Concentrator inspection system and method

Abstract

The application discloses a concentrator inspection system and method, and the system comprises: a concentrator, which is used for receiving a message from a main station, sending the message, meter data plaintext, identity authentication and setting electric energy meter parameter ciphertext to a virtual electric energy meter device, and judging whether the message replied by the virtual electric energy meter device is successfully authenticated and the parameters are successfully set according to a received second result; the virtual electric energy meter device, which is used for identifying whether the message is encrypted, returning corresponding plaintext according to an electric energy meter protocol if the message is not encrypted, obtaining a first result, sending the message to a decryption device if the message is encrypted, receiving the decrypted plaintext and identity authentication result, returning corresponding messages according to the electric energy meter protocol, obtaining a second result; and the decryption device, which is used for receiving the message identified as encrypted, performing identity authentication and decryption on the encrypted message, and sending the plaintext and the identity authentication result to the virtual electric energy meter device. The device provided by the application reduces the size of detection equipment, and makes the structure simple and compact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of power technology, and in particular relates to a concentrator testing system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the standard for automated metering terminals in the power grid requires concentrators to have the ability to encrypt and communicate with ESAM-enabled energy meters via encrypted messages. Existing systems for verifying whether concentrators meet the power grid company's requirements, quality supervision, quality evaluation, and batch testing require designing the location of prepaid energy meters based on the number of concentrator positions. This results in large equipment size, complex structure, cumbersome installation, high cost, and poor configurability and scalability. Alternatively, existing testing systems may not meet the testing requirements of the new power grid company standards. A single set of analog meter software cannot decrypt encrypted messages and can only connect to real energy meters, leading to low testing efficiency and inability to meet the needs of large-scale testing. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a virtual energy meter with ESAM functionality for use in concentrator testing equipment systems (manual testing platforms and assembly lines) to test and verify the functions of concentrators. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on this, the present invention provides a concentrator inspection system that solves the problems of existing concentrator inspection systems being large in size, complex in structure, and low in detection efficiency, thus failing to meet the requirements of large-scale testing.

[0004] This invention provides a concentrator testing system, the system comprising:

[0005] The concentrator is used to receive messages from the master station, send messages, plaintext meter reading data, and encrypted messages for authentication and setting electricity meter parameters to the virtual electricity meter device, receive the first result and the second result returned by the virtual electricity meter device, and determine whether the message replied by the virtual electricity meter device has successfully completed authentication and parameter setting based on the second result.

[0006] A virtual energy meter device is configured to receive the message, the plaintext of the meter reading data, the authentication information, and the encrypted information of the energy meter parameter settings; identify whether the message is encrypted; if the message is unencrypted, return the corresponding plaintext according to the energy meter protocol to obtain a first result; if the message is encrypted, send the message to a decryption device; receive the decrypted plaintext and the authentication result, and return the corresponding message according to the energy meter protocol to obtain a second result.

[0007] A decryption device is used to receive the message identified as encrypted by the virtual energy meter device, decrypt and authenticate the encrypted message, and send the plaintext and authentication result to the virtual energy meter device.

[0008] Furthermore, the decryption device includes:

[0009] The microcontroller unit is used to receive the message identified as encrypted by the virtual energy meter device, call the ESAM module to decrypt and authenticate, receive the decrypted plaintext and authentication result, and send them to the virtual energy meter device.

[0010] The ESAM module decrypts and authenticates the message based on the scheduling information of the microcontroller unit, and sends the decrypted plaintext and authentication result to the microcontroller unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the system also includes:

[0012] The master station is used to detect the concentrator, send the message to the concentrator, call the concentrator to receive the first result and the second result, and obtain the verification result of the concentrator based on the first result and the second result.

[0013] Furthermore, the system also includes:

[0014] A serial port server is used for information exchange between the virtual energy meter device and the decryption device.

[0015] Furthermore, the system also includes:

[0016] An encryption machine is used to receive the scheduling from the master station and encrypt the messages.

[0017] Furthermore, the IP address and port number of the main station and the IP address and port number of the concentrator are set so that the concentrator can log in to the main station.

[0018] The present invention also provides a concentrator testing method, the method comprising:

[0019] Receive the electricity meter message sent by the concentrator and parse whether the electricity meter message is an encrypted message;

[0020] If the message is not encrypted, the first result is obtained by returning the corresponding message according to the electricity meter protocol;

[0021] If the message is encrypted, the message is sent to the decryption device; the plaintext and authentication result after decryption by the decryption device are received, and the corresponding message is returned according to the electricity meter protocol to obtain the second result;

[0022] The first result and the second result are sent to the concentrator.

