Remote base meter for automated metering management of power distribution services
阅读说明：本技术 用于配电服务的自动化计量管理的远程基本计量表 (Remote base meter for automated metering management of power distribution services ) 是由 H.特布勒 C.格兰古 于 2020-03-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于配电服务的自动化计量管理的远程基本计量表。在配电服务的背景下的自动化计量管理系统中,远程基本计量表(130、131)包括：度量单元(353)；断路装置(355)；电力线通信单元(354)；以及控制单元(352)。远程基本计量表(130)经由电力线通信网络与集中计量表进行通信,该集中计量表是自动化计量管理系统中的代表多个这样的远程基本计量表的代理设备。控制单元(352)处理源自集中计量表的以下一组原子命令当中的原子命令：时间设置命令；断路装置(355)的断开命令；断路装置(355)的闭合命令；向集中计量表发送计量指标抄数的命令；以及发送所述远程基本计量表(130)的状态的命令。(The present invention relates to a remote base meter for automated metering management of power distribution services. In an automated meter management system in the context of power distribution services, a remote base meter (130, 131) comprising: a measurement unit (353); a circuit breaking device (355); a power line communication unit (354); and a control unit (352). A remote base meter (130) communicates via a powerline communication network with a centralized meter that is a proxy device in an automated meter management system representing a plurality of such remote base meters. The control unit (352) processes an atomic command from among the following set of atomic commands originating from the centralized meter: a time setting command; -a disconnection command of the circuit breaking device (355); a closing command of the circuit breaking device (355); sending a command of reading the metering indexes to the centralized meter; and sending a command of a status of the remote base meter (130).)
1. A device, called remote base meter (130, 131), intended to be included in an automated metering management system in the context of a power distribution service, the remote base meter (130, 131) comprising:
-a metric unit (353);
-a circuit breaking device (355);
-a powerline communication unit (354) intended to communicate with a centralized meter (120) via a powerline communication network (101), said centralized meter (120) being a proxy device in an automated meter management system representing a plurality of such remote base meters (131, 132, 133); and
-a control unit (352),
wherein the control unit (352) is configured to process, at an application level, an atomic command from among the following set of atomic commands originating from the centralized meter (120):
-a time setting command for time stamping a meter metric dip executed by the metric unit (353);
-a disconnection command of the circuit breaking device (355);
-a closing command of the circuit breaking device (355);
-a command to send a meter reading to the centralized meter (120); and
-sending a command of the status of the remote base meter (130, 131),
and wherein the remote base meters (130, 131) are arranged to perform beaconing operations in cooperation with the centralized meter (120) so as to enable the remote base meters (130, 131) to detect the presence of the centralized meter (120) attached thereto, the beaconing operations comprising broadcasting by the remote base meters (130, 131) a beaconing request to which each node of the powerline communication network (101) should respond by providing information representative of the number of hops said node is separated from a coordinator of the powerline communication network (101), and wherein the remote base meters (130, 131) are configured to exclude any response indicating that the number of hops to the coordinator of the powerline communication network (101) is non-zero, wherein the centralized meter (120) is the coordinator of the powerline communication network (101).
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote base meters (130, 131) are arranged to perform the registering operation in cooperation with the centralized meter (120) by implementing:
-means for transmitting a join request;
-means for receiving in response a first identification request comprising a first random number and an identifier identifying a centralized meter (120);
-means for transmitting a first identification response in reply, the first identification response comprising the second random number and an identifier of the remote base meter (130, 131) and a first calculation result, the first calculation result resulting from the execution of a predefined function taking as input the first random number, the second random number and a key known to both the remote base meter (130, 131) and the aggregation meter (120);
-means for receiving from the centralized meter (120) after verification of the first calculation result a second identification request comprising a second calculation result resulting from execution of a predefined function taking as input a second random number and said key, the second identification request also containing in encrypted form an encryption key which is subsequently used for encrypting the exchange between the remote base meter (130, 131) and the centralized meter (120).
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remote base meter (130, 131) further comprises a wireless communication interface (360) intended to be connected to a remote display (361), and wherein the set of atomic commands is completed by displaying on the remote display instruction commands of a character string provided with said commands.
