Pulsed Power Supply Control for Meter Outage Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electricity meters struggle to maintain communication with utility providers during power outages due to the limited capacity of storage capacitors, which are large and expensive, necessitating efficient power supply operation to extend the duration of radio communication.
Innovation Solution
A power supply control circuit that includes an input section, comparator section, and feedback control section to manage the power supply during AC power outages by generating a false feedback signal to prolong the offline switching power supply's operation, allowing for extended 'last gasp' communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If storage capacitors are used to maintain power supply operation during a power outage, then the radio can operate for a limited period, but the capacitors become large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply operates in periodic pulses during power outage, switching between on and off states. The controller monitors the output voltage and activates the power supply only when voltage drops below a threshold, then deactivates it when voltage reaches an upper threshold. This periodic operation extends the effective duration of radio communication without requiring proportionally larger capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the power supply by adjusting its duty cycle and timing based on the capacitor voltage level. By dynamically controlling when the power supply is active versus inactive, the system optimizes energy utilization from the capacitors, extending operational duration without increasing capacitor size.
2Duration of action of moving object
If storage capacitors are used to maintain power supply operation during a power outage, then the radio can operate for a limited period, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic pulsed operation of the power supply maximizes the utilization of stored energy in the capacitors. By keeping the power supply inactive when voltage is sufficient and only activating it when needed, the system extends the effective operational duration from the same capacitor capacity, avoiding the need for larger, more expensive capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically monitors the capacitor voltage and manages the power supply operation without external intervention. It activates the power supply when voltage drops below a lower threshold and deactivates it when voltage reaches an upper threshold, creating a self-regulating system that optimizes capacitor usage and extends operational duration cost-effectively.
3Reliability
If the power supply operates continuously during a power outage, then the radio can maintain communication, but the limited energy from storage capacitors is depleted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the power supply operates in periodic pulses. The controller monitors output voltage and activates the power supply only when voltage drops below a threshold, then deactivates it when voltage recovers to an upper threshold. This periodic operation maintains communication reliability while extending the total duration of energy availability from the capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the output voltage of the power supply and adjusting its operation accordingly. When voltage drops below a lower threshold, the controller activates the power supply; when voltage reaches an upper threshold, it deactivates the power supply. This feedback mechanism ensures communication reliability while optimizing energy duration.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply control circuit for controlling operation of a power supply for an electricity meter during an alternating current (AC) power outage includes: an input section configured to receive a representation of an output voltage of the power supply and a power loss signal; a comparator section configured to generate an output signal based on the power loss signal and the representation of the output voltage; and a feedback control section configured to control a feedback signal to the power supply based on the output signal from the comparator section. When activated by the output signal from the comparator section, the feedback control section is configured to change the feedback signal with respect to the feedback signal from a feedback circuit caused the output voltage. The change in the feedback signal causes the power supply to stop supplying the output voltage.