WO2008027455A2 - Orchestration manager - Google Patents
Orchestration manager Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2008027455A2 WO2008027455A2 PCT/US2007/019047 US2007019047W WO2008027455A2 WO 2008027455 A2 WO2008027455 A2 WO 2008027455A2 US 2007019047 W US2007019047 W US 2007019047W WO 2008027455 A2 WO2008027455 A2 WO 2008027455A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- communication
- servers
- nodes
- communications
- meter
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
- G01D4/002—Remote reading of utility meters
- G01D4/004—Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/01—Protocols
- H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
- H04L67/125—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks involving control of end-device applications over a network
Definitions
- the present technology generally relates to utility meters. More particularly, in the context of advanced metering infrastructure, the present technology in pertinent part relates to apparatus and methodologies for controlling the allocation of system nodes to a variable number of communication servers to provide system scalability and redundancy.
- the general object of metrology is to monitor one or more selected physical phenomena to permit a record of monitored events.
- Such basic purpose of metrology can be applied to a variety of metering devices used in a number of contexts.
- One broad area of measurement relates, for example, to utility meters.
- Such role may also specifically include, in such context, the monitoring of the consumption or production of a variety of forms of energy or other commodities, for example, including but not limited to, electricity, water, gas, or oil.
- More particularly concerning electricity meters mechanical forms of registers have been historically used for outputting accumulated electricity consumption data. Such an approach provided a relatively dependable field device, especially for the basic or relatively lower level task of simply monitoring accumulated kilowatt-hour consumption.
- Electricity meters typically include input circuitry for receiving voltage and current signals at the electrical service. Input circuitry of whatever type or specific design for receiving the electrical service current signals is referred to herein generally as current acquisition circuitry, while input circuitry of whatever type or design for receiving the electrical service voltage signals is referred to herein generally as voltage acquisition circuitry. [0012] Electricity meter input circuitry may be provided with capabilities of monitoring one or more phases, depending on whether monitoring is to be provided in a single or multiphase environment. Moreover, it is desirable that selectively configurable circuitry may be provided so as to enable the provision of new, alternative or upgraded services or processing capabilities within an existing metering device.
- POTS Telephone Service
- C12.22 is an application layer protocol which provides for the transport of C12.19 data tables over any network medium.
- Current standards for the C12.22 protocol include: authentication and encryption features; addressing methodology providing unique identifiers for corporate, communication, and end device entities; self describing data models; and message routing over heterogeneous networks.
- HTTP protocol provides for a common application layer for web browsers
- C12.22 provides for a common application layer for metering devices.
- Benefits of using such a standard include the provision of: a methodology for both session and session-less communications; common data encryption and security; a common addressing mechanism for use over both proprietary and non- proprietary network mediums; interoperability among metering devices within a common communication environment; system integration with third-party devices through common interfaces and gateway abstraction; both 2-way and 1-way communications with end devices; and enhanced security, reliability and speed for transferring meter data over heterogeneous networks.
- E-mails are sent and received as long as e- mail addresses are valid, mail boxes are not full, and communication paths are functional. Most e-mail users have the option of choosing among several internet providers and several technologies, from dial-up to cellular to broadband, depending mostly on the cost, speed, and mobility.
- the e-mail addresses are in a common format, and the protocols call for the e-mail to be carried by communication carriers without changing the e-mail.
- the open protocol laid out in the ANSI C.12.22 standard provides the same opportunity for meter communications over networks.
- apparatus and methodologies are provided to permit load balancing from within a Collection Engine.
- the present technology provides for periodic rebalancing of server loads to optimize data collection.
- One positive aspect of such present rebalancing is that it improves opportunities to contact end devices and to read data from such end devices.
- Another positive aspect of such present rebalancing is that it advantageously improves opportunities to receive exception reports from end devices.
- Present exemplary subject matter relates to an orchestration manager for distributing utility meter data communications functionality across multiple servers.