4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the wireless communication interface (360) is of the WiFi, Zigbee or KNX-RF type.
5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an optical communication interface (370) enabling coupling of a marker probe.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the control unit (352) comprises a storage area adapted to store meter metric transcripts provided by the metric unit (353) at regular intervals of predefined duration within a predefined time range, and wherein the optical communication interface (370) enables retrieval of such stored meter metric transcripts.
7. The device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power line communication unit (354) functions in the FCC frequency band.
8. A method implemented by a device called a remote base meter (130, 131), the remote base meter (130, 131) being included in an automated metering management system in the context of a power distribution service, the remote base meter (130, 131) comprising:
-a metric unit (353);
-a circuit breaking device (355);
-a powerline communication unit (354) intended to communicate with a centralized meter (120) via a powerline communication network (101), said centralized meter (120) being a proxy device in an automated meter management system representing a plurality of such remote base meters (131, 132, 133); and
-a control unit (352),
wherein the control unit (352) processes, at an application level, an atomic command from among the following set of atomic commands originating from the centralized meter (120):
-a time setting command for time stamping a meter metric dip executed by the metric unit (353);
-a disconnection command of the circuit breaking device (355);
-a closing command of the circuit breaking device (355);
-a command to send a meter reading to the centralized meter (120); and
-sending a command of the status of the remote base meter (130, 131),
and wherein the remote base meters (130, 131) perform beaconing operations in cooperation with the centralized meter (120) so as to enable the remote base meters (130, 131) to detect the presence of the centralized meter (120) attached thereto, the beaconing operations comprising broadcasting by the remote base meters (130, 131) a beaconing request to which each node of the powerline communication network (101) should respond by providing information representative of the number of hops said node is separated from a coordinator of the powerline communication network (101), and wherein the remote base meters (130, 131) exclude any response indicating that the number of hops to the coordinator of the powerline communication network (101) is non-zero, wherein the centralized meter (120) is the coordinator of the powerline communication network (101).
9. A computer program product, characterized in that it comprises instructions which, when executed by a processor (201) of a device called a remote base meter (130, 131), cause the remote base meter (130, 131) to perform the method according to claim 8.
10. A storage medium characterized in that it stores a computer program comprising instructions which, when read and executed by a processor (201) of a device called a remote base meter (130, 131), cause the remote base meter (130, 131) to perform the method according to claim 8.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a power line communication (PowerLine Communications, english) network for an Automated Metering Management (AMM) system.
Background
In recent years, especially in the context of power distribution services, power line communication networks for automated metering management AMM systems have emerged. For example, the G3-PLC standard specified in the ITU-T G.9903 recommendation may be cited. In such a power line communication network, communication is established between the electricity metering meters, called collection nodesIntelligent electricity meter(smart meters in English), the sink node is sometimes called a Smart meterData collector(the English language is "datacontrator") orBasic node(in English, a "base node") orCoordinator(coordinator in english) in order to enable, among other things, an automated remote transcription of the power consumption measurements performed by the smart meter and to enable remote control of the meter as a whole. Thus, several data aggregators are spread geographically to share the burden of collecting the metering readings of the smart meter. Each data aggregator then acts as a relay between the smart meter meters and the management entity of the automated metering management AMM system, which is responsible for centrally handling the metering readings.
In this way, the smart meter becomes more autonomous and enables avoiding agents of the distribution operator from performing meter transcription at the time of the residence. As a compensation, the internal architecture of the electricity meter becomes more complex, which increases the cost of its design, manufacture and maintenance. In fact, such smart meters comprise two controllers: the first controller is dedicated to metering operations to meter energy consumption and the second controller is dedicated to application operations, namely user interface management, calendar and load profile management, quality metering and anti-fraud operations, and especially automated metering management of communication management in AMM systems. In practice, the management of communications in an automated Metering management, AMM, System is based on application packages typically complying with the DLMS/COSEM (Device language message Specification/company Specification for Energy Metering) standard, as described in the normative document IEC 62056-5-3 and in the 12 th edition of the document published by the DLMS user Association "Bluebook: COSEM Interface Classes and OBIS object identification System", which requires a significant amount of processing resources in the smart meter.
