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BR-102025012148-A2 - METHOD FOR CONFIGURING A COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR A NODE DEVICE

BR102025012148A2BR 102025012148 A2BR102025012148 A2BR 102025012148A2BR-102025012148-A2

Abstract

A method is proposed for configuring a current communication protocol of a node device for communication with a concentrator device via a communication network implemented in a power supply network. The method is implemented by the node device, which comprises electronic circuitry and stores two protocol stacks. Each protocol stack, when executed by the node device's electronic circuitry, enables the implementation of a distinct communication protocol with the concentrator device. The method comprises: detecting (501) a predetermined event; and, if said event is detected, switching (502) from one of the protocol stacks to the other in order to change the current communication protocol implemented by the node device. This allows migration to the use of another communication protocol without the need to replace the node device or update its software. Furthermore, this ensures no loss of communication for the node device.

Inventors

  • EL KEFI HLEL
  • Kaveh Razazian
  • Asma BEN HADJ HMIDA

Assignees

  • SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS

Dates

Publication Date
20260310
Application Date
20250613
Priority Date
20240619

Claims (14)

  1. 1. Method for configuring a current communication protocol of a node device (130 to 139) to communicate with a concentrator device (110) through a communication network (121) implemented in an electrical power supply network, the method being characterized by being implemented by the node device, which comprises an electronic circuit (400) and stores two protocol stacks (302, 303), each protocol stack enabling, when executed by the electronic circuit of the node device, the implementation of a distinct communication protocol with the concentrator device in the communication network, and the method comprising: - detecting (501) a predetermined event; and - if said event is detected, switching (502) from one of the protocol stacks to the other, in order to change the current communication protocol implemented by the node device.
  2. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the node device (130 to 139) is a smart meter.
  3. 3. Method, according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that one of the protocol stacks (303) makes it possible to implement the PRIME communication protocol, which stands for "PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution", and the other of the protocol stacks (302) makes it possible to implement the M&M communication protocol, which stands for "Meters & More".
  4. 4. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detection of a predetermined event comprises: - listening to the communication network to detect (602, 606; 902) the communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device; and - detecting (603, 607) whether the current communication protocol implemented by the node device is different from the current communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device; wherein the predetermined event is a detection that the current communication protocol implemented by the node device is different from the current communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device.
  5. 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the communication network is listened to only if (701; 801) the node device has not yet registered on the communication network by using the current communication protocol implemented by the node device.
  6. 6. A method according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized by listening to the communication network to detect the communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device, comprising: - detecting (702 to 707; 802 to 806) whether, before a first delay has elapsed, the node device has managed to register on the communication network using the current communication protocol implemented by the node device; and - detecting the communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device as being: identical to the current communication protocol implemented by the node device if, before the first delay has elapsed, the node device has managed to register on the communication network; different from the current communication protocol implemented by the node device if, before the first delay has elapsed, the node device has not managed to register on the communication network.
  7. 7. Method, according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized by listening to the communication network to detect the communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device comprising: - detecting (1002, 1003) a frame received through the communication network; - analyzing (1004, 1005, 1007, 1008) a preamble of the received frame; and - according to the structure of the preamble of the received frame, detecting (1006, 1009) the communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device.
  8. 8. Method, according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized by listening to the communication network to detect the communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device, understanding: - triggering a second delay; - during the second delay, each time a frame received through the communication network is detected: - analyzing (1104, 1105, 1107, 1108) a preamble of the received frame; and according to the structure of the received frame preamble, increment (1106) a first meter associated with a first communication protocol if the structure of the received frame preamble corresponds to a frame according to said first communication protocol or increment (1109) a second meter associated with a second communication protocol if the structure of the received frame preamble corresponds to a frame according to the second communication protocol; - after the second delay has elapsed (1110), detect (1111, 1112, 1113) the communication protocol implemented by the concentrator device as being the protocol associated with either of the first and second meters that has the highest value.
  9. 9. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the predetermined event is the reception (1404) by the node device, through a particular communication channel of the communication network, of a protocol switching command transmitted by the concentrator device.
  10. 10. Node device (130 to 139) configured to communicate with a concentrator device (110) via a communication network (121) implemented in an electrical power supply network, the node device being characterized by storing two protocol stacks (302, 303) and comprising an electronic circuit (400) configured to implement the method disclosed above as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.
  11. 11. Computer program product characterized by comprising instructions that cause a processor (401) to implement the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, when said instructions are executed by the processor.
  12. 12. Information storage medium (403) characterized by storing a computer program comprising instructions that cause a processor (401) to execute the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, when said instructions are read and executed by the processor.
