Methods for discovering, partitioning, organizing, and administering communication devices in a transformer area network

Abstract

A system and methods for managing a transformer area in an electrical distribution grid having at least one substation transformer and one service transformer are presented. At least one Remote Hub governed by a policy may be provided, which collects data about the transformer area. The Remote Hub may also execute a discovery procedure to inventory Remotes in the transformer area. The Remote Hub may use the collected data to detect events, such as exceptional conditions, configuration changes, or derived results, within the transformer area. Based on the collected data, the Remote Hub is able to transmit data about the transformer area via a Substation-to-Edge channel. A method and system for forming and establishing boundaries of Transformer Area Networks is also presented. Discovery procedures may be used to form Transformer Area Networks out of Remote Hubs and Remotes powered by the same phase of the service transformer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 766,551, filed on Feb. 19, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 779,222, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is directed toward employing the electrical distribution grid as a short and long-range transmission medium and data-bearing network, and further toward the use of signals and messages on the network for the purpose of inferring schematic and topological properties of the distribution grid, which vary over time.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The power grid is generally considered to be composed of two logical regions, the Transmission Grid(s) and the Distribution Grid(s). The Transmission Grid originates at large generation points such as hydroelectric dams, nuclear reactors, wind farms, and coal-fired or gas-fired power plants. Power from the generation point is transmitte...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method for transmitting and managing signals in an electrical distribution substation. The method uses a Remote Hub and a Substation Receiver to channelize and modulate current signals. The signals are transmitted on a broad band of the frequency spectrum called a channel, but the frequency bands are selected so that the frequency is lower than the low-pass threshold of the service transformer that powers the Edge Transmitter. The method uses several modulation techniques, including BPSK, QPSK, and mPSK. The method requires little power to inject the signal, and the signals are not significantly attenuated by intermediate transformers, capacitors, long lines, underground wiring, and the like. The method works on different grid topologies and supports a sufficient number of Remote Hubs per substation transformer that even the largest substations can be fully covered by the resulting network. The method also involves managing channel quality to ensure that messages from the Remote Hubs experience an acceptable success rate. Overall, the method provides efficient and reliable transmission of signals in an electrical distribution substation.

Problems solved by technology

Encoding at lower bit rates improves reliability, but limits the amount of data transmitted.

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