- Such an exemplary orchestration manager preferably may comprise a master relay configured to register and authenticate multiple communication nodes associated with one or more respective utility meters and to assign communication functionality associated with such multiple communication nodes to a plurality of communication servers; and a plurality of communication servers configured to communicate with at least a selected portion of such multiple communication nodes, with each communication server configured to send and receive network communications and to acquire meter data from such multiple communications nodes.
- each such communication server may preferably comprise a meter communications host configured to send and receive network communications; a data spooler configured to receive meter data from respective utility meters associated with a communication node; and an exception event manager configured to receive exception events from respective utility meters associated with a communication node.
- meter communications host may be configured to communicate in accordance with an open standard meter communication protocol.
- such master relay may be configured to periodically assign communication functionality associated with such multiple communication nodes to such plurality of communication servers, so as to periodically effect load rebalancing among said plurality of communication servers, and further configured to redistribute communication nodes from a failed communication server to an active one of such plurality of communication servers; and to copy to another location state information for the one or more respective meters associated with respective communication nodes previously communicating with a failed communication server.
- Another present exemplary embodiment relates to an advanced metering system for controlling allocation of network nodes in a utility metering environment to a variable number of servers, so as to effect efficient utility meter data communications.
- Such advanced metering system preferably may include a plurality of end devices, at least some of which end devices comprise metrology devices; and a network including a central facility having a collection engine including an orchestration manager for distributing metrology device data communications functionality across multiple servers.
- a system may include multiple communication nodes associated with one or more respective utility meters, which may include at least one communication node operating on a radio network and at least one communication node operating on a power line communications (PLC) network.
- PLC power line communications
- Such an exemplary present method more particularly may include the steps of: identifying a plurality of communication nodes, each communication node being associated with one or more respective utility meters; assigning to respective selected servers communication functionality associated with respective selected portions of the plurality of communication nodes; and effecting two-way communication between each selected portion of the plurality of communication nodes and its respective assigned server, wherein such two-way communication is conducted in accordance with an open standard meter communication protocol.
- present exemplary methodologies may include the foregoing, and further comprise a step of receiving meter data from respective utility meters associated with each communication node, a step of receiving exception event data from respective utility meters associated with each communication node, and upon receiving exception event data indicating failure of one or more of the servers, redistributing communication nodes from being assigned to a failed server to being assigned to an active one of the plurality of servers.
- Still other present exemplary methodologies and various present alternatives may involve a step of copying to another location state information for the one or more respective meters associated with respective communication nodes previously communicating with a failed server; practicing the above- referenced assigning step on a periodic basis, so as to effect periodic load rebalancing among the plurality of servers; or conducting a further step of tracking actions currently in progress on the plurality of servers; or a step of registering and authenticating each of the plurality of communication nodes.
- present rebalancing features also redistribute end devices from failed communications servers to other active servers and to newly activated servers.
- the present technology (particularly when implemented in an "Orchestration Manager" type arrangement) also advantageously functions as an ANSI standard C12.22 Notification Host as it operates to coordinate registration related processing on communications servers.
- Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like.
- substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like.
- different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of the present subject matter may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, steps, or elements, or their equivalents including combinations of features, parts, or steps or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description of such figures.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram overview illustration of an Advanced Metering System (AMS) in accordance with the present subject matter
- Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the components of a Collection Engine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.
- AMS Advanced Metering System
- the present subject matter is particularly concerned with an improved apparatus and methodologies for controlling the allocation of system nodes to a variable number of communication servers, so as to advantageously provide system scalability and redundancy.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram overview illustration of an Advanced Metering System (AMS) generally 100 in accordance with the present subject matter.
- AMS Advanced Metering System
- AMS 100 in accordance with the present subject matter is designed to be a comprehensive system for providing advanced metering information and applications to utilities.
- AMS 100 is build around industry standard protocols and transports, and is designed to work with standards compliant components from third parties.
