Multi-port Energy Meter with Independent Ethernet Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy meters face limitations such as inability to securely report energy usage to multiple independent entities, poor time synchronization, and unreliable operation due to fluctuating or offline energy sources, as they often rely on single local area networks and local bus connections for expansion devices.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function energy meter with three independent Ethernet ports that connect to separate local area networks, enabling secure communication and precise time synchronization with expansion devices using Precision Time Protocol, and providing primary or backup power through Power over Ethernet connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single local area network connection is used for energy reporting, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to securely report to multiple independent entities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network communication function into three independent Ethernet ports, each capable of connecting to a separate local area network. This segmentation allows the energy meter to report to multiple independent entities simultaneously through dedicated network paths, resolving the contradiction between multi-entity reporting capability and device complexity by providing independent communication channels for each reporting destination.
2Measurement precision
If a local bus port is used to connect expansion devices, then device complexity is minimized, but time synchronization precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical local bus connection with an Ethernet network connection for connecting expansion devices. This substitution enables the use of Precision Time Protocol over the network, achieving time synchronization precision within 1 millisecond, thereby resolving the contradiction between time synchronization precision and device complexity by leveraging network-based timing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If primary power is supplied only through measurement circuitry, then system simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates when energy sources fluctuate or go offline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different power supply qualities for different operational needs by providing two distinct power sources: measurement circuitry for primary power and Power over Ethernet for backup power. This local quality differentiation ensures that when the primary energy source fluctuates or goes offline, the backup power source maintains operation reliability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and system simplicity by adding targeted power redundancy.
4Reliability
If Power over Ethernet is used for backup power, then operation reliability improves during primary power failure, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the Ethernet port universal by enabling it to serve multiple functions: data communication and Power over Ethernet delivery. The same Ethernet infrastructure that provides network connectivity also provides backup power capability, eliminating the need for separate backup power hardware and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operation reliability during primary power failure.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a multi-function energy meter apparatus is described. The multi-function energy meter apparatus includes (a) measurement circuitry configured to measure one or more energy-related parameters; and (b) three independent ethernet ports communicatively coupled to the measurement circuitry, each independent ethernet port being configured to connect to a respective local area network (LAN) and to communicate the measured energy-related parameters to that LAN. A related system is also described.