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WO2008033293A2 - Distribution de réponses de compteurs pour équilibrage de charges d'un réseau de lecture de mesures automatisé - Google Patents

Distribution de réponses de compteurs pour équilibrage de charges d'un réseau de lecture de mesures automatisé Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008033293A2
WO2008033293A2 PCT/US2007/019634 US2007019634W WO2008033293A2 WO 2008033293 A2 WO2008033293 A2 WO 2008033293A2 US 2007019634 W US2007019634 W US 2007019634W WO 2008033293 A2 WO2008033293 A2 WO 2008033293A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
devices
metrology
request
network
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/019634
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English (en)
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WO2008033293A3 (fr
Inventor
Michael T. Garrison Stuber
John E. Buffington
Original Assignee
Itron, Inc.
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Itron, Inc. filed Critical Itron, Inc.
Publication of WO2008033293A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008033293A2/fr
Publication of WO2008033293A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008033293A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R22/00—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
    • G01R22/06—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods
    • G01R22/061—Details of electronic electricity meters
    • G01R22/063—Details of electronic electricity meters related to remote communication

Definitions

  • the present technology relates to utility meters. More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies for improving the collection of data from a large number of utility meters in an open operational framework, including such as providing load balancing when retrieving large amounts of data from such a network of such meters.
  • the general object of metrology is to monitor one or more selected physical phenomena to permit a record of monitored events.
  • Such basic purpose of metrology can be applied to a variety of metering devices used in a number of contexts.
  • One broad area of measurement relates, for example, to utility meters.
  • Such role may also specifically include, in such context, the monitoring of the consumption or production of a variety of forms of energy or other commodities, for example, including but not limited to, electricity, water, gas, or oil.
  • More particularly concerning electricity meters mechanical forms of registers have been historically used for outputting accumulated electricity consumption data. Such an approach provided a relatively dependable field device, especially for the basic or relatively lower level task of simply monitoring accumulated kilowatt-hour consumption.
  • Electricity meters typically include input circuitry for receiving voltage and current signals at the electrical service. Input circuitry of whatever type or specific design for receiving the electrical service current signals is referred to herein generally as current acquisition circuitry, while input circuitry of whatever type or design for receiving the electrical service voltage signals is referred to herein generally as voltage acquisition circuitry. [0012] Electricity meter input circuitry may be provided with capabilities of monitoring one or more phases, depending on whether monitoring is to be provided in a single or multiphase environment. Moreover, it is desirable that selectively configurable circuitry may be provided so as to enable the provision of new, alternative or upgraded services or processing capabilities within an existing metering device.
  • C12.22 is an application layer protocol that provides for the transport of C12.19 data tables over any network medium.
  • Current standards for the C12.22 protocol include: authentication and encryption features; addressing methodology providing unique identifiers for corporate, communication, and end device entities; self describing data models; and message routing over heterogeneous networks.
  • C12.22 provides for a common application layer for metering devices.
  • Benefits of using such a standard include the provision of: a methodology for both session and session-less communications; common data encryption and security; a common addressing mechanism for use over both proprietary and non- proprietary network mediums; interoperability among metering devices within a common communication environment; system integration with third-party devices through common interfaces and gateway abstraction; both 2-way and 1-way communications with end devices; and enhanced security, reliability and speed for transferring meter data over heterogeneous networks.
  • Internet providers depend on the use of open protocols to provide e-mail service. E-mails are sent and received as long as e- mail addresses are valid, mailboxes are not full, and communication paths are functional. Most e-mail users have the option of choosing among several Internet providers and several technologies, from dial-up to cellular to broadband, depending mostly on the cost, speed, and mobility.
  • the e-mail addresses are in a common format, and the protocols call for the e-mail to be carried by communication carriers without changing the e-mail.
  • the open protocol laid out in the ANSI C.12.22 standard provides the same opportunity for meter communications over networks.
  • methodology and apparatus have been provided to permit transmission of information between a utility meter and an operational application through a network.
  • the present technology provides a broadcast request for information from utility meters that specifies a time after which a meter is to reply.
  • One positive aspect of the present technology allows significant amounts of data to be obtained using minimal amounts of management.
