WO2017156606A1

WO2017156606A1 - Optical data for receiving and transmitting data and method for calibrating an optical device for receiving and transmitting data

Info

Publication number: WO2017156606A1
Application number: PCT/BR2017/050049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Welson Regis Jacometti
Original assignee: Cas Tecnologia S.A.
Priority date: 2016-03-17
Filing date: 2017-03-10
Publication date: 2017-09-21
Also published as: BR102016005943A2

Abstract

This application to a patent of invention describes an optical device (1) for receiving and transmitting data, designed for use as an optical communication solution for electronic meters of electrical energy with a standard ABNT optical port, capable of automatically configuring the specific technical features of the optical interface, photoemitter/photoreceiver, so as to compensate for the technical features that differ from manufacturer to manufacturer or from model to model of commercially available electronic meters for electrical energy with a standard ABNT optical port. The device (1) comprises a signal conditioning unit (2) connected to a power supply unit (3); the signal conditioning unit (2) is connected to and keeps two-way communications with the optical data unit (4) and with the unit (5) which corresponds to the EIA-232 data unit.

Description

"OPTICAL DEVICE FOR RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING DATA AND CALIBRATION OF AN OPTICAL DEVICE FOR RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING"

APPLICATION FIELD

This patent application proposes an optical device

(OTRD) for receiving and transmitting data, particularly intended for use as a means of communication (receiving and transmitting data) with electronic energy meters for parameterization and / or data collection relevant thereto.

PREAMBLE

This patent application describes an optical device for receiving and transmitting data, which is intended for use as an optical communication solution for ABNT standard optical port electronic power meters, and is capable of automatic configuration of the characteristics. specific optical interface, photocoupler / photoreceptor techniques to compensate for the distinct technical characteristics between each manufacturer / model of ABNT standard optical port electronic power meters available on the market. This patent application also addresses a calibration process developed for use in the proposed optical device.

TECHNICAL STATE

There are currently several ABNT standard optical port electronic power meter manufacturers in the Brazilian market.

Each manufacturer has one or several different models of power meters in their portfolio, and some models of ABNT standard optical port electronic power meters may have different local communication interfaces: display, EIA-232 standard serial port, EIA-485 standard serial, optical interface and / or user outputs in different standards.

In the case of models of electronic energy meters that have ABNT standard optical interface, described by NBR 14.519 / 201 1 (Electronic Power Meters - specification), this interface is composed of a photo-emitter and an infrared photoreceptor arranged in standard mechanics, which is a reproduction of the text of the standard in its topic "7.4.2 Optical port".

The mentioned norm NBR 14519/201 1 standardizes the mechanics and wavelength / power of the photo emitter, but does not refer to the photoreceptor.

In the process of certifying an electronic meter with the

INMETRO, it must be submitted to tests according to NBR

14.520 / 201 1 (Electronic Electrical Energy Meters - Test Method) and RTM resolution 587/2012 (INMETRO Ordinance No. 587).

In the tests performed, in accordance with the previously described standards, there is no test applied to the photo emitter that validates its power and / or the photoreceptor that validates its sensitivity.

TECHNICAL STATE PROBLEMS

In view of the above, there are different manufacturers / models of ABNT standard optical port electronic power meter manufacturers with different technical characteristics in the optical port.

As such, there is currently no possibility for a standard optical device to communicate with the various manufacturers / models of optical port power meters marketed.

To meet different technical characteristics in the optical port of electronic power meters, there is often a need to change the optical communication device by repolarizing its emission / reception electronic circuits.

These changes generate different versions of optical communication devices, suitable for each ABNT standard optical port electronic power meter manufacturer / model.

Therefore, different manufacturers / models of power meters require different versions of optical communication devices, creating installation / maintenance and logistical difficulties for utility companies that need to read data from power meters with optical port in the field.

Using as reference the standards RTM 587/2012, NBR 14519/201 1 and NBR 14520/201 1, it can be concluded that the Brazilian standards are not adequately prepared for a standardization of optical communication in measuring equipment, in analysis of these standards it can be concluded: - RTM 587/2012: under review Ordinance Inmetro n ^Q 587, of November 5, 2012, the ordinance deals with the constructive aspects and security of access according to the items transcribed below:

"2.6.6 Optical port: Optical communication interface with a photoreceptor element and a photo-emitter element, which has the function of exchanging information between the meter and other equipment, keeping it electrically uncoupled.

5.13.4 Security: Password-protected security access protection should be provided to prevent unauthorized access to programmable meters, preventing unauthorized changes to the metrological parameters and recorded information file when there is no sealing device. optical port ".

