Pipelines as Communication Network Links

.............................................................................................................................. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................... 4 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 5 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ 6 Experimental ....................................................................................................................... 7 Pipeline as Waveguide.................................................................................................... 7 Verify attenuation of electromagnetic waves in a pipeline......................................... 7 Measure transmission loss of pipeline. ..................................................................... 13 Use commercial wireless modems on test pipelines................................................. 14 Pipeline as Conductor ................................................................................................... 15 Test Pipelines ................................................................................................................ 18 Communication Protocol .............................................................................................. 20 Routing between central nodes: ................................................................................ 21 Routing between nodes within a subnet: .................................................................. 21 Route Maintenance: .................................................................................................. 22 Security ..................................................................................................................... 22 Results and Discussion ..................................................................................................... 23 Pipeline as Waveguide.................................................................................................. 23 Verify attenuation of electromagnetic waves in a pipeline....................................... 23 Measure transmission loss of pipeline. ..................................................................... 26 Use commercial wireless modems on test pipelines................................................. 28 Discussion of Results................................................................................................ 29 Pipeline as Conductor ................................................................................................... 30 Pipeline Models ........................................................................................................ 30 Parametric Analysis .................................................................................................. 31 Attenuation Measurements ....................................................................................... 39 Discussion of Results................................................................................................ 40 Communication Protocol .............................................................................................. 41 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 42 References......................................................................................................................... 43 Acknowledgements........................................................................................................... 43 Appendix A – PLC Programs ........................................................................................... 44 Appendix B – Parametric Study Program......................................................................... 48