Utility Meter Data Compression for Memory Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility meters face challenges in efficiently storing and transmitting load profile data due to significant memory requirements and bandwidth usage, particularly when logging 32-bit values at frequent intervals over time.
Innovation Solution
A data compression scheme is employed in utility meters that uses differential values and variable bit lengths to store and transmit load profile data, allowing for greater data density and reduced storage and transmission needs, while maintaining lossless decompression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 32-bit values are stored for multiple quantities every five to fifteen minutes with time and date stamps, then measurement precision and data completeness are improved, but memory requirements and transmission bandwidth increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the data representation from fixed 32-bit values to variable-length compressed values. The compression scheme changes the parameter of data length from constant to variable, allowing efficient representation of load profile data with reduced memory requirements while preserving measurement precision through lossless compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for load profiling by compressing the data to retain only the most significant bits. This extraction principle removes redundant information while maintaining the ability to reconstruct the original data, thereby reducing memory requirements without sacrificing data completeness.
2Measurement precision
If 32-bit values are stored for multiple quantities every five to fifteen minutes with time and date stamps, then data completeness is improved, but transmission bandwidth usage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the data transmission parameter from fixed 32-bit values to variable-length compressed values. This parameter change reduces the average number of bits transmitted per data point while maintaining data completeness through lossless compression, thereby improving transmission efficiency and reducing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential bits of information needed for accurate load profiling. By removing redundant data bits and transmitting only the compressed representation, the system reduces transmission bandwidth usage while preserving the ability to reconstruct complete measurement data at the receiving end.
3Productivity
If more data is logged within the same memory constraints, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to compression and decompression operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by implementing a systematic compression scheme that transforms 32-bit values into variable-length compressed representations. This parameter transformation enables increased data logging capacity within the same memory constraints, as the compressed data occupies fewer memory locations while maintaining the ability to reconstruct original values through decompression operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for storing information within a utility meter includes generating in a processing circuit first information regarding a metered quantity delivered to a load corresponding to a first period of time. The method also includes obtaining a first value associated with one of a plurality of predetermined ranges of values in which the first information falls. The method further includes generating in a processing circuit a second value representative of a numerical position of the first information within the one of the plurality of predetermined ranges of values. The first value and the second value are stored in a memory.