Green-RPL: An Energy-efficient Protocol for Cognitive Radio Enabled AMI Network in Smart Grid

With the capacity of achieving spectrum efficient wireless communications, cognitive radio enabled Advanced Metering Infrastructure (CR-AMI) networks are expected to enhance the efficiency and practicability of future smart grids. CR-AMI networks which has been recognized as a fundamental component of the smart grid ecosystem, are practically utilized as a static multi-hop wireless mesh network. This paper focuses on the development of a novel RPL (routing protocol for low power and lossy networks) based routing protocol for enhancing the energy efficiency in CR-AMI networks. For meeting the requirements of green communications in smart grids, the proposed routing protocol adopts the energy efficiency over virtual distance as the core of routing mechanism such that the energy-efficient route can be achieved. In addition, the protocol provides protection for primary users whilst meeting the utility requirements of secondary users. System-level evaluation indicates that the proposed protocol performs better than existing routing protocols for CR-AMI networks.