Utility Meter Data Logging with Power Loss Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility meters face challenges in efficiently storing and transmitting load profiling data due to significant memory requirements and bandwidth usage, particularly when storing 32-bit values for multiple quantities over time intervals, which can lead to substantial memory consumption and data transfer issues.
Innovation Solution
A method for storing load profiling data using a time recovery scheme that compresses data by storing differential values and using a combination of prefix and suffix codes to represent metered quantities, allowing for efficient storage and transmission, and includes inserting time stamps for power outages to maintain data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 32-bit values for multiple quantities are stored for each time interval, then measurement precision is maintained, but memory consumption increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from fixed 32-bit storage to variable-length encoding. Differential values are encoded using a variable number of bits based on their magnitude, with smaller numbers using fewer bits. This changes the storage parameter from fixed to variable length, maintaining precision for large values while reducing storage for small values, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and memory consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data storage approach by dividing the 32-bit value into a prefix code and a suffix code. The prefix code captures the most significant bits while the suffix code captures the least significant bits. This segmentation allows selective storage of differential values, storing only the necessary precision for each time interval rather than always storing complete 32-bit values, thus reducing memory consumption while maintaining measurement precision.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If load profile data is stored for extended periods, then data completeness is improved, but memory requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage parameter from fixed 32-bit values to variable-length differential encoding. By storing only the difference between consecutive time interval values and using variable bit lengths based on the magnitude of these differences, the system can retain data for extended periods without linearly increasing memory requirements. Smaller differential values use fewer bits, allowing longer-term data retention with controlled memory growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by storing differential values rather than complete absolute values. Instead of storing the full 32-bit value for each time interval, only the necessary differential portion is stored. This partial storage approach enables extended data retention periods while keeping memory requirements manageable, as the differential values typically require fewer bits than the complete original values.
3Measurement precision
If data is transmitted frequently for load profiling, then data accuracy is maintained, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from fixed 32-bit values to variable-length differential encoded values. By transmitting only the differential portion of data with variable bit lengths, the system maintains measurement precision for accurate load profiling while significantly reducing bandwidth consumption. The variable-length encoding ensures that smaller differential values use fewer transmission bits, reducing overall bandwidth requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission by dividing values into prefix and suffix codes, where only the necessary differential portion is transmitted. This segmentation allows the system to maintain data accuracy for load profiling purposes while transmitting only the essential information, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption. The prefix and suffix structure enables efficient transmission of differential values with variable precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for storing information within a utility meter that includes storing a data stream comprising a plurality of data values regarding a metered quantity delivered to a load corresponding to a plurality of time periods, wherein the plurality of data values are stored sequentially based on their corresponding time periods. The method also includes responsive to a power outage, inserting into the data stream a time stamp corresponding to a time period in the plurality of time periods in which the power outage occurred.