Meter Data Management Testing via Synthetic Benchmarking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utility companies face challenges in evaluating the performance and scalability of meter data management systems before deploying advanced meter infrastructure, as current methods such as generic benchmarking studies and custom setups are either inadequate or excessively time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A meter data management testing system that utilizes a synthetic dataset generator and multi-platform benchmarking engine to enable testing across various deployment scenarios, allowing for the evaluation of performance and scalability, and the generation of hybrid data sets for real-world simulations, reducing costs and time associated with benchmarking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If generic benchmarking studies are used to evaluate meter data management systems, then the evaluation process is simple and quick, but the results are inadequate and do not address unique utility company requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation speedVSAvoidevaluation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of meter data management systems and benchmarking environments through software simulation. Multiple virtual instances can be tested simultaneously without requiring physical hardware setups, enabling rapid yet accurate evaluation of different system configurations and scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of benchmarking parameters such as data volume, system configuration, and performance metrics through software controls. This allows utility companies to customize evaluation scenarios to match their specific requirements while maintaining efficient automated testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If custom benchmarking environments are set up to match specific utility company needs, then detailed and accurate evaluation information is obtained, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation accuracyVSAvoidbenchmarking time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal benchmarking platform that can evaluate multiple meter data management system configurations and scenarios through a single software environment. This multi-functional system eliminates the need to build separate custom environments for each evaluation, reducing both time and cost while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures virtual benchmarking environments with typical utility company requirements and scenarios. These pre-prepared virtual instances can be quickly activated and customized for specific evaluations, eliminating the time-consuming setup process while maintaining tailored accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If extensive custom benchmarking setups are performed to evaluate system performance and scalability, then detailed insights are obtained, but the costs and time requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem evaluation reliabilityVSAvoidbenchmarking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical hardware benchmarking systems with software-based virtual environments. This substitution eliminates the complexity of setting up and managing physical test infrastructure while maintaining evaluation reliability through virtualized system representations and automated testing protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9466087B2Meter data management testing
Publication Date: 2016.10.11 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP
  • US9466087B2 patent drawing
  • US9466087B2 patent drawing
  • US9466087B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Examples of meter data management testing are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computing device may include one or more processors, a memory for storing machine readable instructions, and a data store. The computing device may further include a meter data management testing module stored in the memory and executing on at least one of the one or more processors to test a meter data management system using a data set of representative metering data and a user-generated test scenario specifying a plurality of metering parameters.