Dual-mode communication method and device based on power line carrier and wireless radio frequency

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of electric power communication, in particular to a dual-mode communication method and device based on a power line carrier and wireless radio frequency. The method comprises the following steps that: a data concentrator regularly broadcasts a networking beacon through a power line carrier, and regularly broadcasts the networking beacon through wireless radio frequency; the electricity meters already accessed to the network broadcast networking beacons regularly through power line carrier waves, and broadcast the networking beacons regularly through wireless radio frequency; after the electricity meter to be accessed to the network is electrified, the networking beacon is monitored through a power line carrier, and the networking beacon is monitored through wireless radio frequency; the ammeter to be accessed to the network determines a candidate connection object and a communication medium based on the monitored networking beacon, and calculates the routing cost of the candidate connection object and the communication medium based on the networking beacon; and the ammeter to be accessed to the network selects a final connection object and a communication medium from the plurality of candidate connection objects and communication media based on the routing cost. Through the mode, the network coverage rate and the communication success rate can be greatly improved, and the operation and maintenance cost can be effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power communication technology, specifically to a dual-mode communication method and apparatus based on power line carrier and radio frequency. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the electricity market mostly uses communication methods with a single communication medium, which has various drawbacks due to the nature of the single communication medium.

[0003] Pure power line carrier (PLC) communication uses power lines for carrier communication. Its advantage is that carrier communication can be implemented on existing power lines, resulting in lower costs. However, power lines are designed for power transmission, not communication, and inherently suffer from significant noise interference and frequent impedance fluctuations, all of which severely impact the stability and quality of communication signals.

[0004] Pure wireless radio frequency (RF) communication refers to communication through the transmission of radio frequency signals over the air. It can easily cross power distribution and transformation equipment and is not easily affected by power line interference. However, its coverage cost is relatively high, and the signal is easily blocked and severely attenuated in densely built-up areas.

[0005] How to combine power line carrier and radio frequency to form a complementary relationship in complex field environments and build a dual-mode communication method with wide coverage and low maintenance costs for the electricity market is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a dual-mode communication method and device based on power line carrier and radio frequency, which combines power line carrier and radio frequency as two communication media, thereby greatly improving network coverage and communication success rate, and effectively reducing operation and maintenance costs.

[0007] In a first aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a dual-mode communication method based on power line carrier and radio frequency is provided, comprising:

[0008] The data concentrator periodically broadcasts the networking beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcasts the networking beacon via radio frequency; the meters already connected to the grid periodically broadcast the networking beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcast the networking beacon via radio frequency.

[0009] After the meter to be connected to the grid is powered on, it listens for the network beacon via power line carrier and radio frequency. Based on the listened network beacon, the meter determines the candidate connection objects and communication media, and calculates the routing cost of the candidate connection objects and communication media. Based on the routing cost, the meter selects the final connection object and communication media from several candidate connection objects and communication media.

[0010] The meter to be connected to the network constructs a network access request frame based on the final connection object and communication medium, and sends the network access request frame directly or indirectly to the data concentrator; the data concentrator receives the network access request frame, constructs a network access response frame based on the network access request frame, and then sends the network access response frame directly or indirectly to the meter to be connected to the network; the meter to be connected to the network receives the network access response frame and completes the network access based on the network access response frame.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, calculating the routing cost of candidate connection objects and communication media based on network beacons specifically includes:

[0012] The routing cost from candidate connection objects to the data concentrator is obtained based on the network beacon.

[0013] Based on the communication quality of the communication medium obtained from the network beacon, the routing cost from the meter to be connected to the candidate connection object is determined based on the communication quality and hop count penalty.

[0014] The routing cost is calculated based on routing cost one and routing cost two.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes:

[0016] The main station assigns a whitelist of electricity meters to the data concentrator, and the data concentrator determines the authorization list based on the whitelist of electricity meters.

[0017] The data concentrator receives the network access request frame, confirms whether the meter to be connected to the network is in the authorized list based on the network access request frame, and constructs the network access response frame based on the result of whether the meter to be connected to the network is in the authorized list.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data concentrator constructs the network entry response frame specifically including:

[0019] The data concentrator completes the construction of the network access response frame by assigning short addresses to the meters to be connected to the network, determining communication parameters, generating security information, and filling in the network access result code.

[0020] The process of a meter waiting to be connected to the grid to complete the grid connection based on the grid connection response frame includes:

[0021] The electricity meter to be connected to the network completes the network access process by parsing and verifying the network access response frame, saving network configuration parameters, establishing a security context, updating the local state machine, and initializing the routing table.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes:

[0023] The connected electricity meter periodically obtains the communication success rate and determines whether the communication success rate is greater than or equal to the success rate threshold. If the communication success rate is greater than or equal to the success rate threshold, the uplink communication medium remains unchanged, and the connected electricity meter clears the weak connection count value in its routing table to zero; if the communication success rate is less than the success rate threshold, the connected electricity meter increments the weak connection count value in its routing table by one.

