Inferring Feeder and Phase Using Signal Strength Voting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical distribution grid systems face challenges in accurately determining the feeder and phase of a transmitter when the Probe Transmission is detected on multiple monitored lines, as existing methods struggle to distinguish the correct path of electricity flow due to crosstalk and crossover effects, leading to inaccuracies in grid mapping and management.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a receiver at the substation that monitors all phases of feeders, records signal strength, and employs a voting process to identify the feeder and phase of the transmitter by analyzing the energy levels of tone frequencies across multiple lines, using a Probe Transmission and idle periods to determine the most likely transmission path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Probe Transmission is injected onto a power line, then the transmitter can communicate with the grid, but the signal may be detected on multiple monitored lines making feeder and phase identification difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification process into multiple independent measurements across different time periods. By conducting separate Probe Transmissions during different idle periods and comparing results, the system can identify the correct feeder and phase even when signals appear on multiple lines, resolving the contradiction between reliable detection and accurate identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs more measurements than the minimum single detection would provide. By conducting multiple Probe Transmissions and using a voting process across multiple detections, the system achieves higher identification accuracy while maintaining reliable transmission detection through the accumulation of partial information from each measurement.
2Reliability
If multiple monitored lines detect the Probe Transmission, then transmission detection coverage is improved, but determining the correct feeder and phase becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent breaks down the complex identification problem into simpler segments by performing multiple independent Probe Transmission measurements at different times. Each measurement provides partial information, and the combination of these segmented measurements through a voting process simplifies the overall identification complexity while maintaining broad detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary Probe Transmission measurements during idle periods before final identification is required. These preliminary actions gather information about signal presence on multiple lines, which is then processed through a voting mechanism to determine the correct feeder and phase, reducing the complexity of the final identification step.
3Reliability
If the system monitors all phases of all feeders continuously, then detection capability is maximized, but energy consumption and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring where the receiver performs Probe Transmission measurements at specific idle periods rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains reliable detection capability by sampling the grid at appropriate intervals while significantly reducing energy consumption and computational load compared to continuous monitoring of all phases and feeders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs a limited number of Probe Transmission measurements during idle periods rather than exhaustive continuous monitoring. This partial action approach provides sufficient detection capability for accurate feeder and phase identification while minimizing energy consumption and computational requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for inferring the feeder and phase of a transmitter on a plurality of electrical distribution lines. The system may include a low-voltage electrical distribution grid having one or more phases and one or more lines, a mechanism for transmitting a measuring data, a mechanism for receiving the measuring data, and a mechanism that analyzes the transmitted data to infer the phase and feed on which the transmission is injected.