Method of establishing a wireless communication system in a high voltage power converter station and high voltage power converter station

Abstract

A method (1) for establishing a wireless communication system in a high voltage power converter station (5a) is provided. The high voltage power converter station comprises a plurality of power devices (10a-10c). The wireless communication system comprises a plurality of wireless communication devices (15a-15c), some of which are associated with a power device, such that one power device and one wireless communication device together form one wireless power electronics module (25a-25c). The high voltage power converter station further comprises at least one wireless networking device (20) for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller (100) configured to control the power devices. The method comprises determining, by the controller, at least one communication path providing a signal quality above a threshold based on an indication of signal quality of a plurality of channels established between the wireless networking device and the wireless power electronics module or between the wireless communication devices and the wireless power electronics module (S3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication in high-voltage power converter stations, and more specifically, to establishing a wireless communication system in a high-voltage power converter station. Background Technology

[0002] High-voltage power converter stations used in systems such as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission typically rely on optical links to control the switching of their high-voltage power converters, and more generally to control the switching of power devices such as, for example, insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and / or thyristors.

[0003] Optical links provide reliable and high-speed communication while maintaining the required voltage insulation. However, the installation and commissioning of optical links are time-consuming and expensive.

[0004] High-voltage power converter control requires ultra-low latency and ultra-reliable communication to multiple power devices. Traditional wireless communication systems (such as WiFi, LTE, and Bluetooth) deployed in the 2, 4 / 5 GHz spectrum or adjacent frequencies suffer from limited available bandwidth, which limits the achievable latency.

[0005] Furthermore, the presence of metallic obstructions (such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, cooling pipes, and / or support structures) in power converter stations can limit the propagation of radio signals between the controller and power devices. The reliability of conventional wireless communication can be improved through signal processing methods (such as forward error correction and / or retransmission). However, such signal processing methods increase communication latency. In addition, conventional wireless communication can be impaired and / or limited by interference from radio signals outside the power converter station (such as cellular networks and / or satellite links), which may limit available bandwidth and / or reduce the reliability of conventional communication systems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of this disclosure is to provide a reliable, low-latency, and high-speed communication system for a power converter station. Another object of this disclosure is to provide a communication system in a power converter station that is easier to install and commission. To achieve at least one of these and other objects, a method for establishing a wireless communication system in a high-voltage power converter station and a high-voltage power converter station are provided according to the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a method is provided for establishing a wireless communication system in a high-voltage power converter station. The high-voltage power converter station includes a plurality of power devices, and the wireless communication system includes a plurality of wireless communication devices. Some of the plurality of wireless communication devices are associated with the power devices such that a power device and a wireless communication device together form a wireless power electronics module. The wireless communication system further includes at least one wireless networking device for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller configured to control the power devices.

[0008] The method includes: obtaining, at the controller, an indication of the signal quality of each of a plurality of first channels. A first channel corresponds to a communication path between one of the at least one wireless networking device and one of the plurality of wireless communication devices using one of a plurality of radio beam directions. The method further includes: obtaining, at the controller, an indication of the signal quality of each of a plurality of second channels. A second channel corresponds to a communication path between one of the plurality of wireless communication devices and one of the plurality of wireless power electronic modules using one of the plurality of radio beam directions. The method further includes: for each wireless power electronic module, determining, by the controller, at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronic module based on the indications of the signal quality obtained for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels. The determined communication path provides signal quality above a threshold.

[0009] According to a second aspect, a high-voltage power converter station is provided. The high-voltage power converter station includes: a plurality of power devices. The high-voltage power converter station also includes a plurality of wireless communication devices. Some of the plurality of wireless communication devices are associated with the power devices such that a power device and a wireless communication device together form a wireless power electronic module. The high-voltage power converter station also includes at least one wireless networking device for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller. The controller is configured to control the power devices. The controller is further configured to: obtain an indication of the signal quality of each of a plurality of first channels. A first channel corresponds to a communication path between one of the at least one wireless networking device and one of the plurality of wireless communication devices using one of a plurality of radio beam directions. The controller is further configured to obtain an indication of the signal quality of each of a plurality of second channels. A second channel corresponds to a communication path between a wireless communication device and one of the plurality of wireless power electronic modules using one of a plurality of radio beam directions. The controller is further configured to, for each wireless power electronic module, determine at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronic module based on the indications of the signal quality obtained for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels. A defined communication path provides signal quality above a certain threshold.

[0010] A wireless communication system having multiple communication devices and at least one networked device can be an integral part of a high-voltage power converter station. A power converter station, or high-voltage power converter station, can include, for example, a power converter hall, a power converter cabinet, a power converter substation, or any other type of power converter station including multiple (high-voltage) power devices. In this regard, power devices can include, for example, switching devices such as IGBTs or thyristors, switching apparatus, or any other power devices in a high-voltage power converter station under the control of a controller.

[0011] The term "wireless communication device" refers to, for example, radio communication equipment, microwave communication equipment, or millimeter-wave communication equipment. As mentioned above, a wireless communication device can be associated with a power device to form a wireless power electronic module, wherein the wireless communication device can receive control messages from the controller of the power converter station and can transmit status messages to the controller. Wireless communication devices not associated with power devices can be understood as, for example, relays or relay equipment.

