Real-Time Kubernetes-Based Front-End Processor for Smart Grid

Abstract

In Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, central to industrial automation and control systems, the Front-end Processor (FEP) facilitates seamless communication between field control devices and central management systems. As the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 centered on the smart factory paradigm gain traction, conventional FEPs are increasingly showing limitations in various aspects. To address these issues, Data Distribution Service, a real-time communication middleware, and Kubernetes, a container orchestration platform, have garnered attention. However, the effective integration of conventional SCADA protocols, such as DNP3.0, IEC 61850, and Modbus with DDS, remains a key challenge. Therefore, this article proposes a Kubernetes-based real-time FEP for the modernization of SCADA systems. The proposed FEP ensures interoperability through an efficient translation mechanism between traditional SCADA protocols—DNP3.0, IEC 61850, and Modbus—and the Data Distribution Service protocol. In addition, the performance evaluation shows that the FEP achieves high throughput and sub-millisecond latency, confirming its suitability for real-time industrial control applications. This approach overcomes the limitations of conventional FEPs and enables the realization of more flexible and scalable industrial control systems. However, further research is needed to validate the system under large-scale deployment scenarios and enhance security capabilities. Future work will focus on performance evaluation in realistic conditions and the integration of quantum-resistant security mechanisms to strengthen resilience in critical infrastructure environments.