Power line carrier communication equipment, electric energy meter and positioning information determination method

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides power line carrier communication equipment, an electric energy meter and a method for determining positioning information, and relates to the technical field of carrier communication. The equipment comprises a main controller, a multi-mode positioning module and a power line carrier communication module, the multi-mode positioning module and the power line carrier communication module are connected with the main controller; the multi-mode positioning module comprises a plurality of preset positioning modules using different positioning systems; the main controller is used for selecting target positioning information in the positioning information acquired by the preset positioning module based on a preset adaptive weight algorithm under the condition of determining that at least one preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module is in a normal state, and determining the target positioning information as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication equipment; the power line carrier communication module is used for transmitting the positioning information of the power line carrier communication equipment to the first equipment; the first device is connected with the power line carrier communication device through a power line. The equipment is used for achieving the effect of improving the positioning precision and reliability of the equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power line carrier communication technology, and in particular to a power line carrier communication device, an electricity meter, and a method for determining location information. Background Technology

[0002] High-speed power line communication (HPLC) is a technology that uses power lines for data transmission. Due to the widespread coverage of power line networks, HPLC technology has important applications in fields such as smart grids and industrial control, which also places higher demands on the positioning accuracy of equipment.

[0003] Traditional positioning technologies typically rely on a single positioning system, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). However, a single positioning system may be affected by factors such as signal blockage and interference in certain environments, leading to decreased positioning accuracy or failure to locate.

[0004] It is evident that existing technologies have certain limitations in determining location information, and the accuracy and reliability of positioning need to be further improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a method for determining power line carrier communication equipment, electricity meters, and positioning information, in order to improve the positioning accuracy and reliability of the equipment.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a power line carrier communication device, the power line carrier communication device comprising: a main controller, a multi-mode positioning module, and a power line carrier communication module; both the multi-mode positioning module and the power line carrier communication module are connected to the main controller;

[0007] The multi-mode positioning module includes multiple preset positioning modules that use different positioning systems;

[0008] The main controller is used to select the target positioning information from the positioning information obtained by the preset positioning module and determine it as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device based on a preset adaptive weight algorithm when it is determined that at least one preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module is in a normal state.

[0009] The power line carrier communication module is used to transmit the location information of the power line carrier communication device to the first device; the first device is connected to the power line carrier communication device via a power line.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the power line carrier communication device further includes a Bluetooth module connected to the main controller;

[0011] The main controller is also used to activate the Bluetooth function module when it is determined that all the preset positioning modules in the multi-mode positioning module are in an abnormal state.

[0012] When the Bluetooth function module is activated, it is used to broadcast a distress message to an authorized device and receive the location information of the power line carrier communication device returned by the authorized device; wherein, the distress message includes the device identification information of the power line carrier communication device, and the distress message is used to instruct the authorized device to return the location information of the power line carrier communication device.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the power line carrier communication device further includes: a wireless communication module connected to the main controller;

[0014] The main controller is also configured to control the wireless communication module to transmit the positioning information when it is determined that the power line carrier communication module fails to transmit the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the power line carrier communication device further includes: a power scheduling module connected to the main controller, the power scheduling module including a power-on status detection module and a buffer capacitor;

[0016] The power-on status detection module is used to detect the power-on status of the target energy meter; the target energy meter is an energy meter connected to the power line carrier communication equipment.

[0017] The main controller is also used to control the buffer capacitor to supply power to the power line carrier communication equipment when it is determined that the target energy meter is in a power-off state.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the power scheduling module further includes a backup battery;

[0019] The main controller is also configured to control the backup battery to supply power to the power line carrier communication device when it is determined that the power in the buffer capacitor is depleted.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the power line carrier communication device further includes: a secure storage module connected to the main controller;

[0021] The secure storage module is used to store the location information of the power line carrier communication device and to encrypt the location information.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the power line carrier communication device further includes an anti-interference module, which is connected to the power line carrier communication module.

[0023] The anti-interference module is used to eliminate the interference of power grid harmonics on the positioning information to be output by the power line carrier communication module.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the main controller is also configured to periodically activate the multi-mode positioning module according to a gradient sleep command.

[0025] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an electricity meter, the electricity meter including the first aspect above and / or various possible power line carrier communication devices of the first aspect, the power line carrier communication devices being hot-swappable to the electricity meter.

