Designing microprocessor-based protection hardware for ultra-critical applications

The protection of power system infrastructure in general is a mission-critical application, and when applied in the context of shipboard systems, it faces even more demanding requirements in terms of both application security and availability, as well the harsher environment of shipboard applications. This paper reports on a new generation of protection and control system designed for enhanced security, dependability and availability. The principle is based on distributed I/O devices that transmit data and commands digitally over fiber optics, in place of individual discrete copper wires, to traditionally defined relays.