System and method for providing communication between intelligent electronic devices via an open channel

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the monitoring and control of metering systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intelligent electronic device configured to generate a serial message using a DNP protocol and to transmit this message via an Ethernet medium.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Prior Art

[0004] The metering architecture that exists in the power utility field today is geared toward providing enough information to accurately monitor and control a variety of metering devices installed at numerous substations. To achieve these objectives, it is essential that communication between a central utility station and substations be time-and cost-efficient, quick updating, as well as reliable.

[0005] Historically, meters measuring electrical energy have used measurement devices, which mechanically monitor the subscriber's usage and display a reading of the usage at the meter itself. Consequently, the reading of these meters has required that human meter readers physically go to the site of the meter and manually document the readings. Clearly, this approach relies very heavily on human intervention and, thus, is very costly, time-consuming, and prone to human error. As the number of meters in a typical utility's service region has increased, in some cases into the millions, human meter reading has become prohibitive in terms of time and money.

[0006] Over time, these conventional meters were made using microprocessor technologies, which enabled them to be read using a serial protocol and interface. This enabled the meters to be used in series to obtain readings back at a remote terminal unit (RTU) for remote SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) interrogation. For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of substations. That is, referring to FIG. 1, meters 1, 2, and 3 can communicate serially through each other. However, in order for a SCADA master 5 to receive information from meter 3, the information must be passed from meter 3 to meter 2, from meter 2 to meter 1, from meter 1 to an RTU 4, and from the RTU 4 to the SCADA master 5.

[0007] Realization of such communication may be accomplished by a standard open protocol known as DNP 3.0. This protocol is configured to provide the power utility with a serial language to speak to the substations and to allow the utility to use outage detection software, generically labeled in the industry as SCADA. In other words, communication between each of the meters and, for example, a central station is realized through a respective serial port and is thus limited to a respective pair coupled to one another via a dedicated channel.

[0008] Originally the SCADA systems have been provided with generally UNIX-based software operative to establish communication only between RTUs, which originally were embedded devices operative to bring in analog inputs and provide digital outputs. Accordingly, all analog telemetry was brought to the RTU and then converted to a digital signal subsequently formatted and transferred to the SCADA master. With the advent of digital communication technology, a variety of intelligent electronic devices (IED) including, but not limited to, metering, protective relays, apparatus equipment, and controllers, have become operative to communicate a digital serial protocol though a plurality of dedicated channels.

[0009] One disadvantage of this approach may have been that when a number of meters transmit meter data nearly simultaneously, the inherent latency on the area network including a plurality of dedicated serial channel or dedicated cables results in packet collisions, lost data, garbled data, and general degradation of integrity across the system. To compensate for the collisions and interference between data packages destined for the central computer, due to the latency inherent in this system, various management schemes have been employed to ensure reliable delivery of the meter data. However, while this approach may be suitable for small systems, it does not serve the needs of a utility monitoring thousands or even millions of meters.

[0010] Therefore, a need exists to provide a system whereby a utility company can reliably and rapidly read on the order of innumerous meters in the absence of any significant human intervention. Further, a need exists to provide a system configured with multiple IED devices that are capable of communicating via Ethernet TCP/IP by using the DNP 3.0 protocol through an open socket within the Ethernet TCP/IP medium.

[0011] The above and other objectives are attained by a metering apparatus and system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of metering devices in the field of energy use/control through the ability of individual metering apparatus capable of generating DNP 3.0 serial data and transmit this data through an open socket via Ethernet TCP/IP.

[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a metering device is configured with an IED COM processor, operative to perform multiple tasks, and an IED Network Adapter or card built in the metering device and coupled to the processor. The card is configured to format and send data from the processor using DNP 3.0 protocol via an open socket into Ethernet TCP/IP.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the invention, a plurality of substations, each of which is provided with at least one inventive metering device, are coupled together in a system capable of transmitting the data from each substation to either the RTU and further to the SCADA master or directly to the latter without using a dedicated serial cable or channel.

[0014] Still a further aspect of the invention is concerned with a system configured to provide communication between a local area network including a plurality of the inventive devices and the Internet.