[0026] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a method for determining location information, applied to the first aspect above and / or various possible power line carrier communication devices of the first aspect, the method comprising:

[0027] When at least one of the preset positioning modules in the multi-mode positioning module is in normal condition, positioning information is obtained through the preset positioning module, and based on the preset adaptive weight algorithm, the target positioning information in the positioning information obtained by the preset positioning module is selected and determined as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device.

[0028] Output the location information of the power line carrier communication device.

[0029] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to implement the third aspect and / or various possible implementations of the third aspect.

[0030] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the third aspect and / or various possible implementations of the third aspect.

[0031] In the power line carrier communication device, electricity meter, and method for determining positioning information provided in this application embodiment, the power line carrier communication device includes: a main controller, a multi-mode positioning module, and a power line carrier communication module; both the multi-mode positioning module and the power line carrier communication module are connected to the main controller; the multi-mode positioning module includes multiple preset positioning modules using different positioning systems; the main controller, when determining that at least one preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module is in a normal state, selects the target positioning information from the positioning information obtained by the preset positioning module based on a preset adaptive weight algorithm, and determines it as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device; the power line carrier communication module is used to transmit the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device to a first device; the first device is connected to the power line carrier communication device via a power line. By integrating multiple positioning systems and using a preset adaptive weight algorithm, the advantages of multiple positioning technologies can be effectively combined, overcoming the limitations of a single system, improving overall positioning performance, and enabling the selection of the optimal positioning scheme in different environments, thereby improving positioning accuracy and reliability; in addition, using existing power line infrastructure for data transmission avoids additional wiring requirements, reduces dependence on additional communication infrastructure, and lowers information transmission costs. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a power line carrier communication device provided in this application embodiment;

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of another power line carrier communication device provided in this application embodiment;

[0035] Figure 3 An interactive schematic diagram of a power line carrier communication device provided in this application embodiment;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electricity meter provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining location information provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0040] With the development of smart grid technology, meter reading technology has evolved from manual meter reading to remote automatic meter reading, and power line carrier communication technology has been upgraded from narrowband to broadband communication. The introduction of broadband communication brings significant advantages. Compared with narrowband communication, broadband communication can transmit more information, not only reading the meter reading but also obtaining detailed information such as current, voltage, and power factor, improving the stability and functionality of meter reading. More importantly, this technological upgrade does not require replacing the entire meter system. Power grid companies only need to replace the power line carrier communication equipment used for meter reading. This upgrade method greatly saves on the physical and labor costs of replacing meters, while also reducing the time required for the upgrade and the impact on users.

[0041] Currently, the widely used power line carrier communication meter reading technology mainly utilizes power lines for data transmission. A concentrator located in a public transformer substation receives readings from all the electricity meters connected to that concentrator via the power lines and then uploads these readings to the main station. With technological advancements, in some scenarios, to improve ease of use, the concentrator has been replaced by a smart distribution terminal, replacing the original concentrator and transformer terminal.

[0042] However, although automatic meter reading has been achieved using power line carrier communication technology, in practical applications, it is inevitable that electricity meters will be damaged, requiring disassembly, reassembly, and repair. This necessitates timely knowledge of the meter's installation location. Current technologies typically use only a single positioning system to obtain location information. However, a single positioning system may be affected by factors such as signal obstruction and interference in certain environments, leading to decreased positioning accuracy or failure to locate the meter.

[0043] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a power line carrier communication device that uses various positioning systems for positioning and employs a preset adaptive weighting algorithm to select positioning information. This not only meets the positioning needs of more scenarios and allows for the acquisition of positioning information in various scenarios, but also significantly improves positioning accuracy by using a preset adaptive weighting algorithm to select positioning information.

[0044] The technical solution of this application and how the technical solution of this application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a power line carrier communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the power line carrier communication device 10 includes a main controller 11, a multi-mode positioning module 12, and a power line carrier communication module 13. Both the multi-mode positioning module 12 and the power line carrier communication module 13 are connected to the main controller 11. The multi-mode positioning module 12 includes multiple preset positioning modules using different positioning systems, such as... Figure 1 The system includes a GPS positioning module 121, a BeiDou positioning module 122, and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) 123. The GPS positioning module 121 obtains positioning information through the Global Positioning System; the BeiDou positioning module 122 obtains positioning information through the BeiDou Navigation System; and the Inertial Measurement Unit 123 is a key component of the Inertial Navigation System (INS), which can calculate positioning information based on the device's speed of movement and position offset before the loss of satellite positioning signal, even in the event of a sudden loss of satellite positioning signal.

