Why WAMPS Testbed?
Modern power systems require high-fidelity, real-time monitoring and secure cyber operations. Traditional SCADA systems provide measurements only every 2–4 seconds, limiting visibility during rapidly evolving grid disturbances. In contrast, the Wide Area Monitoring, Protection, and Control System [WAMPS] uses Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) to deliver 25–120 samples per second of time-synchronized data, in accordance with the IEEE C37.118.2 synchrophasor standard.
The WAMPS Testbed bridges the gap between theory and practice by offering:
- A real-time, scaled-down replica of an IEEE-standard transmission system.
- A live experimental platform for cyber-physical power system research.
- A safe environment for evaluating cyberattack scenarios, anomaly detection, and control strategies.
It makes the WAMPS Testbed an essential platform for researchers working on Smart Grid stability, cybersecurity, and wide-area control.
Thematic Area: An Intelligent Intrusion Detection System to detect Anomalies in the Industry 4.0 Smart Grid Systems
School: School of Computing and School of Engineering
Research Fellow : Mr. Nakkeeran M
Funded by : Amrita Seed Grant Fund (ASG2022051)
Project Grant : Rs. 39,38,000.00
Project Duration : Two years
Status : Completed
Model Highlights
The prototype features a modified 2-Bus/2-Line Smart Micro-Grid WAMPS Testbed, developed at 415 V and 3 kVA in the Power Systems Laboratory, scaled down from the IEEE 5-Bus, 100 kV, 100 MVA transmission system for real-time hardware-based experimentation and Smart Micro-Grid cybersecurity research.
Integrated Components
- PMU-1, PMU-2, PMU-3 (GE Make – Multilin N60 Network Stability and Synchrophasor Measurement System)
- GPS Clock (GE Make– Reason RT430 GNSS Precision-Time Clock)
- Cisco IE 3300 – (Layer 2 / Layer 3) – Robust industrial networking switch/router.
- PDC (Phasor Data Concentrator) (GE Make – GPG) – aggregates PMU data.
Core Capabilities
- Real-time data streaming for anomaly detection and cyberattack validation.
- Ability to simulate MITRE Framework-based cyber intrusions.
- Platform for implementing advanced Machine Learning techniques as an Intrusion Detection System [IDS], capable of detecting cyber anomalies for 50 Hz systems.
Key Features of the Setup
Attack Perspective (Smart Micro-Grid Cybersecurity Research)
- Real-time hardware-based Smart Micro-Grid testbed for conducting cyberattack research and validation.
- Experimental platform for studying cyber threats on synchrophasor communication networks compliant with IEEE C37.118.2 standards.
- Capability to perform controlled cyberattack analysis, including:
- False Data Injection (FDI) attacks
- Replay attacks
- Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks
- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks
- Live PMU communication monitoring and network traffic analysis using industrial-grade networking infrastructure.
- Research facility for evaluating the impact of cyberattacks on voltage, current, frequency, and synchrophasor measurements in Smart Micro-Grid systems.
- Hands-on exposure to cyber-physical power system security using PMUs, PDCs, GPS synchronization units, and industrial communication devices.
- Platform supporting advanced research in Smart Grid cybersecurity, synchrophasor security, and cyber-physical attack analysis.
Defense Perspective (AI-Driven Smart Micro-Grid Protection)
- High-resolution real-time synchrophasor data acquisition (25–120 samples/sec) for anomaly monitoring and analysis.
- Centralized PDC-based architecture enabling wide-area monitoring and event correlation.
- Real-time implementation and validation of Machine Learning (ML)-based Intrusion Detection Systems [IDS].
- AI-assisted early cyberattack detection using live synchrophasor measurements from physical PMUs.
- Experimental validation of cybersecurity defense mechanisms for Smart Micro-Grid applications.
- Continuous monitoring of industrial communication traffic for identifying abnormal cyber behavior.
- Research-oriented platform for developing intelligent cyber-defense and resilience strategies for future Smart Grids.
- Integration of Artificial Intelligence, Industrial IoT, Smart Grid communication, and cybersecurity concepts within a unified hardware testbed.
- Provides practical research exposure in:
- Smart Grid cybersecurity
- Industrial IoT (IIoT)
- AI/ML applications in power systems
- Cyber-physical system protection
- Wide Area Monitoring, Protection, and Control Systems [WAMPS]
Addresses Sustainable Development Goals
