Large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low-power wide area network technology

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a large-scale electric energy meter networking test system and method based on a low-power-consumption wide area network technology, and the system comprises a simulation electric energy meter node tool which is used for receiving and transmitting a wireless signal in a networking test, and simulating the work of a real electric energy meter; the movable meter frame is used for bearing the simulation electric energy meter node tool and adjusting the testing environment of networking testing through a moving structure; the program control channel interference generation device is used for simulating and sending an interference signal during networking test; and the signal shielding box is used for simulating a weak signal coverage environment or a non-signal coverage environment by placing a plurality of simulation electric energy meter node tools during networking testing. The acquisition module is used for acquiring real-time data of a networking test and adjusting a test parameter change trend of the networking test based on the real-time data; and the control module is used for adjusting the test parameters based on the test parameter change trend.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of networking communication technology, and in particular to a large-scale electric energy meter networking test system and method based on low-power wide area network technology. Background Art

[0002] With the vigorous development of Internet of Things technology, the demand for large-scale, low-power, and wide-area coverage application scenarios is growing. As an important direction of global energy transformation, the construction of smart grids has put forward higher requirements for efficient and reliable electricity meter networking. Traditional wireless communication technologies (such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) have shown some obvious limitations in the face of these challenges, such as high power consumption, limited coverage, and high cost.

[0003] In the face of the above problems, low-power wide area network (LPWAN) technology came into being and became one of the ideal choices for connecting large-scale IoT devices. Compared with traditional wireless communication technology, low-power wide area network has lower power consumption, wider coverage and relatively lower cost.

[0004] However, there are still problems in applying LPWAN technology to large-scale electricity meter networking. The most critical one is the lack of an efficient and reliable testing system. Traditional laboratory environment testing can usually only perform small batch node tests, which makes it difficult to truly simulate complex environmental factors and network load conditions. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, an embodiment of the present invention provides a large-scale electric energy meter networking test system and method based on low-power wide area network technology.

[0006] The embodiment of the present invention provides a large-scale electric energy meter networking test method based on low power wide area network technology, including: a simulated electric energy meter node tooling, a movable meter stand, a program-controlled channel interference generating device, a signal shielding box, a collection module, and a control module; The simulated electric energy meter node tooling is used to send and receive wireless signals in the networking test and simulate the operation of a real electric energy meter; A movable meter stand, used to carry the simulated electric energy meter node tooling and adjust the test environment of the networking test through a movable structure; A program-controlled channel interference generating device, used for simulating and sending interference signals during the networking test; A signal shielding box, used to simulate a weak signal coverage or no signal coverage environment by placing a number of simulated electric energy meter node tools during the networking test; A collection module, used for collecting real-time data of the networking test, and adjusting the test parameter change trend of the networking test based on the real-time data; The control module is used to adjust the test parameters based on the test parameter change trend, and the test parameters include: test environment parameters, interference signal parameters, and signal coverage environment parameters.

[0007] In one embodiment, the system further comprises: The analog electric energy meter node tooling includes a circuit substrate, a low-power wide area network wireless communication module, and an antenna.

[0008] In one embodiment, the system further comprises: The analog electric energy meter node fixtures are grouped, each analog electric energy meter node fixture is connected to a wireless module to be tested, each group of wireless modules is configured with an external antenna, and other wireless modules are configured with internal antennas.

[0009] In one embodiment, the system further comprises: The movable meter rack carries 100 to 400 simulated electric energy meter node fixtures, and adjusts the test environment of the networking test through pulley movement.

[0010] In one embodiment, the system further comprises: The moving path module is used to receive a test requirement and adjust the moving path of the movable table frame based on the test requirement.

[0011] In one embodiment, the system further comprises: The signal shielding boxes are connected by radio frequency cables to simulate a multi-level routing network.

[0012] In one embodiment, the system further comprises an adjustable signal attenuator: The adjustable signal attenuator is used to attenuate the unsent wireless signal.