[0046] The main controller 11 is used to select the target positioning information from the positioning information obtained by the preset positioning module based on a preset adaptive weight algorithm when it is determined that at least one preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module 12 is in a normal state, and determine it as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device; the power line carrier communication module 13 is used to transmit the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device 10 to the first device 20; the first device 20 is connected to the power line carrier communication device 10 through a power line.

[0047] For example, the main controller 11, as the core control unit of the power line carrier communication device 10, is responsible for managing and coordinating the operation of the multi-mode positioning module 12 and the power line carrier communication module 13. Understandably, in practical applications, the preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module 12 may be affected by factors such as signal obstruction and interference in certain scenarios (such as basements, enclosed spaces with hidden locations, etc.), resulting in decreased positioning accuracy or inability to locate.

[0048] In this embodiment, the multi-mode positioning module 12 includes multiple preset positioning modules using different positioning systems, which can be applied to more scenarios. Even if some preset positioning modules cannot obtain positioning information, other preset positioning modules can still obtain positioning information. When it is determined that at least one preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module 12 is in a normal state, that is, at least one preset positioning module can obtain positioning information, the main controller 11 can select the target positioning information from the positioning information obtained by the preset positioning modules based on a preset adaptive weight algorithm, and determine it as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device 10. The positioning information may include longitude, latitude, altitude, etc., used to determine the specific location of the power line carrier communication device 10, and this embodiment does not impose any limitations.

[0049] Preset adaptive weighting algorithms are a type of algorithm used to dynamically adjust the weights of various parts in a system to optimize performance or meet specific objectives. In this embodiment, the main controller 11 assigns a suitable weight to the positioning information of each preset positioning module based on the accuracy, reliability, signal strength, and historical performance of the positioning information. The weight is usually proportional to the reliability and accuracy of the data; more reliable data is given a higher weight, thereby selecting the optimal positioning information as the final positioning information of the power line carrier communication device 10. For example, in an open outdoor environment, the main controller 11 can configure a higher weight for the Beidou positioning module 122 based on the preset adaptive weighting algorithm, determining that the positioning information it acquires is the target positioning information. When displacement of the power line carrier communication device 10 is detected and satellite signals are lost (e.g., in a basement), the inertial measurement unit 123 can be activated to calculate the displacement trajectory, and the accumulated error can be corrected by combining the power line carrier area topology data, thereby determining the target positioning information, etc. This embodiment does not impose any limitations.

[0050] It should be noted that when the power line carrier communication device 10 is used on an electricity meter, the location information of the power line carrier communication device 10 is also the location information of the corresponding electricity meter. After the location information of the device is determined, the main controller 11 will control the power line carrier communication module 13 to transmit the location information to the first device 20 connected via the power line. The first device 20 is connected to the power line carrier communication device 10 via the power line and can exchange information using HPLC technology. For example, the first device 20 can be a concentrator that uniformly acquires electricity meter data, a smart terminal for a distribution area, or other similar devices. These devices can transmit the location information to the main station of the power system via wireless or wired signal transmission.

[0051] The power line carrier communication device provided in this application embodiment can effectively combine the advantages of multiple positioning technologies by integrating multiple positioning systems and using a preset adaptive weight algorithm, overcoming the limitations of a single system, improving overall positioning performance, and selecting the optimal positioning scheme in different environments to improve positioning accuracy and reliability. In addition, by using existing power line infrastructure for data transmission, it avoids additional wiring requirements, reduces dependence on additional communication infrastructure, and lowers information transmission costs.

[0052] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another power line carrier communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, in some possible embodiments, in Figure 1 Based on the power line carrier communication device 10 shown, the power line carrier communication device 10 may further include a Bluetooth function module 14 connected to the main controller 11.

[0053] The main controller 11 is also used to activate the Bluetooth function module 14 when it is determined that all the preset positioning modules in the multi-mode positioning module 12 are in an abnormal state. When the Bluetooth function module 14 is activated, it is used to broadcast a help request to the authorized device 30 and receive the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device 10 returned by the authorized device 30. The help request includes the device identification information of the power line carrier communication device 10 and is used to instruct the authorized device 30 to return the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device 10.

