Method and apparatus for notifying power disconnection

Abstract

The present application discloses a method and a device for notifying a power disconnection. The invention relates to a method and a device for transmitting a message from a first node device to one or more node devices that are neighbours of said node device, said node devices belonging to a power supply network using power lines and radio communication. According to the invention: - said first node device detects (E40) a disconnection of an electricity supply, - said first node device checks (E42) in a routing table if it is connected to a neighbouring node device by a radio link, - if yes, said first node device sends (E43) a unicast message to said neighbouring node device by said radio link indicating a disconnection of said electricity supply to said first node device, - if no, said first node device sends (E44) a radio broadcast message indicating that said first node device detected a disconnection of said electricity supply.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sending a message indicating that a power supply interruption has been detected. Background Technology

[0002] Power line communication PLCs are being developed, particularly in the context of AMM (short for "Automatic Instrument Management") type power supply networks. Therefore, communication networks are implemented in power supply networks to automatically collect energy consumption readings from smart meters, which are individually monitored, by base node devices (also known as "data concentrators") within the network.

[0003] The G3-PLC communication standard is defined as enabling communication between individual node devices (particularly data concentrators and smart meters) in this network. This standard is detailed in ITU-T Recommendation G.9903, which specifically describes the Physical Layer (PHY) and Data Link Layer (DLL) of the OSI model (an acronym for “Open Systems Interconnection”).

[0004] In the development of the G3-PLC standard defined in Annex H of ITU-T Recommendation G.9903 (e.g., Revision 1, 2017, entitled G3-PLC Hybrid PLC & RF (05 / 2021)), an RF (Radio Frequency) radio channel can be used instead of one of the PLC bands. More precisely, this version of the standard allows for the occasional use of an auxiliary radio physical layer based on SUN FSK modulation as defined in IEEE Standard 802.15.4:2015. Therefore, by using various G3-PLC and RF media to transmit data, power supply networks can maximize their coverage and resilience. Power supply network nodes capable of transmitting and receiving data using both media (PLC and RF) are called hybrid nodes.

[0005] However, in G3-PLC hybrid PLC&RF, the choice of using the PLC band or RF radio channel for communication between two hybrid nodes in the communication network is determined at the time of establishing or rebuilding the communication route or during data transfer from / to the data concentrator.

[0006] With the emergence of smart grids, new applications are appearing, such as current disconnection management (“LAST GASP”). This application is proving increasingly necessary for better management of the system and the power grid.

[0007] Messages indicating a power supply interruption must be transmitted with priority. However, conventional techniques for broadcasting such messages across a network pose a risk of network disruption and data loss related to collisions. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to ensure that the transmission of messages indicating a power supply disconnection is as reliable as possible, while avoiding network disruption.

[0009] Therefore, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for transmitting a message from a first node device to one or more node devices that are neighbors of said node device, said node devices belonging to a power supply network using power lines and radio communication, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

[0010] - The disconnection of the power supply is detected by the first node device.

[0011] - The first node device checks in the routing table whether it is connected to the adjacent node device via a radio link.

[0012] If the first node device is connected to a neighboring node device via a radio link, then the first node device sends a unicast message to the neighboring node device via the radio link, the unicast message indicating that the first node device has detected a power supply interruption.

[0013] - If the first node device is not connected to the adjacent node device via a radio link, the first node device sends a radio broadcast message indicating that the first node device has detected a power supply interruption.

[0014] The present invention also relates to an apparatus for transmitting messages from a first node device to one or more node devices that are neighbors of said node device, said node devices belonging to a power supply network using power lines and radio communication, characterized in that the apparatus comprises:

[0015] - A component included in the first node device, which is used to detect the disconnection of the power supply.

[0016] - A component included in the first node device, used to check in the routing table whether the first node device is connected to a neighboring node device via a radio link.

[0017] - A component included in the first node device, used to send a unicast message via radio link to the adjacent node device when the first node device is connected to the adjacent node device via a radio link, the unicast message indicating that the first node device has detected a power supply interruption.

