Methods for discovering, partitioning, organizing, and administering communication devices in a transformer area network

Abstract

A system and methods for managing a transformer area in an electrical distribution grid having at least one substation transformer and one service transformer are presented. At least one Remote Hub governed by a policy may be provided, which collects data about the transformer area. The Remote Hub may also execute a discovery procedure to inventory Remotes in the transformer area. The Remote Hub may use the collected data to detect events, such as exceptional conditions, configuration changes, or derived results, within the transformer area. Based on the collected data, the Remote Hub is able to transmit data about the transformer area via a Substation-to-Edge channel. A method and system for forming and establishing boundaries of Transformer Area Networks is also presented. Discovery procedures may be used to form Transformer Area Networks out of Remote Hubs and Remotes powered by the same phase of the service transformer.

1 . A method for managing a transformer area in an electrical distribution grid which comprises at least one distribution substation with at least one substation transformer supplying power to at least one service transformer, the at least one service transformer supplying power to at least one consumer, the method comprising:
 a. providing a Substation Receiver on the bus of the substation transformer supplying power to the at least one service transformer, wherein the Substation Receiver is operable to receive Edge-to-Substation transmissions on at least one channel;   b. providing a Computing Platform in communication with the Substation Receiver;   c. providing at least one Remote Hub on the low-voltage side of the at least one service transformer;   d. receiving a policy at the at least one Remote Hub governing the activity of the Remote Hub;   e. collecting data at the at least one Remote Hub about the transformer area in support of the policy;   f. transmitting data about the transformer area from the Remote Hub via at least one Edge-to-Substation channel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein events within the Transformer Area Network are reported as alerts on an unslotted Edge-to-Substation channel, or as alerts on a slotted Edge-to-Substation channel, or as scheduled messages on a slotted Edge-to-Substation channel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Remote Hub transmits a probe transmission on an Edge-to-Substation channel to allow a Substation Receiver and Computing Platform to infer the grid location of the Remote Hub. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transformer area includes a plurality of Remotes and the Remote Hub periodically executes a discovery procedure to inventory the Remotes and organize them into a Transformer Area Network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the Remote Hub reporting the discovery of a new Remote or reporting the loss of communication with a Remote via an Edge-to-Substation channel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the Remote Hub collecting data by reading instruments attached to the Remote Hub, polling at least one Remote on the Transformer Area Network, or receiving unsolicited transmissions from at least one Remote on the Transformer Area Network. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the Remote Hub receiving a data block containing programs or data affecting future operation of the Transformer Area Network, wherein said data block contains firmware updates, policy updates, or optimization information about channel performance. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the Remote Hub updating its own firmware or transmitting firmware updates to at least one Remote on the Transformer Area Network. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the Remote Hub reverting to a prior firmware version or transmitting an order to at least one Remote to revert to a prior firmware version. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the Remote Hub transmitting a policy change to at least one Remote on the Transformer Area Network, or altering its own behavior as a result of a policy change. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the Remote Hub transmitting an order to at least one Remote to activate or cancel the policy update. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the Remote Hub altering at least one of transmission bandwidth, amplitude, modulation technique, chip set, and frequency range for a channel as a result of information in said data block. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the data block is received on a Substation-to-Edge channel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the Substation-to-Edge channel is provided by an Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or by an on-grid transmitter, or by a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the data block is received by the Remote Hub from a device via a personal area network via a personal area interface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the device is a handheld device carried by an installer or field engineer, or is a drive-by transceiver. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the device transferring information collected from the Remote Hub to a Concentrator. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the contents of the data block become effective at a specified future time. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collected data is stored until it is sufficient to support the computation of a derived result according to a policy describing the derivation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collected data or a derived result is stored until a scheduled slot is available to transmit the derived result. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the Remote Hub periodically adjusting the power of edge-to-substation transmissions or its channel usage within parameters of an existing policy based on a local test procedure. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the Remote Hub detecting an exceptional condition and transmitting a message describing the exceptional condition. 
     
