Systems and Methods for an Identification Protocol Between a Local Controller and a Master Controller

• US 20110173276A1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Original Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Inventors: Arditi, Shmuel, Hadar, Ron, Eizips, Daniel, Makhota, Maxym
• Granted Patent: US 8,271,599 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources maximum power point systems in particular G05F1/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/004 Generation forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future energy generation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/00 PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Systems and methods for local and master management units in a photovoltaic energy system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes sending a first identification code from a local management unit to a master management unit. The first identification code is associated with the first local management unit, and the local management unit controls a solar module. An authentication of the first identification code is received from the master management unit. In response to receiving the authentication, active operation of the local management unit is continued (e.g., for a set time period).

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

sending a first identification code from a first local management unit to a master management unit, the first identification code associated with the first local management unit, and the first local management unit coupled to control a solar module;

receiving, from the master management unit, an authentication of the first identification code; and

in response to receiving the authentication, continuing active operation of the first local management unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication is received in a first activation message, and further comprising:

in response to receiving the authentication, setting a first duration time for the active operation;

after the first duration time expires, again sending the first identification code to the master management unit;

receiving a second activation message; and

in response to receiving the second activation message, continuing active operation of the first local management unit for a second duration time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending is performed via a first communications channel at a predetermined frequency used by the master management unit for establishing communication with new local management units.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising after the sending via the first channel, communicating on a second communications channel with the master management unit, the second channel having a frequency different from the first channel.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a profile from the master management unit, the profile corresponding to the first identification code.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising in response to receiving the first identification code, retrieving, via the master management unit, the profile from a database that includes a plurality of different profiles suitable for configuration of local management units.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

waking up the first local management unit;

after the waking up, determining whether the first local management unit is storing a configuration profile;

wherein the sending the first identification code is in response to a determination that the first local management unit is not storing the configuration profile;

receiving a first profile from the master management unit, the first profile corresponding to the first identification code, and the first profile including a duration time for the active operation; and

configuring the first local management unit using the first profile.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a first instruction from the master management unit;

executing the first instruction on the first local management unit;

after the executing the first instruction, waiting for the duration time;

after the waiting, communicating with the master management unit to receive a second instruction; and

executing the second instruction on the first local management unit.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing communication with the master management unit from a second local management unit of a plurality of local management units including the first local management unit;

communicating to the master management unit a second identification code associated with the second local management unit;

receiving, from the master management unit, an authentication of the second identification code; and

in response to receiving the authentication of the second identification code, continuing active operation of the second local management unit.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for tangibly storing thereon computer readable instructions, the instructions causing a master management unit to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving an identification code from a first local management unit, the identification code associated with the first local management unit, and the first local management unit coupled to control a solar module; and

sending an authentication of the identification code, the authentication to cause the first local management unit to continue active operation.

11. The storage medium of claim 10, wherein:

the method further comprises looking up the identification code to confirm that operation of the first local management unit is authorized; and

the sending is in response to confirmation that the operation is authorized and comprises sending a first activation message including the authentication to the first local management unit, the first activation message to cause the first local management unit to continue the active operation for a first duration time.

12. The storage medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

after the first duration time expires, again receiving the identification code from the first local management unit;

again looking up the identification code to confirm that operation of the first local management unit is authorized; and

in response to a confirmation that the operation is again authorized, sending a second activation message to cause the first local management unit to continue active operation for a second duration time.

13. The storage medium of claim 11, wherein the looking up comprises looking up the identification code in a data repository including a plurality of identification codes, each identification code corresponding to a respective local management unit.

14. The storage medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a message from the first local management unit, the message containing data that validates the first local management unit; and

in response to receiving the message, registering the first local management unit in the data repository as being valid.

15. The storage medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a message from the first local management unit that fails to validate the first local management unit; and

in response to receiving the message, registering the first local management unit in the data repository as being invalid.

16. The storage medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises sending a configuration profile from the master management unit to the first local management unit, the configuration profile corresponding to the identification code.

17. The storage medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises:

sending a list of registered local management units, including the first local management unit, to a server;

receiving results of a comparison via the server of the list to data regarding invalid local management units; and

in response to the comparison indicating that the first local management unit is invalid, refusing to send an authentication to the first local management unit to permit continuation of active operation.

18. The storage medium of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises sending data to the server regarding a local management unit that the master management unit has determined is invalid.

19. A system, comprising:

a solar module; and

a local management unit coupled to control the solar module, the local management unit comprising memory storing software instructions, and further comprising a controller coupled to the memory, the controller configured via the software instructions to execute a method comprising;

sending an identification code to a master management unit, the identification code associated with the local management unit;

receiving, from the master management unit, an authentication of the identification code; and

in response to receiving the authentication, continuing active operation of the local management unit.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the authentication is received in a first activation message, and the method further comprises:

in response to receiving the authentication, setting a duration time for the active operation;

after the duration time expires, again sending the identification code to the master management unit;

receiving a second activation message; and

in response to receiving the second activation message, continuing active operation of the local management unit for the duration time.