CN117461236A - Address assignment for modular power distribution units - Google Patents

Address assignment for modular power distribution units Download PDF

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Publication number
CN117461236A
CN117461236A CN202380011957.3A CN202380011957A CN117461236A CN 117461236 A CN117461236 A CN 117461236A CN 202380011957 A CN202380011957 A CN 202380011957A CN 117461236 A CN117461236 A CN 117461236A
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
interface
module
address
distribution unit
power distribution
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
CN202380011957.3A
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Chinese (zh)
Inventor
弗兰克·德尔皮诺
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Legrand SNC
Legrand France SA
Original Assignee
Legrand SNC
Legrand France SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Legrand SNC, Legrand France SA filed Critical Legrand SNC
Publication of CN117461236A publication Critical patent/CN117461236A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J13/00Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
    • H02J13/00032Systems characterised by the controlled or operated power network elements or equipment, the power network elements or equipment not otherwise provided for
    • H02J13/0005Systems characterised by the controlled or operated power network elements or equipment, the power network elements or equipment not otherwise provided for the elements or equipment being or involving power plugs or sockets
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J13/00Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
    • H02J13/00006Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
    • H02J13/00016Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2200/00Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/04 - G06F1/32
    • G06F2200/26Indexing scheme relating to G06F1/26
    • G06F2200/261PC controlled powerstrip
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2310/00The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load
    • H02J2310/10The network having a local or delimited stationary reach

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Cable Transmission Systems, Equalization Of Radio And Reduction Of Echo (AREA)
  • Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
  • Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an auxiliary module (10) for a PDU, comprising: -a set of electrical sockets (141, 142, 143) connected to the internal connection socket (15) for supplying electrical power; -at least one interface (12, 13) for transmitting data with another module in the PDU; -management means (11) for managing the electrical outlets individually by means of messages exchanged with the base module of the PDU, these messages identifying a given electrical outlet by means of a unique address; -wherein the management means is adapted to transmit an address request message specifying the number of electrical sockets over the first interface in response to an invite signal received from the first interface (12), and to store one or more addresses in response to a plurality of address allocation messages.

Description

Address assignment for modular power distribution units
Technical Field
The present invention relates to power distribution units (or PDUs). More particularly, the present invention relates to modular PDUs and modules that make up these modular PDUs.
The invention is particularly applicable to intelligent power distribution units PDU.
Background
A Power Distribution Unit (PDU) is a device equipped with a plurality of output terminals capable of distributing power from a single main power source to a plurality of devices. Thus, such devices illustratively include an input power outlet and a set of electrical outlets to which various components of the device may be connected to be powered.
These power distribution units have many applications in industrial fields and personal use, especially in home automation.
Recently, intelligent distribution units have been marketed in order to meet the remote management needs of these units, in particular of each socket constituting the intelligent distribution unit.
Such management enables communication between the external device and the power distribution unit. In order to be able to manage each socket of the unit individually, the external device must be able to identify each socket of the unit by an identifier or address.
In parallel, the need for modular power distribution units has emerged to enable rapid and easy production of units corresponding to specific needs. Depending on the desired specifications, in particular on the number of electrical sockets, modules of the appropriate type and number can then be gathered.
Thus, one difficulty appears to be reconciling the design flexibility of the modular power distribution unit with the need to be able to remotely manage each outlet or other component. In practice, an address must then be assigned to each outlet, assuming that this number is not predetermined for a given power distribution unit.
Disclosure of Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution that makes it possible to obtain a power distribution unit that is both intelligent and modular. In particular, it is an object that the solution is easy to use and deploy.
In addition, the present invention allows for changing the number of outlets of the power distribution unit without requiring complex reconfiguration operations to assign or eliminate outlet addresses.