[0054] Optionally, the Bluetooth function module 14 can be Bluetooth Low Energy such as BLE 5.2, etc., and this application embodiment does not impose any restrictions.

[0055] For example, when it is determined that all the preset positioning modules in the multi-mode positioning module 12 are in an abnormal state and cannot obtain positioning information, the main controller 11 is also used to activate the Bluetooth function module 14, so that the Bluetooth function module 14 broadcasts a request for help to the nearby authorized device 30. The authorized device 30 may be a mobile phone or other dedicated maintenance device belonging to nearby maintenance personnel, and the authorized device 30 has dedicated software installed to process the request for help. The request for help includes device identification information of the power line carrier communication device 10, such as the device ID, to instruct the authorized device 30 to return the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device 10.

[0056] Optionally, the authorized device 30 may be pre-configured with multiple methods for obtaining location information, such as "base station positioning", "mobile phone positioning", "manual input of coordinates", etc., and users can choose the method for obtaining location information at their own discretion.

[0057] For example, after the authorized device 30 receives a distress message, maintenance personnel can manually / automatically trigger the authorized device 30 to perform location tracking to obtain information such as the LAC (Location Area Code) + CI (Cell ID) of the current location. This location information is then returned to the power line carrier communication device 10 via the Bluetooth module 14. Since the Bluetooth module 14 uses short-range wireless communication technology, the power line carrier communication device 10 can only connect to authorized devices 30 within a short range. Therefore, when the power line carrier communication device 10 cannot independently obtain location information, it can use the location information returned by the authorized device 30 as its current location information to determine its approximate location.

[0058] Optionally, when the authorized device 30 is also unable to obtain location information, it can send a request to the operator's base station where the device is located to obtain location information, or the maintenance personnel can manually input location information such as latitude and longitude coordinates to obtain the approximate location of the power line carrier communication device 10, so as to find the power line carrier communication device 10 as soon as possible when necessary. Compared with aimless searching without a range, it can save search time and improve work efficiency.

[0059] Optionally, to improve the information security of Bluetooth interaction, the transmitted data can also be encrypted using a symmetric encryption algorithm such as AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard with a 256-bit key). This application does not impose any limitations on this embodiment.

[0060] Optionally, the acquired location information can be labeled according to the different acquisition methods. For example, it can be labeled "satellite," "Bluetooth," and "manual" to distinguish the acquisition methods; or it can be labeled "low-precision positioning" and "high-precision positioning" to distinguish the positioning accuracy and improve information recognition.

[0061] Understandably, since the positioning information obtained through the Bluetooth function module 14 is not the most accurate positioning information of the power line carrier communication device, it is possible to set the low-precision data to be automatically overwritten and the corrected high-precision positioning to be reported when the energy meter recovers the satellite signal.

[0062] This application provides an emergency positioning solution for power line carrier communication devices in the event of multi-mode positioning module failure by introducing a Bluetooth function module, thereby improving the reliability and flexibility of the device.

[0063] Alternatively, in some possible embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the power line carrier communication device 10 may further include a wireless communication module 15 connected to the main controller 11. The main controller 11 is also configured to control the wireless communication module 15 to transmit location information when it is determined that the power line carrier communication module 13 has failed to transmit the location information of the power line carrier communication device 10.

[0064] For example, the wireless communication module 15 can serve as a backup communication module, providing an alternative transmission path for transmitting the location information of the power line carrier communication device 10. The wireless communication module 15 can communicate using wireless communication technologies such as Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), and Broadband Internet of Things (Broadband IoT), and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations.

[0065] During use, the main controller 11 is also responsible for monitoring the transmission status of the power line carrier communication module 13. If the power line carrier communication module 13 fails to transmit positioning information, the main controller 11 will automatically switch to the wireless communication module 15 to activate the wireless communication module 15 and ensure that the transmission of positioning information is not interrupted.

[0066] Optionally, to facilitate subsequent identification, information such as the ID, phase tag, and timestamp of the smart terminal in the distribution area can be embedded in the positioning information output from the power line carrier communication device 10, so that the master station can verify the legality of the data through the topology consistency algorithm, block counterfeit signals, and improve information security.

[0067] This application embodiment provides a redundant communication mechanism by adding a wireless communication module 15, which can still maintain the transmission of positioning information when the power line carrier communication module 13 fails, thus solving the problem of power outage and loss of connection and improving the overall reliability of the system.

