Endpoint Location in Power Line Communication Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated meter reading (AMR) and power line communication systems face limitations in capacity, scalability, reliability, and flexibility due to the need for manual programming and the inability to communicate with multiple endpoints simultaneously, as well as challenges in reestablishing communication after power outages or line disconnections.
Innovation Solution
A power line communication system that uses a substation transceiver to map unique endpoint identifiers to base frequencies, allowing for bi-directional communication and simultaneous data transmission from multiple endpoints through a power distribution network, enabling efficient endpoint location and management without additional wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual programming is used to add endpoints to the system, then system reliability is maintained through controlled configuration, but system scalability deteriorates due to time-consuming manual setup for each new endpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic endpoint discovery and registration without manual programming. When a new endpoint is added to the power line network, the concentrator automatically detects it through polling mechanisms and registers it in the system database, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining system reliability through automated validation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures communication parameters and protocols for endpoint discovery before actual endpoints are added. The concentrator maintains a ready-state registration mechanism that can immediately accommodate new endpoints as they appear on the network, enabling rapid scalability while preserving reliability through pre-established communication frameworks
2Device complexity
If the concentrator communicates with only one endpoint at a time, then communication simplicity is maintained, but system capacity deteriorates due to bottlenecks limiting the number of endpoints that can be served within a 24-hour period
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system segments the single communication channel into multiple time-sliced sub-channels, allowing the concentrator to rapidly switch between multiple endpoints. This segmentation enables simultaneous communication with multiple endpoints through time-division multiplexing, dramatically increasing system capacity while maintaining relatively simple communication protocols at each individual endpoint
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrator implements periodic polling cycles that systematically rotate through connected endpoints to collect data and transmit commands. This periodic action pattern allows the system to serve multiple endpoints sequentially within defined time windows, effectively increasing throughput and capacity while keeping the communication mechanism straightforward and manageable
3Reliability
If automated meter reading systems require polling of endpoints after power outages to determine operational status, then system reliability is maintained through status verification, but productivity deteriorates due to slow response and consumption of processing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where endpoints automatically report their operational status to the concentrator without requiring manual polling. This feedback loop enables the concentrator to immediately detect which endpoints are operational after power outages, significantly improving response speed while maintaining reliability through automated status verification and alerting mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A system for bi-directional communication within a power distribution system. The system is configured to find an endpoint, the endpoint having an endpoint transceiver in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The power distribution line is within the power distribution system, and the endpoint is identified by a unique identifier (I.D.). The system comprises a substation transceiver electrically coupled to a power distribution line within the power distribution system. A substation circuit is in electrical communication with the substation transceiver. The substation circuit is programmed to map the unique I.D. endpoint to a base frequency within a bandwidth and to control the endpoint to transmit a find endpoint data packet onto the power distribution network. The find endpoint data packet includes the unique I.D. and the base frequency. The substation circuit is further programmed to assign a status to the base frequency upon receiving a signal from the endpoint, the status indicating that the substation transceiver is receiving signals in the frequency bandwidth.