[0013] The embodiment of the present invention provides a large-scale electric energy meter networking test method based on low power wide area network technology, and a large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology, comprising: Placing the analog electric energy meter node tooling on the movable meter stand, and connecting the analog electric energy meter node tooling to the network; Initialize networking test parameters and start networking test; Simulating an interference environment, recording real-time data of the networking test, and adjusting a change trend of test parameters of the networking test based on the real-time data; The test parameters are adjusted based on the test parameter change trend, and the test environment parameters of the movable table stand, the interference signal parameters of the programmable channel interference generating device, and the signal coverage environment parameters of the signal shielding box are adjusted through the test parameters.

[0014] The embodiment of the present invention provides a large-scale electric energy meter networking test system and method based on low-power wide area network technology, including: simulated electric energy meter node tooling, movable meter stand, program-controlled channel interference generating device, signal shielding box, acquisition module, and control module; the simulated electric energy meter node tooling is used to receive and send wireless signals in the networking test to simulate the operation of the real electric energy meter; the movable meter stand is used to carry the simulated electric energy meter node tooling and adjust the test environment of the networking test through the mobile structure; the program-controlled channel interference generating device is used to simulate and send interference signals during the networking test; the signal shielding box is used to simulate weak signal coverage or no signal coverage environment by placing a number of simulated electric energy meter node tooling during the networking test. The acquisition module is used to collect real-time data of the networking test and adjust the test parameter change trend of the networking test based on the real-time data; the control module is used to adjust the test parameters based on the test parameter change trend, and the test parameters include: test environment parameters, interference signal parameters, and signal coverage environment parameters. This can simulate complex environmental factors in the real world to conduct large-scale node networking tests. During the test, the test data can be analyzed in real time to determine the stability and reliability of the network test, while also saving the cost of network testing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0016] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A structural diagram of a networking test in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A structural diagram of an access AP for a networking test in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A structural diagram of a movable table stand for networking testing in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 The present invention is a flowchart of a large-scale electric energy meter networking test method based on low power wide area network technology in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are 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.

[0018] Figure 1 The structure of a large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the system comprises: The simulated energy meter node tooling 101, the movable meter stand 102, the program-controlled channel interference generating device 103, the signal shielding box 104, the acquisition module 105, and the control module 106. Among them, the simulated energy meter node tooling 101 is used to send and receive wireless signals in the networking test to simulate the operation of the real energy meter. The simulated energy meter node tooling is used to simulate the operation of the actual energy meter during the networking test. It includes a circuit substrate and a low-power wide area network (LPWAN) wireless communication module. The main task is to imitate the data transmission behavior of the energy meter in the actual environment and test the performance of the wireless communication module. Among them, the circuit substrate is the core part of the simulated energy meter node tooling, which contains the electronic components required for the simulated energy meter, such as processors, memory, sensor interfaces, etc., and is responsible for simulating the energy readings and sending these data through the wireless communication module. The wireless communication module is the bridge between the tooling and the LPWAN network. It is responsible for encoding the energy meter data and sending it through wireless signals. The module usually supports one or more LPWAN protocols, such as Wi-SUN. In addition, during the networking test, the simulated energy meter node fixtures can be grouped into groups of 8, and a row of meter racks can hold more than 40 of them. The entire rack can hold 100-400 simulated energy meter node fixtures containing modules to be tested. Each fixture is connected to a wireless module to be tested, and one wireless module in each group of fixtures is equipped with an external antenna, and the remaining wireless modules are equipped with internal antennas.

