Smart Meter Instruction Patching via Breakpoint-Triggered RAM Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software updates for smart meters, such as water and gas meters, are resource-intensive, consume significant network resources, and significantly impact battery life due to the need for large data transfers and restarts, causing service interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method for applying patches to smart meter instructions on-the-fly by using a debugging module to detect breakpoints and apply fixes in RAM without restarting the meter, reducing network resource consumption and preserving battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a completely new instruction set is transmitted to update smart meter software, then software anomalies are corrected and operations are enhanced, but network resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the software update into two parts: the stable base instruction set stored in non-volatile memory and the small patch instructions stored in RAM. Only the necessary corrective portions are transmitted over the network, segmenting the update process to minimize network resource usage while maintaining software reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing patch instructions in RAM before they are needed, and pre-configuring breakpoint addresses in the debugging module. This allows the system to apply patches efficiently without requiring complete software retransmission, reducing network resource consumption.
2Reliability
If a completely new instruction set is transmitted to update smart meter software, then software anomalies are corrected, but battery life is significantly impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software update process to transmit only small patch instructions rather than complete instruction sets. This dramatically reduces the energy required for data transmission and processing, preserving battery life while still correcting software anomalies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting and applying only the necessary patch instructions rather than complete software updates. This partial update approach corrects specific anomalies without the energy cost of full software retransmission and processing.
3Reliability
If the smart meter is restarted to apply new instruction set, then software updates are executed, but service interruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing the system to switch between stable base instructions in non-volatile memory and patched instructions in RAM based on runtime conditions. The debugging module dynamically intercepts execution at breakpoint addresses and applies patches without requiring system restart, maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the debugging module as an intermediary between the base instruction set and the patch instructions. The debugging module intercepts execution flow at predefined breakpoints and dynamically applies patches from RAM, serving as a mediator that enables software updates without service interruption.
4Stability of the object's composition
If patch instructions are stored only in non-volatile memory, then patches persist across restarts, but on-the-fly application during operation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments patch storage into two locations: non-volatile memory for persistent storage that survives restarts, and RAM for rapid access during runtime. This segmentation enables both patch persistence across reboots and real-time application during operation without service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two storage mechanisms (non-volatile memory and RAM) to achieve both persistence and real-time capability. Patch instructions are copied from non-volatile memory to RAM, combining the advantages of both storage types: persistence across restarts and fast access for on-the-fly application.
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller (110) of a smart counter (102) includes a processor integrating a debugging module configured to stop the execution of instructions upon detection of a breakpoint being reached and to generate an associated hardware interrupt.To apply a patch to an instruction set, the controller (110): receives a new patch message via a communication network (103), said message providing the patch to be applied and a patch application breakpoint in the instruction set executed by said controller (110); stores patch instructions in non-volatile memory, for a future restart of the smart meter (102), as well as in RAM, for on-the-fly application, i.e., without restarting the smart meter; configures the debugging module with said patch application breakpoint; and applies the patch on the fly, whose instructions are stored in RAM, upon detection of a hardware interrupt associated with said patch application breakpoint.