ATSC 3.0 Multicast Control for Distributed Grid Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Decentralized power grids face challenges in efficiently disseminating control and coordination messages to diverse electrical equipment due to the number of devices, variety of types, lack of standardization, security, and privacy concerns, with conventional TCP/IP networks inefficient for multicast routing.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 broadcast television transmission standard for multicast communications, combined with state-based addressing and security protocols to authenticate and address subsets of electrical equipment securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional TCP/IP networks with unicast transmissions are used to send control messages to electrical devices, then security and privacy can be maintained through individual address authentication, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to multiple separate transmissions required for each device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple unicast transmissions into a single multicast transmission by grouping electrical devices into classes based on their modulation characteristics. Instead of sending separate control messages to each device, a single multicast message containing class-specific modulation parameters is transmitted to all devices in that class simultaneously, thereby improving communication efficiency while maintaining security through class-based authentication
2Productivity
If multicast routing is implemented over conventional networks to improve communication efficiency, then productivity increases through simultaneous message delivery, but device complexity increases due to the lack of native multicast routing support in TCP/IP networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of multicast functionality by implementing application-layer multicast that simulates native multicast behavior over unicast TCP/IP networks. The system copies the essential multicast feature of simultaneous group delivery without requiring complex network infrastructure changes, using a gateway device to manage class-based groupings and parameter distribution
3Reliability
If control messages are sent to all electrical devices to ensure comprehensive coverage, then reliability of grid modulation is improved, but loss of information increases due to the need to filter and manage diverse device types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diverse population of electrical devices into distinct classes based on their modulation characteristics and response behaviors. By dividing devices into manageable classes (e.g., resistive loads, motor-driven loads, lighting), the system can send targeted control messages to each class without overwhelming complexity, ensuring comprehensive coverage while maintaining clear message filtering through class-specific parameter sets
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems describe multicasting the messages over a broadcast medium (e.g., a TV network). In particular, the methods and systems recite the use of Advanced Television Systems Committee (“ATSC”) 3.0, a new broadcast television transmission standard in the United States. Using ATSC 3.0, the methods and systems can disseminate messages to all the electrical equipment.