It is therefore desirable to alleviate these disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is desirable to provide a solution that enables limiting the hardware resources of smart meters used in automated metering management AMM systems in the context of power distribution services.
Disclosure of Invention
The object of the present invention is to propose a device, called remote base meter, intended to be included in an automated metering management system in the context of a power distribution service, the remote base meter comprising: a measurement unit; a breaking device (english "breaker"); a powerline communication unit intended to communicate via a powerline communication network with a centralized meter that is a proxy device in an automated meter management system representing a plurality of such remote base meters; and a control unit. The control unit processes an atomic command from among the following set of atomic commands originating from the centralized meter: a time setting command for time-stamping a reading of the measurement metric performed by the measurement unit; an open command of the circuit breaking device; a closing command of the circuit breaking device; a command for reading the metering indexes and sending the reading data to the centralized meter; and sending a command of the status of the remote base meter. In this way, the hardware resources of the smart meters used in the automated metering management AMM system in the context of power distribution services are preserved by using remote base meters that rely on a centralized meter that acts as a proxy for a plurality of such remote base meters so that they can not have to implement the processing of a simple set of atomic commands at the application level.
According to a particular embodiment, the remote base meter further comprises a wireless communication interface intended to be connected to a remote display, and the set of atomic commands is completed by displaying on the remote display instruction commands of a character string provided with said commands.
According to a particular embodiment, the wireless communication interface is of the WiFi, Zigbee or KNX-RF type.
According to a particular embodiment, the remote base meter performs a beaconing operation in cooperation with the centralized meter, thereby enabling the remote base meter to detect the presence of the centralized meter attached thereto, the beaconing operation comprising broadcasting by the remote base meter a beaconing request to which each node of the powerline communication network should respond by indicating a number of hops the node is separated from a coordinator of the powerline communication network, and the remote base meter is configured to exclude any response indicating that the number of hops to the coordinator of the powerline communication network is non-zero, wherein the centralized meter is the coordinator of the powerline communication network.
According to a particular embodiment, the remote base meter performs a beaconing operation in cooperation with the centralized meter, thereby enabling the remote base meter to detect the presence of the centralized meter attached thereto, the beaconing operation comprising broadcasting by the remote base meter a beaconing request to which each node of the powerline communication network should respond by providing information representative of the number of hops the node is separated from a coordinator of the powerline communication network, and wherein the remote base meter is configured not to respond to the broadcasting of the beaconing request, wherein the centralized meter is a coordinator of the powerline communication network.
According to a particular embodiment, the remote base meter further comprises an optical communication interface enabling coupling of a marker probe complying with standard IEC 62056-21.
According to a particular embodiment, the control unit comprises a storage area adapted to store meter indicator transcripts provided by the meter unit at regular intervals having a predefined duration within a predefined time range, and the optical communication interface enables retrieval of such stored meter indicator transcripts.
According to a particular embodiment, the power line communication unit functions in the FCC frequency band.
Drawings
The above-mentioned inventive features, as well as others, will become more apparent upon reading of the following description of at least one embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a communication system supporting automated metering management in which the present invention is implemented;
fig. 2 schematically shows an example of a hardware arrangement of a control unit used in a communication system;
FIG. 3A schematically illustrates an arrangement of centralized meters of a communication system;
FIG. 3B schematically illustrates the arrangement of remote base meters of the communication system;
FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exchange between a remote base meter and a centralized meter in a communication system; and
FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the exchange between a centralized meter and a data aggregator in a communication system.
Detailed Description
Thus, fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a communication system in which the invention is implemented, which communication system supports automated metering management, AMM, in the context of power distribution services.
The communication system comprises at least one power line communication Network PLCN (PowerLine Communications Network in english) 100, hereinafter referred to as PLCN Network 100, logically distributed over the power supply Network. The PLCN network 100 enables the setup of an automated metering management, AMM, system in the context of power distribution services.
