Bridge-IED Routing GOOSE Messages Between Sub-Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current substation IEDs lack the ability to route IEC 61850 GOOSE messages between multiple sub-networks, limiting the transmission of protection signals and binary/analog values across different sub-networks, which is essential for load shedding and plant protection applications.

Innovation Solution

A Bridge-IED with modular communication interfaces and signal mapping capabilities, configured using IEC 61850 standards, allows for routing GOOSE messages between sub-networks by filtering and rearranging signals across connected interfaces, similar to standard IEDs for GOOSE communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GOOSE messages are transmitted within a single sub-network using publisher-subscriber mechanism, then transmission speed and reliability are ensured, but the ability to route messages between multiple sub-networks is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidsub-network routing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between sub-networks. This gateway receives GOOSE messages from one sub-network, processes them (including extracting GOOSE data from Ethernet packets and reconstructing messages), and forwards them to target sub-networks. This mediator enables inter-sub-network communication while preserving the reliability of individual sub-networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the overall communication network into multiple independent sub-networks, each maintaining its own publisher-subscriber GOOSE communication. The gateway operates at the boundary between segments, enabling controlled information exchange without compromising the integrity or performance of individual segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If all IEDs are combined in one sub-network for GOOSE communication, then complete signal transmission is possible, but network complexity and loss of information increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidinformation loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway acts as an intelligent intermediary that selectively forwards GOOSE messages between sub-networks based on configuration. It processes Ethernet packets to extract GOOSE data, reconstructs messages with appropriate addressing, and forwards them only to relevant target sub-networks, preventing information loss while enabling comprehensive signal transmission across distributed networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If standard IEDs with single Ethernet interface are used according to IEC 61850, then device simplicity is maintained, but redundancy and inter-sub-network communication capabilities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIED interface complexityVSAvoidcommunication redundancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device is designed as a multi-functional unit that performs multiple roles: it acts as an IED within its own sub-network, serves as a router between sub-networks, and provides redundancy coordination. This universal device consolidates multiple functions that would otherwise require separate components, enabling both redundancy and inter-sub-network communication without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2688251B1Process and bridge-IED, Intelligent Electronic Device, adapted to route messages between sub-networks
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2688251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2688251B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention refers to a Bridge-IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) to route IEC61850 GOOSE messages between sub-networks (SN_1, SN_2 ... SN_n), comprises a base functionality for signal mapping and more as one communication interfaces (Cl-1, Cl-2 ...Cl-n), wherein each is designed as IED with its own configurable CID-file according IEC 61850 requirement.