To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention may be implemented by an auxiliary module for a power distribution unit, the auxiliary module comprising
A set of electrical sockets connected to the internal connection sockets enabling energy supply through the input module of the power distribution unit,
at least one interface for transmitting data with another module in the power distribution unit,
management means for individually managing the electrical outlets of the group by means of messages exchanged with the base module of the power distribution unit via the at least one interface, an identifier of the electrical outlet of the group determined by a unique address,
-wherein the management means is adapted to transmit an address request message on a first interface of the at least one interface specifying the number of electrical outlets of the group in response to an invite signal received from the first interface, and to store the one or more addresses in response to one or more address allocation messages.
According to a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary module according to the invention comprises one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in partial combination with each other or in complete combination with each other:
-the managing means is adapted to transmit, after receiving the one or more allocation messages, a second invite signal on a second interface of the at least one interface, the second interface being different from the first interface;
the management device is constituted by a printed circuit comprising: a programmable microcontroller; a memory; and circuitry enabling connection between the microcontroller, the memory, and the at least one interface;
-the at least one interface comprises: a unidirectional wire connector for transmitting the invite signal: and a connector for a set of bi-directional conductors for transmitting the message;
-the invite signal corresponds to a predetermined voltage level on the unidirectional wire;
-said unique address is assigned by a counter of said base module, said address assignment message containing a value of said counter, and said auxiliary module determining the unique addresses of the sockets assigned to said group in a predetermined order according to said value and said number of sockets.
According to another aspect, the invention may also be embodied by a base module for a power distribution unit, the base module comprising
At least one interface for transmitting data with an auxiliary module in the power distribution unit,
-management means adapted to issue an invite signal on a first interface of said at least one interface, then to allocate one or more unique addresses in response to an address request message received on said first interface, and to transmit the one or more unique addresses through said first interface in the form of one or more address allocation messages.
According to a preferred embodiment, the base module comprises one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in partial or complete combination with each other:
-the managing means is adapted to send a new invite signal from the at least one interface on a second interface when a predetermined duration has elapsed after receiving a last message via the first interface;
the base module comprises a management interface enabling exchange of management messages with the external device, the management interface comprising at least one socket address;
the management device is constituted by a printed circuit comprising: a programmable microcontroller; a memory; and circuitry enabling connection between the microcontroller, the memory, and the at least one interface;
-the at least one interface comprises: a unidirectional wire connector for transmitting the invite signal; and a connector for a set of bi-directional conductors for transmitting the message;
-the invite signal corresponds to a predetermined voltage level on the unidirectional wire;
-said unique address is assigned by a counter of said base module, said address assignment message containing a value of said counter, and said auxiliary module determining the unique addresses of the sockets assigned to said group in a predetermined order according to said value and said number of sockets.
According to another aspect, the invention may also be implemented by a power distribution unit comprising a base module as defined above and at least one auxiliary module, said modules being connected via at least one respective interface of these modules so as to form a chain.
According to a preferred embodiment, the power distribution unit comprises one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in partial or complete combination with each other:
-said unique address is assigned by a counter of said base module, said address assignment message containing a value of said counter, and said auxiliary module determining the unique address of the socket assigned to said group in a predetermined order according to said value and said number of sockets;
-the power distribution unit further comprises an input module comprising an electrical outlet;
the at least one interface further comprises two pairs of connectors for the power supply of the management device, which pairs of connectors are arranged such that the interface is reversible and the power supply is provided by a current converter arranged in the base module.
According to another aspect, the invention may also be embodied in a method for assigning an address to an electrical outlet of a power distribution unit comprising a base module comprising at least one interface through which at least one auxiliary module is accessible, the auxiliary module comprising a set of electrical outlets connected to an internal connection outlet enabling supply of energy through an input module of the power distribution unit, wherein for each of the at least one interface the base module transmits an invitation signal,
then, iteratively:
-the at least one auxiliary module transmitting an address request message to the base module upon receipt of the invite signal, indicating a number of electrical outlets of the component;
-the base module assigns a unique address to each socket and transmits such addresses as one or more address assignment messages;
-the at least one auxiliary module storing the unique address and then transmitting a second invite signal, if any, to another of the at least one auxiliary module.