[0018] - A component included in the first node device, which is used to send a radio broadcast message indicating that the first node device has detected a disconnection in power supply, using an external power source such as a battery or a supercapacitor, when the first node device is not connected to an adjacent node device via a radio link.

[0019] Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to ensure that the transmission of messages indicating a power supply disconnection is as reliable as possible, while avoiding network disruption.

[0020] Furthermore, the power supply to components via power lines consumes a significant amount of electrical energy during periods of power outage. Communication via power lines requires a much larger electrical supply to the nodes, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost and burden.

[0021] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the radio broadcast message includes a field indicating a predetermined number of times the message must be rebroadcast by the node device receiving the broadcast message.

[0022] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the predetermined number of times the message must be rebroadcast is zero.

[0023] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the following steps:

[0024] - A unicast message indicating a disconnection of power supply to the first node device is transmitted from a neighboring node device that receives a radio broadcast message to the concentrator node device.

[0025] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the following steps:

[0026] - The concentrator node device checks whether it has received multiple messages indicating that the first node device has detected a power supply interruption.

[0027] - A single message indicating that the first node device has detected a power supply interruption will be transmitted to the headend system.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a computer program product. It includes instructions for the node device to implement a method according to one of the foregoing embodiments when the program is executed by the processor of the node device.

[0029] According to a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a component for supplying power to the node at least during a period in which unicast or broadcast messages are sent to adjacent node devices via a radio link.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a storage medium. It stores a computer program comprising instructions for implementing a method according to one of the foregoing embodiments by the node device when the program is executed by a processor of the node device. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as other features, will become clearer from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] [ Figure 1aA first example of a network in which the invention is implemented is illustrated schematically;

[0033] [ Figure 1b A second example of a network in which the invention is implemented is schematically shown;

[0034] [ Figure 2 The architecture of an instrument in which the invention is implemented is illustrated schematically;

[0035] [ Figure 3 The architecture of the concentrator in which the present invention is implemented is illustrated schematically.

[0036] [ Figure 4 This illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by a node device according to the present invention when the node device detects a disconnection in the power supply;

[0037] [ Figure 5 This illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by the instrument when it receives a broadcast message according to the present invention;

[0038] [ Figure 6 This illustrates an example of an algorithm executed by the concentrator when it receives a message notifying that the power supply has been disconnected. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Figure 1a A first network in which the invention is implemented is schematically shown.

[0040] The first network is a mesh communication network. A mesh communication network is, for example, an AMM-type power supply network. The mesh communication network relies on power line communication (PLC) or radio frequency (RF) communication to enable base node devices (also called "data concentrators") to collect energy consumption readings from smart meters, which are responsible for monitoring the electrical facilities. Data concentrators and smart meters are therefore node devices in the mesh communication network. The mesh communication network may include other node devices, for example, installed at power transformers. Therefore, the communication network has a mesh structure, where node devices act as relays to increase the communication range within the mesh communication network. Thus, the same smart meter may have multiple paths to the data concentrator, and vice versa. In the remainder of this document, the terms "smart meter" and "meter" are used interchangeably.

[0041] Therefore, the present invention is particularly applicable to the G3-PLC hybrid PLC & RF technology as defined in ITU-T Recommendation G.9903 (2017) Amendment 1 (05 / 2021) (more specifically in Annex H).

[0042] exist Figure 1aIn this example, node device CP5 detects a loss of power supply. Node device CP5's routing table does not indicate that it is connected to any of its neighboring node devices CP2, CP3, or CP4 via a radio link. When a power supply loss is detected, because its routing table does not show any neighboring node device to which CP5 is connected via a radio link, node device CP5 requests to send a broadcast message indicating a power supply interruption via its radio interface.

[0043] More precisely, the broadcast message indicating a power supply interruption includes a field indicating that the message must be rebroadcast a predetermined number of times by the receiving node device. For example, the predetermined number is at most three, and preferably zero.

[0044] exist Figure 1a In the example, node devices CP2, CP3, and CP4 are neighbors of node device CP5, meaning that node devices CP2 to CP4 receive signals representing broadcast messages.