[0015] The present invention, therefore, concerns the compatibility between the existing network of intelligent electronic devices (IED) operating in accordance with the DNP 3.0 protocol via an Ethernet TCP/IP. Briefly, the invention teaches that the aforementioned compatibility may be achieved by embedding the adapter recognizing the DNP 3.0 protocol in each individual IED device to provide communication between this device or substation and any other device, which is the member of the network, via non-dedicated channels.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a metering device 10 is configured as an intelligent electronic metering device (IEMD). Functions of the IEMD 10 may include voltage transformation, regulation and control, power-factor (e.g., capacitor-bank) and load balancing, monitoring, protection of hardware, etc.

[0022] The IEMD 10 includes an IED COM processor 12 (FIG. 2) and a built-in IED Network Card 14 coupled to the processor 12 and operative to receive and transmit data between the IEMD 10 and a remote unit through an open socket 100 within an Ethernet TCP/IP medium 16 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Unlike a conventional IEMD communicating with a remote terminal unit (RTU) or SCADA master via a dedicated channel, the card 14 adapts a serial message from or to the processor 12 using the DNP 3.0 so as to receive and transmit the message via the Ethernet medium 16.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the card 14 strips a message from the open socket 100 channel within the Ethernet and sends it through a serial message or command to processor 12 in accordance with the prescribed DNP 3.0 protocol. In return, the processor 12 generates a serial response, including for example, a measurement requested by the SCADA, and adapted by the card 14 for sending this response via the Ethernet medium.

[0024] More specifically, the card 14 recognizes DNP by identifying an Internet Protocol (TCP, UDP, etc.). After retrieving the DNP data, the card 14 sends this data to the processor 12 over a serial channel. For this serial communication, the card 14 and the processor 12 use a predetermined protocol for faster data transfer. The predetermined protocol is only used internally between the card 14 and the processor 12. Accordingly, this protocol has its own headers and footers.

[0025] In the protocol, the DNP response is transferred to the card 14 through the serial message. When the card 14 receives this message, the DNP response is prepared with TCP/IP Header for Ethernet medium. A flow diagram illustrating this procedure is illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, in Step 1 the card 14 recognizes the data by TCP/IP Header and Footer from the Network and strips the Header and Footer. In Step 2, the card 14 builds another Header and Footer for serial communication and transmits DNP Request to the processor 12 of the unit. In step 3, the processor 12 parses the DNP Request and a DNP response is generated. This DNP response is sent out to the card 14. Thereafter, in Step 4, the card 14 receives this DNP Response and builds TCP/IP Header and Footer. This DNP Response is sent out to the Network.

[0027] Accordingly, utilizing the inventive IEMD device, which is provided with the card 14, allows the generated data to be transmitted over the LAN to either the RTU 18 (FIG. 3) or to the SCADA master 20 itself, not through a dedicated serial cable, but through the open socket 100 within the Ethernet TCP/IP medium.

[0028] Accordingly, the inventive device 10 provides significantly higher speed outputs and eliminates the need for dedicated serial channels or dedicated wiring. Further, using the TCP/IP technology enables the metering devices to communicate, and also enables them to simultaneously communicate through more than one channel. As a result, readings can be brought back to the SCADA while other software packages can be used to interrogate the metering devices for other purposes, e.g., remote fault interrogation.

[0029] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the inventive device 10 enables the power Utility to transmit the data via the Internet. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each device 10, defining a respective substation 30, may be directly connected to the Internet medium 16 by a coupler including a cable modem or DSL 32 (FIG. 3). Alternatively or in addition, multiple stations each including the inventive device 10 may be connected to the RTU 18 via the Ethernet medium 16 and to the SCADA master 20 via the Internet medium 16. This provides faster, more reliable communication at a much lower cost since dedicated telephone lines, radio, or other similar infrastructure does not need to be in place. Additionally, the present invention provides much more connectivity between devices, enables simultaneous updates from the entire system, and provides increased efficiency as no serial daisy chains are used.

[0030] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.