[0024] After incrementing the weak connection count, the connected electricity meter determines whether the weak connection count is greater than or equal to the weak connection count threshold. If the weak connection count is less than the weak connection count threshold, the uplink communication medium remains unchanged. If the weak connection count is greater than or equal to the weak connection count threshold, the meter re-listens to the network beacon via power line carrier and then again via radio frequency.

[0025] The electricity meters already connected to the network re-determine candidate connection objects and communication media based on the network beacons detected, and recalculate the routing cost based on the candidate connection objects and communication media;

[0026] The connected electricity meter determines the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost, and determines whether the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost are the same as the current uplink connection object and communication medium. If they are different, it switches to the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost; if they are the same, it keeps the uplink communication medium unchanged.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the specific content of periodically obtaining the communication success rate of the grid-connected electricity meter includes:

[0028] Based on the final connection object and communication medium, the number of successfully sent data packets of the connected electricity meters in the current period is counted, and the total number of sent data packets of the connected electricity meters in the current period is also counted.

[0029] The communication success rate of the connected electricity meters for the current period is calculated based on the number of successfully sent data packets and the total number of sent data packets.

[0030] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes:

[0031] The data concentrator acquires the meter data of the connected electricity meters and updates the local topology table based on the meter data;

[0032] The data concentrator sends the local topology table to the main station, and the main station generates a visual topology map based on the local topology table.

[0033] In a second aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a dual-mode communication device based on power line carrier and radio frequency is provided, comprising:

[0034] The network beacon broadcast module is configured so that the data concentrator periodically broadcasts the network beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcasts the network beacon via radio frequency; the connected electricity meters periodically broadcast the network beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcast the network beacon via radio frequency.

[0035] The module for determining the connection object and communication medium is configured to listen to the network beacon via power line carrier and radio frequency after the meter to be connected to the network is powered on; the meter to be connected to the network determines the candidate connection object and communication medium based on the listened network beacon, and calculates the routing cost of the candidate connection object and communication medium based on the network beacon; the meter to be connected to the network selects the final connection object and communication medium from several candidate connection objects and communication media based on the routing cost;

[0036] The electricity meter network access module is configured such that the electricity meter to be connected to the network constructs a network access request frame based on the final connection object and communication medium, and sends the network access request frame directly or indirectly to the data concentrator; the data concentrator receives the network access request frame, constructs a network access response frame based on the network access request frame, and then sends the network access response frame directly or indirectly to the electricity meter to be connected to the network; the electricity meter to be connected to the network receives the network access response frame and completes the network access based on the network access response frame.

[0037] In a third aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method provided according to the first aspect.

[0038] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, including one or more processors and a memory associated with the one or more processors, the memory being used to store program instructions that, when read and executed by the one or more processors, perform the method provided according to the first aspect.

[0039] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0040] 1. After the meter is powered on, it can monitor the network beacon and then determine the candidate connection objects and communication media through the monitored network beacon. Then, it can calculate the routing cost of each candidate connection object and communication media. Finally, it can determine the final connection object and communication media through the routing cost. Networking in this way can greatly improve network coverage and communication success rate, and can effectively reduce operation and maintenance costs.

[0041] 2. The connected meters can periodically calculate the communication success rate, then determine the weak connection count based on the communication success rate, and finally determine whether it is necessary to re-determine the candidate connection objects and communication media based on the weak connection count. When it is necessary to re-determine the candidate connection objects and communication media, the final connection objects and communication media can be determined by listening to network beacons, determining the candidate connection objects and communication media, and calculating the routing cost of each candidate connection object and communication media. This method ensures that the entire meter network always has high network coverage and communication success rate, and always has low operation and maintenance costs.

[0042] Further or more detailed beneficial effects will be described in conjunction with specific embodiments in the detailed implementation. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 A flowchart of a dual-mode communication method based on power line carrier and radio frequency according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0044] Figure 2 A block diagram of a dual-mode communication device based on power line carrier and radio frequency according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0045] Figure 3 A block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the invention. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention.

[0047] In the description of embodiments of the present invention, the term "comprising" and similar terms should be understood as open-ended inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". The term "based on" should be understood as "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" or "the embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0048] Figure 1 A flowchart of a dual-mode communication method 100 based on power line carrier and radio frequency according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The method 100 includes:

[0049] Step 102. The data concentrator periodically broadcasts the network beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcasts the network beacon via radio frequency; the connected meters periodically broadcast the network beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcast the network beacon via radio frequency.

