A simulation framework for network performance evaluation of large-scale RF-mesh AMIs

Advanced Metering Infrastructures (AMIs) lay the foundation of a wide variety of smart-grid applications. Despite their low capacity, RF-mesh systems are an increasingly popular option for AMI implementation. In this paper, we present a simulation framework for realistic RF-mesh AMIs with the objective of analyzing the performance of this kind of system, and of defining the feasibility of possible smart-grid applications. The framework contains a simulation tool, implemented in Java and Python, that permits the simulation of large-scale AMIs, while taking into account important technical details in a reasonable amount of time. Numerical results obtained in a real case scenario are also proposed and discussed.