[0045] Each node device CP2 to CP4 decrementing indicator must rebroadcast the message from the cell a predetermined number of times, and check if the decrementing value is equal to zero.

[0046] If not, each node device CP2 to CP4 rebroadcasts the received message.

[0047] If so, each node device CP2 to CP4 consults a routing table that includes at least one path for communicating with concentrator Co, selects a path, and, depending on the type of connection indicated by the routing table, sends a unicast message to concentrator Co via a radio link or via a power line indicating that node device CP5 has detected a power supply interruption.

[0048] exist Figure 1a In the example, node device CP2 requests to send a unicast message indicating that node device CP5 has detected a power supply interruption to concentrator Co via a radio link; node device CP4 requests to send a unicast message indicating that node device CP4 has detected a power supply interruption to concentrator Co via a PLC link; and node device CP3 requests to send a unicast message indicating that node device CP5 has detected a power supply interruption to concentrator Co via a radio link to node device CP1, which then transmits the message to concentrator Co via a PLC link.

[0049] Concentrator Co therefore receives three unicast messages indicating that node device CP5 has detected a power supply interruption, and transmits a single message to headend system selected message HES.

[0050] Figure 1b A second example of a network in which the invention is implemented is illustrated schematically.

[0051] The first network is a mesh communication network. A mesh communication network is, for example, an AMM-type power supply network. The mesh communication network relies on power line communication (PLC) or radio frequency (RF) communication to enable base node devices (also called "data concentrators") to collect energy consumption readings from smart meters, which are responsible for monitoring the electrical facilities. Data concentrators and smart meters are therefore node devices in the mesh communication network. The mesh communication network may include other node devices, for example, installed at power transformers. Therefore, the communication network has a mesh structure, where node devices act as relays to increase the communication range within the mesh communication network. Thus, the same smart meter may have multiple paths to the data concentrator, and vice versa. In the remainder of this document, the terms "smart meter" and "meter" are used interchangeably.

[0052] Therefore, the present invention is particularly applicable to the G3-PLC hybrid PLC & RF technology as defined in ITU-T Recommendation G.9903 (2017) Amendment 1 (05 / 2021) (more specifically in Annex H).

[0053] exist Figure 1b In this example, node device CP5 detects a loss of power supply. Node device CP5's routing table indicates that node device CP4 is connected to its neighboring node device CP4 via a radio link. Upon detecting that node device CP5 is connected to at least one neighboring node device via a radio link, node device CP5 requests to send a unicast message indicating a power supply interruption to node device CP4 via the radio interface.

[0054] Node device CP4 sends a unicast message to concentrator Co indicating that node device CP5 has detected a power supply interruption.

[0055] Concentrator Co receives a unicast message indicating that node device CP5 has detected a power supply interruption and transmits it to the headend system HES.

[0056] Figure 2 The architecture of an instrument in which the invention is implemented is illustrated schematically.

[0057] according to Figure 2 The illustrated hardware architecture example includes each instrument CP1 to CP5 comprising, via a communication bus 200: a processor or CPU (central processing unit) 201; random access memory (RAM) 202; read-only memory (ROM) 203; a storage medium, such as a hard disk (or a storage medium reader, such as an SD (Secure Digital) card reader) 204; and at least one communication interface 205 that enables the instrument to communicate with devices in a local area network.

[0058] Each meter CP1 to CP5 includes an energy storage component BAT 206 for supplying energy when an interruption in the power supply to the meter is detected at least during the transmission of a unicast message or broadcast to an adjacent node device via a radio link.

[0059] Energy storage components (BAT) are, for example, batteries or high-capacitance capacitors.

[0060] Processor 201 is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM 202 from ROM 203, external memory (not shown), storage media (e.g., SD card), or a communication network. When the instrument is powered on, processor 201 is capable of reading instructions from RAM 202 and executing those instructions. These instructions form a computer program that causes processor 201 to perform actions related to... Figure 4 or Figure 5 The method described, in whole or in part.

[0061] The following text is about Figure 4 The method described in Or 5 can be implemented in software by executing an instruction set by a programmable machine such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or microcontroller, or in hardware by a machine or dedicated component such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Typically, the instrument includes an electronic circuit system configured to implement information about... Figure 4 Or the method described in 5.