- NBR 14519/201 1: according to ABNT standard NBR 14519/201 1 there is standardization for the optical port. This standardization can be found in the item "7.4.2 Optical port", in this section the optical and electrical characteristics such as optical coupling, light characteristics, maximum allowed deviation between optical axes and transmission type are clear. Optical quantities are specified with well-defined values and units of measurement, but no part of this standard specifies methods or tests for the validation of these parameters, so any failure of the optical port's constructive aspect will go unnoticed by regulatory bodies.

- NBR 14520/201 1: according to item "5.14 Optical port brightness interference test" of ABNT NBR 14519/201 1 standard, all tests to be performed on the optical port are defined. "5.14.1 With the meter not in communication", which only checks if the meter does not show any anomaly when subjected to intense illumination, already in item "5.14.2 With meter in communication with the programmer", this is unique. This test is subjected to optical communication with the meter, but the reader is not specified and can be paired with the meter. validates operation during testing, but does not certify that the optical port is within the characteristics specified by the standard.

After analyzing the current standards, it is possible to conclude that there are divergent electronic energy meters in their optical interface.

The lack of an appropriate technical specification in the standards contributes to the lack of tests that guarantee the existence of compatible optical ports.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, the subject matter of this patent application has been developed, which proposes a solution for automatic calibration of the optical interface of the OTRD Device, which aims to interface an equipment with standard EIA-232 communication with an infrared type optical data communication equipment, such as electronic energy meters. Accordingly, this patent application addresses both the OTRD device and its calibration process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This patent application aims to meet all manufacturers / models of electronic energy meters on the market. The solution provides automatic methods for adapting the OTRD Device to the characteristics of the electronic energy meters that will be used.

The solution has an algorithm capable of adjusting the infrared light intensity radiated by the proposed OTRD Device photo-emitter, automatically adapting to the most varied types of electronic energy meters, compensating for their variations in reception sensitivity. This way it is possible to prevent the electronic energy meter from being saturated in its reception or from being sensitized by the irradiated infrared light.

The same algorithm used as described above makes it possible to adjust the reception sensitivity of the OTRD Device. In this way, the device is able to compensate for transmission power differences of electronic energy meters, providing the ability to interpret data transmitted by any electronic energy meter. In order for the solution to operate properly, it is necessary to use the "OTRD Calibrator" tool, which must be used to perform automatic readings and adjustments of power and sensitivity parameters of the OTRD Device. The OTRD Calibrator performs calibration and saves the parameters to the OTRD Device so that it retains the parameters of the last valid calibration performed automatically.

The solution also includes application developed for tablets and smartphones that manage the automatic calibration of the OTRD Device in use with the OTRD Calibrator, being able to validate the calibration performed, and store the calibration data in an appropriate database. The stored information will be used for the purpose of creating history and actual model of calibration data between manufacturers / models of existing electronic energy meters and the behavior of these data / variations over time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The object of this patent application will be described in detail with reference to the following related drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a basic block diagram of an OTRD device.

Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of the calibration process.

Figure 3 illustrates a reproduction of a screen of the equipment used for calibrating the OTRD Device.

Figure 4 illustrates the reproduction of another screen of the equipment used to calibrate the OTRD Device.

Figures 5 "A" and 5 "B" illustrate two screens of the equipment used to calibrate the OTRD Device, where the behavior of electronic energy meters from different manufacturers is demonstrated.

Figures 6 "A", 6 "B", 6 "C" and 6 "D" illustrate four screens of the equipment used to calibrate the OTRD Device, where the second step of the calibration process is demonstrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The proposed OTRD 1 Device is now composed as shown in the figure 1, by signal conditioning block 2 connected a block corresponding to the power supply 3. Signal conditioning block 2 maintains two-way communication on the one hand with optical data block 4 and on the other hand side, with block 5 corresponding to the EIA-232 Data block.

The present invention provides that the OTRD Device 1 is subjected to a calibration process, the flow chart of which can be appreciated in Figure 2, where the following blocks are present: "program start" - block 6; "reset the transmit power value and increase the maximum sensitivity" - block 7; "increase transmit power gradually until receiving" ENQ "- block 8;" read "- block 9 (if not, return to block 8 and if yes, go to block 10);" continue increasing transmit power " - block 10; "read and did not reach maximum" - block 1 1 (if yes, return to block 10 and if not, go to block 12); "save maximum and minimum power values" - block 12; "adjust sensitivity to minimum and increment each cycle" - block 13; "check receipt of" ENQ "- block 14 (if not, return to block 13 and if yes, go to block 15); "execute read command" - block 15; "did you read?" - block 16 (if not, return to block 13 and if yes, move to block 17); "calibration completed" - block 17.

The present invention provides for subjecting an OTRD Device 1 to a calibration process which takes place by employing a calibrating device, where its operating parameters can be monitored.