     
         23 . A method for forming and establishing boundaries of a Transformer Area Network, excluding any Remotes which are not powered by the same service transformer as a first Remote Hub and determining if a partitioning of the Remotes that are powered by said service transformer can be found in which each phase of the service transformer has a separate Transformer Area Network, comprising the steps of:
 a. executing a discovery procedure at a first Remote Hub to form a list of all other Remotes of any type and mode within reach of a short-range transceiver at the first Remote Hub;   b. excluding from the list any Remotes that are not powered by the same service transformer; and   c. forming at least one Transformer Area Network from the remaining Remotes.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein, prior to performing the discovery procedure, a newly installed Remote Hub in the Transformer Area Network performs the steps of:
 a. waiting for a period of time to determine if another Remote Hub is present;   b. signaling that it is redundant if another Remote Hub is detected;   c. entering a Subordinate Remote mode after signaling that it is redundant if it is not replaced within a fixed period of time; and   d. beginning the discovery procedure if another Remote Hub has not been identified.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said discovery procedure comprises activating a master protocol stack of a standards-based PLC protocol. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the discovered devices are polled to determine the capabilities of each device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising a Remote transmitting a response to a capability poll from the Remote Hub, said response including an indication of whether the responding Remote is operable to act as a Remote Hub. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said discovery procedure comprises transmitting a discovery command causing each Remote receiving said discovery command to respond by transmitting a message describing its identity and capabilities at intervals until the Remote Hub acknowledges receipt of said identity message. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the identity message includes an indication of whether the transmitter is operable to act as a Remote Hub. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the Remote Hub excludes Remotes not powered by the same service transformer as the Remote Hub by transmitting a tone at a higher frequency than the low-pass threshold of the service transformer. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the Remote Hub polling each previously detected Remote to learn whether said Remote detected the tone, and excluding any Remotes that did not detect the tone. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising each Remote detecting the tone transmitting an unsolicited response at intervals until the Remote Hub acknowledges receipt of said response. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the Remote Hub transmits short-range PLC transmissions, and wherein having identified any Remotes not powered by the same service transformer as the Remote Hub, successively lowers the amplitude of its short-range PLC transmissions until only Remotes powered by the same service transformer are responsive. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein a first Remote Hub powered by a multi-phase transformer determines which other Remotes are on the same phase as the first Remote Hub. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first Remote Hub transmits a first phase-locator message. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the first Remote Hub obtains data from the other Remotes describing how the first phase-locator message was received. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the phase-locator message begins at the zero-crossing point of the power fundamental on the phase of the first Remote Hub. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein each other Remote reports whether the received first phase-locator message began on the zero-crossing point of the power fundamental of the phase of said other Remote, thereby partitioning the Remotes of the transformer area into Remotes on the same phase of the first Remote Hub, and the Remotes on a different phase of the first Remote Hub. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the Remote Hub determining which Remotes are on the same phase as the first Remote Hub and which are on a different phase based on the signal strength of the received first phase-locator message. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the Remote Hub determining which Remotes are on the same phase based on the signal quality of the received phase-locator message. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the Remote Hub identifying a second Remote capable of functioning as a Remote Hub from the set of Remotes on a different phase from the first Remote Hub. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising the first Remote Hub directing the second Remote Hub to transmit a second phase-locator message. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the first Remote Hub determining whether the transformer has Remotes on a third phase based on responses from the second phase-locator message, and producing a complete partitioning of the Remotes by phase. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising the first Remote Hub identifying a third Remote on the third phase capable of functioning as a Remote Hub. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising the first Remote Hub designating the second Remote Hub as a Proxy Hub. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising the first Remote Hub designating the third Remote Hub as a Proxy Hub. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising the first Remote Hub directing a second Remote Hub to form a Transformer Area Network comprising only Remotes on the same phase as the second Remote Hub wherein the first Remote Hub supplies a low amplitude threshold and a high amplitude threshold. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the second Remote Hub begins transmitting a short-range PLC transmission at the low amplitude threshold and successively raises its short-range PLC transmission amplitude until all Remotes on the same phase as the second Remote Hub are responsive and no Remotes on a different phase from the second Remote Hub are responsive. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the second Remote Hub stops raising its transmission amplitude if the high transmission amplitude is reached. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the second Remote Hub stops raising its transmission amplitude if a Remote on a different phase from the second Remote Hub responds before all Remotes on the same phase become responsive. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the second Remote Hub employs an Edge Transmitter to alert the first Remote Hub if no transmission amplitude exists wherein all Remotes on the same phase as the second Remote Hub and no Remotes on a different phase as the second Remote Hub are responsive to the second Remote Hub. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising the first Remote Hub directing a third Remote Hub to form a Transformer Area Network comprising only Remotes on the same phase as the third Remote Hub. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the first Remote Hub forms a Transformer Area Network comprising only Remotes on the same phase as the first Remote Hub. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the first Remote Hub begins transmitting a short-range PLC transmission at the low amplitude threshold and successively raises the short-range PLC transmission amplitude until all Remotes on the same phase as the first Remote Hub are responsive and no Remotes on a different phase from the first Remote Hub are responsive. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising the first Hub Remote forming a multi-phase Transformer Area Network when the Remotes powered by a multi-phase transformer cannot be partitioned such that each Remote belongs to a single-phase Transformer Area Network. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the first Remote Hub transmitting an alert on an Edge-to-Substation channel if there exists no partitioning of the Remotes powered by the service transformer and only Remotes powered by the service transformer into at least one well-formed Transformer Area Network each containing exactly one Remote Hub and exactly one Proxy Hub for each phase of the at least one Transformer Area Network not containing a Remote Hub. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a Remote Hub receiving geospatial coordinates. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a Remote Hub collecting the geospatial coordinates of at least one Remote in a Transformer Area Network. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Transformer Area Network includes at least one Remote, and wherein the Remote receives geospatial coordinates.