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.

1 . A method for optimizing performance of Edge-to-Substation channels in a communication network utilizing an electrical distribution grid, the method comprising:
 a. retrieving archived data about the history of at least one Edge-to-Substation channel;   b. analyzing metrics on the archived data relating to the performance of the at least one Edge-to-Substation channel over time; and   c. identifying potential improvements to network performance on the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said metrics include at least one of the ratio of energy per bit to noise power spectral density, message detection rate, bit error rate, impedance variation, crosstalk, Gaussian and impulse noise, symbol constellation separation, inter-symbol interference, receive time drift, or drift in modulation frequencies. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said analysis includes comparing the historical performance of a plurality of alternative frequency bands. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvements to network performance comprise a policy change on at least one Remote Hub. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the Remote Hub activating policy changes upon receipt, at a predetermined future time, or after waiting for a period of time described by the command or directive. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvements to network performance comprise replacing at least one Remote Hub. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the improvements to network performance comprise recalibrating a transmitter on at least one Remote hub. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identified improvements to network performance are encoded into a command or directive executable by a Remote Hub. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising distributing said command or directive to at least one Remote Hub by a Substation-to-Edge Channel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising distributing policy changes to at least one Remote Hub by a local communication device and interface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said analysis is executed on a substation Computing Platform. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising forwarding the outcomes of said analysis over a conventional network to a Concentrator for further analysis. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said analysis is executed on a Concentrator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , where the outcome of said analysis is a maintenance work order for at least one Remote Hub. 
     
     
         15 . A method for optimizing the drive voltage and selected frequency band for transmitting messages comprising a preamble and a data-bearing segment by a Remote Hub on an Edge-to-Substation channel, the method comprising:
 a. providing a Remote Hub on an Edge-to-Substation channel within an on-grid communication network;   b. transmitting at least one calibration signal at selected frequencies across the available portion of the spectrum;   c. measuring the current generated at a drive voltage for each frequency, and computing a relationship of drive voltage to resulting current;   d. adjusting at least one parameter of a data-bearing transmission based on the measured and computed relationship of drive voltage to resulting current.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting the drive voltage for the data-bearing transmission to produce the desired current. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising selecting a data-bearing frequency band, within a wider frequency range determined by policy, to achieve desired current levels with a minimum drive voltage. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing feedback from at least one of a Computing Platform and a Concentrator to said Remote Hub. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the feedback is programmed into said Remote Hub by an installer or field engineer using a device with a personal area network interface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the feedback is transmitted to said Remote Hub by means of a Substation-to-Edge Channel. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said Remote Hub adjusts its base drive voltage or target current level based on said feedback. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said Remote Hub changes a modulation method, a frequency band of a channel, or its slot assignments based on said feedback. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said Remote Hub recalibrates its transmitter based on said feedback. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one calibration signal comprises a sequence of individual tones or a group of tones transmitted simultaneously. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one calibration signal is incorporated into its own segment of a message, separate from the preamble and data-bearing segment. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the preamble contains the at least one calibration signals as part of a preamble pattern. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the calibration signal is transmitted independently of any message.