[0012] Furthermore, wireless networking devices can include any device used as a wireless interface, for example, between a controller and a wireless communication device. Wireless networking devices can also be referred to as wireless hubs. A wireless networking device can be connected to a controller via a wired connection, while it is configured to communicate wirelessly with the wireless communication device.

[0013] Furthermore, although "one controller" is mentioned in the description of the methods and power converter stations in this disclosure, it should be understood that a power converter station may include multiple controllers. For example, each of the controllers may be configured to control a subset of the power devices of the power converter station. A controller may also be referred to as a control unit or control entity.

[0014] In the foregoing, indications of signal quality may include, for example, values, comments, messages, or indexes. These indications may be obtained via, for example, channel sensing.

[0015] Based on indications of signal quality from multiple first and second channels, at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module can be determined. This "determination" can be understood as, for example, path selection.

[0016] This method and high-voltage power converter station provide more reliable communication than conventional wireless communication systems. Furthermore, the installation and commissioning time required for the communication system is reduced compared to the time required for wired communication systems. In other words, the benefits of the method and the high-voltage power converter station include less time-consuming and costly installation and commissioning of the communication system used to control the power equipment of the power converter station.

[0017] It should also be understood that in this method and power converter station, at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module selected (or determined) by the controller may include a first channel and / or a second channel, provided that the signal quality provided by said communication path is above a threshold. The selected communication path may include: communication between the controller and a networked device (or hub) (which may be wired), and wireless communication between other entities, such as direct wireless communication between the networked device and the wireless power electronics module (which corresponds to one of the first channels), or indirect (or relay-based) wireless communication from the networked device to the wireless power electronics module via a wireless communication device acting as a relay, thus including both one of the first channels (between the networked device and the wireless communication device) and one of the second channels (between the wireless communication device and the wireless power electronics module).

[0018] Therefore, the advantage of this method and power converter station is that they can involve a combination of direct communication and cooperative communication (or relay-based communication). The determination or selection of the communication path for a particular wireless power electronic module will depend on the location of the wireless power electronic module within the power converter station, because direct wireless communication between the wireless networking device and the wireless power electronic module may not result in above-threshold signal quality, while relay communication between the networking device and the wireless power electronic module via one of the wireless communication devices can provide above-threshold signal quality.

[0019] This method and power converter station combine directional and cooperative communication by selecting at least one communication path from multiple radio beam directions used for the first and / or second channels. The combination of directional and cooperative communication can result in a larger number of possible communication paths, leading to more communication paths (available communication paths) with signal quality above a predetermined threshold. This provides redundancy for communication between the controller and the wireless power electronics module, resulting in a more reliable communication system and therefore a more reliable power converter station.

[0020] In this method and power converter station, multiple communication paths are investigated because the quality of multiple combinations of communication paths used to establish communication from the controller to each of the wireless power electronics modules is compared with thresholds. These combinations include one or more of multiple first channels and multiple second channels, as described above. Furthermore, this determination may only require measurements of the quality of the wireless links for seemingly reasonable communication paths that include both first and second channels.

[0021] The controller can be configured to communicate with the wireless power electronics module along at least two communication paths that provide the two highest signal qualities. In other words, the controller can determine at least two communication paths from the controller to the wireless power electronics module based on indications of signal quality obtained for multiple first channels and multiple second channels. The determined communication paths can provide signal quality above a threshold. The advantage of this embodiment is that it provides redundancy in the communication between the controller and the wireless power electronics module, resulting in a more reliable communication system and therefore a more reliable power converter station.

[0022] The controller can be configured to prioritize determined communication paths with respect to signal quality. The term "prioritize" also refers to, for example, determining a level, list, rate, or score. The controller can be configured to prioritize determined communication paths based on indications of signal quality. The benefit of this embodiment is that it can provide a list of determined levels of communication paths, thereby improving the reliability of the communication system and, consequently, the reliability of the power converter station.

[0023] Information regarding at least one defined communication path can be transmitted to at least one wireless networking device and one wireless communication device. This information can be transmitted from the controller to at least one wireless networking device, which can then transmit or forward the information to the wireless communication device (and thus also to the wireless power electronics module). The information regarding at least one defined communication path may include at least one defined path between each wireless networking device and each wireless communication device, or information about the complete communication path from the controller to each wireless power electronics module. In the presence of multiple wireless networking devices, information about at least one defined communication path sent to a particular wireless networking device may include information about at least one defined path involving that particular wireless networking device. Similarly, information about at least one defined communication path sent to a corresponding wireless communication device may only include information about at least one defined path used by that corresponding wireless communication device. Allocating information about defined (or preferred) communication paths between the controller and the wireless power electronics module improves response time when establishing a wireless communication system in a power converter station.

[0024] The controller can be configured to communicate with each wireless power module along the communication path providing the highest signal quality during operation. The controller can also be configured to determine that the communication path is inactive if no status message is received from the wireless power module within a predetermined time period. Upon such determination, the controller can be configured to switch to the communication path providing a second highest signal quality. In other words, the controller can also be configured to switch to the active communication path providing the highest signal quality after the determination. The wireless power module can be configured to transmit the status message to the controller. The wireless power module can be configured to repeatedly transmit the status message to the controller, wherein the time between transmissions of the status message can be referred to as a status time period. The predetermined time period can be equal to the status time period multiplied by a predetermined number. In other words, the controller can be configured to determine that the communication path is inactive if no status message is received from the power module within a time period equal to the status time period multiplied by a predetermined number. The term "predetermined number" refers to, for example, essentially any integer. In other words, the controller can be configured to determine that the communication path is inactive if the controller does not receive a predetermined number of consecutive status messages. Therefore, reliability is further enhanced because the communication paths used for communication between the controller and the wireless power electronics module are updated. Inactive communication paths are discarded, and the priorities among active or available communication paths are updated.

