Production communication test method for LoRaWAN ammeter
By using LoRaWAN gateway and serial port server to achieve automated testing in the production communication test of LoRaWAN meter, the existing test efficiency problem is solved, and fast batch testing and efficient production process are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411738799.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-04
AI Technical Summary
The existing LoRaWAN meter production communication testing methods are inefficient and cannot conduct large-scale batch testing, resulting in long test time and low efficiency.
By placing the LoRaWAN gateway and computer on the meter rack, and using the serial port server to connect the meter to the computer, the automatic testing method is used to initialize multiple meters, network access test and signal value judgment at the same time, and achieve rapid batch testing.
Fast batch testing of LoRaWAN meter is achieved, with a 48-fold increase in testing time, saving process and labor costs, and reducing the risk of missed human testing.
Smart Images

Figure CN119562296A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of electric power metering, and in particular relates to a production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter. Background Art
[0002] LoRaWAN (i.e. LoRaWAN) is built on the basis of LoRa, which specifies the communication protocol and system architecture. Therefore, it is also stipulated that the communication between LoRaWAN devices and gateways must be networked. For current equipment communication testing, the LoRa information must be written into the gateway one by one, and then the network access test is performed through the electric meter to prove that the electric meter function is complete. This test is very time-consuming and inefficient, and it is impossible to carry out large-scale production communication testing.
[0003] Therefore, further improvements are made to the above problems. Summary of the invention
[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a production communication test method for LoRaWAN electric meters, which can quickly complete batch testing of LoRaWAN electric meters, speed up production test time and test accuracy, and can quickly measure the signal value of each LoRa radio frequency circuit and upload it to a computer for judgment.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter, comprising the following steps:
[0006] Step S1: Place the LoRaWAN gateway on one side of the meter rack and keep it powered on;
[0007] Step S2: Connect the LoRaWAN gateway to a computer (host computer, computer terminal) via a network cable, and place multiple electric meters that need to be tested for production communication on an electric meter rack and connect the electric meters to the computer via a serial port server;
[0008] Step S3: The computer performs a production communication test on multiple meters on the meter rack simultaneously.
[0009] As a further preferred technical solution of the above technical solution, step S3 is specifically implemented as the following steps:
[0010] Step S3.1: The computer sends an initialization command to all the meters on the meter rack through the serial port server at the same time, so that the meters initialize the LoRa parameters and restore the internal LoRa parameters to the default values;
[0011] Step S3.2: The computer sends a network access command to all the meters on the meter rack through the serial port server at the same time, so that the meters start to access the network and perform a network access test;
[0012] Step S3.3: The computer determines whether the network access is successful based on the information sent by the meter. If the network access is successful, the computer determines whether the signal value of the meter meets the preset value through the information sent by the LoRaWAN gateway. If so, LoRa configuration is performed (the computer configures loRaWAN parameters for the meter through the serial port server). Otherwise, it indicates (the signal is too poor) and the test fails; the test is completed after the parameters are checked.
[0013] As a further preferred technical solution of the above technical solution, the network access test in step S3.2 is specifically implemented as follows:
[0014] Step S3.2.1: The computer obtains the LoRaWAN network access parameters of the electric meter by querying, and sets the network access parameters to the LoRaWAN gateway. The LoRaWAN gateway saves the corresponding network access parameters, so that the network access parameters are eligible for network access;
[0015] Step S3.2.2: The computer sends a trigger access command to the electric meter, so that the electric meter can access the network and successfully connect to the network at the LoRaWAN gateway. The LoRaWAN gateway sends data to the electric meter. At this time, the electric meter records its own network status and waits for the computer to query and judge.
[0016] As a further preferred technical solution of the above technical solution, the serial port server and the computer are connected via a network cable, and the serial port server and the electric meter are connected via TTL.
[0017] As a further preferred technical solution of the above technical solution, the serial port server provides a serial port to network function, which converts the RS485 serial port into a TCP / IP protocol network interface, and realizes bidirectional transparent transmission of data between the RS485 serial port and the TCP / IP protocol network interface (enabling the serial port device to immediately have the TCP / IP network interface function, connect to the network for data communication, and extend the communication distance of the serial port device).
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0019] First, it can test up to 96 lorawan meters at the same time. The original test time for one test was 30 seconds, but now the total test time for 96 tests is 60 seconds, which is 48 times faster.
[0020] Second, it saves processes. The original production process of tools required Lora setting, calibration, re-inspection, Lora testing, and packaging. Now, the production process saves the two processes of Lora setting and Lora testing, reducing labor costs.
[0021] Third, the data and results of computer automated testing are uploaded to the server for comparison, reducing the risk of omissions in manual testing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Figure 1 It is a connection diagram of a production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 2 It is a production communication test flow chart of a production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 3 It is a network access test flow chart of a production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following description is used to disclose the present invention so that those skilled in the art can implement the present invention. The preferred embodiments described below are only examples, and those skilled in the art can think of other obvious variations. The basic principles of the present invention defined in the following description can be applied to other embodiments, variations, improvements, equivalents, and other technical solutions that do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0026] In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art should note that the computer and electric meter involved in the present invention can be regarded as prior art.
[0027] Preferred embodiments.