[0050] This embodiment includes a dual-mode communication system, which comprises a host, several data concentrators (integrated with master modules) connected to the host, and several electricity meters (integrated with slave modules) directly or indirectly connected to the data concentrators. Taking data concentrator a and electricity meter A as an example, a direct connection means that electricity meter A is directly connected to data concentrator a. An indirect connection means that electricity meter A is connected to data concentrator a through other electricity meters, such as electricity meter A connected to electricity meter B, and electricity meter B connected to data concentrator a; or, for example, electricity meter A connected to electricity meter B, electricity meter B connected to electricity meter C, and electricity meter C connected to data concentrator a. The electricity meters that are already directly or indirectly connected to the data concentrator are the grid-connected electricity meters.

[0051] The data concentrator broadcasts a network beacon via power line carrier every so often (e.g., every 30 seconds), and simultaneously broadcasts the network beacon via radio frequency every so often (e.g., every 60 seconds). Connected meters also broadcast the network beacon via power line carrier every so often (e.g., every 30 seconds), and simultaneously broadcast the network beacon via radio frequency every so often (e.g., every 60 seconds).

[0052] A network beacon includes information such as the source device ID, communication medium, communication quality, hop count, cumulative routing cost, and number of child nodes. The "source device ID" identifies the device sending the beacon; the "communication medium" indicates whether the beacon is transmitted via power line carrier (PLC) or radio frequency (RF); the "hop count" indicates the number of hops between the sending beacon and the data concentrator; and the "cumulative routing cost" indicates the total communication cost between the sending beacon and the data concentrator.

[0053] Step 104. After the meter to be connected to the grid is powered on, it listens for the network beacon via power line carrier and radio frequency. Based on the listened network beacon, the meter determines the candidate connection objects and communication media, and calculates the routing cost of the candidate connection objects and communication media. Based on the routing cost, the meter selects the final connection object and communication media from several candidate connection objects and communication media.

[0054] Suppose a new electricity meter Y (i.e., the meter to be connected to the network) needs to be added to the dual-mode communication system (meter Y has been installed but not yet connected to the network). First, meter Y needs to be powered on. After power-on, meter Y will listen for network beacons via power line carrier and radio frequency. Assume meter Y detects four network beacons.

[0055] The source device for beacon No. 1 is data concentrator a, the communication medium is power line carrier, the communication quality can be a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 7dB, and the cumulative routing cost is 0.

[0056] The source device for beacon No. 2 is meter A, the communication medium is power line carrier, the communication quality can be a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 18dB, and the cumulative routing cost is 20.

[0057] The source device for beacon No. 3 is meter A, the communication medium is radio frequency, the communication quality can be -82dBm received signal strength (RSSI), and the cumulative routing cost is 20.

[0058] The source device for beacon No. 4 is meter C, the communication medium is radio frequency, the communication quality can be -90dBm received signal strength (RSSI), and the cumulative routing cost is 15.

[0059] Meter Y can obtain four candidate connection objects and communication media through four network beacons. The first candidate connection object and communication medium is "data concentrator a and power line carrier", the second candidate connection object and communication medium is "meter A and power line carrier", the third candidate connection object and communication medium is "meter A and radio frequency", and the fourth candidate connection object and communication medium is "meter C and radio frequency".

[0060] This step also requires calculating the routing cost of each candidate connection object and communication medium based on the network beacon for each candidate connection object and communication medium. In this embodiment, calculating the routing cost of candidate connection objects and communication media based on the network beacon specifically includes:

[0061] Step 21. Obtain the routing cost from the candidate connection object to the data concentrator based on the network beacon.

[0062] This step directly obtains the routing cost from the candidate connection object to the data concentrator by reading the cumulative routing cost from the network beacon corresponding to the candidate connection object and the communication medium.

[0063] For the first candidate connection object and communication medium, the cumulative routing cost in its network beacon is 0, so the routing cost obtained for the first candidate connection object and communication medium is 0.

[0064] For the second candidate connection object and communication medium, the cumulative routing cost in its network beacon is 20, so the routing cost obtained for the second candidate connection object and communication medium is 20.

[0065] For the third candidate connection object and communication medium, the cumulative routing cost in its network beacon is 20, so the routing cost obtained for the third candidate connection object and communication medium is 20.

[0066] For the fourth candidate connection object and communication medium, the cumulative routing cost in its network beacon is 15, so the routing cost obtained for the fourth candidate connection object and communication medium is 15.

