4G communication module suitable for concentrator

Abstract

The 4G communication module comprises a 4G communication chip, a power supply management unit, an antenna unit, a data interface, an embedded software system and an SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card slot. The 4G communication chip supports a multi-band and multi-mode network, and communication coverage in the global range is ensured. The power management unit prolongs the service time of the module through low power consumption design. And the antenna unit adopts a double design of a built-in antenna interface and an external antenna interface, so that the signal receiving capability is enhanced. The embedded software system has the functions of data encryption, error correction, protocol conversion and remote firmware updating, and the security and stability of data transmission are improved. The data interface supports RS485, UART, SPI and other standards, the SIM card slot supports multi-operator network switching, and the concentrator is suitable for concentrator application in the fields of intelligent power grids, intelligent water affairs, intelligent gas and the like. According to the invention, the data transmission rate, the reliability and the adaptability of the system are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of communication modules, and in particular to a 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and the increasing demand for intelligence, concentrators, as core equipment for data collection and transmission, have been widely used in multiple industries such as smart grid, smart water, and smart gas. Concentrators are usually deployed on-site and are responsible for collecting data generated by terminal devices (such as smart electricity meters, water meters, and gas meters) and uploading these data to the data center for processing and analysis. Therefore, the communication performance of the concentrator directly affects the data transmission efficiency and reliability of the entire system.

[0003] Traditional concentrator communication technology mainly relies on wired networks (such as RS485, PLC) or low-speed wireless networks (such as 2G, 3G). Although wired networks have high stability and anti-interference capabilities in some scenarios, their wiring is complex, construction is difficult, and maintenance costs are high, especially when deployed on a large scale. In addition, the installation location of wired networks is limited, and it is difficult to adapt to scenarios with complex environments and long distances. Although 2G / 3G wireless networks have solved the wiring problem to some extent, their transmission rate is low and the delay is large, making it difficult to meet the needs of high-frequency data acquisition and real-time control. As 2G / 3G networks are gradually phased out around the world, these technologies are facing more and more limitations.

[0004] In recent years, with the popularization of 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks, 4G communication technology with high speed, low latency and wide coverage has become an ideal choice to solve the communication bottleneck of concentrators. 4G LTE technology is far superior to traditional 2G / 3G networks in terms of transmission rate, and can reach hundreds of Mbps downlink rate and tens of Mbps uplink rate, which makes real-time transmission of large amounts of data possible. In addition, the low latency characteristics of 4G networks (usually below 10ms) enable functions such as real-time monitoring, fault diagnosis and rapid response. At the same time, the wide coverage and deep coverage capabilities of 4G networks also have significant advantages, especially in some areas with weak signals, such as basements and remote mountainous areas.

[0005] However, the application of 4G communication modules in concentrators still faces a series of challenges. First, concentrators are usually installed in sites with harsh environmental conditions, such as outdoors or in industrial scenarios. Factors such as temperature, humidity, vibration, and electromagnetic interference will have an adverse effect on the stability of the communication module. Therefore, 4G communication modules must have strong anti-interference capabilities and environmental adaptability to ensure their reliable operation in various complex environments. Secondly, since concentrators often rely on limited power sources such as batteries or solar energy, power consumption management of 4G communication modules has become a key issue. How to minimize power consumption while ensuring communication performance, thereby extending the operating time of the device, is a factor that needs to be considered when designing 4G communication modules.

[0006] In addition, as data security issues become increasingly prominent, especially in important areas such as smart grids that are related to the national economy and people's livelihood, the security of 4G communication modules in the data transmission process has also become a link that cannot be ignored. Traditional communication encryption methods are powerless in the face of complex and changing network attacks. Therefore, how to improve data encryption strength, prevent data tampering, and ensure data integrity and confidentiality are issues that must be addressed in the design of 4G communication modules.