[0068] Alternatively, in some possible embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the power line carrier communication device 10 may further include a power dispatching module 16 connected to the main controller 11. The power dispatching module 16 includes a power-on status detection module 161 and a buffer capacitor 162. The power-on status detection module 161 is used to detect the power-on status of the target energy meter; the target energy meter is an energy meter connected to the power line carrier communication device 10. The main controller 11 is also used to control the buffer capacitor 162 to supply power to the power line carrier communication device 10 when it is determined that the target energy meter is in a power-off state.

[0069] For example, the power scheduling module 16 is responsible for managing the power supply of the device, ensuring that the device can work normally under different power conditions. It includes a power-on status detection module 161 and a buffer capacitor 162. When the power line carrier communication device 10 is connected to the target energy meter and the power line carrier communication device 10 is used for data reading of the target energy meter, the power-on status detection module 161 can be used to detect the power-on status of the target energy meter. When the target energy meter is in the power-on state, the power line carrier communication device 10 is powered by the AC power in the circuit monitored by the target energy meter. When the power-on status detection module 161 detects that the target energy meter suddenly loses power, it immediately switches to the buffer capacitor 162 to provide instantaneous power to the power line carrier communication device 10 (such as switching within 0.1 seconds) to prevent the functional modules in the power line carrier communication device 10 from failing to work due to sudden power loss.

[0070] Among them, the buffer capacitor 162 can be a graphene supercapacitor, etc. It can be charged when the power supply is normal and discharged when the power is interrupted to maintain the short-term operation of the device. This application embodiment does not limit it.

[0071] Under normal circumstances, the electricity meter supplies power to the power line carrier communication device 10, which communicates data via the power line. The power status detection module 161 continuously monitors the power status of the electricity meter. If the electricity meter is detected to be de-energized, the main controller 11 will respond immediately and control the buffer capacitor 162 to start supplying power to the power line carrier communication device 10 to ensure that the device continues to operate for a short period of time. This design can prevent data loss or communication interruption, especially during power failures or maintenance, and improves the reliability and stability of the power line carrier communication device 10.

[0072] Alternatively, in some possible embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the power scheduling module 16 may also include a backup battery 163; the main controller 11 is also used to control the backup battery 163 to supply power to the power line carrier communication device 10 when it is determined that the power in the buffer capacitor 162 is depleted.

[0073] For example, the backup battery 163 is an additional energy storage component used to continue powering the power line carrier communication device 10 after the power of the buffer capacitor 162 is depleted. The backup battery 163 typically has a larger capacity to support the operation of the device for a longer period of time. For example, the backup battery 163 can be a micro lithium battery, lithium thionyl chloride battery, etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to this.

[0074] Under normal circumstances, the electricity meter supplies power to the power line carrier communication device 10. The power status detection module 161 continuously monitors the power status of the electricity meter. If the electricity meter is detected to be de-energized, the main controller 11 will control the buffer capacitor 162 to start supplying power to the device. If the power in the buffer capacitor 162 is depleted, the main controller 11 will automatically switch to the backup battery 163 to ensure the continuous operation of the device.

[0075] Optionally, when a sudden power outage is detected in the electricity meter, an encrypted tracking mode can be triggered, and the wireless communication module can be started to send an encrypted location signal once every n minutes for t hours to ensure that the power line carrier communication device 10 can still be tracked after the power outage.

[0076] By adding a backup battery, the device can operate for a longer period of time in the event of a power outage. Even during prolonged power failures, the device can still continue to operate, ensuring continuous data transmission and system stability. This multi-level power management strategy enables the device to adapt to various power supply conditions, providing greater operational flexibility and further improving the reliability of the device.

[0077] Alternatively, in some possible embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the power line carrier communication device 10 may further include: a secure storage module 17 connected to the main controller 11; the secure storage module 17 is used to store the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device 10 and to encrypt the positioning information.

[0078] For example, the secure storage module 17 may be an embedded secure access module (ESAM), which is typically used to protect sensitive data and perform security-related operations. In this embodiment, it can be used to securely store the location information of the power line carrier communication device 10 and encrypt the location information to improve the security and reliability of the location information during storage and transmission. By introducing the secure storage module 17, the power line carrier communication device 10 not only enhances data security but also improves the overall reliability and privacy protection capabilities of the system.

