LoRa Frame Encapsulation via Smart Meter PLC Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
LPWAN networks, such as LoRa, have limited coverage, leaving areas without access to the Internet of Things, while electrical powerline communication networks, used for automatic meter management, cannot transport data from connected objects outside their range, lacking backward compatibility and affecting metrology data transport.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that enable LPWAN frames to be routed through a powerline communication network by an intermediate device, encapsulating frames in a format compatible with existing systems, ensuring data from connected objects can reach an LNS server without interfering with metrology data transport, using a communication interface in smart meters and data concentrators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LPWAN networks are used for data transmission, then long-range and low-power communication is achieved, but coverage area is limited and leaves areas without access to the Internet of Things
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LPWAN and PLC networks into a hybrid communication system. Smart meters equipped with both LPWAN and PLC interfaces act as gateways, enabling devices in LPWAN coverage areas to route data through PLC networks to reach destinations beyond LPWAN coverage while maintaining low-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Smart meters are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as electricity measurement devices and as communication gateways. The PLC interface in smart meters enables them to function as routers that can forward LPWAN data packets through the existing PLC infrastructure, extending network coverage without requiring dedicated infrastructure in every area.
2Area of stationary object
If PLC networks are used for data transmission, then dense coverage is achieved, but backward compatibility is lost and metrology data transport is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission process into distinct handling paths. Metrology data continues to use the traditional PLC AMM protocol for reliable transport, while LPWAN data is encapsulated in separate packets that can be routed through PLC infrastructure. This segmentation allows both legacy AMM functionality and new LPWAN data transport to coexist without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Smart meters act as intermediary devices between LPWAN networks and PLC networks. They receive LPWAN data packets, encapsulate them in PLC-compatible formats, and forward them through the PLC infrastructure to the LNS server, thereby mediating between the two different network protocols and maintaining compatibility with existing systems.
3Area of stationary object
If LPWAN frames are routed through PLC networks, then data from connected objects can reach LNS server beyond LPWAN coverage, but interference with metrology data transport may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different data types at the smart meter level. Metrology data is transmitted with high priority and using dedicated PLC channels, while LPWAN data is encapsulated with lower priority. This local differentiation ensures that critical metering information maintains its reliability while allowing experimental LPWAN routing functionality to operate without causing interference.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (130) included in a communication system comprising a LoRa terminal (160A), referred to as terminal, and a LoRa server (150), referred to as server, each LoRa frame exchanged between the terminal and the server having to pass through a meter and a data concentrator included in a first power line communication network of an automatic meter reading management system (120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, 120E), said meters being connected to at least one data concentrator (110) via the first network, at least one of said meters implementing a LoRa gateway and having a communication interface (114) enabling it to exchange LoRa frames with said terminal.The device is connected to each data hub via a second network (103) and to the server via a third network (102) and in that each LoRa frame exchanged between said terminal and the server passes through the device, each LoRa frame exchanged between the device and the server is encapsulated in a frame conforming to a frame format that the server would exchange with a LoRa gateway.