Substation Gateway Offline Data Transmission via User Device Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
In remote or rural substation settings without Internet access, existing technologies lack an effective method to transmit 'offline' measurement data from monitoring devices to Cloud servers for analysis.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission method and system where a gateway receives measurement data, stores it, and upon detecting network disconnection, sends it to a user device via a secondary network, which then forwards the data to the server when connected, utilizing a wide area network and potentially a WI-FI network for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data transmission relies on direct connection to the first network (WAN), then data can be transmitted to the server, but transmission becomes impossible in remote areas without Internet access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second network (local area network) as an intermediary transmission path. When the first network (WAN) is unavailable, measurement data is transmitted through the gateway via the second network to a user device, which then forwards data to the server when connected to the first network. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing an alternative transmission route that works in remote areas without direct Internet access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between direct transmission (via first network) and indirect transmission (via second network and user device) based on network availability. The gateway detects first network status and adaptively changes the data transmission path, making the system flexible enough to operate in both connected and remote offline scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-network transmission system is implemented, then data can be transmitted from remote substations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data collection device from monitoring devices and as a router for two different network types (first network and second network). The user device also serves dual purposes: as an endpoint for local network communication and as a relay node for forwarding data to the server. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.
3Loss of time
If measurement data is stored locally in the gateway, then data can be retained during disconnection, but data security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection and local storage in the gateway when network conditions permit, preparing data for transmission. However, the actual transmission to the server is deferred until the user device connects to the first network, ensuring data leaves local storage temporarily and reduces the window of vulnerability for local data security risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The user device acts as an intermediary between the gateway's local storage and the server. Data is transmitted from the gateway to the user device via the second network, and only when the user device connects to the first network does transmission to the server occur. This intermediary layer reduces direct exposure of stored data and provides an additional security buffer.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of present disclosure relates to a data transmission method and associated devices. In the method, data collected by at least one monitoring device in a substation is received at a gateway. Further, a status of a connection between the gateway and a first network is detected, where the first network enables communication between the gateway and a server. Further, in response to detecting a disconnection between the gateway and the first network, the data is sent to a user device via a second network hosted by the gateway to enable the user device to forward the data to the server.