[0079] Alternatively, in some possible embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the power line carrier communication device 10 may further include an anti-interference module 18, which is connected to the power line carrier communication module 13. The anti-interference module 18 is used to eliminate the interference of power grid harmonics on the positioning information to be output by the power line carrier communication module 13.

[0080] For example, in power line communication, power grid harmonics are a common source of interference that can affect the quality and accuracy of communication. To improve communication security, an anti-interference module 18 can be embedded in the power line carrier communication device 10. The anti-interference module 18 can detect harmonic interference in the power line and apply filtering techniques or other signal processing methods to eliminate or mitigate this interference. By eliminating harmonic interference, the anti-interference module 18 can ensure that the power line carrier communication module 13 can accurately transmit and receive positioning information and other data.

[0081] For example, the anti-interference module 18 may include a zero-crossing phase synchronization filter and a zero-crossing timing deviation verification module. By embedding the zero-crossing phase synchronization filter and the zero-crossing timing deviation verification module in the power line carrier communication device 10, the interference of power grid harmonics on the positioning data packet can be eliminated, ensuring that the transmission error rate is <0.01% and avoiding mispositioning due to signal interference.

[0082] By introducing an anti-interference module, the power line carrier communication equipment in this application embodiment can better adapt to and cope with harmonic interference in the power grid, thereby improving the overall communication performance and the accuracy of data transmission.

[0083] Optionally, in some possible embodiments, the main controller 11 is also configured to periodically activate the multi-mode positioning module 12 according to a gradient sleep command.

[0084] For example, once the power line carrier communication device 10 is connected to a specific electricity meter, it is generally used continuously for data reading of that meter, meaning its location generally does not change significantly. Therefore, after obtaining the location information, the location information can be updated and verified periodically. Specifically, the main controller 11 can adjust the activation frequency of the positioning module according to preset gradient sleep commands or gradient sleep commands sent by concentrators / smart terminals in distribution areas / master stations, etc.

[0085] Optionally, the activation frequency of the multi-mode positioning module 12 can be set according to the meter reading frequency, or it can be continuously adjusted according to actual needs; this embodiment does not impose any limitations. For example, after the positioning information is obtained for the first time, the multi-mode positioning module 12 is activated once every n hours to obtain the positioning information; when the obtained positioning information does not change, the activation frequency is adjusted to once every m days; when the positioning information changes, the activation frequency is adjusted again, and so on. When the positioning information does not change, the activation frequency is reduced; when the positioning information changes, the activation frequency is increased.

[0086] This application embodiment controls the working cycle of the multi-mode positioning module, which can significantly reduce energy consumption and extend the service life of the device while ensuring the accuracy of positioning information. In addition, based on the gradient sleep strategy, it also provides a flexible power management method, which can adjust the positioning frequency and the activation state of the backup battery according to actual needs, and control the backup battery to work in a pulse working mode (such as wake-up for n seconds / sleep for t hours, etc.), thereby extending the battery life.

[0087] For example, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the interaction of a power line carrier communication device as provided in an embodiment of this application. (Combined with...) Figure 3 As shown, the workflow of the power line carrier communication equipment used in an electricity meter is as follows: When the power line carrier communication equipment is connected to the electricity meter and powered on for the first time, the multi-mode positioning module is activated. Positioning information is obtained through the BeiDou positioning module, GPS positioning module, and IMU module within the multi-mode positioning module. If successful, the optimal positioning information is selected using a preset adaptive weight algorithm and stored in the ESM security module. If positioning information is not successfully obtained within N seconds, the main controller triggers a "hybrid positioning mechanism for scenarios without satellite positioning signals," automatically entering Bluetooth broadcast mode. The Bluetooth module broadcasts a request for assistance to mobile phones / dedicated devices, which then obtain and return approximate positioning information as the positioning information for the power line carrier communication equipment. When mobile phones / dedicated devices cannot automatically obtain positioning information, they can request assistance from the operator's base station, or maintenance personnel can manually input positioning information using the mobile phone / dedicated device. After obtaining the location information, it is processed by the zero-crossing phase synchronization filter and the zero-crossing timing deviation verification module in the anti-interference module. Then, it is transmitted to the smart terminal in the distribution area via HPLC using power line carrier communication technology. The location information is then uploaded to the main station via 4G, 5G, fiber optic networks, and other communication technologies. Upon initial acquisition of the location information, the main station sends a gradient sleep command to the power line carrier communication device, causing the multi-mode positioning module to enter sleep mode and periodically acquire and send location information at a specific frequency, thereby reducing power consumption and avoiding frequent location information transmission. If uploading location information via HPLC fails, it switches to directly uploading location information to the main station via LoRaWAN or NB-IoT modules. Furthermore, during the use of the power line carrier communication device, the circuit power supply monitored by the energy meter serves as the main power supply for both the energy meter and the power line carrier communication device. The power-on status detection module monitors the energy meter's power-on status in real time. When a power outage is detected, the system first switches to power supply from a buffer capacitor. Once the buffer capacitor is depleted, it switches to power supply from a backup battery.