The communication system comprises a specific node device, called data aggregator DC (in english). The PLCN network 100 is intended to enable a plurality of node devices to be connected to a data aggregator DC 110. The node devices of the PLCN network 100 intended to connect it to the data aggregator DC110 are smart meter SEMs 121, 122, 123. In this way, the PLCN network 100 enables the establishment of power line Communications (PowerLine Communications, in english) so that the data aggregator DC110 is able to carry out, in particular automatically, the operation of collecting the reading of the metering of the consumption of electric power, said metering being carried out by the smart meters towards the electrical installations which they are respectively responsible for supervising. The PLCN network 100 also enables, among other things, the data aggregator DC110 to perform application update operations on the smart meters and, in general, to remotely control them. The power line communication via the PLCN network 100 preferably conforms to the G3-PLC protocol. As a variant, the power line communication via the PLCN network 100 preferably complies with the PRIME specification ("PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution" in english), as defined in the specification document ITU g.9904.
The communication system also comprises a management entity for the automated metering management AMM system, which management entity is responsible, among other things, for handling metering credits in a centralized manner. The management entity of the automated metering management AMM system takes the form of a server SERV 150 or group of servers to which the data aggregator DC110 is connected via a communication link 140. The communication link 140 is a wireless communication link, for example, of the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service, english), UMTS (Universal Mobile telecommunications System, english) or LTE (Long Term Evolution, english) type. As a variation, the communication link 140 may be a wired communication link.
The data aggregator DC110 performs the operation of collecting the metered dip on behalf of the server SERV 150. In other words, the data aggregator DC110 collects the metering dip to the smart meter (the smart meter of the PLCN network 100) to which it is attached, and then provides said dip to the server SERV 150 for processing. In addition, the data aggregator DC110 preferably ensures the operation of applying updates on behalf of the server SERV 150. The application update operation is performed by the data aggregator DC110 on a data block by data block basis to the smart meter attached thereto. The data aggregator DC110 manages the possible retransmission requirements within the PLCN network 100 to ensure that the collection of metering transcripts and the possible application update operations are well carried out. In such automated meter management AMM systems, the server SERV 150 typically relies on the remote utilization of smart meters with a plurality of such data aggregators distributed among them.
The PLCN network 100 includes at least one centralized Meter CM (in English, "Central Meter") 120. The centralized Meter CM120 serves as a proxy device (proxy device) for a plurality of Remote base meters RBM (Remote base Meter, english) 131, 132, 133. From the perspective of the PLCN network 100 and the data aggregator DC110, the centralized meter CM120 masks (masquer) the remote base meters RBMs 131, 132, 133, concentrating in the centralized meter CM120 the applications that would otherwise be required for the remote base meters RBMs 131, 132, 133 to communicate with the data aggregator DC110 if the remote base meters RBMs 131, 132, 133 were directly connected to the PLCN network 100. In this way, the complexity of the remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 is greatly reduced, and therefore the cost in terms of hardware and energy resources is reduced, compared to the smart meter SEMs 121, 122, 123 adapted to communicate directly with the data aggregator DC110 via the PLCN network 100.
The centralized meter CM120 is then intended to be equipped with a real estate complex such as a building or residential area, where each room or dwelling is equipped with a remote base meter RBM. This forms a metering system dedicated to the real estate complex.
As will be described in greater detail below, the centralized meter CM120 instantiates a simulation application for each remote base meter RBM attached thereto, such that each simulation application instantiated communicates with the data aggregator DC110 as if the smart meter being so simulated were located in the centralized meter CM 120. In other words, the centralized meter CM120 simulates the behavior of a smart meter for each remote base meter RBM attached thereto towards the data sink DC110, although the centralized meter CM120 does not itself perform power consumption metering. As will be detailed later, each remote base meter RBM performs a power consumption metering for the dwelling or room concerned and informs the centralized meter CM to which it is attached by means of a protocol that is simplified compared to the protocol with which the data concentrator DC110 communicates. The centralized meter CM in question is then responsible for managing the complexity and diversity of exchanges with the data aggregator DC110, which is generally governed by the DLMS/COSEM (Device Language Message Specification/coordination Specification for Energy Metering in English) format, as described in the Specification document IEC 62056-5-3 and in the 12 th edition of the DLMS user Association document "Bluebook: COSEM interfaces Classes and OBIS Object Identification System", and is also preferably used to perform meter transcription and application update operations. A smart meter is usually provided with more than 500 COSEM objects, including load curves, calendars, prices, indicators, and all interfaces (breaker, modem, Flag option, etc.). The DLMS protocol enables SET and GET type calls, as well as other specific actions on these objects. The parameters of the smart meter (modem parameters, application parameters, such as price, etc.) can be configured by a SET type call, the load curve (usually a curve that is transcribed every 15 minutes) is transcribed by a GET type call, and its circuit breaking device is turned on or off by a specific action. The application of the smart meter generates and stores COSEM objects and updates them periodically, reading them in order to upload them to the data aggregator DC110 or to take action thereon if necessary, these being exchanged according to the protocol with the data aggregator DC 110.