[0019] The movable meter rack 102 is a platform that can carry multiple simulated electric energy meter node fixtures. It is characterized by being equipped with a mobile structure, such as a pulley, which can be easily moved and adjusted in position. In this way, the network layout in different environments can be simulated by adjusting the position of the movable meter rack, such as the obstruction between buildings, terrain changes, etc. Among them, each rack can hold 100-400 simulated electric energy meter node fixtures, and the specific number depends on the actual needs. Some movable meter racks are equipped with UPS uninterruptible power supplies to achieve live movement and simulate short-term interference behaviors of vehicles, pedestrians, etc. on the network. In addition, when designing the moving route of the movable meter rack, it can be planned through the moving path module. The moving path module can be located in the system master station of the networking test, which is used to directly plan the expected action route of the movable meter rack according to the test requirements after receiving the test requirements, and adjust the moving path of the movable meter rack in real time according to the test requirements when the movable meter rack moves.

[0020] The programmable channel interference generating device 103 is a remotely controlled device used to send interference signals to the current LPWAN network. The interference information can simulate various interference situations in the real world, such as interference from other radio signals, electromagnetic noise, etc., so as to evaluate the robustness of the network under different interference conditions.

[0021] The signal shielding box 104 is used to place the dry simulated energy meter node tooling, simulate the signal shielding or weak coverage area, and test the performance of the network in a multi-level routing environment. The signal shielding box can be a closed container, and the internal structure design can effectively absorb or reflect wireless signals, thereby simulating the signal attenuation. Several signal shielding boxes are connected by radio frequency cables, and the external signals next door are simulated to simulate a multi-level routing network.

[0022] The acquisition module 105 is used to collect real-time data in the network during the network test, and adjust the test parameter change trend of the network test based on the real-time data, wherein the main data is the data of the simulated electric energy meter node tooling, and records important indicators such as signal strength and battery voltage. After obtaining the real-time data, the test parameter change trend can be adjusted accordingly according to the real-time data and test requirements. For example, if the current test requirement is to test the networking situation in a network-free environment, the test parameters can be adjusted, such as moving the movable meter stand to a place without a network, or adjusting the shielding range of the signal shielding box.

[0023] The control module 106 is used to adjust the corresponding test parameters based on the determined test parameter change trend. The test parameters include: test environment parameters adjusted by moving the movable table stand, interference signal parameters adjusted by controlling the programmable channel interference generating device, and signal coverage environment parameters adjusted by the signal shielding box.

[0024] In addition, in this embodiment, the large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low-power wide area network technology may also include an adjustable signal attenuator, wherein the adjustable signal attenuator means that before the wireless signal is sent from the access point (Access Point, AP), the signal strength is adjusted by an adjustable signal attenuator, thereby more realistically simulating the signal attenuation caused by various reasons such as increased distance, building obstruction, weather conditions, etc. in real life. By adjusting the setting of the attenuator, the robustness and reliability of the LPWAN network when the signal strength changes can be tested.

[0025] In addition, the actual structure diagram of the networking test in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 There are 3 parts in total, including: Figure 2 The test system diagram for networking test includes the system master station, access AP, and several connected movable meter racks and signal shielding boxes. Figure 3 The structure of the access AP in the test system diagram in the networking test, including the adjustable signal attenuator and the external antenna, Figure 4 This is the structural diagram of the movable meter rack in the test system diagram, including the channel interference generator, power supply, simulated energy meter node tooling, module to be tested, and antenna. Based on the network test system, large-scale node testing can be carried out, specifically simulating a network environment of 3K-10K nodes, more realistically reflecting the actual application scenario; it can also flexibly simulate complex environments, through programmable channel interference generators, signal shielding boxes and powered movable meter racks, it can simulate various complex network environments, such as signal interference, multi-level routing, mobile users, etc.; the acquisition system can also record the communication data of each node in real time and analyze it to help evaluate network performance and stability.

