Modular Data Concentrator for Multi-Protocol Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current measurement solutions for public services lack interoperability across different brands of meters and communication protocols, leading to increased operational complexity and costs for public utility companies, as each brand requires its own management software and inventory of equipment.
Innovation Solution
A modular data concentrator device capable of connecting meters from various brands and communication protocols, featuring a main processing module and expansion modules for different communication protocols, allowing a single device to communicate with multiple meters and central management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a data concentrator is used to collect information from multiple meters, then communication costs are reduced (fewer SIM cards needed), but device complexity increases (need to support multiple communication protocols and meter brands)
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrator device is divided into a main processing module and multiple expansion modules. Each expansion module is dedicated to a specific communication protocol (e.g., RF, PLC, LoRaWAN), allowing the system to support multiple protocols without increasing the complexity of the core processing unit. This modular segmentation enables cost-effective multi-protocol support while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The main processing module is designed with universal functionality to manage multiple types of meters from different brands and protocols through a single interface. The expansion modules provide multi-protocol communication capabilities, enabling one concentrator device to replace multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing communication costs while maintaining controlled complexity through standardized architecture.
2Measurement precision
If specialized management software is used for each meter brand, then measurement precision is maintained, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrator's main processing module implements a universal data collection interface that can read from multiple meter brands using standardized communication protocols. This universal interface maintains measurement precision by accurately capturing meter data while simplifying software management by providing a single point of access for all meters, eliminating the need for brand-specific management software.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrator acts as an intermediary device between various meter brands and the central management system. It translates diverse meter protocols into a unified data format, preserving measurement precision through accurate data capture while reducing operational complexity by handling protocol conversion at the intermediary level rather than requiring complex end-system software.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are supported in a single concentrator, then adaptability increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different communication protocol capabilities are segmented into separate expansion modules (e.g., RF module, PLC module, LoRaWAN module). Each module can be manufactured independently using specialized processes, then assembled with the main processing module. This segmentation improves adaptability to support multiple protocols while easing manufacturing by allowing modular production and assembly rather than integrating all protocols into a single complex device.
4Productivity
If a single concentrator serves multiple meters, then productivity increases, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrator uses segmented expansion modules for different communication protocols, where each module independently handles its designated protocol. This segmentation improves productivity by enabling parallel data collection from multiple meters through different protocols simultaneously while maintaining reliability through protocol isolation - failures in one protocol module do not affect other protocol modules or the main processing unit.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a modular data concentrator device for AMI (Advanced Measurement Infrastructure) measurement systems, which is interoperable and has the ability to have the communication protocols of multiple brands of meters embedded and has a fully modular structure, in such a way that one or more communication modules can be integrated, depending on the type of communication of each of the meters to be managed. Thus, the device of the invention allows to manage with the same data concentrator, different brands of meters, whether energy, water or gas, regardless of the communication protocol they use and the communication medium they have, which guarantees to any public utility company that when using this modular device, only a single management software will be required, thus guaranteeing having in a single database format the information of all the managed meters.