The invention may also be implemented by a data processing center comprising at least one power distribution unit as defined above.
According to a preferred embodiment, the data processing center further comprises an external management device adapted to be exchanged with said power distribution unit by means of management messages comprising at least one outlet address.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Drawings
The drawings illustrate the invention:
fig. 1 schematically illustrates a power distribution unit according to one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 schematically shows an example of auxiliary modules and basic modules within a power distribution unit according to one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 shows an exemplary bus that may connect two interfaces of an auxiliary module and/or a base module according to one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary interface and connector according to one embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 schematically illustrates data exchange between a base module and a plurality of auxiliary modules within a power distribution unit according to one embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description
The power distribution unit may comprise different modules, one or more of which comprise one or more electrical outlets. Thus, by incorporating the correct number of modules within the power distribution unit, a power distribution unit containing the desired total number of outlets can be constructed as needed.
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a power distribution unit PDU according to one embodiment of the invention. This is made up of a base (or master) module 20 and a plurality of auxiliary (or "slave") modules 10 1 、10 2 、10 3 ...10 8 The composition is formed. The number of auxiliary modules is arbitrary and can be reduced to one in extreme cases.
The power distribution unit further comprises an electrical outlet 16. According to one embodiment, the power outlet 16 belongs to a specific auxiliary module 10, called "input module" 8
Some or all of the auxiliary modules have output electrical outlets. The power distribution unit PDU further comprises means for distributing current from the power outlet 16 of the input module to each of the power outlets of the auxiliary module.
Thus, power (or electricity, both terms are used interchangeably hereinafter) may be transferred from an electrical outlet to various devices connectable to individual outlets of a module of a power distribution unit.
Such power distribution units may find application, for example, in data centers or data processing centers. For example, the power distribution unit may enable power to be supplied to each server or other network device of the rack.
Of course, other applications are also possible. In an industrial or professional environment, such devices may be used to power a large number of co-located equipment. However, similar demands may also occur in individual homes, especially due to the strong growth of digital devices and home automation.
As shown in fig. 1, the auxiliary modules may be of different types.
This type of auxiliary module can be characterized in particular by a number of electrical sockets (at which the socket is shown by a simple circle in this figure). Thus, an auxiliary module having 2, 3, 5, 8 … electrical outlets may be provided. In the example shown, the input module 10 8 There is no output electrical socket.
Furthermore, the type of auxiliary module may be characterized by the type of receptacle that the auxiliary module includes. For example, the auxiliary module may have a C13 socket, a C19 socket ….
The C13 outlet is suitable for office computers, simple industrial equipment, and relatively low power equipment (such as switches or mini-servers) for computer data centers. For voltages between 90V and 250V, the socket supports currents up to 10 amps to 15 amps.
When the power requested by this type of jack is too great, the C19 jack is suitable as a replacement for the C13 jack for high power equipment of a computer data center, such as a computer server chassis (e.g., poweredge M1000 e box from Dell11 or C7000 box from HP). For voltages between 100V and 240V, the socket supports currents up to 15 amps to 20 amps.
Other types of sockets are of course possible without loss of generality, in particular depending on the application and the country.
According to one embodiment, some auxiliary modules may be of a type suitable for performing functions other than power allocation. For example, one type of auxiliary module may be embedded in an environmental sensor (temperature, humidity rate, etc.).
Typically, the power distribution units PDU form a unidirectional chain of modules, i.e. each module has exactly two adjacent modules, except for the two end modules.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the base module 20 is located substantially in the middle of the power distribution unit and typically has auxiliary modules on each side.
Each of the two subsets of modules located on either side of the base module may be referred to as a "branch".Thus, in fig. 1, there is a control module 10 1 、10 2 、10 3 、10 4 Constituted "left" branch and consisting of auxiliary modules 10 5 、10 6 、10 7 、10 8 The "right" branch is formed.
