IED QoS Monitoring for Wireless Outage Fail-Safe Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in electric utility automation systems face communication outages due to issues like power outages at base stations, leading to operational challenges and the need for resilient communication management.

Innovation Solution

The IEDs monitor at least two Quality of Service (QoS) parameters of wireless communication with a base station, using a wireless communication module to control their operation, transitioning to a fail-safe mode during outages and restoring normal operation when connectivity is restored.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If IEDs use multiple QoS parameters for communication monitoring, then communication outage detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutage detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors multiple QoS parameters (signal strength, packet loss, latency) which is more than the minimum single parameter approach. This excessive monitoring of parameters provides redundant detection capability, improving reliability of outage detection while the complexity is managed through standardized measurement procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The IED continuously monitors QoS parameters and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust its operational mode. The feedback loop compares current QoS readings against thresholds and automatically triggers mode transitions, creating a self-regulating system that improves detection accuracy without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If IEDs transition to fail-safe mode during communication outages, then operational resilience is improved, but productivity decreases due to mode switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational resilienceVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The IED implements dynamic operational modes that adapt to communication conditions. The system can switch between normal mode (high productivity) and fail-safe mode (reduced functionality but ensured operation). This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize productivity when communication is available while ensuring resilience when communication fails

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication outage, which is a harmful event, is converted into a beneficial trigger for mode transition. By detecting the outage through QoS parameter monitoring and automatically switching to fail-safe mode, the system transforms the harmful communication failure into an opportunity to demonstrate operational resilience and continue functioning in a degraded but safe manner

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3937344B1Method for operating intelligent electronic device and an intelligent electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3937344B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3937344B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A method of operating an intelligent electronic device that is in a wireless communication with a base station of a wireless communication system is described. The method includes monitoring at least two QoS parameters of the wireless communication and controlling the operation of the intelligent electronic device based on the at least two QoS parameters, wherein the intelligent electronic device includes a wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communication is carried out between the wireless communication module and the base station of the wireless communication system, and wherein the at least two QoS parameters are determined at least in part in the wireless communication module and are transferred to a control module of the intelligent electronic device over an interface.