Intelligent instrument power supply system and intelligent instrument

Abstract

The application provides a kind of intelligent instrument power supply system and intelligent instrument, it is related to instrument technical field.Therein, the system includes: dual-core integrated module, dual-core integrated module integrates main processor core and coprocessor core;Wherein, main processor core is configured to execute the basic metering and control function of intelligent instrument, coprocessor core is configured to independently execute wireless communication protocol stack processing function, and main processor core and coprocessor core carry out data interaction through on-chip inter-core communication mechanism;Power module, electrically connected with dual-core integrated module, for providing working voltage for dual-core integrated module.The method of the application is beneficial to reduce communication response delay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of instrumentation technology, and in particular to an intelligent instrument power supply system and an intelligent instrument. Background Technology

[0002] Intelligent meters not only need to perform high-precision basic metering tasks, but also need to have stable and reliable long-distance wireless communication capabilities to achieve automatic data collection, status monitoring, and remote control. This places higher demands on the data processing capabilities and real-time communication performance of the meter's internal processor.

[0003] Currently, in known smart meter designs, the common approach to achieving metering and communication functions is to use a single microprocessor in conjunction with an external, independent communication module. This microprocessor is responsible for running basic functions such as metering algorithms, driving displays, and controlling valves. Simultaneously, it connects and interacts with dedicated communication modules (such as 4G Cat.1, NB-IoT, and LoRa modules) via serial ports, SPI, or other interfaces. The communication module itself has a built-in processor responsible for independently running a complete wireless communication protocol stack.

[0004] However, in the actual operation of the above architecture, especially in scenarios that require frequent data interaction or execution of complex remote commands, there is a defect of communication response delay. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a smart meter power supply system and a smart meter to reduce communication response latency.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides an intelligent meter power supply system, the system comprising:

[0007] A dual-core integrated module integrates a main processor core and a coprocessor core; wherein the main processor core is configured to execute the basic metering and control functions of the smart meter, and the coprocessor core is configured to independently execute the wireless communication protocol stack processing function, and the main processor core and the coprocessor core interact with each other through an inter-chip core communication mechanism;

[0008] The power supply module is electrically connected to the dual-core integrated module and is used to provide operating voltage to the dual-core integrated module.

[0009] In another possible implementation, the power module includes a power supply module and a voltage regulator module. The power supply module includes a main power supply and a backup power supply. The output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply are both connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module. The output terminal of the voltage regulator module is connected to the input terminal of the dual-core integrated module.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the system further includes a valve drive module; the voltage regulator module includes a first voltage regulator chip and a second voltage regulator chip, the input terminal of the first voltage regulator chip is connected to the output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the dual-core integrated module; the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip is connected to the output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the valve drive module.

[0011] In another possible implementation, the system further includes a valve drive module; the voltage regulator module is a single voltage regulator chip, and a voltage regulation unit is provided between the single voltage regulator chip and the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module. The voltage regulation unit is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to adapt to the power supply voltage requirements of the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module respectively.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the voltage regulating unit includes a first voltage regulating branch and a second voltage regulating branch; the first voltage regulating branch is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to power the dual-core integrated module, and the second voltage regulating branch is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to power the valve drive module; at least one of the first voltage regulating branch and the second voltage regulating branch is provided with a voltage regulating device.

[0013] In another possible implementation, a power path management circuit is provided between the main power supply and the backup power supply and the input terminal of the voltage regulator module; the power path management circuit includes a MOSFET and a first diode;

[0014] The source of the MOSFET is connected to the positive terminal of the main power supply, and the drain of the MOSFET is connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module.

[0015] The anode of the first diode is connected to the positive terminal of the backup power supply, and the cathode of the first diode is connected to the drain of the MOS transistor.

[0016] When the main power supply is working normally, the MOSFET is turned on, and the main power supply powers the voltage regulator module; when the main power supply voltage drops or fails, the MOSFET is turned off, and the backup power supply powers the voltage regulator module through the first diode.

[0017] In another possible implementation, the voltage regulator chip is a linear voltage regulator, and a capacitor assembly is configured around the linear voltage regulator, the capacitor assembly including multiple parallel filter capacitors.

[0018] In another possible implementation, a second diode and a third diode are connected in parallel to the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip. The anode of the second diode is connected to the output terminal of the main power supply, and the cathode of the second diode is connected to the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip. The cathode of the third diode is connected to the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip, and the anode of the third diode is grounded.

[0019] In another possible implementation, a resistor and a fourth diode are connected in series between the backup power supply and the voltage regulator module; wherein the anode of the fourth diode is connected to the positive terminal of the backup power supply, the cathode of the fourth diode is connected to one end of the resistor, and the other end of the resistor is connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module.

[0020] Secondly, the smart meter includes the system described in any of the first aspects.