[0067] Step 22. Obtain the communication quality of the communication medium based on the network beacon, and determine the routing cost from the meter to be connected to the candidate connection object based on the communication quality and hop count penalty.

[0068] Two routing cost mapping tables have been pre-set in this step. The first routing cost mapping table is for power line carriers and maps the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to the routing cost. For example, when the SNR is greater than or equal to 20dB, the routing cost is 1; when the SNR is greater than or equal to 10dB but less than 20dB, the routing cost is 5; when the SNR is greater than or equal to 5dB but less than 10dB, the routing cost is 10; when the SNR is greater than or equal to 2dB but less than 5dB, the routing cost is 15; and when the SNR is less than 2dB, the routing cost is 20.

[0069] The second routing cost mapping table is for radio frequency (RF) and shows the mapping relationship between Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and routing cost. For example, when the RSSI is greater than or equal to -60dBm, the routing cost is 1; when the RSSI is greater than or equal to -75dBm and less than -60dBm, the routing cost is 5; when the RSSI is greater than or equal to -85dBm and less than -75dBm, the routing cost is 10; when the RSSI is greater than or equal to -95dBm and less than -85dBm, the routing cost is 15; and when the RSSI is less than -95dBm, the routing cost is 20.

[0070] This step has a pre-set hop count penalty (when calculating routing costs, a certain cost value is added for each additional hop). For example, in this embodiment, the hop count penalty can be 10.

[0071] For the first candidate connection object and communication medium, the communication quality in its network beacon is a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 7dB. Through the mapping table of SNR and routing cost, it can be known that the basic routing cost of this link is 10. Adding the routing cost of the hop count penalty (the routing cost of 1 hop is 10), the final routing cost obtained by the first candidate connection object and communication medium can be determined to be 20.

[0072] For the second candidate connection object and communication medium, the communication quality in its network beacon is a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 18dB. Through the mapping table of SNR and routing cost, it can be known that the basic routing cost of this link is 5. Adding the routing cost of the hop count penalty (the routing cost of 1 hop is 10), it can be finally determined that the routing cost obtained by the second candidate connection object and communication medium is 15.

[0073] For the third candidate connection object and communication medium, the communication quality in its network beacon is a received signal strength (RSSI) of -82dBm. Through the mapping table between received signal strength (RSSI) and routing cost, it can be known that the basic routing cost of this link is 10. Adding the routing cost of the hop count penalty (the routing cost of 1 hop is 10), it can be finally determined that the routing cost obtained by the third candidate connection object and communication medium is 20.

[0074] For the fourth candidate connection object and communication medium, the communication quality in its network beacon is a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) of -90dBm. Through the mapping table between Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and routing cost, it can be known that the basic routing cost of this link is 15. Adding the routing cost of the hop count penalty (the routing cost of 1 hop is 10), it can be finally determined that the routing cost obtained by the fourth candidate connection object and communication medium is 25.

[0075] Step 23. Calculate the routing cost based on routing cost one and routing cost two.

[0076] For the first candidate connection object and communication medium (the candidate connection object is data concentrator a, and the communication medium is power line carrier), the first routing cost is 0, the second routing cost is 20, so the final calculated routing cost is 20.

[0077] For the second candidate connection object and communication medium (the candidate connection object is meter A, and the communication medium is power line carrier), the first routing cost is 20, the second routing cost is 15, so the final calculated routing cost is 35.

[0078] For the third candidate connection object and communication medium (the candidate connection object is meter A, and the communication medium is radio frequency), the first routing cost is 20, the second routing cost is 20, so the final calculated routing cost is 40.

[0079] For the fourth candidate connection object and communication medium (the candidate connection object is meter C, and the communication medium is radio frequency), the first routing cost is 15, the second routing cost is 25, so the final calculated routing cost is 40.

[0080] This step also requires selecting the final connection object and communication medium from several candidate connection objects and communication media based on routing cost. Since the routing cost of the first candidate connection object and communication medium (the candidate connection object is data concentrator a, and the communication medium is power line carrier) is the lowest, "data concentrator a and power line carrier" is selected as the final connection object and communication medium for meter Y.

[0081] Step 106. The meter to be connected to the network constructs a network access request frame based on the final connection object and communication medium, and sends the network access request frame directly or indirectly to the data concentrator; the data concentrator receives the network access request frame, constructs a network access response frame based on the network access request frame, and then sends the network access response frame directly or indirectly to the meter to be connected to the network; the meter to be connected to the network receives the network access response frame and completes the network access based on the network access response frame.