[0025] Obtaining an indication of the signal quality of one of the plurality of first channels (i.e., a channel between a wireless networking device and a wireless communication device along a specific beam direction) may include: transmitting a first probe message from the wireless networking device to the wireless communication device; receiving a message from the wireless communication device at the wireless networking device in response to the first probe message; and transmitting information about the signal quality of the first channel from the wireless networking device to the controller based on the message received in response to the first probe message. In other words, the indication of the signal quality of the plurality of first channels (i.e., different combinations of networking devices and wireless communication devices and different beam directions) may be based on channel probing.

[0026] Obtaining an indication of the signal quality of one of the plurality of second channels (i.e., a channel between the wireless communication device and the wireless electronic power module along a specific beam direction) may include: forwarding a second probe message received at the wireless communication device from one of the at least one wireless networking device to the wireless power electronic module. This embodiment may then further include: receiving a message from the wireless power electronic module at the communication device in response to the second probe message, and, based on the message received in response to the second probe message, transmitting information about the signal quality of the second channel from the wireless communication device to the controller via the wireless networking device. In other words, the indication of the signal quality of the plurality of second channels (i.e., different combinations of the communication device and the wireless power electronic module and different beam directions) may be based on channel probing.

[0027] Wireless networking devices and wireless communication devices may each include antenna elements for guiding their respective radio beams. The direction of the radio beams can be established by configuring the antenna elements of the wireless networking device and the wireless communication device.

[0028] Similarly, each of the plurality of wireless communication devices may include an antenna element for guiding their respective radio beams and radio beam directions between two wireless communication devices to, for example, obtain an indication of the quality of a second channel, which can be established by the configuration of the antenna elements of the wireless communication devices and the configuration of the antenna elements of the wireless communication devices of the wireless power electronics module.

[0029] The antenna elements can be configured to guide their respective radio beams with a certain degree of accuracy. Thus, the number of possible radio beam directions for the antenna element is 360 degrees divided by its respective accuracy. For example, if an antenna element has an accuracy of 10 degrees, then the antenna element can guide its radio beams in 36 (i.e., 360 divided by 10) directions. It should be understood that the mentioned accuracy is purely exemplary. The accuracy of an antenna element can essentially be any degree. The antenna element may include a simulation board comprising at least one antenna. The term "antenna element" also refers to, for example, an antenna array or a directional antenna. The antenna element can be coupled to its corresponding wireless networking device or corresponding wireless communication device.

[0030] A wireless communication device may include at least two antenna elements for guiding corresponding radio beams. A wireless communication device including at least two antenna elements can be configured to receive radio signals via at least one first antenna element and transmit radio signals via at least one second antenna element. The at least two antenna elements of a wireless communication device may be coupled to each other. The at least one second antenna element of a wireless communication device may be configured to forward signals or messages received by the at least one first antenna element of the wireless communication device. The forwarding of the signals or messages can be performed in the analog domain, which can reduce latency. At least one of the frequencies and radio beam directions of the at least one first antenna element and the at least one second antenna element of a wireless communication device may be different, thereby reducing interference between the at least one first antenna element and the at least one second antenna element. Using two antenna elements improves the efficiency of establishing a communication system.

[0031] Radio beam direction can be established by beamforming or by manually setting the corresponding antenna elements of the wireless networking device and / or the wireless communication device. Beamforming and manual setting can each be understood as directional communication. The term "beamforming" also refers to, for example, beam control. Beamforming may include applying a weight to each antenna in an antenna array of a corresponding antenna element. Applying a corresponding weight to each antenna in an antenna array of a corresponding antenna element can change the phase of the antenna. The change in the phase of the antenna can point the radio beam generated by the antenna array including the antenna in a specific direction. The wireless networking device and the wireless communication including the antenna element can also be configured to control the weight. The wireless networking device and the wireless communication including the antenna element can also be configured to control the frequency of the signal transmitted by the corresponding antenna element. Beamforming can reduce the time spent switching between different radio beam directions, which reduces the installation and commissioning time when establishing a communication system for a power converter station. The term "manual setting" also refers to, for example, mechanical setting, manual guidance, manual direction, and / or mechanical orientation. Manual setting can be performed by a motor configured to rotate the antenna element. Alternatively, manual setup can be performed by the operator manually guiding the antenna elements. This implementation allows for more possible radio beam directions, which can reduce latency and / or increase the bandwidth of the communication system.

[0032] The plurality of first channels may include all communication paths between each of the at least one wireless networking device and each of the plurality of wireless communication devices. Therefore, the method may include obtaining an indication of the signal quality of all communication paths between each of the at least one wireless networking device and each of the plurality of wireless communication devices. This embodiment provides an indication of the signal quality for each possible first channel within the power converter station, which can increase the number of communication paths providing signal quality above a threshold, thereby increasing bandwidth and / or reducing the latency of the communication system.