[0021] This application provides a smart meter power supply system and a smart meter. The system of this application proposes to adopt a dual-core integrated module that integrates a main processor core and a coprocessor core. Through functional division of labor at the hardware level, the main processor core focuses on executing the basic metering and control functions of the smart meter, while the coprocessor core independently executes the wireless communication protocol stack processing function. The two cores achieve data interaction through an inter-core communication mechanism. At the same time, a power supply module electrically connected to the dual-core integrated module is configured to provide a stable operating voltage for the entire system. Based on this setup, on the one hand, the main processor core does not need to interrupt metering operations to process communication interface data, and the coprocessor core can also run the wireless communication protocol stack. The parallel operation of the two eliminates communication response delays caused by task queuing at the source. On the other hand, the dual cores directly interact with data through the on-chip inter-core communication mechanism, eliminating the signal conversion and protocol frame parsing steps required when a single processor transmits data to an external independent communication module through physical interfaces such as serial ports and SPI. This significantly improves communication data transmission efficiency. In addition, the stable voltage provided by the power module ensures the continuous and efficient operation of the dual-core integrated module, avoiding processor core lag or communication interruptions caused by power supply fluctuations. This further reduces unnecessary response delays and ultimately achieves synergistic optimization of metering accuracy and communication real-time performance in smart meters. Attached Figure Description

[0022] 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.

[0023] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of an application scenario for an intelligent instrument power supply system.

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a smart instrument power supply system provided in this application embodiment. Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a smart instrument power supply system provided in this application embodiment. Figure 2 ;

[0026] Figure 4A A structural example of a smart meter power supply system provided in this application embodiment. Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 4B A structural example of a smart meter power supply system provided in this application embodiment. Figure 2 ;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a smart instrument power supply system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0029] 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

[0030] 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.

[0031] With the rapid development of IoT technology, smart meters (such as smart water meters, smart gas meters, and smart electricity meters) are increasingly widely used as key data nodes in smart cities and energy management. These smart meters not only need to perform high-precision basic metering tasks, but also need stable and reliable long-distance wireless communication capabilities to achieve automatic data collection, status monitoring, and remote control. This places higher demands on the data processing capabilities and real-time communication performance of the meter's internal processor.

[0032] Currently, in existing smart meter designs, a common approach to achieving metering and communication functions is to use a single microprocessor in conjunction with an external, independent communication module. This microprocessor handles core functions such as data acquisition (e.g., flow detection), valve control, and local display, while simultaneously connecting and exchanging data with dedicated communication modules (e.g., 4G Cat.1, NB-IoT, LoRa modules) via serial ports, SPI, or other interfaces. The communication module has its own built-in processor responsible for independently running a complete wireless communication protocol stack. Furthermore, the system includes a power architecture, with the aforementioned microprocessor and communication module each powered by independent voltage regulator chips.

[0033] Based on this setup, under normal conditions, the microprocessor operates in a low-power state, and the communication module is in a power-off or sleep mode; when remote communication is required, the microprocessor wakes up the communication module to complete data upload or receive instructions.

[0034] However, in actual operation of the above architecture, especially in scenarios requiring frequent data interaction or execution of complex remote commands, there is a deficiency in communication response latency. Furthermore, the single microprocessor and external communication module require independent power supplies, typically necessitating the configuration of multiple voltage regulator circuits. This not only increases the complexity of the instrument's internal circuitry and hardware costs but may also lead to voltage fluctuations due to unbalanced power supply loads across multiple modules, indirectly affecting metering accuracy and communication stability.

[0035] Therefore, this application provides an intelligent instrument power supply system and an intelligent instrument to reduce communication response latency. Specifically, the intelligent instrument power supply system of this application proposes to integrate a main processor core and a coprocessor core as a dual-core integrated module, enabling the main processor core to perform the basic metering and control functions of the intelligent instrument, and the coprocessor core to perform wireless communication protocol stack processing functions, and enabling the two processor cores to interact with each other through an inter-chip core communication mechanism.

[0036] It is understood that the intelligent meter power supply system of this application can be applied to any intelligent meter, such as a smart gas meter, a smart water meter, a smart electricity meter, etc. As an example, Figure 1 This application provides an illustration of an application scenario for an intelligent instrument power supply system. Figure 1 As shown, the intelligent meter power system of this application can be applied to intelligent gas meters.

[0037] Specifically, such as Figure 1As shown, in the dual-core integrated module of the power system used in the smart gas meter, the main processor collects gas flow data, executes metering algorithms, and controls the opening and closing status of the gas valve during verification. The coprocessor core establishes a wireless connection with the cloud-based gas management platform through a preset protocol, responsible for uploading metering data to the platform and receiving remote valve control commands issued by the platform. The two cores synchronize gas consumption data and valve status information in real time through on-chip shared memory. The power module provides a stable voltage for the dual-core integrated module and valve drive components, ensuring continuous operation of metering and communication functions.

[0038] In the above configuration, when the cloud platform issues a remote valve shut-off command (such as when a user is in arrears or the equipment malfunctions), the coprocessor core can independently complete the protocol parsing and immediately synchronize the command to the main processor core through the on-chip shared memory. The main processor core can directly respond to the valve shut-off request without interrupting the current flow metering task, without waiting for the single processor to schedule the communication interaction task, which greatly shortens the interval from receiving the command to executing it, thereby effectively reducing the communication response latency.

[0039] It is understood that, in practical applications, the intelligent meter power system of this application can adapt to the protocol stack processing requirements of different communication standards (such as LoRa, 4GCat.1), and the coprocessor core can also establish a wireless connection with the user terminal. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0040] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Where the embodiments do not conflict, the following embodiments and features thereof can be combined with each other.

[0041] This application provides an intelligent instrument power supply system. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a smart instrument power supply system provided in this application embodiment. Figure 1 ,like Figure 2 As shown, the intelligent instrument power system provided in this embodiment includes a dual-core integrated module and a power supply module.

