Reliability analysis of condition monitoring network of wind turbine blade based on wireless sensor networks

This paper proposes a reliability analysis method for the condition monitoring network of wind turbine blade based on wireless sensor networks. Two critical factors, which play significant roles in the reliability evaluation of the monitoring network, are focused on, that is, the reliability of sensor nodes and the reliability of communication links. First, with the established reliability models for sensor nodes and communication links, the method of establishing reliability simulation model of monitoring network is presented based on Monte Carlo method. Second, according to the analysis of the intra-cluster reliabilities of the tree topology and the mesh topology, the topology selection principle of the sensor network for a single blade is proposed. Finally, the influence of maintenance cycle and communication interference on the overall reliability of the monitoring network is illustrated and the proper maintenance cycle is achieved. The solution to communication interference is put forward with the data retransmission measure. The overall reliability of the network is improved effectively by adopting the one-time data retransmission measure. Our work is expected to provide the guidance in theory and technology for constructing the high-performance condition monitoring and control system for wind turbine blades.