[0026] The large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low-power wide area network technology provided in this embodiment includes: simulated electric energy meter node tooling, movable meter stand, program-controlled channel interference generating device, signal shielding box, acquisition module, and control module; the simulated electric energy meter node tooling is used to receive and send wireless signals in the networking test to simulate the operation of the real electric energy meter; the movable meter stand is used to carry the simulated electric energy meter node tooling and adjust the test environment of the networking test through the mobile structure; the program-controlled channel interference generating device is used to simulate and send interference signals during the networking test; the signal shielding box is used to simulate weak signal coverage or no signal coverage environment by placing several simulated electric energy meter node tooling during the networking test. The acquisition module is used to collect real-time data of the networking test and adjust the test parameter change trend of the networking test based on the real-time data; the control module is used to adjust the test parameters based on the test parameter change trend, and the test parameters include: test environment parameters, interference signal parameters, and signal coverage environment parameters. This can simulate complex environmental factors in the real world to conduct large-scale node networking tests. During the test, the test data can be analyzed in real time to determine the stability and reliability of the network test, while also saving the cost of network testing.

[0027] Figure 5 A flowchart of a large-scale electric energy meter networking test method based on low power wide area network technology provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes: Step 501: Place the analog electric energy meter node tooling on the movable meter rack, and connect the analog electric energy meter node tooling to the network.

[0028] Specifically, before starting the networking test, the test environment is initialized first, and the simulated electric energy meter node tooling is placed on the movable meter stand to ensure that all tooling has been correctly started and connected to the LPWAN network.

[0029] Step 502, initializing networking test parameters and starting the networking test.

[0030] Specifically, the test parameters are initialized through the control software, including but not limited to network frequency, transmission power, data transmission interval, etc. After the test starts, it is also possible to test without external interference, allowing all nodes to work normally for a period of time, and record the communication quality, signal strength, battery consumption and other data at this time, so as to establish a baseline for subsequent comparison of performance under interference conditions.

[0031] Step 503: simulate an interference environment, record real-time data of the networking test, and adjust a test parameter change trend of the networking test based on the real-time data.

[0032] Specifically, different degrees of interference are introduced by program-controlled channel interference generating devices, moving the position of movable meter racks, and changing the signal shielding box, and real-time data of networking tests are recorded. The interference intensity can also be gradually increased to observe changes in network performance, record the response time and packet loss rate of the network under different interference levels, and determine the trend of test parameter changes of networking tests under different interference intensities. The interference environment may include: using program-controlled channel interference generating devices to introduce different degrees of interference to simulate different network environments; using signal shielding boxes to simulate multi-level routing environments, and placing some simulated electric energy meter node tooling in the shielding box; adjusting the position of movable meter racks through control software to simulate dynamic changes in actual application scenarios, such as building obstructions, terrain undulations, etc.

[0033] Step 504, adjusting the test parameters based on the test parameter change trend, and adjusting the test environment parameters of the movable meter stand, the interference signal parameters of the programmable channel interference generating device, and the signal coverage environment parameters of the signal shielding box through the test parameters.

[0034] Specifically, determine the changing trend of test parameters of the networking test, adjust the test parameters according to the changing trend of the test parameters, so that the test parameters meet the test requirements of the networking test. The test parameters may include: test environment parameters adjusted by moving the movable table stand, interference signal parameters adjusted by controlling the programmable channel interference generating device, and signal coverage environment parameters adjusted by the signal shielding box.

[0035] In addition, during the network test, a specific network test process may include the following 8 steps: 1. The power supply of the simulated energy meter node tooling is 5V DC input, which is connected to the simulated energy meter node tooling through an external power adapter. The simulated energy meter node tooling can simulate the standard DLMS / COSEM protocol energy meter.

[0036] 2. The simulated electric energy meter node tooling and the low-power wide area network wireless communication module to be tested are connected through a pin-and-female connector, which allows for flexible replacement of the module to be tested and facilitates test verification.

[0037] 3. The simulated energy meter node fixtures are grouped into 8 pieces. A row of meter racks can hold more than 40 pieces. The entire rack can hold 100-400 simulated energy meter node fixtures containing modules to be tested. Each fixture is connected to a wireless module to be tested. One wireless module in each group of fixtures is equipped with an external antenna, and the remaining wireless modules are equipped with internal antennas.