According to the invention, the power distribution unit is "intelligent", in other words it provides a communication interface to allow it to be managed remotely.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the management comprises either or both of two aspects:
-monitoring, or monitoring, comprising collecting measurements or other parameters associated with each receptacle;
-a command or control comprising a remote activation of specific parameters associated with each socket in order to modify the behaviour of each socket.
Thus, data messages may be exchanged between the external management device and the different modules of the power distribution unit. Some messages are intended to transmit data (measurements, etc.) from the module to the external device, while other messages are intended to transmit data (commands, requests, etc.) to the auxiliary module.
According to one embodiment, the base module serves as an interface between the external management device and the various auxiliary modules.
In order to allow external devices to operate, an address or identifier must be assigned to each manageable object of the power distribution unit. These manageable objects include electrical outlet 10 1 、10 2 、10 8 Etc., as long as it is desired to be able to individually monitor and control the behavior of each outlet.
By means of such an address, the external device can identify the socket to which the data message has arrived and, conversely, can transmit the data message to act on a given socket.
According to the invention, the basic module serves to dynamically assign addresses to the objects to be managed (in particular the electrical outlets) constituting the auxiliary modules of the power distribution unit.
According to various aspects, the present invention relates to a base module and an auxiliary module adapted to cooperate within a power distribution unit, and such a power distribution unit comprising a set of such modules.
Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a secondary module 10 and a primary module (or primary module or "primary" module) 20 within a power distribution unit PDU according to one embodiment of the invention.
For clarity of the figure, only one auxiliary module 10 is shown in fig. 2, but in practice the power distribution unit PDU may comprise a plurality of such auxiliary modules.
According to an embodiment, the module may comprise a housing such that the individual elements making up the module may be accommodated. The housing may be a rigid structure, typically made of plastic and/or metallic material, and includes apertures to allow connection with the socket and interface.
The auxiliary module 10 includes a set of electrical receptacles 14 1 、14 2 、14 3 . The number of these receptacles may vary depending on the auxiliary module as described above. In some cases, the set of electrical outlets may be reduced to a single outlet. Also, the sockets may be of different types.
The electrical outlet is connected to the internal connection outlet 15, allowing power to be supplied through an input module contained in the power distribution unit. Thus, the energy introduced by the power outlet 16 of the input module may be distributed among all of the auxiliary modules, and thus within each of these auxiliary modules, within the "output" power outlet set 14 1 、14 2 、14 3 Is allocated in the middle.
Each electrical outlet may be powered by a relay. This relay may be monitored or controlled by the management device 11 in order to allow energy from the internal connection to be transferred to the associated electrical outlet or to prevent the passage of energy from the internal connection.
Further, the auxiliary module 10 includes: at least one interface 12, 13 for transmitting data with another module (possibly with an adjacent module); and management means 11 for managing the electrical outlets individually by means of messages exchanged with the base module 20 of the power distribution unit PDU via these interfaces. These messages identify the electrical outlet as determined by the unique address.
As will be seen later, the modules are connected to form a chain, the interface enabling data to be transmitted with the remote module via the adjacent module.
According to one embodiment, the management device 11 is constituted by a printed circuit comprising at least one programmable microcontroller, a memory, and a circuit enabling connection between the microcontroller, the memory and the interfaces 12, 13.
Advantageously, the same software program can be implemented on all auxiliary modules and adapted to discover its environment (number of sockets on the module, any other manageable objects, etc.). Such an embodiment facilitates deployment of the present invention, particularly by maintaining a single version of a software program.
The management device 11 is thus connected with the interfaces 12, 13 in order to allow messages or more generally data to be transmitted between the management device and these interfaces and to allow data to thus be communicated with the adjacent module and with the remote module through the adjacent module communication.
In fig. 2, the interface 12 is connected to an interface 22 of the base module 20. Thus, the management device 11 can transmit data with the management device 21 of the base module 20.