[0007] In this context, the present invention proposes a 4G communication module suitable for concentrators, which aims to solve the problems of low transmission rate, poor network coverage, unstable data transmission and insufficient security in the prior art through advanced hardware design and optimized software algorithms. In terms of hardware, the module adopts a high-performance 4G communication chip, supports multi-band and multi-mode networks, and ensures its stable operation in various complex environments through reasonable antenna design and power consumption management; in terms of software, the module has built-in optimized data transmission algorithms and enhanced encryption mechanisms to improve data transmission efficiency and security. In addition, the module also supports remote firmware update function to ensure its continuous and stable operation throughout its life cycle.

[0008] In summary, the 4G communication module of the present invention provides an efficient, reliable and secure communication solution for the application of concentrators in industries such as smart grid, smart water, and smart gas, and is expected to play an important role in promoting the application of Internet of Things technology and improving the level of intelligence in the industry. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator, the module comprising:

[0010] 4G communication chip: used to achieve 4G LTE network access and data transmission, supporting multi-band and multi-mode networks;

[0011] Power management unit: used to provide stable power input for the 4G communication module and control the power consumption of the module in standby mode;

[0012] Antenna unit: includes built-in antenna and external antenna interface. The built-in antenna is used for compact space applications, and the external antenna interface is used to enhance signal reception capabilities.

[0013] Data interface: used for data exchange with the concentrator, supporting RS485, UART, SPI and other standardized interfaces;

[0014] Embedded software system: supports protocol conversion, data encryption, error correction and remote firmware update functions;

[0015] SIM card slot: supports standard SIM cards and eSIM.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the embedded software system includes an algorithm for optimizing data transmission, and the steps include:

[0017] (a) Preprocess the collected data to generate data packet P i ;

[0018] The data packet is encrypted using the following formula:

[0019]

[0020] Among them, E(P i ) is the encrypted data packet, K is the encryption key, Represents the exclusive OR operation;

[0021] The encrypted data packet is sent to the network through the 4G communication chip.

[0022] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the embedded software system supports an adaptive error correction algorithm, which includes:

[0023] Calculate the checksum C for each packet i :

[0024]

[0025] Among them, P ij For data packet P i The jth byte of the packet is transmitted, where n is the number of bytes in the packet; (b) errors are monitored during packet transmission. If an error is detected, the packet P is retransmitted. i .

[0026] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the external antenna interface of the antenna unit supports multiple types of high-gain antennas to enhance the signal receiving capability in different environments.

[0027] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the power management unit includes a low power consumption mode, which reduces power consumption by lowering the operating frequency of the 4G communication chip and shutting down some functional units.

[0028] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the module supports a remote firmware update function, and the update process includes the following steps:

[0029] (a) receiving a firmware update package from a remote server;

[0030] (b) Verify the update package and calculate its hash value using the following formula:

[0031] H(F)=SHA-256(F)

[0032] Wherein, H(F) is the hash value of the firmware update package F;

[0033] (c) If the verification is successful, the update operation is performed.

[0034] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the configuration of the data interface can be dynamically adjusted through an embedded software system to support different communication protocols and data formats.

[0035] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the embedded software system of the module has a built-in data flow optimization algorithm, which includes the following steps: (a) monitoring the current network bandwidth B t ;

[0036] (b) Adjust the packet size P according to bandwidth conditions s , the adjustment formula is as follows:

[0037]

[0038] Among them, T is the transmission time window and N is the number of data packets to be sent.

[0039] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the power management unit includes an intelligent sleep function, which automatically enters a low power consumption state when there is no data transmission, and wakes up quickly when there is a data transmission demand.

[0040] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the SIM card slot of the module supports multi-operator network switching to ensure network coverage and connection stability in different regions.

[0041] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0042] First, the 4G communication module of the present invention greatly improves the data transmission rate and network coverage by adopting advanced 4G LTE communication chips and multi-band, multi-mode network support. This enables the concentrator to work stably in a wider area, meeting the needs of high-frequency data collection and real-time monitoring. In addition, the antenna design of the module is combined with power management optimization to ensure reliable communication performance and long battery life in various complex environments.

[0043] Secondly, the present invention achieves high efficiency and security of data transmission through the optimization of embedded software system. The data encryption algorithm, error correction algorithm and data flow optimization algorithm built into the module not only improve the accuracy and reliability of data transmission, but also ensure the security of data during transmission. In particular, the remote firmware update function supported by the module further enhances the long-term stability and maintenance convenience of the system.