[0033] At least one defined communication path between the controller and a wireless power electronic module includes at least one of the following: a direct communication path between a wireless networking device and the wireless power electronic module; and a communication path between the wireless networking device and the wireless power electronic module including a wireless communication device acting as a relay. In other words, at least one defined communication path between the controller and a wireless power electronic module may include one of the following: a direct communication path including a first channel and a communication path including a first channel and a second channel. In the communication path including the first channel and the second channel, the wireless communication device can act as a relay between the first channel and the second channel.

[0034] The controller can be configured to determine that the wireless power electronics module is faulty if it is determined that no communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module provides signal quality above the threshold. Alternatively, the wireless power electronics module can be determined to be faulty if all communication paths from the controller to the wireless power electronics module provide signal quality below the threshold. The term "faulty" also refers to, for example, inactive, unavailable, or malfunctioning. The controller can be configured to control power devices that are not determined to be faulty wireless power electronics modules. This embodiment reduces the risk of sending instructions from the controller to faulty wireless power electronics modules. The controller can be configured to control power devices to perform operations previously performed by power devices of faulty wireless power electronics modules.

[0035] The controller can be configured to determine that the wireless communication device is faulty if it is determined that no communication path from the controller to the wireless communication device provides signal quality above the threshold. The controller can be configured to delete or cancel all determined communication paths to and from the faulty wireless communication device after determining that the wireless communication device is faulty. If the faulty wireless communication device is being used as a relay for the wireless power electronics module, the controller can switch to another determined communication path that does not involve the faulty wireless communication device to control the wireless power electronics module. This embodiment further increases the reliability of the communication system.

[0036] The controller can be configured to transmit a corresponding communication frequency to each wireless networking device and each wireless power electronic module. Each wireless networking device and each wireless power electronic module can be configured to communicate at their respective communication frequencies.

[0037] Communication within the wireless communication system and therefore within the converter station, i.e., wireless communication between the wireless communication device, the networking device, and / or the wireless power electronic module, can correspond to communication at frequencies from 3 GHz to 300 GHz or from 0.1 THz to 10 THz. Communication can also correspond to communication at frequencies from 30 GHz to 300 GHz or from 0.1 THz to 10 THz. In other words, wireless communication can correspond to millimeter-wave (mmwave) range communication, sub-THz range communication, or THz range communication. Wireless communication at frequencies from 30 GHz to 300 GHz or from 0.1 THz to 10 THz has a shorter range than conventional wireless communication, such as communication in the 2, 4 / 5 GHz spectrum or adjacent frequencies. The shorter communication range at frequencies from 30 GHz to 300 GHz or from 0.1 THz to 10 THz may cause less interference between different communication channels using said frequencies. Therefore, reliability and bandwidth can be further improved by using such frequencies. Furthermore, using such a frequency range allows different communication channels to use different (separate) frequencies within that range, which can further improve the reliability and bandwidth of the resulting method and power converter station.

[0038] It should be noted that other embodiments using all possible combinations of the features described in the above-described embodiments are conceivable. Therefore, this disclosure also relates to all possible combinations of the features mentioned herein. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figures 1 to 3 This is a schematic view of a power converter station according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic view of a first channel between a wireless networking device and a wireless power electronic module according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for establishing a wireless communication system according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0043] All accompanying drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale, and generally only show the parts necessary to illustrate embodiments of the invention, where other parts may be omitted or only implied. The same reference numerals always refer to the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The invention will now be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are illustrated. However, the inventive concept can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example, such that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, unless otherwise specifically stated, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts having the same or similar functions.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic view of a converter station 5a according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The converter station 5a may be a high-voltage power converter station 5a. The converter station 5a includes a hall 50 or cabinet 50 in which three power devices 10 and four wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r are arranged. Each of the wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r includes an antenna element 30, wherein each of the three wireless communication devices 15a, 15b, 15r includes two antenna elements 30. The wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r are configured to receive and transmit radio signals via the antenna elements 30. The three wireless communication devices 15a, 15b, 15r, each including two antenna elements 30, may be configured to simultaneously receive radio signals via one of the two antenna elements 30 and transmit radio signals via the other of the two antenna elements 30. Three of the four wireless communication devices 15a-15c are associated with their respective power devices 10, such that one power device 10 and one wireless communication device 15a-15c together form one wireless power electronics module 25a, 25b, or 25c. A wireless communication device 15r not associated with the power device 10 may, for example, be referred to as (or used as) a relay 15r. The converter station 5a also includes a wireless networking device 20 configured to provide a communication interface between the communication devices 15a-15c, 15r and a controller 100 configured to control the power device 10 of the wireless power electronics modules 25a-25c. The networking device 20 includes an antenna element 30. The wireless networking device 20 is configured to receive and transmit radio signals via the antenna element 30. The wireless networking device 20 is coupled to the controller 100. The wireless networking device 20 may be wirelessly communicatively coupled to the controller 100 via a wire. Figure 1Inside the converter station 5a depicted in the diagram, three obstacles are represented by shaded rectangles. These obstacles may be, for example, walls, doorways, a structural component of the converter station 5a, a piece of equipment, or furniture. These obstacles may cause interference or damage to communication between the wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r themselves, and between the networking device 20 and the wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r. The obstacles may block, reflect, and / or absorb radio signals.

[0046] Despite Figure 1 The controller 100 is shown as being located outside the power converter hall 50, but in other variations, the controller 100 may be located inside the converter hall 50. Additionally, an additional controller coupled to the wireless networking device 20 may be present. This additional controller may be coupled to the wireless networking device 20 for redundancy, which can increase reliability.