[0088] After receiving location information, the master station can calculate the distance difference between two consecutively received location data in real time. If the difference exceeds a preset threshold (e.g., 50 meters), an alarm is automatically triggered and a work order is generated and sent to the maintenance platform to prompt maintenance personnel to check for anomalies and determine whether the electricity meter has been stolen or moved. In addition, the master station can also output different maintenance work orders based on the displacement distance, speed, time, and load changes of the power line carrier communication equipment. For example, if the power line carrier communication equipment is moving slowly or has zero displacement and communication is interrupted, it may be a equipment malfunction, and a normal maintenance work order will be output; if it is moving rapidly, it may be stolen, and no work order needs to be generated; and so on. In addition, a tiered alarm mechanism and a self-healing mechanism can be implemented. If the displacement is greater than n meters, a level one alarm is triggered and an SMS notification is sent. If the displacement is greater than n meters and the speed is greater than x km / h, a level two alarm is triggered. In addition to the SMS notification, an audible and visual alarm is activated and related safety systems are linked to trigger an alarm. If the displacement is restored to its original position or located in a pre-set safe location (such as the management unit of the electricity meter) within t hours, it is automatically marked as a "false alarm" and the algorithm is optimized. This application embodiment does not limit the relevant processing scheme after the main station obtains the positioning information.

[0089] This application integrates a "multi-mode positioning module" and a "domain function module" into the power line carrier communication equipment to solve scenarios in complex environments or remote areas without positioning signal coverage. It enhances the anti-interference capability of positioning information upload through an "anti-interference module," solves the problems of power consumption and inability to work when power is off through an "adaptive power scheduling module," solves the problem of data upload to the master station after the electricity meter is physically disconnected from the power line or the module is removed through a "dual-channel redundant communication mechanism," and solves the problems of positioning deviation alarms and misjudgments through an "intelligent diagnosis and alarm strategy." Overall, it improves the positioning accuracy and reliability of the power line carrier communication equipment.

[0090] This application also provides an electricity meter, which includes any of the power line carrier communication devices in the embodiments of this application. The power line carrier communication device is hot-swappable to the electricity meter.

[0091] For example, hot-swapping refers to the ability to insert or remove power line carrier communication equipment without shutting off the power to the electricity meter. Hot-swapping simplifies equipment maintenance and replacement, reduces downtime and maintenance costs, and by introducing hot-swapping functionality, electricity meters not only improve operational convenience and flexibility but also provide better support for future technology upgrades and maintenance.

[0092] For example, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electricity meter provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4As shown, the electricity meter 400 has a reserved space 41 for inserting a power line carrier communication device. After the power line carrier communication device is inserted into the space 41 and activated, the electricity meter data can be read.

[0093] For example, Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining location information provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the method for determining location information provided in this application embodiment is applied to the power line carrier communication device described in this application embodiment. The method includes:

[0094] S501. When at least one preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module is in normal condition, the positioning information is obtained through the preset positioning module, and the target positioning information in the positioning information obtained by the preset positioning module is selected based on the preset adaptive weight algorithm and determined as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device.

[0095] S502, outputs the location information of the power line carrier communication equipment.

[0096] For example, when at least one preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module of the power line carrier communication equipment is in normal operation, positioning information is obtained through the preset positioning module. This application, by combining multiple positioning technologies and an adaptive weighting algorithm, can select the most accurate positioning information, reducing errors that may arise from a single positioning technology. Moreover, even if a positioning module malfunctions or has a poor signal, valid positioning information can still be obtained through other positioning modules. Furthermore, based on the preset adaptive weighting algorithm, the weight allocation can be dynamically adjusted to adapt to different environments and conditions, resulting in more accurate positioning information and thus more accurate output positioning information, improving positioning accuracy and reliability.