Figure 3 illustrates the reproduction of a screen of the equipment used to calibrate the OTRD Device 1, in the initial step of the calibration process, where the amplitude of the electrical signal measured at the output of the photoreceptor is identified, a signal proportional to the light emitted through the photo-emitter. the electronic energy meter, where the green line corresponds to the measured data at the analog output of the drum; the yellow line corresponds to the sensitivity level for comparison with the received analog data (green line).

Figure 4 illustrates the reproduction of a screen of the equipment used to calibrate the OTRD Device, where the sensitivity line (yellow line) reaches the minimum sensitivity level to allow the correct OTRD Device receiving circuit communication.

Figures 5 "A" and 5 "B" illustrate two screens of the equipment used to calibrate the OTRD Device, which shows the behavior of electronic energy meters from different manufacturers, and Figure 5 "A" demonstrates an energy meter. with high transmit power on your photo transmitter, while in figure 5 "B" a power meter with low transmit power on your photo transmitter is shown.

Figures 6 "A", 6 "B", 6 "C" and 6 "D" illustrate four screens of the equipment used to calibrate the OTRD Device, where the second step of the calibration process which corresponds to the identification of the required power is shown. to be transmitted by the photo transmitter of the OTRD Device to obtain communication with the energy meter - blue line: digital data resulting from the comparison between the green and yellow lines; - pink line: power level transmitted by the photo transmitter of the OTRD Device (the higher the transmitting power, the greater the emitted infrared light intensity).

The OTRD Device is composed of an Infrared LED (photo-emitter): 860-1020nm wavelength infrared LED, not visible to the human eye, but detected by infrared receiving devices or various electronic devices. This LED aims to convert to infrared light the data received by electrical voltage levels from the EIA-232 standard; an infrared photo transistor (photoreceptor): infrared light sensitive device at a wavelength of 860-1020nm. By detecting infrared light the photo transistor allows electric current to circulate through its terminals which will be converted to appropriate voltage levels meeting the technical requirements of the EIA-232 standard; DB9 Female connector: Used for serial communication in the EIA-232 standard. Magnetic optical connector: mechanical housing for accommodating the infrared LED (photo emitter) and infrared photo transistor (photoreceptor) in accordance with NBR 14.519 / 201 1; connecting cable: provide the electrical connection between the magnetic optical connector and the female DB9 connector used in the solution; Electronic circuit: Through appropriate components, performs the conversion of analog signals into digital signals.

Regarding the calibration process this requires the use of the OTRD Calibrator connected to OTRD Device. The OTRD Device shall be connected to an electronic power meter. From connecting the OTRD Device to the OTRD Calibrator the automatic calibration process can take place in the following ways:

Application Calibration: Through the specific application installed on a smartphone and / or tablet connected to the OTRD Calibrator via BLUETOOTH technology, the calibration process is started and completed automatically.

Calibration by Requesting Equipment: The OTRD Calibrator is physically connected to products capable of performing such automatic calibration routines and the OTRD Device. The calibration function is activated and the calibration process is started and completed automatically.

OTRD Device Drum Sensitivity Calibration: The first step in the process is to identify the amplitude of the electrical signal measured at the output of the drum, a signal proportional to the light emitted from the photoelectric meter:

Green Line: data measured at the output of the drum in analog mode;

Yellow Line: defines the sensitivity level for comparison with the received analog data (green line);

Blue Line: Digital data resulting from the comparison between the green and yellow lines.

The steps of the calibration process are depicted in figures 3, 4, 5 "A" and 5 "B", 6 "A", 6 "B", 6 "C" and 6 "D".

Claims

1 . "OPTICAL DATA RECEIVING AND TRANSMISSION DEVICE", the device (1) being characterized by a signal conditioning block (2) connected to a power supply block (3); the signal conditioning block (2) being connected and maintaining two-way communication on the one hand with the optical data block (4) and on the other with the block (5) corresponding to the EIA-232 data.

2. "CALIBRATION PROCESS OF AN OPTICAL DEVICE FOR RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING DATA", the present process being used to produce the calibration of the optical device (1) treated in claim 1, characterized in that it provides for subjecting the optical device (1) to a calibration process in a calibration equipment, where: a) the "program start" - block (6) occurs; b) "reset the transmit power value and increase the sensitivity at maximum value" - block (7); c) "transmission power is increased gradually until" ENQ "- block (8) is received; d) checked if" read "- block (9), if not, returns to block (8) and if yes, go to block 10; e) "continues to increase transmit power" - block (10); f) "read and not reached maximum" - block (1 1), if yes , return to block (10) and if not, go to block (12); g) "save maximum and minimum power values" - block (12); h) "set sensitivity to minimum and increment at each cycle "- block (13); i)" check receipt of "ENQ" - block (14), if not, return to block (13) and if yes, go to block (15); j) "execute read command" - (15); k) "did you read?" - block (16), if not, returns to block (13) and if yes, passes to block (17); I) "calibration completed" - block (17).