Fundamentals of wireless communications

Radio Frequency (RF) communications are an important smart grid enabler for functions such as volt/VAR control, recloser control, and feeder restorations and isolation. This paper will give a basic tutorial on the types of radio frequency communications and the benefits and liabilities of each. Specific topics to be explored will be licensed versus unlicensed frequencies, distance between remote radios and base stations, and communications architectures. Radio technology is often referred in numerical ranges or frequencies. The decision on which frequency to employ in a network depends on a few key variables. Prior to deciding which frequency for a network, the application for the radio use will assist with…