Load balancing algorithm in heterogeneous wireless networks for smart distribution grid

To improve the quality of service (QoS) of communication services in smart distribution grid (SDG), a heterogeneous network model in the access layer of SDG was presented, and the priorities of communication services in SDG were divided by their different QoS requirements. Accordingly, a load balancing algorithm based on the matter-element analysis in heterogeneous wireless networks was proposed. The matter-element model to be evaluated was constructed and the evaluation index weight was obtained combining with using entropy weight method, and the correlation degrees of candidate networks about different grades were calculated. The maximum correlation degree of each network about different grades was selected to describe the network quality. In accordance with the priorities which are ranged from high to low, new communication services in SDG were accessed to the network with the optimal quality in turn, therefore the services with different priorities were differently served. Simulation results show that the algorithm can effectively balance the loads among the overall heterogeneous system, and simultaneously can decrease the service blocking probability. Consequently, the proposed algorithm can provide reliable, economical and efficient communication service for various services in SDG. © 2014 Chin. Soc. for Elec. Eng.