Smart Meter Serial Port Interface via COSEM Object Model

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication protocols, such as DLMS/COSEM, do not effectively utilize high-speed asynchronous serial ports in smart electricity meters, limiting the applications and services that can be deployed between remote servers and electronic devices connected to the electricity distribution network.

Innovation Solution

A method using an object-oriented data model, specifically the COSEM model, to define communication interface classes with attributes and methods for operating asynchronous serial ports like RS-422 or RS-485, enabling data transmission and control of actuators/sensors through high-speed asynchronous serial ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If DLMS/COSEM protocol is used for communication with smart meters, then data transmission independence from physical network configuration is achieved, but high-speed asynchronous serial port functionality cannot be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication protocol adaptabilityVSAvoiddata transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts between DLMS/COSEM protocol messages and serial port communication protocols. This mediator enables the smart meter to communicate with both standardized remote servers (via DLMS/COSEM) and high-speed local devices (via serial port), resolving the contradiction between protocol standardization and transmission speed by allowing each communication path to use its optimal protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The smart meter is equipped with multiple communication interfaces (DLMS/COSEM interface and serial port interface) that can perform different functions. The DLMS/COSEM interface handles standardized remote communication while the serial port interface handles high-speed local communication, allowing the system to achieve both protocol adaptability and high productivity through multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If existing communication protocols are used, then standardized data exchange is achieved, but the range of deployable applications and services is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidapplication versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication functionality into distinct modules: a standardized DLMS/COSEM communication module for reliable server interaction, and a serial port communication module for versatile local device interaction. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific purpose while working together to provide both reliability and application versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects which communication interface to use based on the application requirements. For standardized data exchange with remote servers, it uses DLMS/COSEM; for high-speed local device control and data collection, it uses the serial port. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to achieve both communication reliability and application versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4368949A1Method for transmitting data according to a protocol comprising a class of serial port communication interface objects, and electronic device implementing said method
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS
  • EP4368949A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4368949A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4368949A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of transmitting data to and from an electronic device (12) configured to perform at least transmissions of consumption counting data of a physical quantity, said transmissions being performed by said electronic device (12) according to at least one data communication protocol (for example DLMS/COSEM) referring to data defined according to an object-oriented data model, said data model defining a plurality of classes of communication interface objects, allowing access to elements of the electronic device, said method being such that said object-oriented data model includes at least one class of communication interface objects (199) comprising attributes (A1, .., A9) and methods (M1, .., M2) for performing communications via a serial port communication port included in said electronic device (12), or connected thereto.The invention also relates to an electronic device (12) performing the process.