[0047] Wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r, networking device 20, and controller 100 can together constitute the communication system of power converter station 5. This disclosure relates to the establishment of this communication system, and more specifically, to the establishment of communication paths between controller 100 and each wireless power electronic module 25a-25c, enabling them to exchange different types of messages, such as control messages and status messages.

[0048] For this purpose, the controller 100 is configured to obtain an indication of the signal quality of each of a plurality of first channels 31. The first channels 31 correspond to multiple radio beam directions ( Figure 1 Not shown in, but in Figure 4 The first channel represents a communication path between the wireless networking device 20 and one of the four wireless communication devices 15a-15c (shown in the diagram). In other words, the first channel does not represent the complete communication path from the controller 100 to the communication devices 15a-15c, 15r, but rather a direct communication path (i.e., a segment or section of the complete communication path) from the networking device 20 to the communication devices 15a-15c, 15r.

[0049] The controller 100 is also configured to obtain an indication of the signal quality of each of the plurality of second channels 32. The second channel 32 corresponds to a communication path between one of the wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r and one of the three wireless power electronic modules 25a, 25b, 25c, using one of the plurality of radio beam directions. Therefore, the second channel can be a communication path between wireless communication device 15a of wireless power electronic module 25a and wireless communication device 15b of wireless power electronic module 25b, or a communication path between wireless communication device 15r, which is not associated with any power device, and one of the wireless power electronic modules 25a-25c. For the first channel, the second channel does not represent a complete communication path from the controller 100 to a communication device 15, but rather a segment or section of a communication path from a communication device 15 to a wireless power electronic module (i.e., a segment or section of a complete communication path).

[0050] The controller 100 is then further configured to determine (or select) at least one communication path from the controller 100 to the wireless power electronics modules 25a-25c for each wireless power electronics module 25a, 25b, 25c, based on indications of signal quality obtained for a plurality of first channels 31 and a plurality of second channels 32, such that the determined or selected communication path provides signal quality above a threshold.

[0051] For illustrative purposes, Figure 1 Three first channels 31 are shown. Each of the three first channels 31 corresponds to a communication path between the wireless networking device 20 and a corresponding wireless communication device 15a, 15b, 15r, wherein two of the three wireless communication devices 15a, 15b together with a corresponding power device 10 form wireless power electronic modules 25a, 25b. These communication paths represent potential or candidate communication paths between the networking device 20 and the corresponding wireless electronic power modules 25a and 25b.

[0052] Multiple first channels 31 may exist between the wireless networking device 20 and each wireless communication device 15a-15c, 15r. Figure 1 The three first channels 31 represented herein can be assumed to be defined communication paths providing signal quality above a threshold. The three first channels 31 represent direct communication paths. Furthermore, it should be understood that multiple defined communication paths providing signal quality above a threshold may exist between the wireless networking device 20 and each wireless communication device 15a-15c, 15r. The three defined communication paths 31 can be understood as defined channels having the highest signal quality or at least signal quality above a threshold.

[0053] Figure 1Three second channels 32 are shown. One of the three second channels 32 is between relay 15r and a wireless power electronics module 25c, and another of the three second channels 32 is between wireless power electronics module 25c and another wireless power electronics module 25b. Therefore, these two second channels can provide two alternative communication paths from controller 100 to wireless power electronics module 25c via relay 15r or via wireless power electronics module 25b. This redundancy in the communication paths is beneficial in the event of equipment failure. For example, even if one of the wireless power electronics modules 25b or relay 15r experiences equipment failure—which would render one of the communication paths between controller 100 and wireless power electronics module 25c, respectively, via wireless power electronics module 25b or relay 15r, unavailable—wireless power module 25c will still have a communication path providing signal quality above a threshold. In some embodiments, to further improve system reliability, it is also conceivable that wireless communication between network device 20 and wireless power electronics module 25c be established via wireless communication devices 25a and 25b, thereby involving a first channel 31 and two second channels 32.

[0054] Figure 1 The three second channels 32 represented herein can be assumed to be at least a portion of three defined communication paths between the controller 100 and one of the wireless power electronics modules 25a to 25c, providing signal quality above a threshold.

[0055] The third of the three second channels 32 is between the wireless power electronics module 25a and the wireless power electronics module 25b. Thus, the controller 100 can determine two communication paths between the wireless networking module 25b and the controller 100. One of the two determined communication paths may include a first channel 31 (direct communication path) between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless networking module 25b. The other of the two determined communication paths includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion corresponding to the first channel 31 between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25a, and the second portion corresponding to the second channel 32 (cooperative communication-based communication path) between the wireless power electronics module 25a and the wireless power electronics module 25b. Both determined communication paths can provide signal quality above a threshold and are therefore selected by the controller 100 for subsequent communication with the wireless power electronics module 25b. In this embodiment, the direct determined communication path may have higher signal quality than the cooperative communication path. However, for example, at some point in time, an obstacle (such as an operator or piece of equipment) may appear in the converter hall 50 and between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25b, reducing the signal quality of the direct communication path. In such a case, the controller 100 can be configured to switch to another defined communication path (based on cooperative communication) to communicate with the wireless power electronics module 25b.

[0056] Therefore, it should be understood that the method for establishing a communication system in the power converter station can be performed during the installation of equipment (including wireless communication equipment, networking equipment, and power equipment) at the power converter station, or at a later stage after installation. The method can also be performed at regular time intervals or after the detection of the installation of new equipment or any other change to the power converter station.

