The Synchrophasor Stream Splitter is a service-based software application designed to proxy, duplicate, and redistribute high-speed electrical grid data streams from a single source to multiple destinations. Core Purpose
In modern smart grids, Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) capture highly precise snapshots of grid health—such as voltage, current, frequency, and phase angle—at speeds of 30 or more times per second. Substations with limited communication bandwidth cannot naturally handle sending these heavy data streams to multiple independent destinations.
The Stream Splitter solves this constraint by consuming a single incoming synchrophasor stream and replicating it exactly as many times as needed. It serves as a data proxy, allowing utilities to push data simultaneously to local control rooms, regional entities (like ISOs/RTOs), backup control centers, or analytical databases without overtaxing the origin connection. Key Features
Zero Disaggregation: The tool functions purely as a data duplicator and proxy. It resends the exact, unaltered payload it receives rather than breaking the streams down into individual metrics or data points.
Protocol Versatility: It supports most frame-based and common industry-standard synchrophasor protocols, including IEEE C37.118 (2011 and 2019 versions), IEC 61850-90-5, BPA-FASTNET, F-NET, Macrodyne, and SEL Fast Message.
Flexible Networking: The utility offers full support for combinations of IPv4, IPv6, UDP, and TCP protocols. For TCP configurations, it caches configuration frames to provide them to clients upon request; for UDP, it handles periodic rebroadcasting automatically.
XML Configuration: Active setups are saved as structured XML files, making it easy to download, update via management tools, and upload back to the server. Open Source vs. Enterprise Editions
The technology exists across a few prominent implementations, primarily managed by the Grid Protection Alliance (GPA):
Open Source Version: A free, community-driven version hosted on GitHub that handles the baseline splitting mechanics using command-line console utilities or remote manager applications.
Enterprise Edition (EE): An optimized commercial variation built for utilities. The EE incorporates a redesigned web-browser interface, an instant connection status overview dashboard for monitoring line health, and mass configuration import/export support via CSV files.
pyPMU Implementation: An alternative open-source Python library framework exists that enables developers to rapid-prototype their own simulated synchrophasor testbeds and custom stream-splitting scripts. GridProtectionAlliance/phasorsplitter: Creates … – GitHub