Automated Topology Discovery and Management for Electric Meters

摘要

A method for automated topology discovery and management of meter nodes in a power grid is described. In the discovery mode any of the meter nodes is able to act as a proxy for a data concentrator to sort out the topology, and to determine the best path for communicating between a concentrator and each of the meter nodes.

主权项

1. A method for discovering the topology of electric meter nodes connected by electrical power lines comprising:
broadcasting over the power lines a first message requesting one or more of the meter nodes to respond; examining one or more responses to the first messages and selecting from the response one or more meter nodes to act as first proxies; sending second messages from the one or more first proxies over the power lines requesting one or more meter nodes to respond; examining one or more response to the second messages and selecting from the responses one or more meter nodes to act as second proxies; and creating a table of meter nodes including which proxies, if any, are used to reach each meter node.