[0082] Continuing with the example of meter Y, after determining the final connection object and communication medium (data concentrator a and power line carrier), meter Y will construct a network access request frame based on the final connection object and communication medium. The constructed network access request frame includes a unique device identifier (the unique device identifier of meter Y), frame type (e.g., 0x02, indicating "network access request"), source address (e.g., 0xFFFF, which is a temporary address because meter Y has not yet been assigned a short address), destination address (the address of the data concentrator), communication medium (e.g., 0x01, where 0x01 represents power line carrier and 0x02 represents radio frequency), and other information.

[0083] After constructing the network access request frame, meter Y sends it to the final connection object. If the final connection object is itself a data concentrator, then meter Y directly sends the network access request frame to the data concentrator. If the final connection object is another meter, then meter Y first sends the network access request frame to that other meter, which then forwards it to the data concentrator. In this embodiment, the final connection object is data concentrator a, meaning the final connection object itself is the data concentrator.

[0084] Before executing step 102 in this embodiment, a whitelist of generator meters is first issued to the data concentrator via the master station. The data concentrator determines the authorization list based on the whitelist. After receiving the grid access request frame, the data concentrator determines whether the unique device identifier (i.e., the meter to be connected to the grid) in the grid access request frame is in the authorization list, and constructs a grid access response frame based on the result of whether the meter to be connected to the grid is in the authorization list. This embodiment assumes that the unique device identifier of meter Y is in the authorization list.

[0085] In this embodiment, the data concentrator constructs the network access response frame by assigning a short address to the meter to be connected to the network, determining communication parameters, generating security information, and filling in the network access result code. The short address ranges from 0x0001 to 0xFFFE, where 0x0000 is the address of data concentrator a and 0xFFFF is a temporary address. Communication parameters include information such as the communication medium (e.g., 0x01, where 0x01 represents power line carrier and 0x02 represents radio frequency). Security information includes the session key and security level identifier. The network access result code can be 0x01 (indicating successful network access), 0x02 (indicating unauthorized access and network access prohibited), or 0x03 (indicating authentication failure and incorrect key).

[0086] After data concentrator a constructs the network access response frame, it will send the network access response frame to meter Y, either directly or indirectly. If meter Y is directly connected to data concentrator a, then data concentrator a will send the network access response frame directly to meter Y. If meter Y is connected to data concentrator a through another meter, then data concentrator a will send the network access response frame to meter Y through that other meter.

[0087] After receiving the network access response frame, meter Y completes the network access process based on the frame. In this embodiment, the process of the meter accessing the network based on the response frame includes: parsing and verifying the response frame, saving network configuration parameters, establishing a security context, updating the local state machine, and initializing the routing table. Parsing and verifying the response frame involves first extracting the network access result code, short address, session key, etc., according to the protocol format, then verifying its integrity, followed by verifying the source's legitimacy, and finally checking the result code. Saving network configuration parameters involves saving information such as the short address and communication medium. Establishing a security context involves first decrypting the session key, then initializing the security engine, and finally binding the security context to the short address. The meter has an internal local state machine that switches states after successful network access. The routing table includes the destination address, next-hop address, cumulative routing cost, hop count, weak connection count, validity period, media type, and routing traversal flag.

[0088] The method in this embodiment also includes:

[0089] Step 31. The connected electricity meter periodically obtains the communication success rate and determines whether the communication success rate is greater than or equal to the success rate threshold. If the communication success rate is greater than or equal to the success rate threshold, the uplink communication medium remains unchanged, and the connected electricity meter clears the weak connection count value in its routing table to zero. If the communication success rate is less than the success rate threshold, the connected electricity meter increments the weak connection count value in its routing table by one.

[0090] This embodiment continues to use electricity meter Y as an example. After electricity meter Y successfully joins the network, it will obtain the communication success rate at regular intervals (e.g., every 24 hours). The specific steps for obtaining the communication success rate periodically for electricity meters already connected to the network include:

[0091] Step 31. Based on the final connection object and communication medium, count the number of successfully transmitted data packets of the connected electricity meter within the current cycle, and count the total number of transmitted data packets of the connected electricity meter within the current cycle. For example, if a certain cycle is from 8:00 AM on August 8th to 8:00 AM on August 9th, meter Y will count the total number of data packets sent to data concentrator a during this cycle (i.e., the total number of transmitted data packets), and will also count the number of data packets successfully sent to data concentrator a during this cycle (i.e., the number of successfully transmitted data packets). The connected electricity meter is equipped with a timer. When meter Y sends a data packet to data concentrator a, if it receives a data packet reception confirmation message from data concentrator a within a preset time threshold, it indicates that the data packet was successfully sent.