[0028] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the present invention discloses a production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter, comprising the following steps:
[0029] Step S1: Place the LoRaWAN gateway on one side of the meter rack and keep it powered on;
[0030] Step S2: Connect the LoRaWAN gateway to a computer (host computer, computer terminal) via a network cable, and place multiple electric meters that need to be tested for production communication on an electric meter rack and connect the electric meters to the computer via a serial port server;
[0031] Step S3: The computer performs a production communication test on multiple meters on the meter rack simultaneously.
[0032] Specifically, step S3 is implemented as follows:
[0033] Step S3.1: The computer sends an initialization command to all the meters on the meter rack through the serial port server at the same time, so that the meters initialize the LoRa parameters and restore the internal LoRa parameters to the default values;
[0034] Step S3.2: The computer sends a network access command to all the meters on the meter rack through the serial port server at the same time, so that the meters start to access the network and perform a network access test;
[0035] Step S3.3: The computer determines whether the network access is successful based on the information sent by the meter. If the network access is successful, the computer determines whether the signal value of the meter meets the preset value through the information sent by the LoRaWAN gateway. If so, LoRa configuration is performed (the computer configures loRaWAN parameters for the meter through the serial port server). Otherwise, it indicates (the signal is too poor) and the test fails; the test is completed after the parameters are checked.
[0036] More specifically, the network access test in step S3.2 is implemented as follows:
[0037] Step S3.2.1: The computer obtains the LoRaWAN network access parameters of the electric meter by querying, and sets the network access parameters to the LoRaWAN gateway. The LoRaWAN gateway saves the corresponding network access parameters, so that the network access parameters are eligible for network access;
[0038] Step S3.2.2: The computer sends a trigger access command to the electric meter, so that the electric meter can access the network and successfully connect to the network at the LoRaWAN gateway. The LoRaWAN gateway sends data to the electric meter. At this time, the electric meter records its own network status and waits for the computer to query and judge.
[0039] Furthermore, the serial port server and the computer are connected via a network cable, and the serial port server and the electric meter are connected via TTL.
[0040] Furthermore, the serial device server provides a serial port to network function, which converts the RS485 serial port into a TCP / IP protocol network interface, and realizes bidirectional transparent data transmission between the RS485 serial port and the TCP / IP protocol network interface (enabling the serial device to immediately have the TCP / IP network interface function, connect to the network for data communication, and extend the communication distance of the serial device).
[0041] When multiple electricity meters are connected to the network in batches, how to solve the congestion problem caused by connecting to the network in batches:
[0042] When Lorawan reports at the same time, data congestion may occur. The current solution is to solve the congestion problem through dual channels and sorting.
[0043] Channel 1: Solve the calibration of the electric meter.
[0044] Channel 2: Perform network access test at 2s intervals.
[0045] When the two channels are carried out at the same time, when the meter is calibrated, the lorawan test is completed, and the communication test is completed without any blockage.
[0046] It is worth mentioning that the technical features such as computers and electric meters involved in the patent application of this invention should be regarded as prior art. The specific structure, working principle and possible control method and spatial layout method of these technical features can be selected according to the conventional selection in the field, and should not be regarded as the inventive point of this patent. This patent will not be further elaborated.
[0047] For those skilled in the art, it is still possible 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 production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step S1: Place the LoRaWAN gateway on one side of the meter rack and keep it powered on; Step S2: Connect the LoRaWAN gateway to the computer via a network cable, place multiple electric meters that need to undergo production communication testing on an electric meter rack, and connect the electric meters to the computer via a serial port server; Step S3: The computer performs a production communication test on multiple meters on the meter rack simultaneously.
2. A production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S3 is specifically implemented as the following steps: Step S3.1: The computer sends an initialization command to all the meters on the meter rack through the serial port server at the same time, so that the meters initialize the LoRa parameters and restore the internal LoRa parameters to the default values; Step S3.2: The computer sends a network access command to all the meters on the meter rack through the serial port server at the same time, so that the meters start to access the network and perform a network access test; Step S3.3: The computer determines whether the network access is successful based on the information sent by the meter. If the network access is successful, the computer determines whether the signal value of the meter meets the preset value through the information sent by the LoRaWAN gateway. If so, LoRa configuration is performed, otherwise it indicates that the test has failed; the test is completed after the parameters are checked.
3. A production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The network access test in step S3.2 is specifically implemented as follows: Step S3.2.1: The computer obtains the LoRaWAN network access parameters of the electric meter by querying, and sets the network access parameters to the LoRaWAN gateway. The LoRaWAN gateway saves the corresponding network access parameters, so that the network access parameters are eligible for network access; Step S3.2.2: The computer sends a trigger access command to the electric meter, so that the electric meter can access the network and successfully connect to the network at the LoRaWAN gateway. The LoRaWAN gateway sends data to the electric meter. At this time, the electric meter records its own network status and waits for the computer to query and judge.
4. A production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The serial server and the computer are connected via a network cable, and the serial server and the electric meter are connected via TTL.
5. A production communication test method for a LoRaWAN electric meter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The serial device server provides the function of converting the RS485 serial port to the network port, converting the RS485 serial port to the TCP / IP protocol network interface, and realizing the bidirectional transparent transmission of data between the RS485 serial port and the TCP / IP protocol network interface.