Current level control for TWACS inbound communications

• US 5,933,072 A
• Filed: 11/07/1997
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLC (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Aclara Software, Inc. (ESCO Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kelley, Dennis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/966,447
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.02, 340/310.03, 340/310.04, 340/310.05, 340/310.06, 340/310.07, 375/257, 375/259
• US Class Current: 375/259
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/14 characterised by the equalising network used

Abstract

A method of controlling the current level of an inbound signal (Si) used in a TWACS (two-way communication system) for an electrical distribution system. The inbound signal conveys operational information and data on the performance of the system. The method includes first measuring the current (I) of the inbound signal. This current measurement is performed for each of a predetermined number of successive inbound signals. The root mean square (RMS) value of the measured currents is then determined. Operation of a solid state device (SCR) used to generate the inbound signal is now controlled as a function of the root mean square value. A line current propagating through the electrical distribution system is now modulated with the inbound signal. The inbound signal occurs at a predetermined range of angles (X) within a line voltage cycle regardless of variations in the line voltage characteristics. This enables the inbound signal to be readily detected.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the current level of an inbound signal used in a TWACS for an electrical distribution system, the inbound signal conveying operational information and data on the performance of the system to the TWACS comprising:

measuring the current of the inbound signal;

performing the current measurement for each of a predetermined number of successive inbound signals;

determining the root mean square (RMS) value of the measured current values;

controlling the operation of a solid state device used to generate the inbound signal as a function of the root mean square value; and

modulating a line current propagating through the electrical distribution system with the inbound signal occurring at a predetermined range of angles within a line voltage cycle regardless of variations in the line voltage characteristics for said inbound signal to be readily detected.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each inbound signal includes a portion of a bit of information being communicated over an electrical distribution system with which the TWACS is used, the number of successive inbound signals for which a current measurement is corresponding to the number of inbound signals comprising a bit.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the number of successive inbound signals for which a current measurement is made is four.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the root means square value of the measured currents of the successive inbound signals includes measuring the current, and calculating the i² t value for the inbound signal, where i is the measured current and t is the pulse width of the inbound signal.

5. The method of claim 4 further including summing the i² t values for the successive inbound signals, taking the square root of the resulting sum, and approximating the result as the root means square value used to control when an inbound signal is generated for the inbound signal to occur at the predetermined angle.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said solid state device is a silicon controlled rectifier and controlling operation of said solid state device includes gating said silicon controlled rectifier into conduction.

7. In a TWACS used with an energy distribution system, system information data being conveyed using an inbound signal imposed upon a current waveform propagating through the distribution system, apparatus for controlling generation of the inbound signal for the inbound signal to occur at a predetermined point within the voltage waveform, comprising:

means measuring the current for each of a predetermined number of successive inbound signals;

means determining a root mean square (RMS) value for the measured currents; and

,

means controlling operation of a solid state device used to generate inbound signals as a function of the root mean square value thereby to control the generation of said inbound signals so said signals occur at a predetermined angle within a line voltage cycle regardless of variations in the line voltage characteristics whereby said inbound signals are readily detected.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including a transponder installed in the electrical distribution network and through which inbound signals are routed, said means measuring current including a resistance located in said transponder.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein current measurements are made for four successive inbound signals and said digital signal processor processes each of said converted current measurements, calculates an i² t value for each successive inbound signal where i² t is calculated from a summation of voltage and delta time measurements, ##EQU5##10.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said solid state device is a silicon controlled rectifier.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further including a reference voltage source for producing a reference voltage applied to said Digital to Analog converter, said microprocessor further being responsive to an output from said microprocessor to switch the reference voltage output from one voltage to another.