[0092] Step 32. Calculate the communication success rate of the connected electricity meter for the current period based on the number of successfully sent data packets and the total number of sent data packets. The communication success rate of the connected electricity meter for the current period is simply calculated by dividing the number of successfully sent data packets by the total number of sent data packets. Assuming that in a certain period, meter Y successfully sent 85 data packets to data concentrator a, and the total number of data packets sent to data concentrator a is 100, then the communication success rate of meter Y for the current period is 0.85.

[0093] This step also requires determining whether the communication success rate of the connected meters is greater than or equal to the success rate threshold. This embodiment assumes the success rate threshold is 0.8. When the communication success rate of meter Y is greater than or equal to 0.8, meter Y continues to communicate with data concentrator a via power line carrier. Meter Y has a routing table with a "weak connection count" parameter. At this point, the weak connection count is cleared to zero. Then, the data packet statistics for the next cycle begin. At the end of the next cycle, the communication success rate of meter Y for the next cycle is calculated based on the number of successfully sent data packets and the total number of sent data packets. If the communication success rate of meter Y is less than 0.8, the weak connection count is incremented by one.

[0094] Step 32. After incrementing the weak connection count, the connected electricity meter determines whether the weak connection count is greater than or equal to the weak connection count threshold. If the weak connection count is less than the weak connection count threshold, the uplink communication medium remains unchanged. If the weak connection count is greater than or equal to the weak connection count threshold, the meter re-listens to the network beacon via power line carrier and radio frequency.

[0095] This embodiment assumes a weak connection count threshold of 3, and further assumes that the weak connection count incremented by one is 1. When the weak connection count is less than the threshold, meter Y continues to communicate with data concentrator a via power line carrier, but the weak connection count is not reset to zero (i.e., the weak connection count is 1). Then, data packet statistics for the next cycle begin. At the end of the next cycle, the communication success rate of meter Y for the next cycle is calculated based on the number of successfully sent data packets and the total number of sent data packets. If the communication success rate of meter Y is less than 0.8, the weak connection count is incremented by one. If the incremented weak connection count is 2, which is less than the threshold, meter Y continues to communicate with data concentrator a via power line carrier, but the weak connection count is not reset to zero. Then, data packet statistics for the next cycle begin. At the end of the next cycle, the communication success rate of meter Y for the next cycle is calculated based on the number of successfully sent data packets and the total number of sent data packets. If the communication success rate of meter Y is less than 0.8, the weak connection count is incremented by one. The incremented weak connection count is 3, which equals the weak connection count threshold. At this point, meter Y needs to re-monitor the network beacon via power line carrier and radio frequency.

[0096] Step 33. The connected electricity meters re-determine the candidate connection objects and communication media based on the monitored network beacons, and recalculate the routing cost based on the candidate connection objects and communication media.

[0097] Once meter Y detects the network beacon, it re-determines candidate connection objects and communication media based on the detected beacon, and recalculates the routing cost based on these candidate connection objects and communication media. The specific methods for determining candidate connection objects and communication media, and for calculating routing costs, are the same as in step 104.

[0098] Step 34. The connected electricity meter determines the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost, and determines whether the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost are the same as the current uplink connection object and communication medium. If they are different, switch to the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost; if they are the same, keep the uplink communication medium unchanged.

[0099] Assuming the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost are meter A and wireless radio frequency, then meter Y will establish a communication connection with meter A via wireless radio frequency (both the connection object and communication medium will be switched). Assuming the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost are data concentrator a and wireless radio frequency, then meter Y will establish a communication connection with data concentrator a via wireless radio frequency (only the communication medium will be switched). Assuming the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost are still data concentrator a and power line carrier, then meter Y will continue to communicate with data concentrator a via power line carrier.

[0100] The method in this embodiment also includes:

[0101] Step 41. The data concentrator obtains the meter data of the connected electricity meters and updates the local topology table based on the meter data.

[0102] Meter data includes the meter's unique identifier, the current upstream parent node (i.e., the final connection object of the connected meter), the communication medium between the meter and the current upstream parent node, the communication quality of the communication medium, the hop count (i.e., the number of hops between the connected meter and the data concentrator), and routing cost. Taking meter Y as an example, meter Y sends a data packet to data concentrator a. This data packet contains meter Y's data: the current upstream parent node is data concentrator a, the communication medium is power line carrier, the communication quality is a signal-to-noise ratio of 7dB, the hop count is 1, and the routing cost is 20. Data concentrator a then updates meter Y's data in its local topology table. The same applies to other meters directly or indirectly connected to data concentrator a; data concentrator a's local topology table contains the meter data of all meters directly or indirectly connected to data concentrator a.

[0103] Step 42. The data concentrator sends the local topology table to the main station, and the main station generates a visual topology map based on the local topology table.

