Panel Meter Timestamping via Simultaneous Read Commands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial and industrial electrical panel meter systems lack the capability to timestamp individual electrical data readings with high accuracy, which is essential for precise power quality analyses, as existing systems generate timestamps over a large span of time, such as 10 seconds, rather than the millisecond resolution required for detailed analyses.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a controller with a timestamp generator that issues a read command simultaneously to all meter modules, stores a timestamp indicative of the read command, and appends this timestamp to each electrical data reading received from the modules, enabling millisecond-resolution timestamping of electrical data readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the controller sequentially commands each meter module to sample and transmit electrical data readings, then all meter modules can be monitored, but the total cycling time becomes large (e.g., 10 seconds) and timestamp accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the timestamping function into two parts: (1) a single timestamp is generated for the entire batch read command at the controller, and (2) this timestamp is then distributed to all meter modules that participated in the simultaneous read. This segmentation allows the system to treat the batch operation as a single atomic event for timing purposes, achieving both high productivity (all modules monitored) and high measurement precision (single timestamp for all).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the timestamp generation for multiple meter modules into a single operation. Instead of generating separate timestamps for each module's data reading, the system generates one unified timestamp that represents the time when all readings were taken simultaneously. This merging eliminates the time span issue while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage.
2Device complexity
If a single timestamp is generated for all electrical data readings after sequential collection, then system complexity is reduced, but timestamp resolution becomes insufficient for high accuracy power quality analyses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating the timestamp before the data transmission phase begins. The controller generates a single timestamp immediately when issuing the batch read command to all meter modules, before any individual module transmits its data. This preliminary timestamp captures the exact start time of the data collection process, providing millisecond resolution for all readings without requiring complex per-reading timestamp mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If sequential reading and timestamping is performed for each meter module, then individual timestamp accuracy is improved, but system complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the timestamp generator universal by designing it to serve multiple functions: it generates a single timestamp that represents the collection time for all meter modules simultaneously. This universal timestamp serves the timing needs of every module in the system without requiring individual timestamping logic at each module, thereby maintaining high individual timestamp accuracy while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical panel meter system may include a controller and a plurality of meter modules. Each meter module may be configured to monitor, read, and store at the meter module electrical data related to electrical power provided to a respective branch circuit of the electrical panel meter system. The controller may be configured to issue a read command simultaneously to each meter module and to store a timestamp indicative of the issuance of the read command. The controller may also be configured to issue a send command sequentially to each meter module to transmit its stored electrical data reading. The controller may further be configured to append the stored timestamp to each received electrical data reading to create a timestamped electrical data reading suitable for use in power quality analyses. Methods of timestamping electrical data sampled in an electrical panel meter system are also provided, as are other aspects.