  • Another positive aspect of the present technology provides data collection within prescribed intervals while avoiding network overloading.
  • Yet another positive aspect of the methodology of the present subject matter is that transmission of data may be made relatively constant thereby avoiding spikes in network traffic.
  • One exemplary present embodiment relates to an advanced metering system with meter response load balancing, comprising a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise metrology devices; and a network including a central facility having collection functionality.
  • Such network is preferably configured for bi-directional communications between the central facility and each of the plurality of end devices, while the collection functionality is preferably configured so as to broadcast to at least some of such metrology devices a request for data, which request for data includes metrology device instructions for responding to such request for data.
  • such metrology device instructions may preferably include a start offset and an end offset, thereby defining a metrology device response period, and also preferably such metrology devices responding to the request for data are configured for respectively responding at random times within such defined metrology device response period. Additional variations and other features may be alternatively practiced.
  • an exemplary such advanced metering system with meter response load balancing may comprise a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise metrology devices respectively having preprogrammed protocols for responding to requests for data; and a network including a central facility having collection functionality. Such network is preferably configured for bi-directional communications between the central facility and each of the plurality of end devices, while the collection functionality is preferably configured so as to broadcast to at least some of such metrology devices a request for data.
  • such preprogrammed protocols of such metrology devices may respectively include a start offset and an end offset, thereby defining a metrology device response period; and such metrology devices responding to such request for data may be configured for respectively responding at random times within such defined metrology device response period.
  • One exemplary such methodology for an advanced metering system with meter response load balancing may preferably comprise providing a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise metrology devices; establishing a network including a central facility having collection functionality; configuring the network for bi-directional communications between such central facility and each of the plurality of end devices; and using such collection functionality to broadcast to at least some of the metrology devices a request for data, which request for data includes metrology device instructions for responding to the request for data.
  • Another present alternative exemplary methodology may relate to methodology for an advanced metering system with meter response load balancing, comprising providing a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise metrology devices respectively having preprogrammed protocols for responding to requests for data; establishing a network including a central facility having collection functionality; configuring the network for bi- directional communications between such central facility and each of the plurality of end devices; and using such collection functionality to broadcast to at least some of the metrology devices a request for data.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram overview illustration of an Advanced Metering System (AMS) and a representation of corresponding methodology thereof, in accordance with the present subject matter;
  • AMS Advanced Metering System
  • Figure 2A graphically represents a first embodiment of the methodology and corresponding apparatus of the present subject matter wherein a data requester specifies response parameters
  • Figure 2B graphically represents a second embodiment of the methodology and corresponding apparatus of the present subject matter wherein a portion of the data response parameters are programmed into a responding device
  • Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary Advanced Metering System deployment inco ⁇ orating various methodology and corresponding apparatus aspects of the present subject matter.
  • the present subject matter is particularly concerned with the provision of improved methodology and corresponding apparatus allowing efficient responses from metrology devices to requests for data from a requester in an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) network.
  • AMR Automated Meter Reading
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram overview illustration of an Advanced Metering System (AMS) in accordance with the present subject matter.
  • AMS Advanced Metering System
  • AMS 100 in accordance with the present subject matter is designed to be a comprehensive system for providing advanced metering information and applications to utilities.
  • AMS 100 in pertinent part is designed and built around industry standard protocols and transports, and therefore is intended to work with standards compliant components from third parties.
  • Major components of AMS 100 include exemplary respective meters 142, 144, 146, 148, 152, 154, 156, and 158; one or more respective radio-based networks including RF neighborhood area network (RF NAN) 162 and its accompanying Radio Relay 172, and power line communications neighborhood area network (PLC NAN) 164 and its accompanying PLC Relay 174; an IP
  • exemplary AMS 100 may include a utility LAN (local area network) 192 and firewall 194 through which communications signals to and from Collection Engine 190 may be transported from and to respective exemplary meters 142, 144, 146, 148, 152, 154, 156, and 158 or other devices including, but not limited to, Radio Relay 172 and PLC Relay 174.
  • LAN local area network
  • AMS 100 is configured to be transparent in a transportation context, such that exemplary respective meters 142, 144, 146, 148, 152, 154, 156, and 158 may be interrogated using Collection Engine 190 regardless of what network infrastructure exists between or among such components. Moreover, due to such transparency, the meters may also respond to Collection Engine 190 in the same manner.