[0042] In this embodiment, the dual-core integrated module integrates a main processor core and a coprocessor core. The main processor core is configured to execute the basic metering and control functions of the smart meter, while the coprocessor core is configured to independently execute wireless communication protocol stack processing functions. The main processor core and the coprocessor core interact with each other through an inter-chip communication mechanism. Correspondingly, a power supply module is electrically connected to the dual-core integrated module to provide operating voltage.

[0043] In this embodiment, the main processor core uses a low-power A-core (such as an MCU core adapted to the basic functions of smart meters), capable of performing basic metering and control functions such as gas flow acquisition, metering data processing, valve switching control, local LCD display driving, button response, and buzzer alarm triggering. It maintains low power consumption under normal conditions to reduce system energy consumption. The coprocessor core uses a high-performance P-core, specifically designed to execute wireless communication protocol stack processing functions such as NB-IoT / LoRa, including remote data encapsulation and parsing, wireless signal modulation and demodulation, encrypted data transmission with the cloud server, and remote command reception and parsing. In this embodiment, the coprocessor core is only woken up by the main processor core when communication is required, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

[0044] In this embodiment, the inter-core communication mechanism achieves data interaction through shared memory. Specifically, the dual-core integrated module internally divides into independent shared memory regions, and both the main processor core and the coprocessor core obtain read and write permissions for this region through hardware interfaces.

[0045] Based on this, when the main processor core needs to send metering data, it directly writes the data to the specified address of the shared memory and sets the hardware flag. The coprocessor core triggers the read operation by polling the flag or by a hardware interrupt. Conversely, the remote instructions received by the coprocessor core are also written to the corresponding partition of the shared memory and an interrupt is triggered, enabling the main processor core to respond quickly. The entire interaction process does not require the participation of an external bus and data synchronization is completed only through on-chip hardware logic.

[0046] In practical applications, the inter-core communication mechanism can also be implemented through a dedicated register group. Specifically, the two cores can exchange control instructions and status information by reading and writing preset hardware registers. The register read and write operations have built-in hardware locks to ensure data consistency. Alternatively, it can be implemented through an on-chip message queue controller. Specifically, it can be implemented by integrating a hardware-level message buffer queue, supporting asynchronous sending / receiving of data frames by the two cores, and automatically handling frame sorting and conflict detection. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0047] Furthermore, in practical applications, the main processor core can also use other types of low-power MCU cores (such as low-power cores based on the ARM Cortex-M series), and the coprocessor core can also use other types of high-performance processor cores (such as DSP cores with high-speed computing capabilities). This embodiment does not limit this, as long as the corresponding functions can be achieved. At the same time, the coprocessor core can also be continuously operational, which is also not limited in this embodiment.

[0048] In this embodiment, the power supply module is used to supply power to the main processor core and coprocessor core in the dual-core integrated module respectively. In this embodiment, the power supply module includes a power module and a voltage regulator module. The power module includes a main power supply and a backup power supply. The output terminals of both the main power supply and the backup power supply are connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module. The output terminal of the voltage regulator module is connected to the input terminal of the dual-core integrated module.

[0049] Specifically, in this embodiment, the main power supply uses a 6.0V alkaline battery pack. After its output is connected to a voltage regulator module, the voltage regulator module outputs voltage to power the dual-core integrated module through different internal voltage regulation links, meeting the voltage requirements for low-power operation of the main processor core and high-performance communication of the coprocessor core. The backup power supply uses a lithium battery, which is connected to the power supply link of the dual-core integrated module through a unidirectional conducting element.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the main power supply voltage drops or becomes undervoltage, the system automatically switches to lithium battery power to prevent the dual-core integrated module from interrupting operation due to main power failure, ensuring uninterrupted communication and basic metering functions. Simultaneously, the main processor core is connected to the power supply branch of the coprocessor core in the voltage regulator module via a hardware control link, allowing it to actively cut off the power supply to the coprocessor core, enabling it to enter power-off hibernation and further optimizing system power consumption.

[0051] In this embodiment, by adopting an architecture of "power module (including main power and backup power) + voltage regulator module," with the output terminals of both the main and backup power supplies connected to the voltage regulator module, and the output terminals of the voltage regulator module connected to the dual-core integrated module, on the one hand, the 6.0V alkaline main power supply is stabilized to output 4.0V through the voltage regulator module, which can provide a suitable and stable operating voltage for the main processor core and coprocessor core of the dual-core integrated module. This avoids the impact of the original voltage fluctuation of the main power supply on the operating accuracy and communication stability of the dual core, ensuring the reliable execution of basic metering and wireless communication functions. On the other hand, the lithium battery backup power supply is connected to the power supply link, which can automatically replenish power when the main power supply voltage drops or becomes undervoltage, preventing the dual-core integrated module from interrupting operation due to main power supply failure, ensuring that metering data is not lost and remote communication is not interrupted, and improving the continuity of system power supply.

[0052] Meanwhile, this architecture centrally manages the main power supply and backup power output through a voltage regulator module, eliminating the need to configure independent power supplies and voltage regulators for each dual core. This simplifies the power supply chain design, reduces the use of redundant components, lowers hardware costs and PCB space usage, reduces the risk of power supply failures, and can also work with the main processor core to control the power supply to the coprocessor core, enabling the coprocessor core to go into hibernation when powered off, further optimizing system power consumption and effectively solving the problems of unstable power supply, high cost, and difficulty in power consumption control.

