Legacy TWACS Meter ADC Reconfiguration for Reliable Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy electrical meters in TWACS systems lack an analog-to-digital converter, limiting their ability to directly observe powerline waveforms and resulting in unreliable signal detection and increased false synchronizations.

Innovation Solution

Reconfiguring the microprocessor, digital-to-analog converter, comparator, and ancillary circuitry within legacy TWACS meters to function as a rudimentary analog-to-digital converter, enabling direct observation of powerline waveforms and application of sophisticated detection algorithms without hardware changes, through firmware updates downloaded via conventional TWACS messaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If legacy meters use threshold-crossing algorithm without ADC, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but measurement precision of powerline waveforms deteriorates and reliability of signal detection worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowerline waveform observation precisionVSAvoidmeter internal circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing legacy meter components (microprocessor, DAC, comparator, clock) perform multiple functions. The microprocessor not only controls the meter but also implements ADC functionality through firmware. The DAC and comparator combination serves both original purposes and waveform digitization, eliminating the need for dedicated ADC hardware while achieving precise powerline waveform observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for physical ADC hardware with a software-based implementation. Instead of using dedicated analog-to-digital converter circuitry, the system uses firmware running on the existing microprocessor that controls the DAC and comparator to achieve the same waveform digitization function, substituting mechanical/electrical hardware with a software solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If legacy meters are replaced with new meters containing ADC, then measurement precision and detection reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost and deployment expense increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTWACS signal detection reliabilityVSAvoidmeter replacement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables legacy meters to upgrade themselves through firmware updates delivered via TWACS messaging. The meters self-reconfigure using existing communication infrastructure to download and install the new firmware that implements ADC functionality, eliminating the need for manual intervention or expensive hardware replacement while achieving improved detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters and control logic of existing meter components through firmware modification. By altering how the microprocessor, DAC, and comparator are controlled and coordinated, the system transforms their functionality to include precise waveform digitization without changing the physical hardware, thereby improving reliability without increasing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If threshold-crossing algorithm is used without direct waveform observation, then device complexity is minimized, but loss of information about actual powerline waveforms increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowerline waveform informationVSAvoidsignal processing circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary software layer (firmware) that mediates between the existing simple threshold-crossing hardware and the need for comprehensive waveform information. This firmware layer captures, processes, and preserves detailed waveform data by controlling the DAC-comparator system to generate digital representations of the analog powerline signals, then makes this information available for sophisticated analysis without requiring complex dedicated waveform capture hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11218190B2Synthetic analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for legacy TWACS meters

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 ACLARA METERS LLC

AI summary

An electrical meter (M) installed at a facility (F) supplied electrical power by a utility's (U) electrical distribution system (EDS) utilizes a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS) for receiving messages from the utility sent over the electrical distribution system using the TWACS. An improvement to the meter comprises reconfiguring existing components installed in the meter to function as an analog-to-digital (ADC) converter so to facilitate processing of powerline waveforms (WF) propagated through the electrical distribution system by application of a signal based detection algorithm. This improves detection of signal elements comprising a message sent via the TWACS and by other means and incorporated in the electrical waveforms thereby reducing occurrence of a false synchronization with the message elements so a content of a message is readily ascertained by the meter.