Smart Grid Network Solutions

Smart grid utilities system deployments require extensive planning to accommodate increased demand for internal communications networks. These networks are a convergence of legacy systems and countless next-generation communication technologies. Smart Grid Communication Systems TESSCO provides a full range of smart grid network communication products from leading manufacturers. Find smart grid utility products for public data and communications networks, smart grid transmission products, microwave backhaul, outdoor power systems and network deployment and testing products. On this page: Featured Products  |  News & Articles Training  |  Test Equipment

Smart Grid and Related Products and Technologies Video

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Request more information about Microwave Backhaul, Network Testing, Training, Outdoor Power Systems, Safety, or Transition to Public Networks.

Featured Products

LinkUPS Outdoor Backup Power Systems

LinkUPS® wireless remote power enclosure systems provide reliable standby power for critical AMI/AMR, SCADA, surveillance, point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and mesh networking equipment in harsh environmental applications.

These radio-ready outdoor power solutions are pre-assembled and shipped complete for rapid installation while the durable, rustproof NEMA 4X weatherproof enclosures have ample room for “CLICK-IN” installation of radio gear and control equipment on pre-installed DIN rails.

Sierra Wireless Modems

TESSCO simplifies and supports your M2M, remote monitoring, mobile data, and telemetry projects with the full line of Sierra Wireless' Raven, MP and Pinpoint products. Manage vital data and assets and improve productivity with TESSCO and Sierra Wireless!

Utility companies manage remote assets deployed throughout expansive geographic areas and increasingly require real-time, two-way communications to more efficiently manage collection and distribution. The Sierra Wireless line of AirLink M2M solutions enable energy providers to streamline measurement and control of transmission and distribution, automatic meter reading, and management of infrastructure. Sierra's intelligent devices are powered by ALEOS, which ensures the uninterrupted network connection that is vital to critical, real-time applications, and its vast library of machine protocols enable seamless integration with legacy equipment. 

Redline’s RedCONNEX MAX+ AN-80i Advanced Wireless Broadband Links

As WiMAX becomes the leading "last mile" solution to bring high-speed Internet access into homes and businesses, there’s an increasing need for products that cost-effectively manage WiMAX networks and maximize operational efficiency. Redline’s RedCONNEX MAX AN-80i delivers enough bandwidth to simultaneously support hundreds of businesses (with T1/E1-type connectivity) and homes (with DSL-type connectivity). Its robust, reliable and low-latency platform handles wireless backhaul, point-to-point connections, and other applications requiring high-speed, data, voice and video services.

The AN-80i provides long-range links in the 3.3 - 3.8 GHz WiMAX bands, and its all-outdoor hardware platform is powered by an industry-standard Power over Ethernet (PoE) feed. This carrier-class licensed Ethernet product is optimized for applications that require higher throughput or lower latency than can be achieved with WiMAX access equipment. The platform can be software upgraded between 9 and 90 Mbps of net throughput, allowing operators the commercial flexibility to pay as they grow.

 View all Redline products for 3.65 GHz WiMAX.

News and Articles

IP Convergence for Smart Grid Energy Transmission Systems

Article courtesy of UTC Journal

3rd Quarter 2009—Convergence is a buzzword. The concept may mean different things to different people. The promise with convergence is that we will save money, while we combine and open up new services. Sometimes buzzwords lose their meaning when they’re over used. Convergence, convergence and convergence.

You might be a manager deciding on how to progress toward IP, or a SCADA technician wondering how reliable your systems will be with IP at the helm. The goal here is to introduce convergence concepts such as Internet Protocol, quality of service, security, and testing; to cover some of the challenges; and to discover how to get ready for IP convergence through effective training solutions.

Read the whole article. (PDF)
 

Training Opportunities 

TESSCO offers onsite training courses in the following areas to accommodate Advance Smart Grid and AMI Technologies as they accelerate network convergence.

• Networking
  IP, Protocols, Routers, Switches, QoS, Programming, Installation, Network Testing Tools and Wiring Standards
• Substation Sites
  Legacy Support, Remote Terminal Equipment, Terminal Servers, Serial-to-IP Convertors, Installation, Setup, IP Interfacing, Wireless Interfacing, Tower Climbing and Safety
• Wireless Interfacing & Backhaul
  Noise, Interference, Spread Spectrum, Licensed vs. Unlicensed, Antennas, Line Sweeping, Connectorization, Throughput Optimization and RF Safety
• Serial
  Protocols, Protocol Analysis, Encapsulation and Translation
• Fiber Optics
  Connector Termination, Installation, Cleaning, Splicing and Testing
• Transport Backhaul
  Leased Lines, T1, Microwave, Channelization, Circuit Testing, Error Rate, WiMAX, Wireless Mesh and RoIP
  

See TESSCO's Utility Training Solutions. (PDF)

TESSCO offers private classes at your location and will not exceed 10 people in order to maintain the proper teacher-student ratio. Typically, it makes sense to hold a private class if you have at least six people in attendance. We can customize any of these classes to meet your requirements.

See all TESSCO Training Programs.

Test Equipment for all of Your Smart Grid Communications Needs

From identifying RF interference problems to pinpointing network problems, we have solutions to meet your needs! Below are just a few examples of our robust test solutions and how they can directly impact your bottom line!

Wireless

	Cable and Antenna Testers Distance-to-Fault (DTF) and return loss measurements are necessary maintenance tools for growing demands on the utility Smart Grid and the underlying RF infrastructure.   View all RF Cable Sweep, FDR / DTF Testers.
	Spectrum Analyzers Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deployments drive demand for large wireless networks. Spectrum analyzers will help you stay ahead of interference issues in today's crowded RF spectrum and can provide remote monitoring for those hard-to-reach areas.   View all Handheld, Portable Spectrum Analyzers.
	Power Measurement Power is one of the most important measurements for installing and maintaining RF infrastructure with applications ranging from FCC regulations to system performance testing.   View all Analog & Digital Wattmeters.

Wireline

	Fiber Vast fiber deployments reaching to remote substations require the right test tools for successful installations and reduce troubleshooting time.   View all OTDR & Fusion Splicers.
	IP Networking Simple-to-use test procedures for turning up new Ethernet links will greatly increase productivity for technicians new to IP testing.   View all TIMS, ISDN, VoIP, xDSL & POTS.
	Transport Backhaul Legacy T1's, leased lines and microwave backbones will continue to be the core of your converging communications network.   View all SONET & DATACOM.

For more information contact TESSCO
by phone (below) or by email.

Existing Customers: 800-472-8065 | New to TESSCO: 866-352-9671
 

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