[0053] In practical applications, the main power supply of the power module can be replaced with a rechargeable lithium battery pack, and the backup power supply can be dry cell batteries. The main and backup power supplies are still regulated by the same voltage regulator module before powering the dual-core integrated module. Alternatively, a power management chip can be added to the power module to work with the voltage regulator module to achieve intelligent switching and voltage regulation of the main and backup power supplies. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0054] As a design feature, in this embodiment, a power path management circuit is provided between the main power supply, the backup power supply, and the input terminal of the voltage regulator module. Specifically, the power path management circuit includes a MOSFET and a first diode. The source of the MOSFET is connected to the positive terminal of the main power supply, and the drain of the MOSFET is connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module. The anode of the first diode is connected to the positive terminal of the backup power supply, and the cathode of the first diode is connected to the drain of the MOSFET. When the main power supply is operating normally, the MOSFET is turned on, and the main power supply powers the voltage regulator module. When the main power supply voltage drops or fails, the MOSFET is turned off, and the backup power supply powers the voltage regulator module through the first diode.

[0055] More specifically, in this embodiment, the main power supply status is determined by connecting a voltage divider detection circuit to the gate of the MOSFET. The voltage divider detection circuit consists of resistors R1 and R2 connected in series. One end of R1 is connected to the positive terminal of the main power supply, and one end of R2 is grounded. The voltage divider node (the connection point of R1 and R2) is connected to the input terminal of a voltage comparator, and the other input terminal of the voltage comparator is connected to a preset reference voltage (such as the voltage divider value corresponding to the normal main power supply voltage of 6.0V).

[0056] When the main power supply voltage is normal, the voltage divider node voltage is higher than the reference voltage, the voltage comparator outputs a high level, and the MOSFET is turned on; when the main power supply voltage drops below the reference voltage (e.g., below 5V) or fails, the voltage divider node voltage is lower than the reference voltage, the voltage comparator outputs a low level, the MOSFET is turned off, and the backup power supply is powered through the first diode.

[0057] In practical applications, the MOSFET and voltage divider detection circuit can be replaced by an integrated power path management chip (such as a dedicated chip with automatic switching function between main and backup power supplies), or the switching between main and backup power supplies can be achieved by using dual diodes with unidirectional conduction and voltage detection resistors. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0058] In the above process, the hardware combination of MOSFET and voltage divider detection circuit can respond to changes in main power supply voltage in real time and quickly, avoiding the delay of software control switching; the first diode can prevent reverse current between main and backup power supplies, protecting the backup power supply; the overall hardware switching method does not rely on processor control, and even if the dual-core integrated module is not started, it can ensure uninterrupted power supply to the voltage regulator module, further improving the reliability of system power supply, while simplifying the control logic of power switching and reducing the difficulty of software debugging.

[0059] In practical applications, the switching between primary and backup power supplies can also be achieved through other hardware control links. For example, a bridge circuit composed of two MOSFETs that are inversely related can be used to control the power supply paths of the primary and backup power supplies respectively. In addition, a voltage sampling circuit can monitor the voltage of the primary and backup power supplies in real time. A dedicated power management IC can control the conduction and cutoff of the MOSFETs according to the voltage sampling results to achieve intelligent switching between primary and backup power supplies. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0060] As an alternative design, a resistor and a fourth diode are connected in series between the backup power supply and the voltage regulator module; the anode of the fourth diode is connected to the positive terminal of the backup power supply, the cathode of the fourth diode is connected to one end of the resistor, and the other end of the resistor is connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module.

[0061] It should be understood that the resistor and the fourth diode connected in series between the backup power supply and the voltage regulator module need to have matched parameters. In this embodiment, a Schottky diode with a low forward voltage drop (forward voltage drop ≤ 0.5V) is preferred for the fourth diode. The resistor value is determined based on the maximum load current to ensure that the total voltage drop between the two does not exceed a preset value (e.g., 0.8V), so that the input voltage of the voltage regulator module is always higher than its minimum operating voltage, avoiding insufficient voltage when the backup power supply is in operation. The preset value can be adjusted according to the actual circuit parameters (e.g., the backup power supply voltage range, the minimum input voltage of the voltage regulator module).

[0062] Specifically, the fourth diode has unidirectional conduction characteristics, which can prevent current from flowing back into the backup power supply when the main power supply is supplying power normally, thus avoiding the backup power supply being reverse charged or damaged. The series resistor plays a current limiting role. When the main power supply is undervoltage and the backup power supply is put into operation, it can limit the initial current flowing into the voltage regulator module, preventing instantaneous large current from impacting the internal components of the voltage regulator module. At the same time, the resistance value can be flexibly adjusted according to the input current requirements of the voltage regulator module to ensure that the voltage is stable and meets the input requirements of the voltage regulator module when the backup power supply is supplying power, further improving the safety and stability of the backup power supply link.

