. Accordingly, security in authentication, data integrity, data confidentiality, and access control needs to be addressed in designing power controllers and power components.