The communication between each remote base meter RBM131, 132, 133 and the centralized meter CM120 is also a powerline communication. This forms another power line communication network LN 101 different from the PLCN network 100. The remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 are logically connected directly to the centralized meter CM 120. Thus, network LN 101 has a star topology (in english "star topology"), while PLCN network 100 has a mesh topology (in english "mesh topology") (e.g., in the context of the G3-PLC protocol) or a lap-tree topology (in english "spanning tree topology") (e.g., in the context of the PRIME specification).
To ensure that the remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 are masked by the data aggregator DC110, different frequency bands are used. Thus, power line communications over the PLCN network 100 use a first frequency band, and communications between the remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 and the centralized meter CM120 use a second frequency band that is different from (i.e., does not overlap) the first frequency band. For example, the G3-PLC protocol and PRIME specification define various different frequency bands that can be used, among others: a first frequency band CENELEC-a ranging from about 35 kHz to 91 kHz; a second frequency band FCC ranging from about 150 kHz to 480 kHz; and a third frequency band CENELEC-B ranging from about 98 kHz to 122 kHz. In a preferred embodiment, the centralized meter CM120 communicates with the data aggregator DC110 using a CENELEC-A frequency band and communicates with each of the remote base meters RBMs 131, 132, 133 managed by the centralized meter CM120 using a FCC frequency band.
Fig. 2 schematically shows an example of a hardware arrangement of a control unit used in the communication system of fig. 1. Such control units are located in each of the remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 and in the centralized meter CM120 as will be described in detail later in connection with fig. 3A and 3B.
Examples of hardware architectures presented include: a processor CPU 201; a read-write Memory RAM (Random Access Memory in english) 202; a Read Only Memory ROM (english "Read Only Memory") 203 or a flash Memory; a storage unit or storage medium reader such as an SD (secure digital) card reader 204; and a set of input/output I/O interfaces 205. The set of I/O interfaces 205 enables the control unit to interact with other components within the same device, as described in detail below in conjunction with fig. 3A and 3B.
The processor CPU 201 is capable of executing instructions loaded into the memory RAM202 from the memory ROM 203, from an external memory (such as an SD card), from a storage medium or from a communication network. When powered on, the processor CPU 201 is able to read instructions from the RAM202 and execute them. These instructions form a computer program that causes the processor CPU 201 to implement all or a portion of the methods and steps described herein.
Accordingly, all or a portion of the methods and steps described herein may be implemented in software by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor, English) or a microcontroller or Processor. All or a portion of the methods and steps described herein may also be implemented in hardware by a special-purpose machine or component, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Thus, the control unit comprises electronic circuitry adapted and configured to implement the methods and steps described herein.
FIG. 3A schematically illustrates the arrangement of a centralized meter CM120 in certain embodiments.
The centralized meter CM120 includes a control unit CTRL _ A302. Control unit CTRL _ A302 is responsible for supervising the operation of the centralized meter CM 120.
The centralized meter CM120 also comprises a first communication unit COM _ a 1304, the first communication unit COM _ a 1304 being intended to enable power line communication with the data aggregator DC110 (i.e. via the PLCN network 100). Therefore, the first communication unit COM _ a 1304 functions in the first frequency band.
The centralized meter CM120 also includes a second communication unit COM _ a 2305, the second communication unit COM _ a 2305 being intended to enable powerline communication with each remote base meter RBM attached to the centralized meter CM 120. Therefore, the second communication unit COM _ a 2305 functions in the second frequency band.
In a particular embodiment, the first communication unit COM _ a 1304 is provided with a first filter F1306, the first filter F1306 being adapted and configured to suppress signals of a frequency band of the power line communication with the second communication unit COM _ a 2305. As such, communications with the PLCN network 100 are subject to less interference from communications with remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 attached to the centralized meter CM 120.