[0023] Furthermore, before the receiving concentrator forwards the electricity meter message and parses whether the message in the electricity meter is an encrypted message, the process also includes:

[0024] Configure the IP address and port number of the main station and the concentrator to enable the concentrator to log in to the main station.

[0025] Furthermore, after sending the second result and the result to the concentrator, the process further includes:

[0026] After receiving the first result and the second result, the concentrator determines whether the message replied by the virtual energy meter device has successfully authenticated and set parameters based on the second result, and feeds back the determination result to the main station. The main station detects the data encryption task function of the concentrator based on the determination structure.

[0027] Furthermore, before the receiving concentrator parses whether the energy meter message is an encrypted message, the process further includes:

[0028] The master station sends data to the concentrator in encrypted form.

[0029] This invention provides a concentrator testing system that performs concentrator encryption and decryption verification through the cooperation of a main station, concentrator, virtual energy meter device, and decryption device. While ensuring the reliability and stability of the verification results, it eliminates the cost of manually hanging energy meters. Simultaneously, it reduces the size of the testing equipment, making it more streamlined, simpler in structure, and lower in cost; it also improves the efficiency of concentrator testing and meets the requirements for large-scale testing. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a concentrator testing system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 A block diagram of a decryption device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 A block diagram of another concentrator testing system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a concentrator testing method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another concentrator testing method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein in the specification of the application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application; the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing drawings of this application, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, or foregoing drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a particular order.

[0037] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0039] In the following description, suffixes such as “module,” “part,” or “unit” used to denote elements are used only for the purposes of this application and have no specific meaning in themselves.

[0040] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a block diagram of a concentrator verification system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes: a concentrator, which is used to receive messages from a master station, send messages, plaintext meter reading data, and encrypted messages for identity authentication and setting electricity meter parameters to a virtual electricity meter device, receive a first result and a second result returned by the virtual electricity meter device, and determine whether the message returned by the virtual electricity meter device has successfully performed identity authentication and parameter setting based on the second result;

[0041] A virtual energy meter device is configured to receive the message, the plaintext meter reading data, the authentication information, and the energy meter parameter settings; identify whether the message is encrypted; if the message is unencrypted, return the corresponding plaintext according to the energy meter protocol to obtain a first result; if the message is encrypted, send the message to a decryption device; receive the decrypted plaintext and the authentication result; and return the corresponding message according to the energy meter protocol to obtain a second result.

[0042] A decryption device is used to receive the message identified as encrypted by the virtual energy meter device, decrypt and authenticate the encrypted message, and send the message to the virtual energy meter device.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment, the concentrator receives a message from the master station and sends the message, plaintext meter reading data, and encrypted authentication and meter parameter setting information to the virtual meter device. The virtual meter device identifies whether the message is encrypted. If the encrypted information is not encrypted, the virtual meter device processes the plaintext content and returns the first result to the concentrator. If the message is encrypted, the virtual meter device sends the encrypted message to the decryption device. The decryption device decrypts the encrypted information and performs authentication to obtain the plaintext and authentication result. Then, it sends the plaintext and authentication result to the virtual meter device. The virtual meter device controls or verifies the meter based on the specific content of the message (whether the meter authentication key is valid and the meter parameters are set). Then, it returns the second result to the concentrator. The concentrator determines whether the message returned by the virtual meter device successfully authenticates and sets parameters based on the second result and sends the result back to the master station. The master station determines whether the concentrator has a qualified encryption / decryption function based on the result fed back by the concentrator. The data transmitted from the electricity meter is unencrypted (plaintext), while the data for authentication and writing electricity meter parameters is encrypted (ciphertext). The second result may include authentication messages, electricity meter parameter setting messages, etc. Preferably, the virtual electricity meter device can support the configuration of multiple simulated meters, supports multi-threading, and can be collected by multiple concentrators simultaneously. It is easy to install, highly configurable and scalable, making the detection equipment streamlined, structurally simple, and low-cost.

[0044] This embodiment provides a concentrator testing system that performs concentrator encryption and decryption verification through the cooperation of a main station, concentrator, virtual energy meter device, and decryption device. While ensuring the reliability and stability of the verification results, it eliminates the cost of manually hanging the energy meter. Simultaneously, it reduces the size of the testing equipment, making it more streamlined, simpler in structure, and lower in cost; it also improves the concentrator testing efficiency and meets the requirements for large-scale testing.

