IED Gateway Protocol Conversion for Microgrid Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microgrid communication architectures require modifying multiple intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) to match the communication protocols of a central control system, leading to cumbersome modifications and communication delays.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication architecture where IEDs can communicate directly with each other using a first language, with gateways converting messages to a second language native to each controller, allowing for direct message transmission and processing without an intermediate control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all IEDs communicate through a central control system, then communication coordination is maintained, but communication delay increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized communication architecture into multiple distributed IEDs that can communicate directly with each other. Each IED is equipped with a gateway that enables direct peer-to-peer communication, eliminating the single point of communication through the central control system and reducing communication delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary component within each IED that handles protocol conversion and message routing. This intermediary enables direct communication between IEDs with different native languages while maintaining communication coordination without requiring all messages to pass through the central control system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IEDs are modified to include communication protocols matching the central control system, then communication compatibility is achieved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as an intermediary that handles protocol conversion between different IED native languages and the common communication language. This eliminates the need to modify each IED's core communication protocols, reducing device complexity while maintaining communication compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway provides universal communication capability by supporting multiple native languages and converting them to a common language. This multi-functional approach allows different IEDs with various native protocols to communicate without requiring each IED to support all communication protocols.
3Reliability
If a central control system mediates all communications, then communication coordination is maintained, but bandwidth load on the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication load by enabling direct IED-to-IED communication paths. This distributes the communication bandwidth load across multiple direct links rather than concentrating all traffic through the central control system, reducing the bandwidth burden on the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
IEDs perform self-service communication by directly exchanging messages with each other without requiring central control system mediation. This autonomous communication capability reduces the bandwidth load on the control system while maintaining coordination through the gateway protocol conversion mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A microgrid according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a plurality of intelligent electronic devices configured to communicate directly with one another in a first language. Each of the intelligent electronic devices includes a controller and a gateway. The gateway is configured to convert incoming messages from the first language to a second language native to the controller. The first language is different than the second language. A method is also disclosed.