[0057] Despite Figure 1 The text only shows some first channels 31 and some second channels 32, but the controller can obtain indications of the signal quality of multiple first channels and second channels. Figure 1 A first channel 34 is shown, for example, between a networked device 20 and a wireless power electronics module 25c. This first channel 34 does not have signal quality above a threshold, which is indicated by drawing the first channel 34 with a dashed line. The controller can then obtain an indication of the signal quality of the first channel 34 (i.e., potential direct communication) between the networked device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25c. However, because such direct communication appears to be impaired by the components of the power converter station, the signal quality of such a first channel would be insufficient to qualify as part of the communication path from the controller 100 to the wireless power electronics module 25c.

[0058] Similarly, although the wireless communication device 15r, used as a relay, and the wireless power electronics module 25b can theoretically form a second channel, communication between the two devices appears to be severely impaired or blocked by walls or other obstructions at the power converter station. Therefore, the controller 100 may receive an indication of low signal quality (or an indication of the lack of such a second channel).

[0059] Furthermore, it should be understood that multiple second channels 32 may exist that can be used to provide communication paths with signal quality above a threshold. For example, Figure 1 This refers to a second channel 32 between relay 15r and wireless power electronics module 25c, and another second channel 32 between wireless power electronics module 25c and wireless power electronics module 25b. It is assumed that these two second channels provide relatively high signal quality. Figure 1 Two possible communication paths are shown between the controller 100 and the wireless power electronics module 25c, providing signal quality above a threshold.

[0060] The first communication path involves a wireless power electronic module 25b, which serves as a relay between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronic module 25c. In other words, the first communication path includes a first channel 31 between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronic module 25b, and a second channel 32 between the wireless power electronic module 25b and the wireless power electronic module 25c.

[0061] The second communication path involves a wireless communication device 15r that serves solely as a relay between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power module 25c (not associated with any power device). In other words, the second communication path includes a first channel 31 between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless communication device 15r that is not associated with any power device, and a second channel 32 between the wireless communication device 15r and the wireless power electronic module 25c.

[0062] Figure 2 This is a schematic view of a power converter station 5b according to one or more exemplary embodiments. Figure 2 The power converter station shown includes, for example, Figure 1 The features, elements, and / or functions shown and described in the associated text are also referenced. Therefore, for enhanced understanding, further reference is also made to... Figure 1 And its associated descriptions. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The difference between the converter stations 5a and 5b shown is that, Figure 2 The converter station 5b includes an additional wireless networking device 22. The additional wireless networking device 22 is also coupled to the controller 100.

[0063] Figure 2Four first channels 31 are illustrated. Two first channels 31 are established between the wireless networking device 20 and the two wireless power electronic modules 25a and 25b, respectively. The other two of the four first channels 31 are between each of the wireless networking devices 20 and 22 and the wireless communication device 15, which acts as a relay. Therefore, Figure 2 A corresponding direct communication path is shown to each of the wireless power electronic modules 25a, 25b via a corresponding first channel 31.

[0064] Figure 2 Three indirect communication paths to the third wireless power electronics module 25c are also illustrated. One of the three indirect communication paths includes communication between the wireless networking device 20 and the third wireless power electronics module 25c, wherein one of the other wireless power electronics modules, wireless power electronics module 25b, acts as a relay. The other two indirect communication paths involve communication between the third wireless power electronics module 25c and each of the two wireless networking devices 20, 22 via relay 15r, respectively. Therefore, all indirect communication paths include a first channel 31 and a second channel 32.

[0065] Figure 3 This is a schematic view of a converter station 5c according to one or more exemplary embodiments. Figure 3 The power converter station 5c shown includes, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 The features, elements, and / or functions shown and described in the associated text are illustrated. Therefore, for better understanding, reference is also made to these figures and the associated text. Figure 3 and Figure 2 The difference between the converter stations 5b shown is that... Figure 3 The converter station 5c shown includes a fourth wireless power electronics module 25d. The fourth wireless power electronics module 25d is coupled to one of the wireless networking devices 20 via wire 33. The fourth wireless power electronics module 25d can be configured to act as a relay via its wireless communication device 15d for one of the preferred (or determined) communication paths from the controller 100 to the wireless power electronics device 25c. Figure 3 The second channel 32 between the third wireless power electronic module 25c and the fourth wireless power electronic module 25d is shown.

[0066] Figure 4This is a schematic view illustrating a plurality of first channels between a wireless networking device 20 and a wireless power electronics module 25 according to one or more exemplary embodiments. Each of the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25 includes an antenna element 30 for guiding their respective radio beams 35. The radio beam direction 35 is established by the arrangement of the antenna elements 30 of the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25. Figure 4 The diagram shows each antenna element 30 pointing towards six radio beam directions 35. Each radio beam direction is represented by a dashed line radiating from a corresponding antenna element 30. It should be understood that any number of radio beam directions 35 can exist, and six is ​​one embodiment. Furthermore, the radio beams can continue to propagate along the radio beam directions 35, which... Figure 4 The dashed line portion at the distal end of the line extending from the antenna element is indicated in other embodiments. Figure 4 The wireless networking device 20 shown can be replaced by a wireless communication device 15 or a wireless power electronics module 25 to obtain information about the signal quality of multiple second channels established between the two entities by using different beam directions. Figure 4 The wireless power electronics module 25 shown can be replaced by wireless communication device 15.