[0045] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2The diagram shown is a block diagram of a decryption device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The decryption device includes:

[0046] The microcontroller unit is used to receive the message identified as encrypted by the virtual energy meter device, call the ESAM module to decrypt and authenticate, receive the decrypted plaintext and authentication result, and send them to the virtual energy meter device.

[0047] The ESAM module decrypts and authenticates the message according to the scheduling information of the microcontroller unit, and sends the decrypted plaintext and authentication result to the microcontroller unit.

[0048] Specifically, in this embodiment, after the microcontroller receives a message identified as encrypted by the virtual energy meter device, it calls the ESAM module to decrypt and authenticate the message. After the ESAM module has fully decrypted and authenticated the message, it sends the plaintext to the microcontroller, which then sends the plaintext to the virtual energy meter device. The ESAM module is an embedded secure access module for prepaid energy meters, or simply a security module. It is an embedded data security product with widespread security application value. Its hardware integrates multiple security protection mechanisms, including a national cryptographic algorithm SM1 unit, a hardware random number generator, and voltage and frequency detection, effectively ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted data. A microcontroller unit (MCU), also known as a single-chip microcomputer or microcontroller, is a chip-level computer that integrates a central processing unit (CPU) with a reduced frequency and specifications, along with peripheral interfaces such as memory, timer, USB, A / D converter, UART, PLC, DMA, and even LCD driver circuitry, onto a single chip. This allows for different combinations of control for various applications.

[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 The diagram shown is a block diagram of another concentrator testing system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The system further includes:

[0050] The master station is used to select the concentrator, send the message to the concentrator, call the concentrator to receive the first result and the second result, and obtain the verification result of the concentrator based on the first result and the second result.

[0051] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the power department performs qualification checks on various indicators (such as encryption function) of the purchased concentrator, the master station sends a concentrator message (setting parameters, such as time synchronization) to the concentrator for encryption tasks. Then, the concentrator sends ciphertext to the virtual energy meter device. The decryption device assists the virtual energy meter device in decryption. The virtual energy meter device sends the first result and the second result to the concentrator. Based on the second result, it is determined whether the virtual energy meter device and the decryption device have processed the encrypted message, thereby verifying the concentrator's data encryption function. Meanwhile, the main station can automatically collect, store, and remotely transmit meter data such as electricity consumption, demand, voltage, current, power, power factor, and voltage qualification rate of large users. This enables the statistical analysis of electricity consumption by large users, provides various electricity settlement data for the power marketing system, controls and manages the load of large users, achieves orderly electricity consumption through peak shaving and valley filling, monitors the operating status of large user electricity meters in real time, and conducts real-time monitoring of abnormal electricity consumption. Combined with the gate metering automation system, the distribution and substation monitoring enables the statistical analysis of line losses across the entire transmission and distribution networks, providing a scientific basis for decision-making in the commercial operation of power companies.

[0052] In some embodiments, the IP address and port number of the master station and the IP address and port number of the concentrator are set so that the concentrator can log in to the master station.

[0053] Specifically, in this embodiment, by setting the IP address and port number of the main station and the concentrator, the concentrator is enabled to log in to the main station, ensuring normal communication of the encryption machine and powering the various modules of the detection system.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the system also includes:

[0055] A serial port server is used for information exchange between the virtual energy meter device and the decryption device.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the system also includes:

[0057] An encryption machine is used to receive the scheduling from the master station and encrypt the messages.

[0058] Specifically, in this embodiment, the master station performs session negotiation and identity authentication with the concentrator through an encryption machine. After the session negotiation and authentication is successful, a secure data channel is established between the master station and the concentrator for subsequent operations.

[0059] Preferred, such as Figure 3 As shown, the system also includes communication equipment for communication between the master station and the concentrator.

[0060] like Figure 4The diagram shown is a schematic flowchart of a concentrator testing method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0061] Step S1: Receive the energy meter message sent by the concentrator and parse whether the energy meter message is an encrypted message;

[0062] Step S2: If the message is not encrypted, the first result is obtained by returning the corresponding message according to the electricity meter protocol;

[0063] Step S3: If the message is encrypted, send the message to the decryption device; receive the plaintext and authentication result after decryption by the decryption device, and return the corresponding message according to the electricity meter protocol to obtain the second result;

[0064] Step S4: Send the first result and the second result to the concentrator.

