Universal A/D Conversion Unit for Power System Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital-type protection control apparatuses for electric power systems require dedicated analog/digital conversion units for each application, leading to limitations in scalability, economic effectiveness, and performance, as different applications demand varying resolution and sampling frequencies for accurate protection control operations.

Innovation Solution

A control system incorporating an analog/digital conversion unit with a ΔΣ modulating device that converts analog electric quantities into a single-bit stream, which is then processed by digital filters with varying frequency characteristics to produce multi-bit data suitable for different protection control operations, allowing for flexible sampling and resolution based on the specific application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dedicated analog/digital conversion units are provided for each application, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveA/D conversion precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal A/D conversion unit that serves multiple protection control applications simultaneously. This single unit replaces multiple dedicated A/D conversion units, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through software-configurable parameters that adapt to different application requirements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by making the A/D conversion unit configurable through software parameters such as sampling frequency and resolution. This allows the same hardware unit to be adapted to different protection control applications by changing operational parameters rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If dedicated analog/digital conversion units are provided for each application, then reliability is improved, but economic effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection control reliabilityVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces system cost by implementing a universal A/D conversion unit that can be shared across multiple protection control applications. This eliminates the need to manufacture and deploy multiple dedicated A/D conversion units, improving economic effectiveness while maintaining reliability through proper resource management and configuration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple A/D conversion functions into a single integrated unit. By combining what would traditionally be separate dedicated units into one shared resource, the system reduces overall cost while maintaining the reliability needed for protection control through careful design of the sharing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single analog/digital conversion unit is shared across multiple applications, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but adaptability to different sampling frequencies and resolutions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidapplication adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves adaptability through parameter changes by implementing software-configurable settings that allow the shared A/D conversion unit to be adapted to different sampling frequencies and resolutions required by various protection control applications. This maintains versatility while using a single hardware unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the A/D conversion unit flexible and reconfigurable through software parameters. Rather than being fixed for a specific application, the unit can dynamically adapt its operational characteristics to match the requirements of different protection control tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables efficient and accurate A/D conversion data to be shared across various digital operation processing units, enhancing the scalability and economic effectiveness of protection control systems while maintaining high accuracy and resolution for diverse protection control tasks.

Implementation Method 1

an analog/digital conversion unit which introduces an analog electric quantity provided from an electric power system and converts the analog electric quantity into a digital quantity, wherein the analog/digital conversion unit includes a ΔΣ modulating device which samples the analog electric quantity provided by the electric power system with a predetermined modulation frequency and outputs a bit stream changing over time of single bit obtained by performing ΔΣ modulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectΔΣ modulation:

Data Source

PatentEP2546943B1Control system, transformer, security control device, and bitstream memory unit
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP2546943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2546943B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2546943B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An analog/digital conversion unit (2), which introduces an analog electric quantity provided from an electric power system and converts the analog electric quantity into a digital quantity, includes a ΔΣ modulating device (22) which samples the analog electric quantity provided by the electric power system with a predetermined modulation frequency and outputs a bit stream changing over time of single bit obtained by performing ΔΣ modulation. A digital operation processing unit (3), which performs protection control operation regarding a state of the electric power system using the digital quantity, includes one or more digital filters (23) which inputs the bit stream from the ΔΣ modulating device (22) and of which frequency characteristics differ according to a type of protection control operation, and one or more operation processing elements (24) which are connected to each digital filter (23) and which perform different kinds of protection control operation processing regarding protection control, based on the bit stream provided by the digital filter (23).