  • xAN Local Area Network
  • a Local Area Network (LAN) may correspond to a utility's internal network, or the IT network. That is the network where servers, such as the collection engine are connected. Typically this is behind a firewall and has access to the public internet.
  • a Wide Area Network that may also be referred to as the IP backhaul provides a connection between cell relays and the utility's internal network.
  • this service is provided by a wireless carrier like Cingular®, or Verizon®.
  • This service allows connectivity from a cell relay, over a wireless network, to the internet. Traffic (data) may then be transmitted over the internet to the utility's internal network.
  • a Neighborhood Area Network corresponds to a local area RF mesh network providing communications between meters spanning a neighborhood.
  • a Home Area Network (HAN) provides a communications link from the meter into the home and may correspond to a ZigBee link.
  • Collection Engine 190 is capable of integrating Radio, PLC, and IP connected meters.
  • AMS 100 operates and/or interfaces with ANSI standard C12.22 meter communication protocol for networks.
  • C12.22 is a network transparent protocol, which allows communications across disparate and asymmetrical network substrates.
  • C12.22 details all aspects of communications, allowing C12.22 compliant meters produced by third parties to be integrated into a single advanced metering interface (AMI) solution.
  • AMS 100 is configured to provide meter reading as well as load control/demand response, in home messaging, and outage and restoration capabilities. All data flowing across the system is sent in the form of C12.19 tables.
  • FIG. 2A and 2B there are illustrated respective first and second exemplary embodiments of methodology and corresponding apparatus of the present subject matter, wherein a data requester initiates response from a meter or meters.
  • the Collection Engine 190 Figure 1
  • FIG. 2B two exemplary configurations (per representative Figures 2A and 2B) are provided to respond to the broadcast or multicast request for data.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a first embodiment of broadcast or multicast request for data methodology and corresponding apparatus in accordance with the present technology.
  • a broadcast request for data generally 200 may be transmitted, which includes in such request response parameters to be followed.
  • Such parameters per present subject matter, preferably include a start offset generally 202 and an end offset generally 204.
  • start offset 202 is specified per present subject matter so that a delay period generally 206 will be insured within which to complete the broadcast request, thereby avoiding any interference from responding meters, all per present subject matter.
  • End offset 204 establishes relative thereto a "no later than" time by which a response is required from each meter.
  • a request for data in this and other embodiments of the present subject matter described herein may also include a control byte that allows the requester to request particular types of data to be returned.
  • individual meters randomly select a time at which they choose to respond but insuring that such response is transmitted during the period 208 defined in the request for data 200.
  • individual meters respond randomly beginning at some time following the start offset point 202 but respond no later than the end offset point 204 as specified in the broadcast or multicast request for data generally 200.
  • Figure 2B illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of broadcast or multicast request for data methodology and corresponding apparatus in accordance with present technology.
  • a broadcast request for data generally 210 may be transmitted that includes a request that data be sent but without specifying any response time parameters to be followed.
  • data request response parameters may be pre-programmed into the meters themselves. By pre-programming the meters with their own response parameters, broadcast traffic on the network is reduced, thus allowing more response opportunities from the various nodes on the network.
  • the response parameters pre-programmed into individual meters include a start offset generally 212 as well as an end offset generally 214.
  • Such pre-programmed start offset 212 establishes a start delay generally 216 during which the broadcast request for data is heard by the individual meter to insure that the broadcast request generally 210 may be completed to all designated meters so as to avoid any interference from responding meters.
  • the pre-programmed end offset 214 similar to that of the broadcast instructions of the first embodiment, establishes a "no later than" time by which a response is required from the individual meter.
  • individual pre-programmed meters respond randomly after their pre-programmed start offset 212 but prior to their pre-programmed end offset 214.
  • methodology and corresponding apparatus of the present subject matter permits a significantly simplified data request methodology and corresponding apparatus.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates for exemplary purposes only a single RF NAN cell, with twelve respective member nodes organized into three levels, as well as four directly connected IP meters 370, 372, 374, and 376.
