Methods for analyzing and optimizing the performance of a data collection network on an electrical distribution grid

Abstract

A system and methods for optimizing the performance of communication network utilizing an electrical distribution grid are disclosed. Optimization methods may include archiving historical message data and metrics from transmissions by Remote Hubs received on one or more Substation-to-Edge channels. Trends in the archived metrics over time are later analyzed to determine which combination of transmission variables such as frequency band, modulation method, drive voltage, and transmission time produce the highest message success rates overall. The results of such analysis may be used to provide feedback to the Remote Hubs or reveal necessary repairs to the network. Optimization may also be carried out locally by an individual Remote Hub by estimating the impedance of the transmission medium and adjusting either drive voltage or transmission band.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 766,551, filed on Feb. 19, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 779,222, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is directed toward employing the electrical distribution grid as a short and long-range transmission medium and data-bearing network, and further toward the use of signals and messages on the network for the purpose of inferring schematic and topological properties of the distribution grid, which vary over time.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The power grid is generally considered to be composed of two logical regions, the Transmission Grid(s) and the Distribution Grid(s). The Transmission Grid originates at large generation points such as hydroelectric dams, nuclear reactors, wind farms, and coal-fired or gas-fired power plants. Power from the generation point is transmitte...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method for transmitting signals from a Remote Hub to a Substation Receiver in an electrical distribution substation. The signals are channelized and modulated to infer the electrical phase of the specific feeder upon which the signal was transmitted. The method uses low-pass threshold of the service transformer that powers the Edge Transmitter, and several modulation techniques are used, including BPSK, QPSK, and higher-order modes of phase-shift keying. The method requires little power to inject the signal, and the signals are not significantly attenuated by intermediate transformers, capacitors, long lines, underground wiring, and the like. The method works on all the grid topologies described herein above, and can support a sufficient number of Remote Hubs per substation transformer that even the largest substations can be fully covered by the resulting Grid Location Aware™ network. The method ensures an acceptably high success rate by rotating the responsibilities of the several channels, except that at least one non-structured channel is not rotated but remains dedicated to provisioning and alerting. This reduces the overall probability of a given Remote Hub experiencing an unacceptably high message failure rate.

Problems solved by technology

Encoding at lower bit rates improves reliability, but limits the amount of data transmitted.

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