[0065] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 The diagram shows another concentrator testing method provided by an embodiment of the present invention, which includes the following steps before step S1:

[0066] Step S011: Configure the IP address and port number of the main station and the concentrator to enable the concentrator to log in to the main station;

[0067] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, after step S4, the following is also included:

[0068] Step S5: After receiving the first result and the second result, the concentrator determines whether the message replied by the virtual energy meter device has successfully authenticated and set parameters based on the second result, and feeds back the determination result to the main station. The main station detects the data encryption task function of the concentrator based on the determination structure.

[0069] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the procedure before step S1 also includes:

[0070] Step S012: The master station sends encrypted data to the concentrator.

[0071] The terminology used in the embodiments of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in the embodiments of this invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0072] Depending on the context, the word "if" as used here can be interpreted as "when," "when," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, depending on the context, the phrase "if determination" or "if detection (of the stated condition or event)" can be interpreted as "when determination," "in response to determination," "when detection (of the stated condition or event)," or "in response to detection (of the stated condition or event)."

[0073] In the embodiments provided by this invention, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0074] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A concentrator testing system, characterized in that, The system includes: The concentrator is used to receive messages from the master station, send messages, plaintext meter reading data, and encrypted messages for authentication and setting electricity meter parameters to the virtual electricity meter device, receive the first result and the second result returned by the virtual electricity meter device, and determine whether the message replied by the virtual electricity meter device has successfully completed authentication and parameter setting based on the second result. A virtual energy meter device is configured to receive the message, the plaintext meter reading data, the authentication information, and the energy meter parameter settings; identify whether the message is encrypted; if the message is unencrypted, return the corresponding plaintext according to the energy meter protocol to obtain a first result; if the message is encrypted, send the message to a decryption device; receive the decrypted plaintext and the authentication result; and return the corresponding message according to the energy meter protocol to obtain a second result. A decryption device is used to receive the message identified as encrypted by the virtual energy meter device, perform identity authentication and decryption on the encrypted message, and send the plaintext and identity authentication result to the virtual energy meter device. The decryption device includes: The microcontroller unit is used to receive the message identified as encrypted by the virtual energy meter device, call the ESAM module to decrypt and authenticate, receive the decrypted plaintext and authentication result, and send them to the virtual energy meter device. The ESAM module decrypts and authenticates the message based on the scheduling information of the microcontroller unit, and then sends the decrypted and authenticated message to the microcontroller unit.

2. The concentrator testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes: The master station is used to select the concentrator, send the message to the concentrator, call the concentrator to receive the first result and the second result, and obtain the verification result of the concentrator based on the first result and the second result.

3. The concentrator testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes: A serial port server is used for information exchange between the virtual energy meter device and the decryption device.

4. The concentrator testing system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The system also includes: An encryption machine is used to receive the scheduling from the master station and encrypt the messages.

5. The concentrator testing system according to claim 2, characterized in that, Configure the IP address and port number of the main station and the IP address and port number of the concentrator to enable the concentrator to log in to the main station.

6. A method for testing concentrators, characterized in that, The method, applied to the concentrator testing system as described in any one of claims 1-5, comprises: The virtual energy meter device receives energy meter messages sent by the concentrator and parses whether the energy meter messages are encrypted messages; If the message is not encrypted, the corresponding message is returned according to the electricity meter protocol to obtain the first result; If the message is encrypted, the message is sent to the decryption device; the plaintext and authentication result after decryption by the decryption device are received, and the corresponding message is returned according to the electricity meter protocol to obtain the second result; The first result and the second result are sent to the concentrator.

7. The concentrator testing method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before parsing whether the message from the energy meter is an encrypted message, the receiving concentrator forwards the energy meter message, and then further includes: Configure the IP address and port number of the main station and the concentrator to enable the concentrator to log in to the main station.

8. The concentrator testing method according to claim 7, characterized in that, After sending the first result and the result to the concentrator, the process further includes: After receiving the first result and the second result, the concentrator determines whether the message returned by the virtual energy meter device has successfully authenticated and set parameters, based on the second result, and feeds back the determination result to the main station. The main station then checks the data encryption task function of the concentrator based on the determination result.

9. The concentrator testing method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Before parsing whether the ciphertext in the energy meter message forwarded by the receiving concentrator is an encrypted message, the process also includes: The master station sends data to the concentrator in encrypted form.

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