Impact of Time Synchronization Attacks on State Estimation of Distribution Networks

The time synchronization attack on the Micro Phasor Measurement Units of the distribution networks causes the measurement data error of operation. In this paper, the mechanism of time synchronization attack of a Micro Phasor Measurement Unit is analyzed. According to the influenced measurement data and state estimation method, the effects of time synchronization attacks on state estimation of unbalanced distribution network are studied. Then, considering the effect of bad data, the deviation of state estimation caused by attacks and the range of time synchronization attacks are established. Finally, a power equipment time synchronization attack platform is set up, and a 14-node distribution networks with the three-phase unbalance topology is established for simulation analysis. The results indicate that a time synchronization attack can evade Bad Data Detection and successfully impact the state estimation values of the entire distribution system by tampering with the Pulse Per Second timing of Micro Phasor Measurement Units, thereby posing a threat to system security.