Dual Channel Energy Network Communication for Urgent Command Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing energy distribution networks face challenges in exchanging commands between a central command center and energy generation/monitoring systems at a shorter interval than scheduled data transmissions, without significant increases in network resource usage, especially when urgent actions are required.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual channel communication configuration within the energy distribution network, where a first channel is used for periodic data transmission and a second channel for periodic command requests, allowing for quicker command transmission without substantial resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a single channel is used for both data and command transmission, then network resource usage is reduced, but command transmission speed and responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand transmission speedVSAvoidnetwork configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication channel is segmented into two separate channels: a first channel for periodic data transmissions and a second channel for periodic command requests. This segmentation allows commands to be transmitted independently of data traffic, improving command transmission speed and responsiveness without being bottlenecked by data transmission schedules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-dimensional communication approach to a two-dimensional approach by introducing separate channels for different communication purposes. The first channel handles data transmissions while the second channel handles command requests, effectively adding a dimensional separation that improves overall system responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If command transmission interval is reduced, then system responsiveness improves, but network resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand response timeVSAvoidnetwork resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic command requests on the second channel at optimized intervals, rather than continuous transmission. This periodic approach maintains system responsiveness by regularly checking for and transmitting commands while avoiding excessive network resource consumption that would result from continuous or overly frequent transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses partial action by transmitting only necessary commands on the second channel rather than continuously transmitting all possible commands. This approach achieves adequate system responsiveness without the excessive network resource usage that would result from transmitting all commands at maximum frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If dual channel configuration is implemented, then command transmission speed improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand execution efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into two distinct channels with dedicated purposes: the first channel for data transmissions and the second channel for command requests. This segmentation improves command execution efficiency by eliminating contention between data and command traffic, while the modular nature of the segmentation keeps the increased complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Quantity of substance

If network bandwidth is increased, then data transmission capacity improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic data transmissions on the first channel rather than continuous high-bandwidth transmission. This periodic approach maintains adequate data transmission capacity while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous high-bandwidth operation, as the channel remains active only when data needs to be transmitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2689558B1Apparatus and method for data communication in an energy distribution network
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 SUNPOWER INC
  • EP2689558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2689558B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2689558B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

A system (200) for communicating information on an energy distribution network (100) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system (200) includes a local supervisor (241) on a communication network, wherein the local supervisor (241) can collect data from one or more energy generation/monitoring devices (151-155, 161-165, 171-173, 181- 185). The system (200) also includes a command center (210) on the communication network, wherein the command center (210) can generate one or more commands for controlling the one or more energy generation devices. The local supervisor (241) can periodically transmit a data signal indicative of the data to the command center (210) via a first channel (201) of the communication network at a first interval. The local supervisor (241) can also periodically transmit a request for a command to the command center (210) via a second channel (202) of the communication network (200) at a second interval shorter than the first interval. This channel configuration provides effective data communication without a significant increase in the use of network resources.