In a particular embodiment, the second communication unit COM _ a 2305 is provided with a second filter F2307, the second filter F2307 being adapted and configured to suppress signals of a frequency band of the power line communication with the first communication unit COM _ a 1304. As such, communications with the remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 attached to the centralized meter CM120 experience less interference from communications within the PLCN network 100.
Note that, in the case of a three-phase power supply distribution, a three-phase communication signal may be injected on the second communication unit COM _ a2 side, and a single-phase or three-phase communication signal may be injected on the first communication unit COM _ a1 side.
The control unit CTRL _ a 302 implements an internal application IAPP 310. The internal application IAPP 310 is in particular responsible for instantiating the analog application EAPP for each remote base meter RBM attached to the centralized meter CM 120. As such, the control unit CTRL _ a 302 thus comprises an instance of an analog application EAPP for each remote base meter RBM attached to the centralized meter CM 120. Illustratively, since in FIG. 1 three remote base meters RBMs 131, 132, 133 are attached to the centralized meter CM120, FIG. 3A shows three corresponding analog applications EAPP 311, 312, 313.
The centralized meter CM120 may also include a user interface unit UI _ A303 adapted to interact with a user. In a particular embodiment, the user interface unit UI _ a 303 comprises a display that enables, among other things, displaying meter reading corresponding to the remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 attached to the centralized meter CM 120. The user interface unit UI _ a 303 comprises a control panel adapted to enable a user to enter a password. Each remote base meter RBM131, 132, 133 attached to the centralized meter CM120 is provided with its own password. The control unit CTRL _ a 302 is responsible for verifying that the password entered for the remote base meter RBM131, 132, 133 corresponds to the expected password for said remote base meter RBM131, 132, 133, and if this is the case, the control unit CTRL _ a 302 retrieves the meter reading to the instance of the analog application EAPP corresponding to said remote base meter RBM131, 132, 133 and instructs the user interface unit UI _ a 303 to display the retrieved meter reading on the display. A default password is deterministically defined for each remote base meter RBM131, 132, 133. The password for each remote base meter RBM131, 132, 133 may be altered to the centralized meter CM120 by means of the user interface unit UI _ a 303, and such altered passwords then stored by the centralized meter CM120 in association with the corresponding instance of the analog application EAPP.
Unlike the remote base meter RBM, the centralized meter CM120 preferably does not include a circuit interrupting device. In fact, the role of the centralized meter CM120 is not to perform operations of measurement and electrical facility protection, but to centralize the applied intelligence and therefore the belonging hardware resources representative of the remote base meter RBM.
Fig. 3B schematically illustrates the arrangement of a remote
The remote base meter RBM130 comprises a control unit CTRL _ B352. The control unit CTRL _ B352 is responsible for supervising the operation of the remote
The remote base meter RBM130 also includes a metering unit MTR 353, the metering unit MTR 353 being responsible for transcribing the power consumption of the electrical installation the remote base meter RBM130 is responsible for supervising. In this way, the control unit CTRL _ B352 obtains the metric reading, in particular, to the metric unit MTR 353.
The remote base meter RBM130 also includes a circuit interrupting device BRK 355. The circuit breaking means BRK 355 are fuses, which can be remotely controlled by the operator and enable the activation and deactivation of the supply of power to the electrical installations supervised by the remote base meter RBM130, as desired.
The remote base meter RBM130 also comprises a communication unit COM _ B354, the communication unit COM _ B354 being intended to enable power line communication with the concentration meter CM to which said remote base meter RBM130 is attached. The communication unit COM _ B354 functions in the second frequency band.