[0062] Figure 3 The architecture of the concentrator in which the present invention is implemented is illustrated schematically.

[0063] according to Figure 3 The example of the hardware architecture shown, the concentrator Co includes, connected via a communication bus 300, a processor or CPU (central processing unit) 301; random access memory (RAM) 302; read-only memory (ROM) 303; a storage medium, such as a hard disk (or a storage medium reader, such as an SD (Secure Digital) card reader) 304; and at least one communication interface 305 that enables the instrument to communicate with devices in a local area network.

[0064] Processor 301 is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM 302 from ROM 303, external memory (not shown), storage media (e.g., SD card), or a communication network. When concentrator Co is powered on, processor 301 is capable of reading instructions from RAM 302 and executing those instructions. These instructions form a computer program that causes processor 301 to perform actions related to… Figure 6 The method described, in whole or in part.

[0065] The following text is about Figure 6The described methods can be implemented in software by executing an instruction set by a programmable machine such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or microcontroller, or in hardware by a machine or dedicated component such as a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Typically, the instrumentation includes an electronic circuit system configured to implement information about... Figure 6 The method described.

[0066] Figure 4 An example of an algorithm executed by a node device according to the present invention when the node device detects a disconnection in the power supply is shown.

[0067] At step E40, a node device such as node device CP5 detects a disconnection in the power supply. For example, a disconnection in the power supply is detected when the voltage of the power supply is less than 70% of the nominal voltage of the power supply.

[0068] At step E41, node device CP5 continues to store the data stored in random access memory in non-volatile memory.

[0069] At step E42, node device CP5 checks in its routing table whether it is connected to at least one neighboring node device via a radio link.

[0070] If yes, then node device CP5 proceeds to step E43. If no, then node device CP5 proceeds to step E44.

[0071] At step E43, according to Figure 1b In the example above, node device CP5 is connected to adjacent node device CP4 via a radio link. Node device CP5 requests to send a unicast message indicating a power supply interruption to node device CP4 via the radio interface, and proceeds to step E45.

[0072] At step E44, according to Figure 1a In the example above, the routing table of node device CP5 does not indicate that node device CP5 is connected to one of its neighboring node devices CP2, CP3, and CP4 via a radio link. Node device CP5 requests to send a broadcast message indicating a power supply interruption via the radio interface.

[0073] More precisely, the message indicating a power supply disconnection includes a field indicating that the message must be rebroadcast a predetermined number of times by the meter receiving the message. For example, the predetermined number is at most three, and preferably zero. Once this has been done, node device CP5 proceeds to step E45.

[0074] At step E45, node device CP5 checks whether the power supply disconnection has ended. For example, the power supply disconnection is detected when the voltage of the power supply is greater than 90% of the nominal voltage of the power supply.

[0075] If yes, then node device CP5 proceeds to step E46. If no, then node device CP5 returns to step E45.

[0076] At step E46, node device CP5 checks in its routing table whether it is connected to at least one neighboring node device.

[0077] If yes, then node device CP5 proceeds to step E47. If no, then node device CP5 proceeds to step E48.

[0078] At step E47, according to Figure 1b In the example, node device CP5 is connected to neighboring node device CP4 via a radio link. Node device CP5 requests to send a unicast message indicating the end of the power supply disconnection to node device CP4 via the radio interface, and interrupts the current algorithm.

[0079] At step E48, according to Figure 1a In the example, node device CP5 is not connected to its neighboring node devices CP2, CP3, and CP4 via a radio link. Node device CP5 requests to send a broadcast message indicating the end of the power supply disconnection via the radio interface.

[0080] More precisely, the broadcast message indicating a power supply interruption includes a field indicating a predetermined number of times the message must be rebroadcast by the meter receiving the message. For example, the predetermined number of times is at most three, and preferably equal to zero.

[0081] Figure 5 An example of an algorithm executed by the instrument when it receives a broadcast message according to the present invention is shown.

[0082] At step E50, for example Figure 1a In this instance, node device CP2 receives broadcast messages.