[0104] The data concentrator can periodically (i.e., every certain time interval) send its local topology table to the master station, or it can send the local topology table to the master station after receiving a relevant instruction (the master station actively sends an instruction to the data concentrator to retrieve the local topology table). The master station can generate a visual topology map based on the meter data in the local topology table, making it convenient for staff to view the relevant information about the meters.

[0105] Figure 2 A block diagram of a dual-mode communication device 200 based on power line carrier and radio frequency according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device 200 includes:

[0106] The network beacon broadcast module 202 is configured such that the data concentrator periodically broadcasts the network beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcasts the network beacon via radio frequency; the connected electricity meters periodically broadcast the network beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcast the network beacon via radio frequency.

[0107] The connection object and communication medium determination module 204 is configured to listen to the network beacon via power line carrier and wireless radio frequency after the power-on meter is powered on; the power-on meter determines the candidate connection object and communication medium based on the listened network beacon, and calculates the routing cost of the candidate connection object and communication medium based on the network beacon; the power-on meter selects the final connection object and communication medium from several candidate connection objects and communication media based on the routing cost;

[0108] The electricity meter network access module 206 is configured to have the electricity meter to be connected to construct a network access request frame based on the final connection object and communication medium, and send the network access request frame directly or indirectly to the data concentrator; the data concentrator receives the network access request frame, constructs a network access response frame based on the network access request frame, and then sends the network access response frame directly or indirectly to the electricity meter to be connected to; the electricity meter to be connected to receive the network access response frame and completes the network access based on the network access response frame.

[0109] Figure 3 A block diagram of an electronic device 300 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The device 300 includes a processor 301, which performs various appropriate actions and processes based on computer program instructions loaded into random access memory (RAM) 303 according to computer program instructions stored in read-only memory (ROM) 302. Various programs and data required for the operation of the device 300 may also be stored in RAM 303. The processor 301, ROM 302, and RAM 303 are interconnected via a bus 304. An input / output (I / O) interface 305 is also connected to the bus 304.

[0110] The various processes and procedures described above, such as method 100, can be executed by processor 301. For example, in some embodiments, method 100 may be implemented as a software program tangibly contained in a machine-readable medium. In some embodiments, part or all of the software program may be loaded and / or installed on device 300 via ROM 302. When the software program is loaded into RAM 303 and executed by processor 301, one or more actions of method 100 described above may be performed.

[0111] The functions described above in this document can be performed at least in part by one or more hardware logic components. For example, exemplary types of hardware logic components that can be used, without limitation, include: field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), systems-on-a-chip (SoCs), payload programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and so on.

[0112] The program code used to implement the methods of the present invention can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. This program code can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, such that when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a standalone software package partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0113] This invention can be a method, apparatus, system, and / or program product. The program product may include a machine-readable storage medium on which machine-readable program instructions for performing various aspects of the invention are loaded. The machine-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from the machine-readable storage medium to various computing / processing devices, or downloaded via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network, to an external computer or external storage device. The network may include copper transmission cables, fiber optic transmissions, wireless transmissions, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the machine-readable program instructions from the network and forwards them for storage in the machine-readable storage medium of the respective computing / processing device.

[0114] Machine program instructions used to perform the operations of this invention may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" language or similar programming languages. The machine-readable program instructions may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving a remote computer, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network—including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)—or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry, such as programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or programmable logic arrays (PLAs), is personalized by utilizing state information from the machine-readable program instructions. This electronic circuitry can execute the machine-readable program instructions to implement various aspects of the invention.