[0067] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of method 1 for establishing a wireless communication system in a power converter station according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The power converter station may be, for example, Figures 1 to 3 The exemplary embodiment shown is a power converter station 5 or a combination thereof. Furthermore, a controller 100 associated with such a power converter station 5 can be configured to operate according to method 1.

[0068] This flowchart illustrates step S1 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality of each of a plurality of first channels 31. Step S1 of obtaining the indication of signal quality can be performed for each first channel 31. Step S1 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality of one of the plurality of first channels 31 may include:

[0069] The first detection message S11 is transmitted from the wireless networking device 20 to the wireless communication device 15.

[0070] In response to the first detection message, message S12 is received at the wireless networking device 20 from the wireless communication device 15, and

[0071] Based on the message received in response to the first probe message, information about the signal quality of the first channel 31 is transmitted from the wireless networking device 20 to the controller 100 S13.

[0072] An exemplary communication system in converter station 5 may include a plurality of N wireless networking devices 20 and a plurality of M wireless communication devices 15, wherein K wireless communication devices 15 together with a corresponding power device 10 form a wireless power electronics module 25, and wherein each of the N wireless networking devices 20 and each of the M wireless communication devices 15 may communicate using a number of D radio beam directions 35. The plurality of (MK) wireless communication devices 15 not associated with the power device may serve solely as relays 15. As described above, the K wireless communication devices may also serve as relays, but they are also associated with the power device of the power converter station.

[0073] In order to obtain an indication of the signal quality of each first channel 31, the exemplary communication system described above will transmit N*M*D first probe messages: using each of a plurality of D radio beam directions, one first probe message is transmitted from each of the N wireless networking devices 20 to each of the M wireless communication devices 15.

[0074] Figure 5 The flowchart illustrates step S2 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality of each of the plurality of second channels 32. Step S2 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality can be performed for each of the multiple second channels 32. Step S2 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality of each of the plurality of second channels 32 may include:

[0075] The wireless communication device 15 forwards the second probe message S21 received from the wireless networking device 20 at the wireless communication device 15 to the wireless power electronic module 25.

[0076] In response to the second detection message, message S22 is received at the communication device 15 from the wireless power electronics module 25, and

[0077] Based on the message received in response to the second probe message, information about the signal quality of the second channel 32 is sent from the wireless communication device 15 to the controller 100 via the wireless networking device 20 S23.

[0078] To obtain an indication of the signal quality of each second channel 32, the exemplary communication system described above forwards (MK)*K*D second probe messages from relay 15 to wireless power electronics module 25: using each of the D radio beam directions 35, one second probe message is forwarded from each of the (MK) relays 15 to each of the K power electronics modules 25.

[0079] In addition, in order to obtain an indication of the signal quality of each second channel 32, the exemplary communication system described above will forward K*(K-1) / 2*D second probe messages between the wireless power electronics modules 25: using each of the D number of radio beam directions 35, a second probe message is forwarded from each of the K number of power electronics modules 25 to each of the other power electronics modules 25 in the number of (K-1).

[0080] Therefore, the communication system will need to forward ((MK)*K+(K*(K-1) / 2))*D second probe messages to investigate all possible second channels.

[0081] However, if all wireless communication devices 15 of the exemplary communication system together with a power device 15 form a wireless power electronic device 25 (i.e., K = M), then the system forwards M*(M-1) / 2*D second probe messages.

[0082] The transmission and forwarding of probe messages can be performed automatically. In other words, the transmission and forwarding of probe messages can be performed without manual intervention. Each probe message takes a relatively short time. For example, a probe message might take approximately 1 ms. If N = 10, M = 100, D = 50, and K = M, then the time required to execute steps S1 and S2 of method 1 would be approximately 10 minutes. These values ​​are provided only as an example to illustrate the benefits of this method.

[0083] The configuration of the communication system of the power converter station can be considered to follow a two-step process including channel detection and path selection.

[0084] During channel probing, all possible combinations between networked devices (or hubs) and wireless power electronics modules (and relays) are explored. For this purpose, it is assumed that the antenna arrays are adapted to steer their radio beams as mentioned above. In the first part of this process, a first wireless networked device (or hub) sends a message to a first wireless communication device for each of a plurality of possible beam directions. The first wireless communication device responds for each beam direction (if a message is received in the corresponding direction). The first wireless networked device records the received signal quality from the first wireless communication device for each direction (using a very low level of signal quality if no message is received). Information or indications regarding the signal quality of the first channel for this first subset are transmitted to the controller. This process is then repeated for each of the other wireless communication devices, and then again for each of the networked devices.

[0085] Following or simultaneously with this first part of the process, the wireless networking device sends another message (different from the first message) to the first wireless communication device. If the first wireless communication device has two antenna arrays, it can use the second antenna array to forward the message to each of the other wireless communication devices using each of the possible beam directions. Each wireless communication device responds for each direction (if a message is received in the corresponding direction). The first wireless communication device records the received signal quality from each of the other wireless communication devices for each direction (using a very low number if no message is received) and sends this information back to the wireless networking device (using the optimal direction achieved in the first part of the process described above), which then sends the information to the controller. This second part of the process is repeated for each wireless communication device.