[0083] At step E51, node device CP2 reads the value of the field indicating the predetermined number of times the message must be rebroadcast.

[0084] At step E52, node device CP2 checks whether the received broadcast message is an indication to node device CP5 that a power supply interruption has been detected.

[0085] If not, node device CP2 processes the broadcast message in the normal manner.

[0086] If so, node device CP2 proceeds to step E53.

[0087] At step E53, node device CP2 decrements the value of the field indicating the predetermined number of times the message must be rebroadcast, and checks if this is at zero.

[0088] If yes, then node device CP2 proceeds to step E54. If no, then node device CP2 proceeds to step E55.

[0089] At step E54, node device CP2 consults a routing table including at least one path for communicating with concentrator Co, selects a radio or power line path, and sends a unicast message to concentrator Co indicating that node device CP5 has detected a power supply interruption.

[0090] At step E55, instrument CP4 broadcasts the message received at step E50.

[0091] Figure 6 An example of an algorithm executed by the concentrator when it receives a message notifying that the power supply has been disconnected is shown.

[0092] At step E60, the concentrator Co detects the reception of one or more unicast and / or broadcast messages indicating that the power supply to the instrument is disconnected.

[0093] At step E61, the concentrator Co checks whether the received message indicates a disconnection of the power supply to the same meter.

[0094] If so, the concentrator Co selects only one message at step E62 and passes the selected message to the headend system HES. If only one message indicating a disconnection of power supply for the same meter is received, the concentrator Co passes the received message to the headend system HES.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a message from a first node device to one or more node devices that are neighbors of the node device, the node devices belonging to a power supply network using power lines and radio communication, characterized in that, The method comprises the steps of: - detecting (E40), by the first node device, a disconnection of an electrical energy supply, - checking (E42), by the first node device, in a routing table, whether the first node device is connected to a neighbouring node device through a radio link, - if the first node device is connected to a neighbouring node device through a radio link, sending (E43), by the first node device, a unicast message to the neighbouring node device through the radio link, the unicast message indicating a disconnection of the electrical energy supply to the first node device, - if the first node device is not connected to a neighbouring node device through a radio link, sending (E44), by the first node device, a radio broadcast message indicating that the first node device detected a disconnection of the electrical energy supply, and - passing, by a neighbouring node device receiving the radio broadcast message, a unicast message indicating that the first node device detected the disconnection of the electrical energy supply to a concentrator node device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The radio broadcast message comprises a field indicating a predetermined number of times the message must be rebroadcast by a node device receiving the broadcast message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The predetermined number of times the message must be rebroadcast is equal to zero.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises the steps of: - checking, by the concentrator node device, whether a plurality of messages indicating that the first node device detected the disconnection of the electrical energy supply are received, - passing a single message indicating that the first node device detected the disconnection of the electrical energy supply to a headend system.

5. A device for transmitting a message from a first node device to one or more node devices that are neighbors of the node device, the node devices belonging to a power supply network using power lines and radio communication, characterized in that, The device comprises: - means comprised in the first node device for detecting a disconnection of an electrical energy supply, - means comprised in the first node device for checking, in a routing table, whether the first node device is connected to a neighbouring node device through a radio link, - means comprised in the first node device for sending, in case the first node device is connected to a neighbouring node device through a radio link, a unicast message to the neighbouring node device through the radio link, the unicast message indicating a disconnection of the electrical energy to the first node device, - means comprised in the first node device for sending, in case the first node device is not connected to a neighbouring node device through a radio link, a radio broadcast message indicating that the first node device detected a disconnection of the electrical energy supply, and - means comprised in a neighbouring node device receiving the radio broadcast message for passing a unicast message indicating that the first node device detected the disconnection of the electrical energy supply to a concentrator node device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, It further comprises means for powering the node at least during a period when the unicast or broadcast message is sent to the neighbouring node device through the radio link.

7. A computer program product, characterised in that, It comprises instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 by a node when a processor of the node executes a program.

8. A storage medium, characterized by It stores a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 by a node when a processor of the node executes the program.

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