  13. 13. Method for implementing an upgrade of a communication network comprising a concentrator device (110) and a plurality of node devices (130 to 139), each node device comprising electronic circuitry (400) configured to implement the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, each node device storing two protocol stacks (302, 303), each enabling the implementation of a communication protocol distinct from the first and second communication protocols, the method being characterized by: - before the concentrator device is upgraded, the concentrator device implements (1401 to 1403) the first communication protocol for communication with node devices, among said node devices, that registered with it using the first communication protocol; - after the concentrator device is upgraded, the concentrator device implements (1404) the second communication protocol for communication with node devices, among said node devices, that registered with it using the second communication protocol; and execute the method mentioned above as defined in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein each node device registered with the concentrator device using the first communication protocol switches (1404) the protocol stack in order to change the current communication protocol implemented by the node device to the second communication protocol.
  14. 14. System for implementing an upgrade of a communication network comprising a concentrator device (110) and a plurality of node devices (130 to 139), each node device comprising an electronic circuit (400) configured to implement the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, each node device storing two protocol stacks (302, 303), each enabling the implementation of a communication protocol distinct from the first and second communication protocols, characterized in that the concentrator device (110) comprises an electronic circuit (400) configured to: - before the concentrator device is upgraded, implement (1401 to 1403) the first communication protocol for communication with node devices, among said node devices, that have registered with it using the first communication protocol; and after the concentrator device is updated, implement (1404) the second communication protocol for communication with node devices, between said node devices, which registered with it using the second communication protocol; and by the electronic circuit (400) of each node device (130 to 139) being configured so that, after the concentrator device is updated: - if said node device is registered with the concentrator device using the first communication protocol, implement the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9 to switch (1404) from one of the protocol stacks to the other, in order to change the current communication protocol implemented by the node device to the second communication protocol.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The field of the invention is that of communication networks implemented in an electrical power supply network and comprising a concentrator device and a plurality of node devices. [0002] More precisely, the present invention relates to a method for configuring a current communication protocol of a node device, for communication with a concentrator device through a communication network implemented in an electrical power supply network. [0003] The present invention also relates to a node device, as well as to a computer program product and a storage medium for implementing such a method. [0004] The present invention also relates to a method and a system for implementing an upgrade of a communication network comprising a concentrator device and a plurality of node devices. PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE [0005] In a known way, many communication networks have a tree-like topology (at least at the logical level) to enable the extension of the scope of communications. The devices in such a communication network are generally called nodes, or node devices. A node device acts as the root of the communication network and manages the communication network in order to organize the sharing of the same communication medium: sending beacons, topology management, etc. Node devices then serve as relays on behalf of other node devices in the communication network when the latter cannot directly receive information from the root node device (also called the "base node"). [0006] Such communication networks are found, in particular, in the context of AMM ("automated meter management") type power supply networks, implementing automatic management of electricity meter readings, where communications are established between electricity meters, the so-called smart or communicating meters, and a data concentrator device, sometimes called a base node. This is the case, for example, in the PRIME ("PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution") specifications. The concentrator device is then the root of the communication network. Exchanges between the electricity meters (node devices) and the data concentrator device depend on powerline communication (PLC). [0007] Currently, in communication networks implemented in an electrical power grid and comprising a concentrator device and a plurality of node devices (e.g., communicating electricity meters in the case of a smart metering application), each node device installed on-site comprises a single protocol stack to provide communication with the concentrator device. In other words, this single protocol stack allows the node device to implement a communication protocol with the concentrator device on the communication network. [0008] One disadvantage of the current solution is that migrating to a different communication protocol by node devices (e.g., smart meters) (for example, in the context of a gradual transition between an older and a newer communication technology) requires replacing all node devices or upgrading the software for those already installed (in particular, changing the protocol stack). These two operations are very expensive from an investment standpoint and present risks in terms of reliability. Furthermore, the current solution does not guarantee uninterrupted communication with all node devices, nor does it guarantee upgradeability and effectiveness in terms of performance, throughput, and maintenance. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0009] This document proposes a method for configuring the current communication protocol of a node device to communicate with a concentrator device over a communication network implemented in a power supply network. The method is implemented by the node device, which comprises electronic circuits and stores two protocol stacks, each protocol stack enabling, when executed by the node device's electronic circuits, the implementation of a distinct communication protocol with the concentrator device on the communication network. The method comprises: detecting a predetermined event; and, if said event is detected, switching from one of the protocol stacks to the other in order to change the current communication protocol implemented by the node device. [0010] Thus, with the proposed solution, the node device is able to switch between two protocol stacks, each enabling the implementation of a distinct communication protocol with the concentrator device. This allows migration to the use of another communication protocol (different from the current protocol) without requiring the replacement of the node device or a software update (to change the protocol stack). Furthermore, this ensures that communication is not lost for the node device. [0011] According to a particular embodiment, the node device is a smart meter. [0012] According to a particular embodiment, one of the protocol stacks makes it possible to implement the PRIME ("PoweRline Intelligent Metering Evolution") communication protocol, for example, version 1.4, and the other of th