[0044] Finally, the 4G communication module of the present invention has strong adaptability and flexibility. Its multiple standardized data interfaces (such as RS485, UART, SPI, etc.) and support for multiple communication protocols enable it to be seamlessly integrated into different concentrator systems. In addition, the module's SIM card slot supports multi-operator network switching, ensuring network connection stability in different regions, further enhancing the module's scope of application and practicality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Figure 1 This is a system block diagram of a 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator proposed by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] Example 1: Basic Implementation

[0048] The present invention provides a 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator, and the specific implementation is as follows:

[0049] The 4G communication module contains a 4G communication chip that can access the 4G LTE network and supports multi-band and multi-mode networks, so that it can work stably worldwide. The selection of communication chips is based on high performance and high compatibility. For example, the Qualcomm MDM9x07 series chip can be selected, which supports multiple network modes (including LTE FDD, LTE TDD, WCDMA, etc.) and multiple frequency bands, and has low power consumption characteristics.

[0050] The module's power management unit adopts a highly efficient power conversion design that can dynamically adjust the power output according to the working status.

[0051] For example, when the module is in standby mode, the power management unit can reduce the operating frequency of the communication chip and shut down some unnecessary functional units to reduce power consumption. In practical applications, the power management unit can use the TPS65251 chip from Texas Instruments, which has multi-channel output capabilities and supports flexible power management.

[0052] The module is equipped with an internal antenna and an external antenna interface. The internal antenna is compact and suitable for installation environments with limited space; the external antenna interface supports the connection of high-gain antennas to enhance signal reception capabilities, especially for areas with poor signal coverage. In this implementation, the internal antenna uses a ceramic antenna, while the external antenna interface uses the SMA interface standard to support the connection of helical antennas or directional antennas.

[0053] The module's embedded software system supports protocol conversion, data encryption, error correction, and remote firmware update functions. The embedded system is designed based on a real-time operating system (RTOS) to ensure that the system can run with low latency and high reliability. Data encryption uses the AES-256 algorithm to encrypt data packets through XOR operations to ensure data transmission security. Error correction uses an adaptive checksum algorithm to reduce the error rate in data transmission.

[0054] Specifically, the packet P i Encrypted by the following formula:

[0055]

[0056] Where K is the key. Then, calculate the checksum C of the data packet i :

[0057]

[0058] This checksum is used to detect and correct errors during transmission.

[0059] Example 2: Enhanced Implementation

[0060] On the basis of the basic implementation, this embodiment further enhances the function of the 4G communication module to adapt to more complex application scenarios.

[0061] In this embodiment, the module not only supports standard RS485, UART, SPI interfaces, but also adds support for CAN bus and Ethernet through software definition. A data flow optimization algorithm is added to the embedded software system, which can optimize the network bandwidth according to the current network bandwidth B. t Dynamically adjust the size of the data packet P s :

[0062]

[0063] Among them, T is the transmission time window, and N is the number of data packets to be sent. This algorithm can effectively improve bandwidth utilization and reduce data transmission delay, and is particularly suitable for application scenarios with large data volumes or real-time data transmission.

[0064] In addition, the module's power management unit has added an intelligent sleep function. When the module detects that there is no data transmission demand within a certain period of time, the system will enter a low-power sleep state. This function is implemented through a combination of software and hardware, where the software part is responsible for detecting data traffic and the hardware part is responsible for controlling the power switch. When there is a data transmission demand, the module can quickly wake up within milliseconds and resume normal working state.

[0065] As for the SIM card slot, the module supports standard SIM cards and eSIM cards, and also realizes the automatic switching function of multiple operator networks. When the module detects that the current operator network signal is poor, it can automatically switch to the operator network with better signal to ensure the continuity and stability of communication.

[0066] Example 3: Advanced security implementation

[0067] In the advanced security implementation, the module's embedded software system pays special attention to the security of data transmission. In addition to the AES-256 encryption in the basic implementation, this embodiment also introduces an end-to-end encryption authentication mechanism.

