Patent · US Active

Powerline carrier zero-crossing transformer mapping with asymmetric RF return path

US8755303B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
1References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 24, 2010
Grant dateJun 17, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 23, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY04S40/126
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed by which RF mesh networks can identify utility distribution topologies by using power line communication combined with wireless networking to identify the mapping of transformers and other distribution equipment at a back office system server. At a specified time, an item of distribution equipment signals a unique identifier by introducing a phase shift in the electric power being delivered by that equipment. A meter node detects and decodes these temporal shifts to obtain an identifier of equipment supplying the power to it. Upon ascertaining this identification, the meter node sends an acknowledgment to thereby register with that equipment. The association of the particular customer's premises with the equipment is also sent to a back office system, to enable a map of the correspondence between meter and the equipment to be generated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.