Wireless Phasor Measurement With Beacons to Reduce Network Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phasor measurement units (PMUs) in power distribution networks rely on wired connections, which can burden communication networks and are costly to implement on transmission networks due to high voltage levels, making them cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A wireless synchronization system using beacon signals for phasor measurement, where collection devices receive and store phasor data with time stamps, allowing phase calculation by comparing reference phasors with stored measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wired connections (PLC) are used for phasor measurement communication, then measurement precision is maintained, but communication network load increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wired PLC communication system with a wireless communication system. Collection devices wirelessly transmit phasor measurements and beacon signals to data recorders, eliminating the need for power line communication infrastructure and reducing network burden while maintaining measurement precision through synchronized time stamping and phase comparison algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beacon signals as intermediary synchronization markers. These beacons carry time synchronization information that enables collection devices to align their measurements without requiring continuous wired communication, thereby reducing network load while preserving measurement accuracy through periodic synchronization.
2Reliability
If wired connections are used on transmission networks, then measurement reliability is improved, but equipment cost increases due to high voltage handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive wired PLC infrastructure on transmission networks with wireless communication. Collection devices on the transmission side wirelessly transmit phasor measurements without requiring high-voltage capable communication equipment, dramatically reducing equipment costs while maintaining measurement reliability through robust wireless protocols and synchronization mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If wireless beacon signals are used for phasor measurement, then device complexity is reduced and costs are lowered, but synchronization precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary time synchronization through beacon signals before phasor measurements are taken. Collection devices receive and process beacon signals containing time synchronization information, allowing them to pre-align their measurement clocks. This preliminary synchronization ensures that subsequent wireless phasor measurements maintain the precision required for accurate phase calculation, despite the simplified wireless architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining a phase of a power supply coupled to a metering device. The system includes a collection device in electronic communication with a metering device connected to a power distribution network and having a memory and one or more electronic processors. The electronic processors are configured to receive a first beacon signal and measure a phasor in response to receiving the first beacon signal. The phasor is stored in the memory along with an identification value associated with the device that transmitted the first beacon signal and a first time. The electronic processors receive a second beacon signal, and extract data from the request message. The electronic processors determine whether the extracted time matches the first time and based on determining that the extracted time matches the first time stored in the memory, calculate a phase by comparing the reference phasor data to the stored phasor.