[0086] At the end of these two phases of channel probing, the controller has information about all possible combinations of communication paths for establishing communication paths to each of the wireless power electronics modules. The controller can then use the information gathered during the channel probing phase for path selection. The controller can determine the communication path as described in the preceding embodiments either through direct communication between the networked device and the wireless power electronics module or through cooperative communication involving a communication device acting as a relay (or another wireless power electronics module).

[0087] Although the invention has been illustrated in the appended drawings and the foregoing description, such illustrations are to be considered illustrative or exemplary, not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A method (1) for establishing a wireless communication system in a high voltage power converter station (5a-5c), the high voltage power converter station comprising a plurality of power devices (10a-10c), wherein the wireless communication system comprises: a plurality of wireless communication devices (15a-15c), some of which are associated with a power device, such that the power device and the wireless communication devices together form a wireless power electronics module (25a-25c); and at least one wireless networking device (20) for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller (100) configured to control the power device, the method comprising: obtaining, at the controller, an indication of signal quality for each of a plurality of first channels (S1), wherein a first channel (31) corresponds to a communication path between one of the at least one wireless networking device and one of the plurality of wireless communication devices using one of a plurality of radio beam directions (35); obtaining, at the controller, an indication of signal quality for each of a plurality of second channels (S2), wherein a second channel (32) corresponds to a communication path between a wireless communication device and one of the plurality of wireless power electronics modules using one of the plurality of radio beam directions; and for each of the wireless power electronics modules, determining, by the controller, at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module based on the obtained indications of signal quality for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels, wherein the determined communication path provides a signal quality above a threshold value (S3).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with a wireless power electronics module along at least two communication paths providing the two highest signal qualities.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to rank the determined communication paths based on signal quality.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein information about the at least one determined communication path is transmitted to the at least one wireless networking device and the wireless communication devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with a wireless power module along a communication path providing the highest signal quality during operation and to switch to a communication path providing the second highest signal quality if the communication path is determined to be inactive if no status message is received from the wireless power module within a predetermined time period.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein obtaining an indication of signal quality for one of the plurality of first channels comprises: transmitting a first probe message from the wireless networking device to the wireless communication device (S11); receiving a message from the wireless communication device at the wireless networking device in response to the first probe message (S12), and transmitting information about the signal quality of the first channel from the wireless networking device to the controller based on the message received in response to the first probe message (S13).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein obtaining an indication of a signal quality of one of the plurality of second channels comprises: forwarding a second probe message received at the wireless communication device from one of the at least one wireless networking device to the wireless power electronics module (S21), receiving a message at the communication device from the wireless power electronics module in response to the second probe message (S22), and transmitting information about the signal quality of the second channel from the wireless communication device to the controller via a wireless networking device based on the message received in response to the second probe message (S23).

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless networking devices and the wireless communication devices each comprise antenna elements for directing their respective radio beams, and wherein the radio beam direction is established by a setting of the antenna elements of the wireless networking devices and a setting of the antenna elements of the wireless communication devices for obtaining an indication of the quality of the first channels.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wireless communication devices comprises antenna elements for directing their respective radio beams, and wherein the radio beam direction is established by a setting of the antenna elements of the wireless communication devices and a setting of the antenna elements of the wireless communication devices of the wireless power electronics module for obtaining an indication of the quality of the second channels.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the radio beam direction is established by beamforming or by manually setting the respective antenna elements.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 8 to 9, wherein the plurality of first channels comprises all communication paths between each of the at least one wireless networking device and each of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 8 to 9, wherein the at least one determined communication path between the controller and one wireless power electronics module comprises at least one of: (i) a direct communication path between a wireless networking device and the wireless power electronics module; and (ii) a communication path between a wireless networking device and the wireless power electronics module comprising a wireless communication device acting as a relay.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 8 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to determine that a wireless power electronics module is faulty if it is determined that there is no communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module providing a signal quality above the threshold value.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 8 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to communicate one respective communication frequency to each wireless networking device and each wireless power electronics module, wherein each wireless networking device and each wireless power electronics module is configured to communicate at its respective communication frequency.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-5, 8-9, wherein the wireless communication within the power converter station corresponds to communication at frequencies from 3 GHz to 300 GHz or from 0.1 THz to 10 THz.

16. A high voltage power converter station (5a-5c) comprising: a plurality of power devices (10a-10c); a plurality of wireless communication devices (15a-15c), some of which are associated with a power device such that the power device and the wireless communication device together form a wireless power electronics module (25a-25c), at least one wireless networking device (20) for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller (100) configured to control the power devices; wherein the controller is configured to: obtain an indication of a signal quality for each of a plurality of first channels, wherein a first channel corresponds to a communication path between one of the at least one wireless networking device and one of the plurality of wireless communication devices using one of a plurality of wireless beam directions; obtain an indication of a signal quality for each of a plurality of second channels, wherein a second channel corresponds to a communication path between one wireless communication device and one of the plurality of wireless power electronics modules using one of a plurality of wireless beam directions; and for each wireless power electronics module, determine at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module based on the obtained indications of signal quality for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels, wherein the determined communication path provides a signal quality above a threshold.

17. The converter station of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured to operate according to the method as defined in any one of claims 1-15.

18. The converter station of any one of claims 16-17, wherein the wireless communication within the power converter station corresponds to communication at frequencies from 3 GHz to 300 GHz or from 0.1 THz to 10 THz. ​

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