DC Power Control Toolkit With Three-Layer State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex power systems, modeled as hybrid dynamical systems, pose challenges in analysis and control due to their non-differentiable and discrete nature, requiring computationally intensive modeling that is not practically viable on standard processing resources.
Innovation Solution
A three-layer control scheme using a microcontroller with virtual unit and sensor objects, implementing a finite state machine to determine composite states and control power source units efficiently, reducing complexity and computational requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full modeling of hybrid dynamical systems is performed to determine control signals, then control accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into three distinct layers: (1) a high-level decision-making layer that determines composite states and control actions, (2) a middle layer that manages individual power source units and their states, and (3) a low-level layer that handles sensor readings and actuator commands. This segmentation allows complex hybrid dynamical system control to be distributed across layers, reducing the computational burden on any single processor while maintaining overall control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual unit objects and virtual sensor objects as intermediary layers between the physical power source units and the control processor. These virtual objects abstract the complex physical states into simplified representations that can be processed more efficiently. The virtual unit objects model the dynamic states of power sources without requiring full physical system modeling, serving as a computational mediator that reduces processing requirements while preserving essential system behavior.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a processor with sufficient compute power is incorporated to perform full hybrid system modeling, then control capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different levels of modeling fidelity to different parts of the system. The high-level decision-making layer uses simplified composite state representations for overall system control, while individual power source units are modeled with appropriate detail only where necessary. This allows the system to achieve adequate control capability without uniformly high computational requirements across all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simplified virtual unit objects and finite state machine representations that require minimal computational resources compared to full hybrid dynamical system models. These lightweight virtual objects provide sufficient control capability for practical applications while dramatically reducing processor requirements, allowing standard microcontrollers to be used instead of expensive high-performance computing systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard microcontrollers are used for control, then system cost is reduced, but computational power and processing capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive tasks of full hybrid system modeling and separates them from the real-time control execution. The high-level decision-making layer performs simplified state assessments and control decisions using minimal computation, while detailed system modeling is performed offline or at lower update frequencies. This extraction allows standard microcontrollers to handle real-time control within their computational limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control update strategies where the control frequency and modeling depth are adapted based on system conditions. During normal operation, simplified models with lower computational requirements are used. When system states change significantly or during critical transitions, the control layer increases its assessment frequency and detail. This dynamic approach allows standard microcontrollers to achieve adequate control capability across varying operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes various aspects of devices and methods that are directed to systems for controlling power systems. A device comprises at least one power source unit having a plurality of physical unit pins, at least one sensor to measure a characteristic of at least one power source unit, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller comprises a memory with at least virtual unit object, at least one virtual sensor object, and a set of software instructions to cause the microcontroller to control the at least power source unit via at least one switch using a three-layer control scheme.