Concentrator Task Scheduling in Power Line Carrier Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Automated Meter Management (AMM) systems face inefficiencies due to interference, crosstalk, and communication link unreliability in power line carrier networks, leading to failed task executions and resource wastage in scheduling tasks for electricity meters.
Innovation Solution
A method where the concentrator device schedules task re-attempts using a retrieval queue, prioritizing error-free communication history and network stability, and applies criteria-based sorting to optimize task execution within specified time intervals, ensuring efficient resource utilization and improved task completion rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the data concentrator uses power line carrier communications to exchange data with electricity meters, then remote control and monitoring capabilities are enabled, but communication reliability deteriorates due to interference, crosstalk, and noise in the power line network
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending task requests to the data concentrator before the execution deadline, allowing the concentrator to schedule and attempt task execution in advance. The concentrator maintains a retrieval queue to organize pending tasks and attempts execution before the time interval expires, preventing last-minute communication attempts that are more susceptible to failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its communication strategy by implementing a retrieval queue that adapts to varying network conditions. The concentrator dynamically schedules task execution attempts based on current network status, prioritizing tasks that are closer to their deadline and adjusting the timing of communication attempts to optimize success probability under changing power line conditions.
2Productivity
If the data concentrator schedules multiple task executions within a time interval, then task completion rate improves, but resource utilization deteriorates due to repeated failed attempts and retransmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by attempting to execute only the necessary number of tasks within the time interval rather than repeatedly attempting all tasks. The retrieval queue mechanism ensures that once a task is attempted and fails, it is not unnecessarily retried within the same interval, avoiding excessive communication attempts that waste energy and resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The data concentrator serves itself by autonomously managing the retrieval queue and scheduling task execution attempts without requiring external intervention. The system self-regulates communication timing and task prioritization, making efficient use of available resources while maintaining high task completion rates through intelligent scheduling.
3Measurement precision
If the data concentrator waits for task execution results before scheduling next tasks, then task execution accuracy improves, but time utilization deteriorates due to idle waiting periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scheduling of multiple task execution attempts within the time interval before the deadline expires. The retrieval queue is pre-populated with pending tasks, and the concentrator schedules execution attempts in advance rather than waiting for results sequentially, thereby reducing idle waiting time while maintaining execution accuracy through proper result tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by continuously processing tasks from the retrieval queue without idle gaps. While waiting for execution results, the concentrator continues to schedule and attempt other tasks from the queue, ensuring that communication resources remain productively utilized throughout the entire time interval rather than remaining idle during result waiting periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
Electricity meters are connected via a power line carrier network to a concentrator device that receives intervention requests describing at least one task to be performed by at least one electricity meter within a specified time interval. The concentrator device attempts (503) to prioritize the execution of tasks that have not yet been attempted, once the time interval for each of these tasks has begun but has not yet elapsed. The concentrator device places (505) in a retrieval queue the respective task executions that have been requested but for which the concentrator device has not received an execution result.The hub device attempts (507) to execute tasks placed in the recovery queue, when the time interval relating to each of said tasks has started but has not yet elapsed and there are no tasks remaining that have not yet been attempted to be executed.