  • all respective meter devices 310, 320, 330, 332, 340, 342, 350, 352, 354, 356, 360, 362, 364, 466, 370, 372, 374, and 376, Cell Relay 302, and Collection Engine 390 have C12.22 network addresses.
  • Collection Engine 390 may in accordance with the present subject matter have multiple C12.22 addresses to allow for separate addressing between different services (functionalities).
  • Meter (or master) data management system 391 is not part of the C12.22 network, but preferably it will be implemented so as to communicate over the Utility LAN 392 to Collection Engine 390 via Web Services. Communications between Cell Relay 302 and Utility LAN 392 variously involve Public Backhaul 380 and firewall 394, in a manner analogous to that discussed above in conjunction with Public Backhaul 180 and firewall 194 ( Figure 1 ), as well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. [0055] The meter data acquisition process begins with the Meter (or Master) Data Management System 391 initiating a request for data. Such operation may be done through a web services call to Collection Engine 390 and may be performed without knowledge of the configured functionality of the end-device.
  • a request for data may be made by other means including, but not limited to, a user interface, a file submission, or a library call to trigger the process.
  • Collection Engine 390 analyzes the request for data, and formulates a series of C12.22 multicast (or broadcast) data requests. Such requests are then sent out either directly to the device (in the case of an IP connected meter, such as 370), or to Cell Relay 302 that relays the message out to all appropriate nodes. Broadcast and multicast messages are sent by Cell Relay 302 to all members of the cell, either via an AMS RF NAN-level broadcast, or by the Cell Relay repeating the message. For efficiency sake, the use of an RF NAN level broadcast may be preferred.
  • these requests are sent as a call to a manufacturer's stored procedure.
  • stored procedure calls are performed as writes to a predetermined table, e.g. "table 7."
  • the stored procedure will normally send the default upload configured for such device, however, the request for data may specify particular types of data by way of a control byte that may be included with the request.
  • a given meter may be configured to upload two channels of hourly interval data, plus its event history.
  • Another meter might be programmed to send up its TOU registers.
  • the stored procedure will require at least four parameters to be fully operative in accordance with the present subject matter: data start time, data end time, response start time, and response end time.
  • the data start and end time are be used to select which data to send.
  • the response start time and end time are used to determine the window within which the upstream system wants to receive the data.
  • the various AMS enabled meters of Figure 3 are preferably field programmable, via C12.19 tables, as to the type data to be included in a default upload
  • the response processing section can use the configured data about an end device and the response message from the end device to determine the results from the device.
  • the response processing section begins operation associated with a specific job in a task list, but can be switched between any active job that is awaiting a response. Such operation allows responses that contain logs from the device to be parsed by each job that could be waiting for an action to be completed within the end-device. Such also would allow unsolicited messages to be parsed by the Interface between Meter and Application (IMA) code and then later associated with any possible jobs, as determined by the IMA, all in accordance with the present subject matter.
  • IMA Interface between Meter and Application
  • the AMS meters will support chaining a series of EPSEM messages, such as multiple table reads and writes in a single request. This is functionality that is required in the C12.22 specification, and will assist in improving the efficiency of the system, as it avoids the overhead of sending a separate message for each EPSEM command.
  • AMS enabled devices will process each request sequentially, allowing a series of operations to be handled in a single command, each building on the next, such that a read subsequent to a write would reflect the results of the request write. If a command in an EPSEM chain cannot be completed, remaining commands in the chain are rejected with appropriate error messages, per the present subject matter.
  • a respective device When a respective device receives a request, it evaluates the multi-cast address specified. If the device is a member of the multicast group, it responds to the request; otherwise, it discards it. Membership in different multicast groups is determined via use of C 12.22 standard table 122.
  • On-demand reading i.e.. reporting
  • On-demand reading per the present subject matter is similar to the Daily Meter Data Acquisition Process; however, rather than sending a broadcast or multicast request, the on-demand reading process in accordance with the present subject matter communicates directly to desired respective meters.
  • Such process begins with a user initiated an on-demand read (i.e., an on- demand reporting instruction) through an AMS User Interface, or through a web services call from an upstream system.
  • an orchestration layer of the Collection Engine 390 begins by evaluating the current system load of the communications substrate through which the respective device is connected. Requests for an on-demand read from a saturated cell may be rejected.