The remote base meter RBM130 preferably also includes an optical communication interface FLG 370, the optical communication interface FLG 370 enabling an operator to couple a standard IEC 62056-21 compliant probe, also known as a "Flag" probe. Such probes are connected to terminals at the command of the operator and enable to perform a transcription of the metrics to the remote base meter RBM130 and possibly to modify the configuration of the remote
Unlike the centralized meter CM120, the remote base meter RBM130 does not include a user interface (there may be several electroluminescent diodes indicating the status of operation) and, in particular, does not include a display. However, the remote base meter RBM130 preferably also includes a wireless communication interface WIF 360, the wireless communication interface WIF 360 adapted and configured to transmit information for display on a remote display ("remote display" in English) RDSP 361. Such a remote display RDSP 361 is typically installed in a dwelling or room whose electrical facilities are supervised by the remote base meter RBM130 in question. The wireless communication interface WIF 360 is for example of the WiFi, Zigbee or KNX-RF (i.e. KNX on radio frequency physical layer) type as defined in the ISO/IEC 14543 standard. The information to be displayed on the remote display is indicated by the centralized meter CM120 to the remote base meter RBM130 by means of specific commands, as described below.
Note that, in a specific embodiment, the same type of filter as the filter F2307 may be inserted between the communication unit COM _ B354 and the power supply line.
Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the exchange between the remote base meter RBM130 and the centralized meter CM120 to which the remote base meter RBM130 should be attached.
In step 400, the remote base meter RBM130 is initialized, for example, after installation by a recognized installer.
In
In an embodiment of behavioral modeling according to the 6LoWPAN protocol used in the context of the G3-PLC protocol (IPv 6Low power wireless Personal Area Networks in english), as specified in the specification documents RFC 4919 and 4944, the beaconing operation includes broadcasting (broadcast in english) a beaconing request (beacon request in english) by the remote
Other remote base meters RBM may intercept the broadcasted beacon setup request. In an embodiment, the remote base meter RBM is configured to respond to a beaconing request. In its response, the remote base meter RBM provides information representative of the number of hop counts (nomberes) it has been separated from its network coordinator (i.e. the centralized meter CM to which they are attached). Thus, in case the route is configured such that one and only one hop-count corresponds to a given route cost, this may be done indirectly by means of the route cost information. For example: route cost <7 corresponds to 0 hops, from 7 to 13 corresponds to 1 hop, from 14 to 26 corresponds to 2 hops, and so on. The remote base meters RBM that are able to respond have been registered and the number of hops separating these remote base meters RBM from their centralized meters CM is then equal to "1" (direct logical connection). The remote base meter RBM is then configured to exclude any response indicating that the number of hops to reach the network coordinator (i.e. the concentration meter CM to which it should be attached) is non-zero. In a preferred embodiment, the remote base meter RBM is configured to not respond to beaconing requests, and therefore only the centralized meter CM120 responds to beaconing requests issued by remote base meters RBM to which it is capable of attaching.
In step 402, the remote base meter RBM130 performs a registration operation in cooperation with the centralized meter CM120 (step 452). The registration operation includes: confirming to the centralized meter CM120 that the remote base meter RBM130 has identified the centralized meter CM120 as its point of attachment, and includes confirming that the centralized meter CM120 has taken into account the presence of the remote
In an embodiment of behavioral modeling according to the EAP-PSK Protocol (extensible authentication Protocol with Pre-Shared Key, english) used in the context of the G3-PLC Protocol, the remote base meter RBM130 transmits to the centralized meter CM120 a join request (join request, english) that results in a first identification request (challenge request, english) from the centralized meter CM120 to said remote
As a result of the remote base meter RBM130 being registered by the centralized meter CM120 in step 452, the centralized meter CM120 instantiates a simulation application EAPP for the remote base meter RBM130 in step 453. Then, in
In
In an embodiment of behavioral modeling according to the LOADng protocol (light On-demand Ad-hoc Distance-vector routing protocol-next generation, English) used in the context of the G3-PLC protocol, the centralized meter CM120 broadcasts a route request (route request, English). The route request targets the remote base meter RBM130 and requests discovery of which path to use for communicating with the remote
Next, in
With these application exchanges, the centralized meter CM120 is able to transmit atomic command frames to the remote base meter RBM130 and receive response frames in reply from the remote
This results in: the centralized meter CM120 and the remote base meter RBM attached thereto interact only with respect to processing metrics and atomic commands for fuse management, whereas application requests originating from the data aggregator DC110 require substantially more complex processing, such as analytical processing, shaping and packaging. Atomic commands relate to time settings of said remote base meter RBM130, opening commands of breaking device BRK 355, closing commands of breaking device BRK 355, sending commands of meter reading, and reporting requests regarding status of said remote
When the remote base meter RBM130 includes a wireless communication interface WIF 360 to enable use of the remote display RDSP 361, the centralized meter CM120 can command display of a string provided as a reason (argument) on the remote display RDSP 361.