[0068] First, the module will perform a two-way authentication with the remote server at startup to ensure the legitimacy of both parties in the communication. The authentication process is performed using a digital certificate based on asymmetric encryption. The module generates a session key, which will be used to encrypt all data in this communication session.

[0069] Each data packet will go through the following hash value calculation before being sent:

[0070] H(P i )=SHA-256(P i )

[0071] The hash value is sent along with the encrypted data packet so that the receiver can verify the integrity of the data. If the data packet is tampered with during transmission, the hash value verification will fail and the receiver will request the data packet to be resent.

[0072] In addition, the remote firmware update function has also been enhanced. When the module receives the firmware update package, it will first verify its hash value:

[0073] H(F)=SHA-256(F)

[0074] If the verification is successful, the firmware update package will be applied. This security measure ensures that the module can be updated safely without being attacked by malicious attacks.

[0075] The 4G communication module of the present invention can be applied to concentrators in various industries such as electricity, gas, and water through the specific implementation of the above embodiments, which significantly improves the rate, stability, and security of data transmission and meets the needs of modern management for efficient and reliable communication.

[0076] The above embodiments are specific implementations of the present invention, and those skilled in the relevant technical field can make different changes and modifications based on the content of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent implementations that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0077] The contents not described in detail in this specification belong to the prior art known to professional and technical personnel in the field. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it is still possible for those skilled in the art to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or to make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features therein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator, characterized in that: The modules include: 4G communication chip: used to achieve 4G LTE network access and data transmission, supporting multi-band and multi-mode networks; Power management unit: used to provide stable power input for the 4G communication module and control the power consumption of the module in standby mode; Antenna unit: includes built-in antenna and external antenna interface. The built-in antenna is used for compact space applications, and the external antenna interface is used to enhance signal reception capabilities. Data interface: used for data exchange with the concentrator, supporting RS485, UART, SPI and other standardized interfaces; Embedded software system: supports protocol conversion, data encryption, error correction and remote firmware update functions; SIM card slot: supports standard SIM cards and eSIM.

2. The 4G communication module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The embedded software system includes an algorithm for optimizing data transmission, the steps of which include: (a) Preprocess the collected data to generate data packet P i ; The data packet is encrypted using the following formula: Among them, E(P i ) is the encrypted data packet, K is the encryption key, Represents the exclusive OR operation; The encrypted data packet is sent to the network through the 4G communication chip.

3. The 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The embedded software system supports an adaptive error correction algorithm including: Calculate the checksum C for each packet i : Among them, P ij For data packet P i The jth byte of the packet is transmitted, where n is the number of bytes in the packet; (b) errors are monitored during packet transmission. If an error is detected, the packet P is retransmitted. i .

4. The 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The external antenna interface of the antenna unit supports multiple types of high-gain antennas to enhance the signal receiving capability in different environments.

5. The 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The power management unit includes a low power consumption mode, which reduces power consumption by lowering the operating frequency of the 4G communication chip and shutting down some functional units.

6. The 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The module supports remote firmware update function, and the update process includes the following steps: (a) receiving a firmware update package from a remote server; (b) Verify the update package and calculate its hash value using the following formula: H(F)=SHA-256(F) Wherein, H(F) is the hash value of the firmware update package F; (c) If the verification is successful, the update operation is performed.

7. The 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The configuration of the data interface can be dynamically adjusted by the embedded software system to support different communication protocols and data formats.

8. The 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator according to claim 7, characterized in that: The module's embedded software system has a built-in data flow optimization algorithm that includes the following steps: (a) Monitor the current network bandwidth B t ; (b) Adjust the packet size P according to bandwidth conditions s , the adjustment formula is as follows: Among them, T is the transmission time window and N is the number of data packets to be sent.

9. The 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator according to claim 8, characterized in that: The power management unit includes an intelligent sleep function, which automatically enters a low power consumption state when there is no data transmission and wakes up quickly when data transmission is required.

10. The 4G communication module suitable for a concentrator according to claim 9, characterized in that: The module's SIM card slot supports multi-operator network switching to ensure network coverage and connection stability in different regions.

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