[0097] Optionally, the method for determining location information provided in this application embodiment may further include: activating the Bluetooth function module when it is determined that all preset positioning modules in the multi-mode positioning module are in an abnormal state; broadcasting a request for help to the authorized device through the Bluetooth function module, and receiving the location information of the power line carrier communication device returned by the authorized device; wherein the request for help includes the device identification information of the power line carrier communication device, and the request for help is used to instruct the authorized device to return the location information of the power line carrier communication device. Accordingly, even when the multi-mode positioning module fails, approximate location information can still be obtained, thereby saving time in searching for the power line carrier communication device when necessary and improving work efficiency.

[0098] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described method.

[0099] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the above-described method.

[0100] The aforementioned readable storage medium can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk. The readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0101] An exemplary readable storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the readable storage medium. Of course, the readable storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the readable storage medium can reside in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Alternatively, the processor and the readable storage medium can exist as discrete components in the device.

[0102] The division of units is merely a logical functional division; 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 indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices, or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0103] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0104] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0105] If a function is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this invention, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0106] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the program performs the steps of the above-described method embodiments; and the aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0107] Finally, it should be noted that other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein, and is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power line carrier communication device, characterized in that, The power line carrier communication device includes: a main controller, a multi-mode positioning module, and a power line carrier communication module; both the multi-mode positioning module and the power line carrier communication module are connected to the main controller. The multi-mode positioning module includes multiple preset positioning modules that use different positioning systems; The main controller is used to select the target positioning information from the positioning information obtained by the preset positioning module and determine it as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device based on a preset adaptive weight algorithm when it is determined that at least one preset positioning module in the multi-mode positioning module is in a normal state. The power line carrier communication module is used to transmit the location information of the power line carrier communication device to the first device; the first device is connected to the power line carrier communication device via a power line.

2. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power line carrier communication device further includes: a Bluetooth function module connected to the main controller; The main controller is also used to activate the Bluetooth function module when it is determined that all the preset positioning modules in the multi-mode positioning module are in an abnormal state. When the Bluetooth function module is activated, it is used to broadcast a distress message to an authorized device and receive the location information of the power line carrier communication device returned by the authorized device; wherein, the distress message includes the device identification information of the power line carrier communication device, and the distress message is used to instruct the authorized device to return the location information of the power line carrier communication device.

3. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The power line carrier communication device further includes: a wireless communication module connected to the main controller; The main controller is also configured to control the wireless communication module to transmit the positioning information when it is determined that the power line carrier communication module fails to transmit the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device.

4. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The power line carrier communication device further includes: a power scheduling module connected to the main controller, the power scheduling module including a power-on status detection module and a buffer capacitor; The power-on status detection module is used to detect the power-on status of the target energy meter; the target energy meter is an energy meter connected to the power line carrier communication equipment. The main controller is also used to control the buffer capacitor to supply power to the power line carrier communication equipment when it is determined that the target energy meter is in a power-off state.

5. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The power scheduling module also includes a backup battery; The main controller is also configured to control the backup battery to supply power to the power line carrier communication device when it is determined that the power in the buffer capacitor is depleted.

6. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The power line carrier communication device further includes: a secure storage module connected to the main controller; The secure storage module is used to store the location information of the power line carrier communication device and to encrypt the location information.

7. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The power line carrier communication device further includes an anti-interference module, which is connected to the power line carrier communication module. The anti-interference module is used to eliminate the interference of power grid harmonics on the positioning information to be output by the power line carrier communication module.

8. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main controller is also used to periodically activate the multi-mode positioning module according to the gradient sleep command.

9. An electricity meter, characterized in that, The electricity meter includes a power line carrier communication device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the power line carrier communication device is hot-swappable to the electricity meter.

10. A method for determining location information, characterized in that, The method, applied to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprises: When at least one of the preset positioning modules in the multi-mode positioning module is in normal condition, positioning information is obtained through the preset positioning module, and based on the preset adaptive weight algorithm, the target positioning information in the positioning information obtained by the preset positioning module is selected and determined as the positioning information of the power line carrier communication device. Output the location information of the power line carrier communication device.

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