HAN Mailbox Relay for Battery Meter Communication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Utility metering systems face challenges in providing reliable message transport and efficient communication between various types of consumption monitoring devices, including electricity, water, and gas meters, especially in large-scale installations, due to the need for interoperability and compatibility with different network environments and battery-powered devices.

Innovation Solution

A methodology and apparatus that utilize a common network node as a communications relay to provide reliable message delivery using different low-level transport layers, integrating Radio, PLC, and IP connected meters, and configuring memory devices as mailboxes to avoid redundant message transmission, allowing for extended operational capabilities of battery-powered nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If battery-powered meters are used in the network, then installation flexibility and portability are improved, but operational duration is limited due to battery constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidoperational duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Battery-powered meters are configured to enter low-power sleep modes between operational cycles. The meters periodically wake up to perform measurements, communicate data, and then return to sleep mode, thereby extending operational duration while maintaining installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

A communication network acts as an intermediary between battery-powered meters and the central system. The network buffers and manages data transmission, allowing meters to operate intermittently without compromising overall system functionality or data collection continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication protocols are supported for interoperability, then adaptability to different network environments is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The metering devices are designed with multi-functional communication modules that can operate with multiple protocols (RF, PLC, IP) through a unified architecture. This universal design allows a single device to adapt to different network environments without requiring separate hardware for each protocol, thereby managing complexity while maintaining interoperability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication functionality is segmented into separate protocol handlers or layers, allowing each protocol to be implemented as an independent module. This modular segmentation enables interoperability across multiple protocols while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through organized, reusable code structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If redundant message transmission is used for reliability, then message delivery reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage delivery reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where receiving nodes send acknowledgment messages back to transmitting nodes. Based on these acknowledgments, the system dynamically determines whether redundant transmissions are necessary, thereby maintaining message delivery reliability while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from redundant broadcasts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of always transmitting redundant messages, the system applies partial redundancy only when needed based on network conditions, battery status, and message criticality. This selective approach maintains sufficient reliability while reducing overall energy consumption compared to always using full redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Adaptability or versatility

If battery-powered devices are used, then installation flexibility is improved, but power consumption becomes a critical constraint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as measurement intervals, communication frequencies, and transmission power levels based on battery status and network conditions. This parameter adaptation allows battery-powered devices to maintain functionality while optimizing power consumption to extend operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9354083B2Home area networking (HAN) with low power considerations for battery devices

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 ITRON INC

AI summary

Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for providing communications to battery powered metrology devices within an Advanced Metering System (AMS). The battery powered metrology devices may be associated with AC supplied devices that are configured with mailboxes for their associated battery powered devices. The battery powered metrology devices may include such as water and gas meters collocated with electricity meters. Communications between the battery powered devices and their associated mailbox containing electricity meters may be by way of direct wired or radio frequency connections for providing reliable message transport between communications system coupled components in an Advanced Metering System.