- Major components of AMS 100 include such as exemplary respective meters 142, 144, 146, 148, 152, 154, 156, and 158; one or more radio networks including RF neighborhood area network (RF NAN) 162 and accompanying Radio Relay 172, and power line communications neighborhood area network (PLC NAN) 164 and accompanying PLC Relay 174; an IP (Internet Protocol) based Public Backhaul 180; and a Collection Engine 190.
- RF NAN RF neighborhood area network
- PLC NAN power line communications neighborhood area network
- AMS 100 Other components within AMS 100 include a utility LAN 192 and firewall 194 through which communications signals to and from Collection Engine 190 may be transported from and to respective meters 142, 144, 146, 148, 152, 154, 156, and 158 or other devices including, but not limited to, Radio Relay 172 and PLC Relay 174.
- AMS 100 is configured to be transparent in a transportation context, such that exemplary respective meters 142, 144, 146, 148, 152, 154, 156, and 158 may be interrogated using Collection Engine 190 regardless of what network infrastructure exists inbetween or among such components. Moreover, due to such transparency, the meters may also respond to Collection Engine 190 in the same manner.
- Collection Engine 190 is capable of integrating Radio, PLC, and IP connected meters.
- AMS 100 operates and/or interfaces with ANSI standard C12.22 meter communication protocol for networks.
- C12.22 is a network transparent protocol, which allows communications across disparate and asymmetrical network substrates.
- C12.22 details all aspects of communications, allowing C12.22 compliant meters produced by third parties to be integrated into a single advanced metering interface (AMI) solution.
- AMS 100 is configured to provide meter reading as well as load control/demand response, in home messaging, and outage and restoration capabilities. All data flowing across the system is sent in the form of C12.19 tables.
- Collection Engine 190 is a collection of software-based functionality which provides ANSI C12.22 services to the devices that comprise the C12.22 network, including one or more cell relays 172, 174 ( Figure 1) as well as the metrology and end devices 142, 144, 146, 148, 152, 154, 156, and 158 ( Figure 1). Though such components are preferably software-based, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate various equivalent forms of implementation, providing the same functionality.
- the Collection Engine 190 is comprised of three major components, the Orchestration System or Manager generally 220, the Master Relay/Authentication host 210, and the communications server or servers (represented by illustrated components 212, 214, and 216). Collection Engine 190 is implemented preferably so as to be able to distribute work across multiple servers 212, 214, and 216 in order to facilitate scaling. [0049] Orchestration Manager 220 controls the allocation of C12.22 nodes to a variable number of communication servers. Multiple communication servers 212, 214, and 216 may be advantageously used per the present subject matter in conjunction with providing scalability and redundancy. For example, an allocation algorithm per present subject matter may provide load balancing in the Collection Engine 190.
- Load balancing affects two aspects of data collection: contacting end devices to read data, and receiving exception reports from end devices.
- Rebalancing functionality per the present subject matter is periodically operative to reallocate system nodes among communication servers, thereby maintaining efficiency of data collection.
- Such rebalancing functionality also advantageously redistributes end devices from a failed communication server to the other active servers, and/or to a communication server that becomes active. All requests for end-device communications are routed through Orchestration Manager 220.
- a job system is used to organize and track actions currently in progress on communication servers 212, 214, and 216; to pass large-scale interrogation parameters to such communication servers; to receive status from such communication servers; and in case of failure, to provide persistence of Collection Engine state information over to a backup Orchestration Manager or communication server (not presently illustrated).
- Orchestration Manager 220 In its role as a C12.22 Notification Host, Orchestration Manager 220 generally coordinates registration-related processing on communication servers 212, 214, and 216.
- the Master Relay 210 is the coordinating process for the overall system. More specifically, in order to send or receive C12.22 messages, respective nodes must be registered with the Master Relay 210. Before a node is allowed to register though, it must be authenticated.