[0063] In the system provided in this embodiment, the main processor core for implementing basic metering and control functions and the coprocessor core for implementing communication functions are integrated into the same module. Data interaction is achieved through an inter-core communication mechanism, enabling the main processor core and the coprocessor core to achieve functional isolation and parallel operation, avoiding the task queuing problem of traditional single-processor time-sharing scheduling. Simultaneously, the high-speed on-chip data interaction eliminates the need for external interface transmission, effectively reducing communication response latency and improving the overall performance and real-time performance of the smart meter. Furthermore, combined with an efficient power management architecture, the system achieves better power consumption control while ensuring continuous power supply.

[0064] As a further explanation, the intelligent instrument power supply system of this application will be described in more detail below based on the foregoing embodiments. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a smart instrument power supply system provided in this application embodiment. Figure 2 ,like Figure 3 As shown, the intelligent instrument system in this embodiment also includes a valve drive module.

[0065] It should be understood that the valve drive module is a functional module in a smart meter used to execute valve opening and closing actions. Its core function is to receive valve control commands from the main processor core, convert the commands into electrical signals that drive the valve's mechanical structure, thereby opening or closing the valve of the smart meter (such as a smart gas meter or water meter), and ultimately controlling the flow of the medium (gas or water). For example, when a user is in arrears with payment or the equipment malfunctions, the valve is closed upon receiving a command from the main processor core to ensure safe operation.

[0066] Based on this, as one possible implementation, the voltage regulator module includes a first voltage regulator chip and a second voltage regulator chip. The input terminal of the first voltage regulator chip is connected to the output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the dual-core integrated module. The input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip is connected to the output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the valve drive module.

[0067] Specifically, the outputs of the main power supply (such as a 6.0V alkaline battery pack) and the backup power supply (such as a lithium battery) are connected to the inputs of the first and second voltage regulator chips, respectively. Based on this, the first voltage regulator chip stabilizes the input 6.0V voltage to 4.0V, providing an adaptation voltage for the main processor core and coprocessor core of the dual-core integrated module, meeting the requirements for low-power operation and high-performance communication. The second voltage regulator chip stabilizes the input 6.0V voltage to 5.0V, providing the drive voltage for the valve drive module, ensuring power supply stability during valve opening and closing, and preventing valve failure due to voltage fluctuations.

[0068] In this embodiment, the voltage regulator chips involved in the above process are all linear voltage regulators. A capacitor assembly is configured around the linear voltage regulator, comprising multiple parallel-connected filter capacitors. Specifically, the capacitor assembly is an external auxiliary component composed of multiple ceramic or electrolytic capacitors of different capacitance values. Some capacitors (such as high-frequency ceramic capacitors) are connected in parallel to the input terminal of the linear voltage regulator, while other capacitors (such as low-frequency electrolytic capacitors) are connected in parallel to the output terminal of the linear voltage regulator. One end of the input capacitor is connected to the Vin pin of the linear voltage regulator, and the other end is grounded. One end of the output capacitor is connected to the Vout pin of the linear voltage regulator, and the other end is grounded, forming a complete input and output filtering circuit.

[0069] With this configuration, the linear regulator can stabilize the fluctuating voltage of the main and backup power inputs to a fixed output voltage (such as 4.0V or 5.0V), providing a stable power supply for the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module, and avoiding voltage fluctuations from affecting the module's operating accuracy (such as metering data deviations or valve action jamming). The input capacitor of the capacitor assembly can filter out high-frequency noise and transient pulses in the output voltage of the main and backup power supplies, preventing interference signals from entering the linear regulator and affecting its voltage regulation performance. The output capacitor can suppress the ripple of the linear regulator's output voltage, and at the same time provide instantaneous current replenishment when the load current changes suddenly (such as when the coprocessor core starts up or the valve moves), avoiding a sudden drop in output voltage, and further ensuring the stability and continuity of power supply to each module.

[0070] As a preferred example, the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip is further connected in parallel with a second diode and a third diode. The anode of the second diode is connected to the output terminal of the main power supply, and the cathode of the second diode is connected to the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip. The cathode of the third diode is connected to the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip, and the anode of the third diode is grounded.

[0071] Specifically, the second diode is a unidirectional conducting diode, whose function is to prevent the voltage at the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip from flowing back to the main power supply when the main power supply voltage drops abnormally, thus avoiding damage to the main power supply due to reverse current. The third diode is a Zener diode, whose Zener voltage is matched with the rated input voltage of the second voltage regulator chip and needs to be slightly higher than the rated input voltage of the second voltage regulator chip (e.g., when the rated input voltage of the second voltage regulator chip is 6.0V, the Zener voltage can be 6.5V to 7.0V). When the output voltage of the main power supply or backup power supply rises abnormally (exceeding the maximum withstand voltage of the second voltage regulator chip), the third diode breaks down and conducts, clamping the voltage at the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip within a safe range, preventing damage to the second voltage regulator chip due to excessive voltage, and thus ensuring the power supply safety of the valve drive module.

[0072] In the above process, dual voltage regulator chips are used to power the dual-core module and the valve drive module respectively, enabling independent power supply for the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module. This avoids power supply interference caused by different voltage requirements (e.g., the former requires 4.0V, while the latter requires 5.0V). Furthermore, if the power supply link of either module malfunctions (e.g., a voltage regulator chip failure), it will not affect the normal operation of the other module, significantly improving system power supply reliability. Moreover, the voltage regulation parameters can be finely configured for the power consumption and voltage requirements of different modules, further optimizing system energy efficiency.

