Protocol Translation in Powerline Networks to Prevent Node Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks in power supply networks face challenges with mixed protocols, leading to isolated devices and inefficiencies during protocol migrations, such as in the transition from PRIME 1.3.6 to PRIME 1.4, where managing multiple concentrator devices and ensuring seamless communication across different protocols is difficult.
Innovation Solution
Implementing protocol translation devices that translate frames between PRIME 1.3.6 and PRIME 1.4 protocols, allowing all node devices to connect to a single network, preventing isolation, and ensuring scalability and efficient communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple concentrator devices are deployed to support different protocols, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity and network management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol translation device as an intermediary component that bridges different protocol domains. This device translates frames between PRIME 1.3.6 and PRIME 1.4 protocols, allowing nodes using different protocols to communicate through a single concentrator without requiring multiple concentrators, thus resolving the contradiction between protocol compatibility and network management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol translation device provides multi-functional capability by supporting both PRIME 1.3.6 and PRIME 1.4 protocols simultaneously. A single concentrator equipped with this translation device can serve both old and new protocol nodes, eliminating the need for separate concentrators for each protocol version and simplifying network management
2Reliability
If protocol translation devices are introduced, then communication continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol translation device acts as a mediator that maintains communication continuity during protocol transitions. It translates frames between PRIME 1.3.6 and PRIME 1.4 protocols in real-time, ensuring that nodes can communicate without interruption even as the network migrates to the new protocol, thus improving reliability while adding only a single translation component
Solution Approach 2:
The translation device is deployed in advance during the protocol migration phase to prepare the network for transition. It enables gradual migration by allowing both old and new protocol nodes to coexist and communicate, maintaining communication continuity throughout the transition period before full migration to PRIME 1.4 is achieved
3Quantity of substance
If a single concentrator is used with protocol translation, then device quantity is reduced, but translation complexity is added
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol translation device consolidates multiple concentrator functions into a single device. By translating frames between PRIME 1.3.6 and PRIME 1.4 protocols within one concentrator, the system reduces the number of concentrator devices from multiple to one, while the translation complexity is contained within this single device rather than distributed across multiple devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple protocol-specific concentrators into a single multi-functional concentrator. The protocol translation capability is integrated into the concentrator, combining what would have been separate devices into one unified system, thereby reducing device quantity while concentrating translation complexity in a single location
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a communication method in a mixed communication network implemented on a power supply network and comprising: a concentrator device implementing a first communication protocol; a set of node devices comprising a first subset, containing at least one first node device implementing the first protocol, and a second subset, containing at least one node device implementing a second communication protocol; and at least one protocol translation device. The protocol translation device performs a translation process comprising translating (702) a frame conforming to the first protocol into a frame conforming to the second protocol, and in a second direction, and vice versa (705).This prevents certain node devices from being isolated (unable to communicate with the concentrator device) and guarantees the scalability and efficiency of the mixed communication network, in terms of performance, throughput and maintenance.