- the Authentication Host provides such functionality in the present exemplary embodiment.
- the Master Relay or station 210 is responsible for the actual meter registration process, communicating with the meter via C12.22 messages.
- each of the respective major components of Collection Engine 190 is in turn made up of a series of smaller components and functionality feature sets.
- the Orchestration Manager or layer 220 provides coordination between such components, and presents a unified, single API (Application Programming Interface) to upstream systems.
- the Orchestration Manager or system 220 runs as a single master orchestration service (or functionality) and as a series of agents. Each separate physical server will have an orchestration agent to tie it into the larger system. API requests are directed to a master orchestration service (or functionality) which in turn works with the orchestration agents to ensure that requested work or methodology Is performed or executed.
- the Master Relay/Authentication Host 210 will provide standard C12.22 registration services/functionality as well as integrated C12.22 network authentication functionality/services.
- One vision for the C12.22 protocol is that, similar to DNS (Domain Name System), a C12.22 master relay may be created which would be shared between multiple utilities, perhaps providing services to an entire region or country.
- DNS Domain Name System
- implementation of a master relay in accordance with present technology should provide full support for the use of other authentication hosts, and for sending notification messages to registered hosts.
- the Orchestration Manager or layer 220 is preferably implemented so as to be able to receive notifications from master relays from other manufacturers, meaning that an implementation of the present subject matter could be realized employing a master relay from an outside source.
- the representative Communications Servers 212, 214, and 216 provide communication functionality with devices, such as to parse and translate such communications, and post or return data as necessary.
- Communication Servers 212, 214, and 216 thus preferably may comprise a series of services/functionality to accomplish such overall functionality per the present subject matter.
- Within Communications Servers 212, 214, and 216 are a series of major components: a meter communications host, a data spooler, and an exception event manager.
- the meter communications host is responsible for listening for network communications and sending network communications. It is the component that both "speaks" C12.22 and "interprets" C12.19 table data.
- the data spooler and the exception event manager provide mechanisms for streaming meter data and exception events, respectively, to upstream systems.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
MX2009002249A MX2009002249A (en) | 2006-08-31 | 2007-08-30 | Orchestration manager. |
CA002661999A CA2661999A1 (en) | 2006-08-31 | 2007-08-30 | Orchestration manager |
BRPI0716081-0A2A BRPI0716081A2 (en) | 2006-08-31 | 2007-08-30 | orchestration manager |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US84163106P | 2006-08-31 | 2006-08-31 | |
US60/841,631 | 2006-08-31 | ||
US89702007A | 2007-08-28 | 2007-08-28 | |
US11/897,020 | 2007-08-28 | ||
US11/897,235 | 2007-08-29 | ||
US11/897,235 US8312103B2 (en) | 2006-08-31 | 2007-08-29 | Periodic balanced communication node and server assignment |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2008027455A2 true WO2008027455A2 (en) | 2008-03-06 |
WO2008027455A3 WO2008027455A3 (en) | 2008-11-20 |
Family
ID=39136575
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2007/019047 WO2008027455A2 (en) | 2006-08-31 | 2007-08-30 | Orchestration manager |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
BR (1) | BRPI0716081A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2661999A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2009002249A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008027455A2 (en) |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9124535B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2015-09-01 | Honeywell International Inc. | System for using attributes to deploy demand response resources |
US9137050B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2015-09-15 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response system incorporating a graphical processing unit |
US9153001B2 (en) | 2011-01-28 | 2015-10-06 | Honeywell International Inc. | Approach for managing distribution of automated demand response events in a multi-site enterprise |
US9183522B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2015-11-10 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response management system |
US9389850B2 (en) | 2012-11-29 | 2016-07-12 | Honeywell International Inc. | System and approach to manage versioning of field devices in a multi-site enterprise |
US9665078B2 (en) | 2014-03-25 | 2017-05-30 | Honeywell International Inc. | System for propagating messages for purposes of demand response |
