Optimal design of a communication network for a distributed consensus algorithm

Communication networks are the infrastructure for distributed control. For a distributed consensus algorithm and future smart microgrid application requirements, a communication network optimization design method that takes into account dynamics, delay robustness, and economy is proposed. First, the relation between the communication network and the corresponding matrix is established by algebraic graph theory. Then, three performance indices related to the communication network are defined by different matrices, and the relationship between the maximum communication delay time ι and the Laplacian matrix L eigenvalues is deduced using the Nyquist stability criterion. Finally, using an algebraic connectivity related theorem, an edge decrement cycle network optimization process is proposed. A multi-objective optimization model including three indices is established in each cycle, and a solution is achieved using the NSGA-II algorithm for the number of edges. The process is repeated until the network is disconnected, and the final optimization network is selected from all the satisfactory solutions according to the network dynamics and delay robustness. Simulation examples verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed optimization method. © 2022 Power System Protection and Control Press. All rights reserved.