[0073] As another possible implementation, the voltage regulator module is a single voltage regulator chip. A voltage regulation unit is set between the single voltage regulator chip and the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module. The voltage regulation unit is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to adapt to the power supply voltage requirements of the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module respectively.

[0074] It should be understood that the input terminal of the single voltage regulator chip is connected to the main power supply and the backup power supply through an isolation circuit. In this embodiment, the isolation circuit adopts a diode isolation scheme. Specifically, the positive terminal of the main power supply is connected to the input terminal of the single voltage regulator chip via a first Schottky diode, and the positive terminal of the backup power supply is connected to the same input terminal via a second Schottky diode. The anodes of the first and second Schottky diodes are respectively connected to the corresponding power supplies, and the cathodes are connected to the Vin pin of the single voltage regulator chip. When the main power supply voltage is higher than the backup power supply voltage, the first Schottky diode conducts in the forward direction and the second Schottky diode is reverse-biased and cut off, with only the main power supply supplying power to the single voltage regulator chip. When the main power supply voltage is lower than the backup power supply voltage, the second Schottky diode conducts in the forward direction and the first Schottky diode is cut off, automatically switching to backup power supply. The unidirectional conductivity of the diodes can prevent current from flowing back between the main and backup power supplies, achieving electrical isolation between the two power supplies, avoiding power supply conflicts, and ensuring the stability of the input voltage of the single voltage regulator chip.

[0075] In practical applications, a MOSFET switching isolation scheme can also be used to achieve electrical isolation between the main and backup power supplies: the positive terminal of the main power supply is connected to the input terminal of a single voltage regulator chip via a first P-type MOSFET, and the positive terminal of the backup power supply is connected to the same input terminal via a second P-type MOSFET. A voltage detection circuit (such as one composed of voltage divider resistors and a comparator) is added to monitor the main power supply voltage. When the main power supply voltage is normal, the voltage detection circuit outputs a control signal to turn on the first P-type MOSFET and turn off the second P-type MOSFET, allowing the main power supply to operate independently. When the main power supply voltage drops below a threshold, the control signal reverses, turning off the first P-type MOSFET and turning on the second P-type MOSFET, switching to backup power supply. The low on-state voltage drop of the MOSFET reduces power loss and is suitable for high-current power supply scenarios. Furthermore, the high isolation resistance during cutoff effectively prevents current interference between the main and backup power supplies. Relay-based isolation schemes can also be used, but this embodiment does not limit the use of relays.

[0076] In this embodiment, the single voltage regulator chip is also a linear voltage regulator source, as detailed in the descriptions of the first and second voltage regulator chips above, which will not be repeated here.

[0077] In this embodiment, the voltage regulating unit includes a first voltage regulating branch and a second voltage regulating branch; the first voltage regulating branch is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to power the dual-core integrated module, and the second voltage regulating branch is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to power the valve drive module; at least one of the first voltage regulating branch and the second voltage regulating branch is provided with a voltage regulating device.

[0078] Specifically, in this embodiment, the single voltage regulator chip stabilizes the input voltage from the main power supply (6.0V alkaline battery pack) or backup power supply (lithium battery) to 5.0V. A low-dropout linear regulator (LDO) chip is installed in the first voltage regulation branch to further regulate the 5.0V voltage to 4.0V, supplying power to the dual-core integrated module. The second voltage regulation branch does not have an additional voltage regulating device; it directly delivers the 5.0V voltage output from the single voltage regulator chip to the valve drive module, meeting its power supply requirements.

[0079] In practical applications, the first voltage regulation branch can also use a resistor voltage divider circuit (such as a series of fixed resistors R3 and R4, which divides the 5.0V output by the single voltage regulator chip to 4.0V by selecting a resistor with an appropriate resistance value), or a DC-DC step-down module (such as efficiently stepping down the 5.0V voltage to 4.0V, suitable for scenarios with high power supply efficiency requirements). This embodiment does not limit this.

[0080] In the above process, by using a single voltage regulator chip in conjunction with a voltage regulation unit, the use of one voltage regulator chip is reduced compared to the dual voltage regulator chip solution, thus reducing hardware material costs and PCB space occupation. At the same time, the flexible configuration of the voltage regulation unit can adapt to the different voltage requirements of dual-core integrated modules and valve drive modules, eliminating the need to design separate voltage regulation links for different modules, simplifying the design and debugging difficulty of the power supply architecture, and balancing cost control and functional adaptability.

[0081] As an example, the intelligent instrument power system includes the aforementioned dual-core integrated module, power supply module, and valve drive module. The dual-core integrated module includes a main processor core serving as the business core and a coprocessor core serving as the communication core. The two cores interact via on-chip remote communication. The main processor core is responsible for outputting control commands to the LCD display module, audio-visual interaction module, etc., and receiving data input from the alarm module, button interaction module, metering module, etc. Furthermore, the power supply module includes a power supply module and a voltage regulator module; the power supply module includes a main power supply and a backup power supply.

[0082] Based on this, Figure 4A A structural example of a smart meter power supply system provided in this application embodiment. Figure 1 ,like Figure 4A As shown in the example, the voltage regulator module includes a first voltage regulator chip and a second voltage regulator chip. The input terminal of the first voltage regulator chip is connected to the output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and its output terminal is connected to the dual-core integrated module. The input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip is connected to the output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and its output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the valve drive module. This enables power supply to both the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module.