US9691076B2 (en) | 2013-07-11 | 2017-06-27 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response system having a participation predictor |
US9818073B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2017-11-14 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response management system |
US9989937B2 (en) | 2013-07-11 | 2018-06-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Predicting responses of resources to demand response signals and having comfortable demand responses |
US10346931B2 (en) | 2013-07-11 | 2019-07-09 | Honeywell International Inc. | Arrangement for communicating demand response resource incentives |
US10521867B2 (en) | 2012-09-15 | 2019-12-31 | Honeywell International Inc. | Decision support system based on energy markets |
US10541556B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2020-01-21 | Honeywell International Inc. | System and approach to integrate and manage diverse demand response specifications for multi-site enterprises |
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US6792337B2 (en) * | 1994-12-30 | 2004-09-14 | Power Measurement Ltd. | Method and system for master slave protocol communication in an intelligent electronic device |
US20050065742A1 (en) * | 2003-09-08 | 2005-03-24 | Smartsynch, Inc. | Systems and methods for remote power management using IEEE 802 based wireless communication links |
-
2007
- 2007-08-30 BR BRPI0716081-0A2A patent/BRPI0716081A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2007-08-30 MX MX2009002249A patent/MX2009002249A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2007-08-30 WO PCT/US2007/019047 patent/WO2008027455A2/en active Application Filing
- 2007-08-30 CA CA002661999A patent/CA2661999A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
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US6792337B2 (en) * | 1994-12-30 | 2004-09-14 | Power Measurement Ltd. | Method and system for master slave protocol communication in an intelligent electronic device |
US6718709B2 (en) * | 2002-04-11 | 2004-04-13 | Tim Koutras | Snap panel display unit |
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Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9818073B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2017-11-14 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response management system |
US9137050B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2015-09-15 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response system incorporating a graphical processing unit |
US9183522B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2015-11-10 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response management system |
US9124535B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2015-09-01 | Honeywell International Inc. | System for using attributes to deploy demand response resources |
US10762454B2 (en) | 2009-07-17 | 2020-09-01 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response management system |
US9153001B2 (en) | 2011-01-28 | 2015-10-06 | Honeywell International Inc. | Approach for managing distribution of automated demand response events in a multi-site enterprise |
US10521867B2 (en) | 2012-09-15 | 2019-12-31 | Honeywell International Inc. | Decision support system based on energy markets |
US9389850B2 (en) | 2012-11-29 | 2016-07-12 | Honeywell International Inc. | System and approach to manage versioning of field devices in a multi-site enterprise |
US9989937B2 (en) | 2013-07-11 | 2018-06-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Predicting responses of resources to demand response signals and having comfortable demand responses |
US10346931B2 (en) | 2013-07-11 | 2019-07-09 | Honeywell International Inc. | Arrangement for communicating demand response resource incentives |
US10467639B2 (en) | 2013-07-11 | 2019-11-05 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response system having a participation predictor |
US9691076B2 (en) | 2013-07-11 | 2017-06-27 | Honeywell International Inc. | Demand response system having a participation predictor |
US10948885B2 (en) | 2013-07-11 | 2021-03-16 | Honeywell International Inc. | Predicting responses of resources to demand response signals and having comfortable demand responses |
US10324429B2 (en) | 2014-03-25 | 2019-06-18 | Honeywell International Inc. | System for propagating messages for purposes of demand response |
US9665078B2 (en) | 2014-03-25 | 2017-05-30 | Honeywell International Inc. | System for propagating messages for purposes of demand response |
US10541556B2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2020-01-21 | Honeywell International Inc. | System and approach to integrate and manage diverse demand response specifications for multi-site enterprises |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2008027455A3 (en) | 2008-11-20 |
BRPI0716081A2 (en) | 2013-09-24 |
MX2009002249A (en) | 2009-03-16 |
CA2661999A1 (en) | 2008-03-06 |
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