Digital Power Meter Communication via Virtual Tunnel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital power meters from different companies use different data formats and communication protocols, making it difficult for power providers to communicate with them using a single platform.
Innovation Solution
A digital power meter communication system that uses identification information of connected network devices to load the appropriate communication program, allowing communication with digital power meters of various models through a virtual tunnel, enabling communication without requiring knowledge of specific standards or formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different communication protocols are used for different digital power meter models, then communication compatibility with various models is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal communication platform that can adapt to multiple digital power meter models from different manufacturers. The server device maintains a database of communication protocols and automatically selects the appropriate protocol based on the target meter's identification information, enabling one system to serve multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated systems for each meter type.
Solution Approach 2:
The server device acts as an intermediary between the user terminal and various digital power meters. It receives communication requests, identifies the target meter model, retrieves the corresponding communication protocol from its database, and translates/mediates the communication between different protocols, thereby resolving the complexity of direct multi-protocol support at the terminal level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication programs are loaded simultaneously, then communication flexibility is improved, but interference between programs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically loads communication programs based on real-time requirements. When a communication request is received, the server identifies the target digital power meter model and loads only the specific communication program needed for that model. This dynamic loading approach maintains communication flexibility while avoiding the interference that would result from having multiple programs loaded simultaneously in memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The server device pre-stores multiple communication protocols in its database during system initialization. This preliminary preparation allows the system to have all necessary communication capabilities available without actually loading them into active memory. When needed, the appropriate pre-stored protocol is retrieved and loaded temporarily, ensuring flexibility while minimizing interference from multiple active programs.
3Loss of time
If communication programs are pre-loaded for all models, then communication response time is improved, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary preparation by storing communication protocol templates and configuration data in the server's database during installation. These pre-stored templates contain the structural framework and key parameters needed for communication with different meter models. When a communication request arrives, the system quickly instantiates the appropriate protocol from the template rather than loading entire communication programs, thus reducing memory usage while maintaining fast response times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic memory management by loading communication programs on-demand based on actual communication needs. Rather than pre-loading all possible communication programs into memory, the system keeps only essential configuration data in memory and loads specific communication programs only when a communication request for a particular meter model is received. This dynamic approach balances response time requirements with memory conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital power meter communication system includes terminal network communication devices, at least one concentrator network communication device and a digital power meter communication device. The digital power meter communication device is electrically connected with the at least one concentrator network communication device. Each of the terminal network communication devices is electrically connected with a terminal digital power meter. The digital power meter communication device includes a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores pieces of electrical connection information and digital power meter communication programs. The processing unit constructs a virtual tunnel to build connection with the target network communication device through the network. The processing unit executes the digital power meter communication instruction utilizing a target power meter communication program stored in the storage unit, which corresponds to the target digital power meter, through the virtual tunnel to communicate with the target digital power meter.