  • Collection Engine 390 determines that the request can be honored, it selects per the present subject matter an appropriate communication server within the Collection Engine, and submits the command to retrieve data from the device and return it.
  • the communications server forms a C12.22 table read request, encrypts it, and sends it to the device directly, if IP connected, or to Cell Relay 302 for RF NAN connected devices.
  • the Cell Relay software retrieves the message from the IP backhaul 380, and evaluates the message.
  • the destination address (in C12.22 terminology, the called ApTitle) may be stripped off to save bandwidth on the network, relying instead on the underlying RF NAN addressing scheme for delivering the message.
  • the Cell Relay software must also examine whether the destination ApTitle is still valid within the cell, if the destination ApTitle is no longer valid, the Cell Relay rejects the message, returning an error packet to the Collection Engine. Provided that the destination is still valid, the Cell Relay software sends the message to the device across the RF NAN, per the present subject matter.
  • a protocol stack for the RF NAN advantageously takes the message and constructs a node path for the message to take before actually transmitting the packet. Such pre-constructed node path allows Cell Relay 302 per the present subject matter to push a message down through the tree of the cell without creating redundant radio messages. If Collection Engine 390 wants to do an on- demand read to meter 356, it starts by sending the message to Cell Relay 302.
  • Cell Relay 302 in turn sends out a transmission that will be heard by both respective meters 310 and 320 (in the exemplary configuration of present Figure 3).
  • Meter 320 could go ahead and retransmit the message, but this wouldn't get the message to meter 356. Instead, it would simply waste bandwidth.
  • meters 310 and 320 With the node path provided to by the RF NAN protocol stack, meters 310 and 320 will hear the message, but per the present subject matter only meter 310 will retransmit the message. The retransmitted message of meter 310 will be heard by both meters 330 and 332, but only meter 332 will be in the node path, again meaning other parts of the cell (such as meters 350 and 352) won't receive a message that would be useless to them.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une méthodologie et un appareil correspondant permettant de fournir un meilleur rendement au niveau de la collecte de données à partir d'un grand nombre de dispositifs métrologiques associés à un réseau de lecture de mesures automatisé (AMR). Le fonctionnement de ce réseau AMR produit des émissions espacées de manière aléatoire à partir de noeuds individuels dans le réseau. Lorsqu'un système AMR souhaite extraire des données d'un grand nombre de points sur un réseau AMR, une demande de diffusion ou multidiffusion est transmise aux noeud appropriés. Une fenêtre temporelle est définie dans une telle demande, voire dans ces dispositifs mêmes, ainsi, les décalages de début et de fin par rapport au moment de la demande sont reçus par le noeud. Le décalage de début fournit une période morte pour s'assurer de la distribution de la demande à tous les noeuds appropriés. Le décalage de fin fournit une période au terme de laquelle les données demandées doivent être retournées. Les réponses sont envoyées de manière aléatoire à l'intérieur de la fenêtre établie par les périodes de décalage de début et d'arrêt.
PCT/US2007/019634 2006-09-15 2007-09-10 Distribution de réponses de compteurs pour équilibrage de charges d'un réseau de lecture de mesures automatisé WO2008033293A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US84505906P 2006-09-15 2006-09-15
US60/845,059 2006-09-15
US89998107A 2007-09-07 2007-09-07
US11/899,981 2007-09-07

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WO2008033293A2 true WO2008033293A2 (fr) 2008-03-20
WO2008033293A3 WO2008033293A3 (fr) 2008-10-16

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2491953A (en) * 2011-06-14 2012-12-19 Gen Electric Assigning an RF tower multicast address to multiple utility meters
CN108234185A (zh) * 2016-12-22 2018-06-29 成都长城开发科技有限公司 自动抄表系统及其构建方法

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5986574A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-11-16 Peco Energy Company System and method for communication between remote locations

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2491953A (en) * 2011-06-14 2012-12-19 Gen Electric Assigning an RF tower multicast address to multiple utility meters
CN108234185A (zh) * 2016-12-22 2018-06-29 成都长城开发科技有限公司 自动抄表系统及其构建方法

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