Utility Meter Data Collection Message Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data acquisition systems face limitations in flexibility and efficiency due to time constraints on message delivery and bandwidth usage, particularly in communication between smart meters and head-end systems, where message validity is restricted, leading to potential transmission errors and recalculations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating multiple time-limited message parts with varying validity periods, allowing data collectors to deliver commands to consumption meters with higher probability and flexibility, without the need for immediate recalculations, by using a message counter mechanism that extends validity and allows for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single time-limited message is sent from head-end system to consumption meter, then security is maintained through message validity constraints, but flexibility in command delivery is reduced and recalculations are required when transmission is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single command into multiple message parts, each with its own validity period. Instead of sending one time-constrained message, the system segments the command into several parts that can be delivered independently within their respective validity windows, allowing flexible scheduling without requiring recalculation of the entire command.
Solution Approach 2:
The head-end system pre-calculates multiple message parts with different validity periods before transmission. This preliminary action allows the data collector to select and deliver appropriate message parts based on actual transmission conditions without needing to recalculate messages, thereby improving flexibility while maintaining security constraints.
2Reliability
If message validity period is extended to improve delivery flexibility, then command delivery reliability increases, but security risk from replay attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each message part is assigned a specific validity period tailored to its delivery requirements. Instead of extending the validity of the entire command, the system applies different validity durations to individual message parts, allowing some parts to have extended validity for flexible delivery while maintaining strict validity constraints on others to prevent replay attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which message parts to deliver based on current time and validity conditions. Message parts with extended validity can be delivered later when conditions are favorable, while parts with shorter validity are delivered promptly. This dynamic selection process maintains security by ensuring that only appropriately timed message parts are activated.
3Reliability
If multiple message parts with different validity periods are created and stored, then delivery flexibility and reliability improve, but memory usage and device complexity at data collector increase
Solution Approach 1:
The data collector implements a mechanism to discard message parts that have expired or are no longer needed, and to recover or prioritize message parts that are still valid and need delivery. This ensures that memory is efficiently utilized by maintaining only the necessary message parts with extended validity, rather than storing all possible message parts indefinitely.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a consumption data acquisition system, comprising a central unit (head-end) (1), an intermediate unit (data collector) (2), and a final unit (consumption meter) (3), wherein, in the central unit, a time-limited message (12) is created using parameters based on a command (14), wherein the message (12) is sent to the intermediate unit for data transmission, and wherein the message (12) is forwarded from the intermediate unit to the final unit, provided that the message (12) or the message part (15) is still valid. In the central unit, a plurality (16) of message parts (15a to 15d) with different time limits are generated and sent to the intermediate unit.If a message part (15a) is still valid for sending from the intermediate station to the final station, the relevant message part (15a) is sent within a message (10) from the intermediate station to the final station.