[0083] Figure 4B A structural example of a smart meter power supply system provided in this application embodiment. Figure 2 ,like Figure 4B As shown in the example, the voltage regulator module includes a single voltage regulator chip. The input of the single voltage regulator chip is connected to both the main power supply and the backup power supply, while its output is connected to both the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module, providing operating voltages for both respectively. In this example, both the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module integrate voltage regulation units to adjust the voltage output by the single voltage regulator chip to the required voltage. In practical applications, this voltage regulation unit can also be integrated into the single voltage regulator chip.

[0084] As an example, for Figure 4A The system structure shown is as follows: Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a smart meter power supply system provided in this application embodiment is shown below. Figure 5 As shown in (1) in this example, the main power supply uses a 6.0V alkaline battery, and the backup power supply uses a lithium battery. Based on this, the alkaline battery interface serves as the input terminal for the 6.0V alkaline battery, providing initial power to the entire circuit. The alkaline battery interface is connected to a diode D9, which acts as a one-way conductor to prevent current in the circuit from flowing back to the alkaline battery, thus avoiding damage to the alkaline battery due to reverse current and ensuring normal power supply to the alkaline battery. The 6.0V voltage output from the alkaline battery is connected to the input filter capacitor group composed of capacitors C25 and C33 after passing through diode D9. These capacitors can filter out high-frequency noise and instantaneous pulses in the 6.0V voltage, making the voltage input to the first voltage regulator chip U8 more stable. The input terminal of the first voltage regulator chip U8 is connected to the filtered 6.0V voltage, and its output terminal outputs a stable 5.0V voltage. The 5.0V voltage output terminal is connected in parallel with the output filter capacitor group composed of capacitors C56 and C32 to further filter out the ripple of the 5.0V voltage and ensure that the voltage is pure and stable.

[0085] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown in (1), the 5.0V voltage is connected to the V_CAP node through diode D10. Capacitors C39 and C38 are connected in parallel at the V_CAP node. These two capacitors constitute an energy storage filter unit, which can store electrical energy to cope with power fluctuations or sudden changes in load current, and further smooth the voltage waveform. The V_CAP node is connected to the VM terminal (valve power supply terminal) through the source and drain of MOSFET Q9. The gate of MOSFET Q9 is connected to the collector of transistor Q10 through resistor R10. The base of transistor Q10 receives the "MCU-VAL-OFF" control signal from MCU through resistor R31, and the emitter is grounded.

[0086] Based on this, when the MCU outputs a high-level "MCU-VAL-OFF" signal, transistor Q10 turns on, the gate voltage of MOSFET Q9 is pulled low, Q9 turns on, and the voltage of the V_CAP node is transmitted to the VM terminal through Q9 to power the valve drive module. At this time, diode D7 is also connected to the VM terminal to prevent reverse current from the valve drive module side from affecting the front-end circuit. When the MCU outputs a low-level "MCU-VAL-OFF" signal, transistor Q10 turns off, the gate voltage of MOSFET Q9 rises, Q9 turns off, the VM terminal stops receiving power, and the valve drive module stops working.

[0087] like Figure 5 As shown in (2), the alkaline battery interface is also connected to the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip U7, which is a linear voltage regulator. The 6.0V voltage output by the alkaline battery is connected to the Vin pin of U7, the GND pin of U7 is grounded, and the Vout pin outputs a stable voltage. A capacitor C30 is connected in parallel at the Vin pin input terminal of U7 to filter out high-frequency noise and instantaneous pulses in the input 6.0V voltage, making the voltage input to U7 more stable. Capacitors C26, C29, C28, and C27 (multiple capacitors are connected in parallel here) are connected in parallel at the Vout pin output terminal of U7. These capacitors serve as output filter capacitors to further filter out the ripple of the U7 output voltage, making the output voltage purer and more stable, and finally providing a suitable and stable operating voltage for the dual-core integrated module part indicated by NB_PWR, ensuring its stable operation.

[0088] like Figure 5 As shown in (3), the lithium battery serves as a backup power source. Its lithium battery interface is connected to the dual-core integrated module represented by NB_PWR after passing through resistor R47 and diode D11. When the alkaline battery voltage drops or becomes undervoltage, it automatically replenishes the power to the dual-core integrated module.

[0089] The above-mentioned implementation principle not only achieves independent and stable power supply for the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module through dual voltage regulator chips, but also improves the continuity and reliability of the system power supply by using backup power supply and overvoltage protection components, perfectly matching the multi-dimensional requirements of smart instruments for metering accuracy, valve action stability and low power consumption.

[0090] As can be seen from the above, the intelligent instrument power supply system of this application has the following advantages:

[0091] 1. High power supply reliability; Specifically, through the main and backup power supply design, and with voltage regulator modules connected to the output terminals of both the main and backup power supplies, the backup power supply can automatically switch power supply when the main power supply voltage drops or becomes undervoltage, avoiding the interruption of the dual-core integrated module due to the main power supply failure, ensuring that metering data is not lost and remote communication is not interrupted. At the same time, the voltage regulator module can stably output the appropriate voltage, avoiding the impact of the original voltage fluctuation of the main power supply on the dual-core operating accuracy and communication stability.

