Cyber-Physical System Aspects of Talkative Power Conversion Networks

Talkative Power Conversion (TPC) enables simultaneous information and power transfer by data-modulating the switching signals of standalone or networked power electronics converters. This innovative cyber-physical system concept allows for a low-cost, scalable and efficient transfer of information and energy jointly along a given physical channel. In this paper, for the first time cyber security and protocol aspects are investigated for TPC in the context of DC or AC grids. Both continuous as well as energy-packet-based information and energy transfer are addressed, dubbed talkative energy packets. All relevant layers of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model are taken into account. Different figure of merits are related to selected applications. Finally, research challenges are outlined.