Itron Gmbh

Itron Global Sarl

Philippe Chiummiento

Vladimir Borisov

Matthieu Pichot

Guillaume Descamps

Fabrice Monier

Sudhir Thumaty

Andrew Lancaster

Semyon Lapushin

Lionel Auzereau

Dinh Thang Vu

A method includes computing electrical phase of electrical metering devices including obtaining data indicating zero-crossing times at first and second metering devices. A time difference between the zero-crossing times may be determined. In a first example, the time difference may be based at least in part on calculations involving a first value of a first free-run timer on a first metering device, a second value of a second free-run timer on a second metering device, the time of reception of a packet, and a latency defined by a time taken for the packet to propagate through at least one layer of at least one of the first metering device and the second metering device. A phase difference between the first zero-crossing and the second zero-crossing may be determined, based at least in part on the determined time difference.

Electrical phase computation using RF media

Techniques for computing electrical phase of electrical metering devices are described. In an example, data indicating zero-crossing times at first and second metering devices is obtained. A time-difference between the zero-crossing times may be determined. In a first example, the time-difference may be based at least in part on calculations involving a first value of a first free-run timer on a first metering device, a second value of a second free-run timer on a second metering device, and a time of a transmission between the metering devices. In a second example, the time-difference may be based at least in part on calculations involving a start or end time of a time-slot of a spread spectrum radio frequency transmission scheme. A phase difference between the first zero-crossing and the second zero-crossing may be determined, based at least in part on the determined time-difference.

Techniques for employing precise transmission capabilities of a physical (PHY) layer to transmit time-synchronization beacons at an edge-of-field-resolution increment of a field of MAC layer frame. In some examples, the PHY layer may transmit beacons with a greater precision than permitted by lower-resolution MAC layer header fields. The communication protocol may specify the size of the field that is populated with timing information at a first precision. However, the PHY layer may be capable of transmitting with a second precision that is greater than the first precision. Thus, to virtually increase the time-synchronization resolution of the beacons, the beacons may be transmitted by the PHY layer at an edge-of-field resolution of the MAC layer header field. In this way, the first precision of the timing information in the MAC layer header field is virtually increased to the second precision of the PHY layer.

Precise time synchronization for communication devices in networks

There is provided a method and apparatus for determining the input impedance (Z) of an AC transmission line used for Power Line Communications (PLC), using a transmitted data packet having a preamble portion. The method comprises, at the analog-front-end (AFE) of the AC transmission line, determining the current through the AFE and the AC transmission line during transmission of the preamble portion of the data packet and determining the voltage during transmission of the preamble portion of the data packet. The method further comprises calculating the total impedance (Z) from the determined current and voltage. The total impedance (Z) includes the input impedance (Z) of the AC transmission line and the AFE impedance (Z). Finally, the method includes determining the input impedance (Z) of the AC transmission line from the total impedance (Z).

Determination of instantaneous impedance of an AC power line used as a transmission line

A disclosed PLC system includes a PLC modem electrically connected to a transmission medium that transmits or carries medium or high voltage without electrical isolation. The PLC system further includes a voltage divider that draws power from the transmission medium to the PLC modem, thereby eliminating a need of a separate power source for operating the PLC modem. Since the PLC modem is electrically connected to the transmission, the PLC modem or communication connections of the PLC modem may be located at a same potential level as the transmission medium and thus the PLC modem does not see a surge during a surge event occurs in the transmission medium. Therefore, the disclosed PLC system eliminates the use of a line coupler and a surge protection component for providing high-voltage isolation and surge protection to the PLC modem.

Power line communication without line couplers

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to powerline communications (PLC) in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) environment. A communications signal is applied to a power line by a PLC transmitting device. A receiver is provided that evaluates communications signals based on the power coupled to the power line by the transmitting device. In one present embodiment, PLC signal voltage and current levels are multiplied together to evaluate signal power to reproduce received PLC signals.

Dual-channel receiver for powerline communications

Apparatus and methodology are disclosed for providing effective transmission of data to and/or from an electricity meter by providing embedded radio frequency components. An antenna and stripline or microline filter arrangement are provided as embedded components in association with a transmitter or transceiver portion of the electricity meter's metrology circuitry so as to provide control of out of band harmonic radiation and to provide enhanced signal transmission to and/or from the electricity meter, to accomplish automated meter reading communications or similar. The antenna element is configured and mounted such that, once the electricity meter is fully assembled, the meter case itself can be used as part of a radiating element. An overall resulting integrated design can achieve greater economy utilizing printed circuit board approaches with no additional parts, and with less uncontrolled surface radiation because of the otherwise buried or embedded structure.

Embedded antenna and filter apparatus and methodology

A power supply system and corresponding methodology is provided for providing a self-protected power supply for use with electronic electricity meters. The self-protecting features are provided, in part, through the use of surface mounted resistive components corresponding to a resistor dropper portion of the power supply. The use of surface mount components also provides a general reduction in circuit board surface area requirements thereby providing a compact overall construction and provides economies with respect to reduction in manufacturing process steps. When the surface mount resistor divider is configured along with a half-wave rectifier, a low voltage DC supply is obtained from a direct connection to a much higher voltage AC mains source without requiring the use of coupling capacitors or transformers. Plural output voltages may be provided and capacitive filtering may be associated with the outputs. The use of a surface mount resistor divider in combination with surge protection elements helps to distribute any power surge over the power supply, which facilitates the use of less robust surge protection devices to achieve desired levels of protection.

Growing community of inventors

Fontenay-aux-Roses, France

Philippe Chiummiento