Each atomic command frame comprises, for example, a command byte, possibly followed by valid data (in english "payload data") having a size predetermined according to the command in question. For example, the command byte takes the following values, with other values reserved for future use:
0x 01: a time setting command followed by 6 bytes of valid data for indicating the current year, month, day, hour, minute, and second;
0x 02: an open command for the circuit interrupting device BRK 355;
0x 03: a close command of the breaking device BRK 355;
0x 04: sending a command of reading the metering indexes;
0x 05: sending a command of the status of the remote
0x 06: the command to display on the remote display is followed by 1 byte to indicate the size M of the string to be displayed, and M bytes containing the string to be displayed.
Upon receiving such an atomic command frame, the remote base meter RBM130 executes the command in question; the response frame indicates whether the consideration for the command succeeded or failed. Each response frame comprises, for example, one response byte, possibly followed by valid data having a size predefined according to the command causing the response in question. For example, the response byte takes the following values, with other values reserved for future use:
0x 01: a simple positive acknowledgement;
0x 02: providing a metering index reading number, and then connecting 4 metering index bytes and 6 corresponding timestamp bytes; and
0x 03: the status is provided followed by 1 status byte.
For example, the status byte takes the following values:
0x00：OK
0x 01: magnetic fraud is suspected;
0x 02: bypass fraud is suspected (bypass in english);
0x 03: detecting a metrology anomaly;
0x 04: detecting abnormal heating; and
0x 05: other faults are detected.
A bit may be reserved in the status byte to indicate the state of the operational fuse BRK 355:
1 position: the circuit interrupting device BRK 355 is open ("0")/closed ("1").
Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the exchange between a centralized meter CM120 and a data aggregator DC110 via the PLCN network 100.
After the simulation application EAPP is instantiated by the centralized meter CM120 for the remote base meter RBM130 in step 453, the centralized meter CM120 declares the remote base meter RBM130 to the data aggregator DC110 by means of the simulation application EAPP. Thus, in step 501, the centralized meter CM120 performs a beaconing operation in cooperation with the data aggregator DC110 (step 551). The beaconing operation includes identifying how to attach to the PLCN network 100 for the simulation application EAPP in question to declare to the data aggregator DC 110. As with the algorithm in fig. 4, the 6LoWPAN protocol may be used here. One difference, however, is that in the PLCN network 100 one or more smart meters SEM may act as relays for reaching the data aggregator DC 110.
In step 502, the simulation application EAPP performs a registration operation in cooperation with the data aggregator DC110 (step 552). The registration operation comprises a confirmation to data aggregator DC110 that the simulation application EAPP has identified the point of attachment to the PLCN network 100, and that data aggregator DC110 has taken into account the presence of the smart meter simulated by the simulation application EAPP. During the enrolment operation, the data aggregator DC110 and the analog application EAPP authenticate each other. As with the algorithm in fig. 4, the EAP-PSK protocol may be used here.
In step 553, data aggregator DC110 performs a route discovery operation in cooperation with the simulation application EAPP (step 503). The route discovery operation comprises updating the respective routing tables of the data aggregator DC110 and of said analog application EAPP to finally determine their communication settings. As with the algorithm in fig. 4, the load protocol may be used here. Note that in this case, each analog application EAPP instantiated within the centralized meter CM120 is provided with its own routing table towards the PLCN network 100.
Next, in step 504, the data aggregator DC110 can set up an application exchange, preferably a secure application exchange, with the simulation application (step 554).
In this way, by means of its control unit CTRL _ a 302 and the analog application EAPP, the centralized meter CM120 is able to respond to application requests of the data aggregator DC110 towards the remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 in the context of the power distribution service, while commanding the remote base meters RBM131, 132, 133 by means of a set of metrics and atomic commands of fuse management. Thus, most of the application processes that require most of the hardware processing resources typically necessary in smart meters are aggregated within the centralized meter CM120 for the remote base meters RBMs 131, 132, 133.