[0115] In the context of this invention, a machine-readable medium can be a tangible medium that may contain or store a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A machine-readable medium can be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. Machine-readable media can include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media include electrical connections based on one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Furthermore, although the operations are depicted in a specific order, this should be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the specific order shown or in sequential order, or requiring that all illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. In certain environments, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Certain features described in the context of individual embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0116] Although the subject matter has been described using language specific to structural features and / or methodological logic, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are merely illustrative examples of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A dual-mode communication method based on power line carrier and radio frequency, characterized in that, include: The data concentrator periodically broadcasts network beacons via power line carrier and periodically broadcasts network beacons via radio frequency. Meters already connected to the grid periodically broadcast network beacons via power line carrier and also periodically broadcast network beacons via radio frequency. After the grid-connected electricity meter is powered on, it listens to the network beacon via power line carrier and also listens to the network beacon via radio frequency. The meter to be connected to the network determines the candidate connection objects and communication media based on the network beacons it has been listening to, and calculates the routing cost of the candidate connection objects and communication media based on the network beacons. The electricity meter to be connected to the network selects the final connection object and communication medium from a number of candidate connection objects and communication media based on the routing cost; The meter to be connected to the network constructs a network access request frame based on the final connection object and communication medium, and sends the network access request frame directly or indirectly to the data concentrator. The data concentrator receives the network access request frame, constructs a network access response frame based on the network access request frame, and then sends the network access response frame directly or indirectly to the meter to be connected to the network. The meter to be connected to the network receives the network access response frame and completes the network access process based on the network access response frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The calculation of routing costs for the candidate connection objects and communication media based on network beacons specifically includes: The routing cost from the candidate connection object to the data concentrator is obtained based on the network beacon. The communication quality of the communication medium is obtained based on the network beacon, and the routing cost from the meter to be connected to the candidate connection object is determined based on the communication quality and the hop count penalty. The routing cost is calculated based on routing cost one and routing cost two.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The main station assigns a whitelist of electricity meters to the data concentrator, and the data concentrator determines the authorization list based on the whitelist of electricity meters. The data concentrator receives the network access request frame, confirms whether the meter to be connected to the network is in the authorized list based on the network access request frame, and constructs a network access response frame based on the result of whether the meter to be connected to the network is in the authorized list.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data concentrator constructs the network entry response frame, specifically including: The data concentrator completes the construction of the network access response frame by assigning short addresses to the meters to be connected to the network, determining communication parameters, generating security information, and filling in the network access result code. The specific steps for a meter to complete its grid connection based on the grid connection response frame include: The electricity meter to be connected to the network completes the network access process by parsing and verifying the network access response frame, saving network configuration parameters, establishing a security context, updating the local state machine, and initializing the routing table.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The connected electricity meter periodically obtains the communication success rate and determines whether the communication success rate is greater than or equal to the success rate threshold. If the communication success rate is greater than or equal to the success rate threshold, the uplink communication medium remains unchanged, and the connected electricity meter clears the weak connection count value in its routing table to zero. If the communication success rate is less than the success rate threshold, the connected electricity meter increments the weak connection count value in its routing table by one. After incrementing the weak connection count, the connected electricity meter determines whether the weak connection count is greater than or equal to the weak connection count threshold. If the weak connection count is less than the weak connection count threshold, the uplink communication medium remains unchanged. If the weak connection count value is greater than or equal to the weak connection count threshold, then the network beacon is monitored again via power line carrier and via radio frequency. The electricity meters already connected to the network re-determine candidate connection objects and communication media based on the network beacons detected, and recalculate the routing cost based on the candidate connection objects and communication media; The connected electricity meter determines the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost, and determines whether the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost are the same as the current uplink connection object and communication medium. If they are different, it switches to the candidate connection object and communication medium with the lowest routing cost; if they are the same, it keeps the uplink communication medium unchanged.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The specific package for periodically obtaining communication success rate data for electricity meters already connected to the network includes: Based on the final connection object and communication medium, the number of successfully sent data packets of the connected electricity meters in the current period is counted, and the total number of sent data packets of the connected electricity meters in the current period is also counted. The communication success rate of the connected electricity meter for the current period is calculated based on the number of successfully sent data packets and the total number of sent data packets.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The data concentrator acquires the meter data of the connected electricity meters and updates the local topology table based on the meter data; The data concentrator sends the local topology table to the main station, which then generates a visual topology map based on the local topology table.

8. A dual-mode communication device based on power line carrier and radio frequency, characterized in that, include: The network beacon broadcast module is configured so that the data concentrator periodically broadcasts the network beacon via power line carrier and periodically broadcasts the network beacon via radio frequency. Meters already connected to the grid periodically broadcast network beacons via power line carrier and also periodically broadcast network beacons via radio frequency. The module for determining the connection object and communication medium is configured to listen to the network beacon via power line carrier and wireless radio frequency after the meter to be connected to the network is powered on. The meter to be connected to the network determines the candidate connection objects and communication media based on the network beacons it has been listening to, and calculates the routing cost of the candidate connection objects and communication media based on the network beacons. The electricity meter to be connected to the network selects the final connection object and communication medium from a number of candidate connection objects and communication media based on the routing cost; The electricity meter network access module is configured to construct a network access request frame based on the final connection object and communication medium of the electricity meter to be connected to the network, and send the network access request frame directly or indirectly to the data concentrator. The data concentrator receives the network access request frame, constructs a network access response frame based on the network access request frame, and then sends the network access response frame directly or indirectly to the meter to be connected to the network. The meter to be connected to the network receives the network access response frame and completes the network access process based on the network access response frame.

9. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-7.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes one or more processors and memory associated with the one or more processors, the memory being used to store program instructions that, when read and executed by the one or more processors, perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-7.

Images