[0038] 4. According to the needs of the test scenario, place the movable meter rack in the test area, such as various areas of the office building. The fixed position can be connected to a fixed socket for power supply. If it needs to be moved, place a UPS uninterruptible power supply at the bottom of the meter rack.

[0039] 5. The channel interference generating device is placed on the top of the movable table frame. The channel interference generating device uses a low-power wide area network wireless communication module with a special program. Its modulation mode, transmission power, frequency channel and other parameters can be configured.

[0040] 6. The simulated electric energy meter node tooling can also be placed in a signal shielding box. Several signal shielding boxes are connected by radio frequency cables to transmit external signals next to each other, simulating a multi-level routing network.

[0041] 7. Reduce the divergent power of some wireless modules by debugging software configuration.

[0042] 8. During operation, the channel interference generating device is continuously turned on or off or the movable meter rack is manually moved to cause changes in the local routing network. The stability and reliability of the local routing network are verified by evaluating the original routing network indicators and the success rate of data collection at the system master station.

[0043] It should be understood that, although the steps in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings are displayed in sequence as indicated by the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in sequence in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least a part of the steps in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings may include multiple sub-steps or multiple stages, and these sub-steps or stages are not necessarily executed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and their execution order is not necessarily sequential, but can be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least a part of the sub-steps or stages of other steps.

[0044] The above is only a partial implementation of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology, characterized in that: include: Analog electric energy meter node tooling, movable meter stand, program-controlled channel interference generator, signal shielding box, acquisition module, control module; The simulated electric energy meter node tooling is used to send and receive wireless signals in the networking test and simulate the operation of a real electric energy meter; A movable meter stand, used to carry the simulated electric energy meter node tooling and adjust the test environment of the networking test through a movable structure; A program-controlled channel interference generating device, used for simulating and sending interference signals during the networking test; A signal shielding box, used to simulate a weak signal coverage or no signal coverage environment by placing a number of simulated electric energy meter node tools during the networking test; A collection module, used for collecting real-time data of the networking test, and adjusting the test parameter change trend of the networking test based on the real-time data; The control module is used to adjust the test parameters based on the test parameter change trend, and the test parameters include: test environment parameters, interference signal parameters, and signal coverage environment parameters.

2. The large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The system further comprises: The analog electric energy meter node tooling includes a circuit substrate, a low-power wide area network wireless communication module, and an antenna.

3. The large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The system further comprises: The analog electric energy meter node fixtures are grouped, each analog electric energy meter node fixture is connected to a wireless module to be tested, each group of wireless modules is configured with an external antenna, and other wireless modules are configured with internal antennas.

4. The large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The system further comprises: The movable meter rack carries 100 to 400 simulated electric energy meter node fixtures, and adjusts the test environment of the networking test through pulley movement.

5. The large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The system further comprises: The moving path module is used to receive a test requirement and adjust the moving path of the movable table frame based on the test requirement.

6. The large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The system further comprises: The signal shielding boxes are connected by radio frequency cables to simulate a multi-level routing network.

7. The large-scale electric energy meter networking test system based on low power wide area network technology according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The system also includes an adjustable signal attenuator; The adjustable signal attenuator is used to attenuate the unsent wireless signal.

8. A large-scale electric energy meter networking method based on low power wide area network technology, based on the large-scale electric energy meter networking system based on low power wide area network technology as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: include: Placing the analog electric energy meter node tooling on the movable meter stand, and connecting the analog electric energy meter node tooling to the network; Initialize networking test parameters and start networking test; Simulating an interference environment, recording real-time data of the networking test, and adjusting a change trend of test parameters of the networking test based on the real-time data; The test parameters are adjusted based on the test parameter change trend, and the test environment parameters of the movable table stand, the interference signal parameters of the programmable channel interference generating device, and the signal coverage environment parameters of the signal shielding box are adjusted through the test parameters.

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