Wireless Converter Station Links Using Millimeter-Wave Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage power converter stations face challenges with traditional wireless communication systems due to limited bandwidth, high latency, and reliability issues caused by metallic obstacles and external interference, making them costly and time-consuming to install and commission.
Innovation Solution
A method for establishing a wireless communication system in high-voltage power converter stations that involves determining optimal communication paths using signal quality assessments for both direct and relayed channels, employing directional and cooperative communication techniques, and prioritizing paths to ensure redundancy and reliability, utilizing wireless networking devices and communication devices with antenna elements to direct radio beams effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wireless communication systems (WiFi, LTE, Bluetooth) are deployed in the 2.4/5 GHz spectrum, then communication coverage is achieved, but bandwidth is limited and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter from traditional 2.4/5 GHz to millimeter-wave frequencies (24 GHz to 300 GHz), which provides significantly larger bandwidth and enables lower latency communication while maintaining reliability through the specified frequency range
2Reliability
If optical links are used for control communication, then voltage insulation and high-speed communication are achieved, but installation and commissioning become time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical link installation process with a wireless millimeter-wave communication system that automatically establishes communication paths through signal quality assessment, eliminating the need for physical cable installation and commissioning while maintaining high-speed communication and voltage insulation
3Reliability
If signal processing methods (forward-error correction, retransmissions) are used to improve reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by assessing signal quality for multiple potential communication paths in advance and selecting the optimal path before communication begins, which eliminates the need for real-time error correction and retransmissions, thereby maintaining high reliability without increasing latency
4Reliability
If traditional wireless communication is used in power converter stations, then communication coverage is achieved, but interference from external radio signals limits bandwidth and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter to millimeter-wave range (24 GHz to 300 GHz), which is less susceptible to external radio frequency interference from cellular networks and satellite links, thereby maintaining communication coverage while reducing the impact of harmful external interference
5Reliability
If metallic obstacles (EMI shields, cooling pipes, supporting structures) are present in the station, then structural integrity and EMI protection are achieved, but radio signal propagation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses directional antenna elements to transmit and receive millimeter-wave signals in specific directions, creating three-dimensional communication paths that can navigate around metallic obstacles rather than relying on line-of-sight propagation, thereby maintaining signal propagation while preserving the structural integrity and EMI protection provided by metallic components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a more reliable, low-latency, and high-speed communication system that reduces installation and commissioning time and costs, enhancing the overall reliability of power converter stations by selecting communication paths with signal qualities above a threshold and using millimeter-wave frequencies to minimize interference.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna elements are configured to transmit and/or receive radio signals in a plurality of different directions
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (1) for establishing a wireless communication system in a high-voltage power converter station (5a) is provided. The high-voltage power converter station includes a plurality of power devices (10a-10c). The wireless communication system includes a plurality of wireless communication devices (15a-15c), some of which being associated with a power device such that a power device and a wireless communication device together form a wireless power electronic module (25a-25c). The high-voltage power converter station further comprises at least one wireless networking device (20) for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller (100) configured to control the power devices. The method comprises determining (S3), by the controller, at least one communication path providing a signal quality above a threshold based on indications of signal quality for a plurality of channels established either between a wireless networking device and a wireless power electronic module or between a wireless communication device and a wireless power electronic module.