Electricity Meter Clock Accuracy Measurement via Optical Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility meters face challenges in maintaining accurate real-time clock functionality during power outages and verifying clock accuracy, especially with stringent industry standards, requiring a method to quickly and non-intrusively measure clock accuracy without removing the meter cover.
Innovation Solution
The use of an optical communication circuit within the meter, coupled with an external optical detector and frequency counter, allows for the measurement of internal clock accuracy through an optical port, enabling quick verification and calibration of clock pulses without disrupting the meter's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to verify clock accuracy with high precision (1 ppm), then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time becomes excessively long (11.57 days)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electronic/physical measurement methods with optical methods. An optical communication circuit within the meter converts clock pulses to optical signals, which are then detected by an external optical detector. This optical substitution enables high-precision frequency measurement (1 ppm) to be achieved in a practical timeframe rather than requiring 11.57 days with conventional methods.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the meter cover is removed to verify clock accuracy, then measurement access is improved, but meter integrity and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical communication circuit as an intermediary that enables external access to the clock signal without physical access to the internal clock circuitry. The circuit converts internal clock pulses into optical signals that can be transmitted through the optical port, allowing measurement while the meter remains sealed and intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the clock signal measurement function from the physical interior of the meter and makes it accessible through the optical communication interface. By converting the clock pulses to optical signals, the measurement capability is 'taken out' and made available externally without requiring opening the meter housing.
3Measurement precision
If complex test setups are used to achieve high clock accuracy verification, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical communication circuit serve multiple functions: it enables normal optical communication operations and simultaneously provides clock accuracy verification capability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex test equipment, as the existing optical interface can be used for both communication and precision measurement purposes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables precise clock accuracy verification to 1 ppm in a short time, ensuring compliance with strict standards and facilitating efficient production calibration, without compromising the meter's integrity or requiring complex test setups.
Implementation Method 1
an optical communication circuit within the meter... configured to generate a corresponding optical pulse representative of the pulse output
Implementation Method 2
The optical detector is configured to detect the pulse output via an optical port of the electricity meter
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for measuring an internal clock within an electricity meter includes an optical communication circuit within the meter, an optical detector external to the meter, and a frequency counter. The optical communication circuit within the electricity meter is operably coupled to receive a pulse output of the meter's internal clock, and is further configured to generate a corresponding optical pulse representative of the pulse output. The optical detector is configured to detect the pulse output via an optical port of the electricity meter. The frequency counter is operably coupled to receive from the optical detector a signal that is representative of the detected pulse output.