Energy Meter Multiple Network Interfaces AMI HAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) networks for energy meters face bandwidth limitations and congestion due to a large number of nodes, leading to delays in data transmission between energy meters and head-end servers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a communications system that enables energy meters to communicate metrology data through both advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and home area network (HAN) pathways, using a packet structure that allows for selective transmission via priority network interfaces, thereby alleviating congestion and increasing data transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If energy meters use a single AMI network interface to communicate with the head end server, then the system structure is simple, but the data transmission bandwidth is limited and transmission delays occur due to network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network communication path by introducing multiple network interfaces (AMI network interface and HAN network interface) in the energy meter. This segmentation allows data to be transmitted through different network paths simultaneously, dividing the transmission load and avoiding the bandwidth limitations of a single AMI network, thereby improving data transmission efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular interface design.
2Productivity
If multiple network interfaces are implemented in energy meters, then data transmission bandwidth and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy meter is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both AMI and HAN network interfaces that can serve different communication needs. The AMI interface handles traditional utility network communications while the HAN interface provides alternative high-bandwidth paths. This universal design allows the meter to adaptively select or combine communication paths based on network conditions, improving transmission efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity through standardized multi-purpose interface architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network selection mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the multiple network interfaces and the data transmission system. This intermediary component intelligently determines which network path (AMI or HAN) to use based on current network conditions, data priority, and transmission requirements, thereby managing the complexity of multiple interfaces through centralized control logic rather than requiring complex distributed management across all interface components.
3Reliability
If all energy meters connect to the head end server through a vast number of nodes on the AMI network, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but transmission delays increase due to network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the network topology by introducing HAN networks as a parallel communication dimension alongside the traditional AMI network. Instead of all meters competing for bandwidth on the single AMI network dimension, meters can now utilize the HAN network dimension for data transmission. This dimensional expansion provides alternative transmission paths that bypass AMI network congestion, reducing transmission delays while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage through the head end server's ability to receive data from both network dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy meter system includes an energy meter with metering circuitry that is enabled to collect metrology data relating to energy usage. Communications circuitry in the energy meter is configured to selectively communicate the metrology data to a head end server over an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network and a home area network (HAN).