[0092] 2. Excellent power consumption control; Specifically, the main processor core uses a low-power A core, which can maintain low power consumption under normal conditions, while the coprocessor core uses a high-performance P core, which can be woken up only when there is a communication requirement. In addition, the main processor core can actively cut off the power supply to the coprocessor core, realizing the power-off hibernation of the coprocessor core, further optimizing system power consumption.

[0093] 3. Cost and space advantages; Specifically, the voltage regulator module architecture does not require separate power supplies and voltage regulator components for dual cores, which simplifies the power link design, reduces the use of redundant components, lowers hardware costs and PCB space occupation, and reduces the risk of power failure.

[0094] 4. High-efficiency inter-core communication; Specifically, the inter-core communication mechanism is implemented through shared memory, dedicated register groups or on-chip message queue controllers, etc., without the need for external bus participation. Data synchronization is completed only through on-chip hardware logic, resulting in fast data interaction speed and low latency, ensuring the high efficiency and real-time performance of data transmission between the main processor core and the coprocessor core.

[0095] 5. Stable power supply for valve drive; Specifically, the voltage regulator module can provide a stable 5.0V drive voltage to the valve drive module, and the second diode prevents reverse current when the main power supply voltage drops abnormally, and the third voltage regulator diode clamps overvoltage, ensuring the stability of power supply when the valve is switched on and off, and avoiding valve failure caused by voltage fluctuations.

[0096] This application also provides a smart meter, including the smart meter power supply system of any of the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, it should be understood that the smart meter also includes one or more modules such as a metering module, a valve module, a display module, and an alarm module.

[0097] Based on this, during use, the metering module is responsible for collecting data such as the flow rate of media such as gas and water. The main processor core processes this data, while the coprocessor core is dedicated to handling the wireless communication protocol stack related to the communication module. It quickly completes tasks such as remote data encapsulation and parsing, wireless signal modulation and demodulation, encrypted data transmission with the cloud server, and remote command reception and parsing. The main processor core and the coprocessor core interact with each other in real time through an efficient on-chip inter-core communication mechanism, which can effectively reduce the communication response delay caused by the main processor core simultaneously undertaking metering control and communication processing tasks.

[0098] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the solutions disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this application are indicated by the claims.

[0099] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A smart instrument power supply system, characterized in that, The system includes: A dual-core integrated module integrates a main processor core and a coprocessor core; wherein the main processor core is configured to execute the basic metering and control functions of the smart meter, and the coprocessor core is configured to independently execute the wireless communication protocol stack processing function, and the main processor core and the coprocessor core interact with each other through an inter-chip core communication mechanism; The power supply module is electrically connected to the dual-core integrated module and is used to provide operating voltage to the dual-core integrated module.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power module includes a power supply module and a voltage regulator module. The power supply module includes a main power supply and a backup power supply. The output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply are both connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module. The output terminal of the voltage regulator module is connected to the input terminal of the dual-core integrated module.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The system also includes a valve drive module; the voltage regulator module includes a first voltage regulator chip and a second voltage regulator chip, the input terminal of the first voltage regulator chip is connected to the output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the dual-core integrated module; the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip is connected to the output terminals of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the valve drive module.

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The system also includes a valve drive module; the voltage regulator module is a single voltage regulator chip, and a voltage regulation unit is provided between the single voltage regulator chip, the dual-core integrated module, and the valve drive module. The voltage regulation unit is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to adapt to the power supply voltage requirements of the dual-core integrated module and the valve drive module respectively.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The voltage regulating unit includes a first voltage regulating branch and a second voltage regulating branch; the first voltage regulating branch is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to power the dual-core integrated module, and the second voltage regulating branch is used to regulate the output voltage of the single voltage regulator chip to power the valve drive module; at least one of the first voltage regulating branch and the second voltage regulating branch is provided with a voltage regulating device.

6. The system according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, A power path management circuit is provided between the main power supply and the backup power supply and the input terminal of the voltage regulator module; the power path management circuit includes a MOSFET and a first diode; The source of the MOSFET is connected to the positive terminal of the main power supply, and the drain of the MOSFET is connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module. The anode of the first diode is connected to the positive terminal of the backup power supply, and the cathode of the first diode is connected to the drain of the MOS transistor. When the main power supply is working normally, the MOSFET is turned on, and the main power supply powers the voltage regulator module; when the main power supply voltage drops or fails, the MOSFET is turned off, and the backup power supply powers the voltage regulator module through the first diode.

7. The system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The voltage regulator chip is a linear voltage regulator, and a capacitor assembly is configured around the linear voltage regulator. The capacitor assembly includes multiple parallel filter capacitors.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip is also connected in parallel with a second diode and a third diode. The anode of the second diode is connected to the output terminal of the main power supply, and the cathode of the second diode is connected to the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip. The cathode of the third diode is connected to the input terminal of the second voltage regulator chip, and the anode of the third diode is grounded.

9. The system according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, A resistor and a fourth diode are connected in series between the backup power supply and the voltage regulator module; wherein, the anode of the fourth diode is connected to the positive terminal of the backup power supply, the cathode of the fourth diode is connected to one end of the resistor, and the other end of the resistor is connected to the input terminal of the voltage regulator module.

10. A smart meter, characterized in that, include: The smart meter includes the system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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