Utility Network Threat Detection via Communication Signal Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting faults and cyber security threats in utility networks rely on separate devices and techniques, failing to effectively utilize communication signal quality to identify potential threats in real-time, which can lead to disruptions and damage.
Innovation Solution
Devices in the utility network, such as reclosers, are equipped with communication capabilities to not only transmit information but also act as sensors to detect potential threats by analyzing the quality of communication signals, using parameters like propagation delay, signal strength, and GPS coordinates to identify weather events and cyber security threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate methods and devices are used to detect faults and cyber security threats, then detection coverage is provided, but system complexity increases and real-time detection capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fault detection and cyber security threat detection into a single integrated system that analyzes communication signal quality. Instead of using separate devices for each detection type, the system unifiedly monitors parameters like propagation delay, signal strength, and packet loss to detect both physical faults and cyber threats simultaneously, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The communication infrastructure is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only transmits data for utility operations but also acts as a sensing medium for detecting both physical faults and cyber security threats. By making the communication system multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate detection devices and enables real-time monitoring of network health through analysis of communication signal characteristics
2Reliability
If traditional fault detection methods relying on abnormal current flow are used, then power line faults can be detected, but cyber security threats cannot be effectively identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the detection parameters from electrical parameters (current flow, voltage) to communication parameters (propagation delay, signal strength, packet loss rate, bit error rate). This parameter transformation enables the detection system to identify both physical faults and cyber security threats by monitoring changes in communication signal quality, thereby expanding detection scope while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The communication signal acts as an intermediary that carries information about both the physical state of the power line and the security status of the network. By analyzing the communication signal quality, the system can indirectly detect both types of threats without requiring separate sensing mechanisms, thus achieving versatile threat detection through a unified approach
3Productivity
If communication infrastructure is used for both data transmission and threat detection, then real-time detection is enabled, but communication reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts threat detection functionality from the primary data transmission function of the communication infrastructure. By analyzing communication signal quality parameters separately from the data payload, the system enables real-time threat detection without interfering with the reliability of actual utility communications. The detection process monitors metadata about the communication signals rather than the signals themselves, thus maintaining communication integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for detecting a utility network threat based on the quality of communications received at devices in the utility network. The quality of a communication signal received by a device in the utility network is determined and a threat to the utility network is determined based on the signal quality. Threat information is output to devices on the utility network.