The auxiliary module 10 may also comprise a second interface 13 so that data can be transferred with a module different from the module connected to the first interface 12.
According to an exemplary embodiment, each module comprises exactly two interfaces 12, 13, so that each module can be directly connected to two different adjacent modules. The modules are arranged longitudinally within the power distribution unit PDU such that each module is connected to two adjacent modules in an interface-to-interface manner, except for the two modules located at the ends, forming a chain.
Thus, messages exchanged between a given secondary module and a primary module may be transferred from adjacent modules to adjacent modules. Thus, in the example of FIG. 1, in the auxiliary module 10 1 Messages transmitted with the base module 20 via the auxiliary module 10 2 、10 3 、10 4 Is transmitted.
Thus, messages received on a first interface of an auxiliary module may be processed by the management means 11 of the module (if they relate to an electrical outlet or another manageable object of the module) or retransmitted on another interface of the same auxiliary module.
Thus, the connection between successive module interfaces of the chain forms a data bus, wherein, at each transmission (or "hop"), the module determines whether the message relates to a manageable object contained in the message. In this way, for the base module, the set of auxiliary modules can be accessed directly (for the adjacent module) or indirectly (for the remote module, via the chain of auxiliary modules).
The base module may also have two interfaces 22, 23 to enable data transfer with the auxiliary modules located on either side. As mentioned above, the base module may preferably be located substantially in the middle of the power distribution unit PDU. Each interface of the base module 20 forms the end of a data bus associated with a "branch" of the auxiliary module. In other words, each interface of the base module makes it possible to access a set of auxiliary modules corresponding to the associated branches.
As with the auxiliary modules, the base module 20 includes a management device 21.
According to one embodiment, the management device 21 is constituted by a printed circuit comprising at least one programmable microcontroller, a memory, and a circuit enabling connection between the microcontroller, the memory and the interfaces 22, 23.
The software programs implemented by these management means comprise functions different from those of the software programs implemented on the management means 11 of the auxiliary module. However, the same software program may be implemented, which is adapted to adapt the mode of operation of the software program to the type of module implemented by the software program.
The operation of the management module 11, 21 of the auxiliary module 10 or the base module 20, respectively, will be described later, in particular for assigning addresses to the electrical outlets of the auxiliary modules.
The connection between two interfaces of adjacent modules may be accomplished by means of a wire strip 30.
An embodiment of this belt is shown in fig. 3.
The strip consists of two connectors 32, 33 adapted to be physically and electrically connected to two interfaces (12, 22 respectively) of modules adjacent to each other.
The band is adapted to transmit invite signals and messages between the modules of the power distribution unit PDU.
The belt 30 is also adapted to supply energy to the module management device according to one embodiment of the invention. A particular module may provide an energy source and thus allocate the energy source to different module management devices of the PDU. Typically, the base module has a current converter adapted to convert the current received from the power supply of the input module into a low voltage current, e.g. 12V, so that the management means of the respective module can be supplied with power via the belt 30.
According to one embodiment, the band 30 has a wire capable of carrying an invite signal. The wire may be unidirectional.
According to one embodiment, the voltage level on the wire is such that the invitation information may be transmitted. For example, setting the voltage to a predetermined level (e.g., a low level of 0 volts) forms such an invite signal. The voltage may be maintained at this low level for a predetermined duration.
The band may also include a set of wires for transmitting messages.
According to one embodiment, a single wire is provided for transmission of a message.
In particular, it may be provided that the transmission of messages is performed in serial mode only on the bidirectional conductor.
This transmission may follow a UART type protocol. The term UART stands for "universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter" and defines a protocol or set of rules that are specific to serial data exchange between two devices. Thus, UART components may be provided to perform serial/parallel conversion between the microcontroller and the interface of the management device.
In particular, protocols may be provided to allow messages to be transmitted in a bi-directional manner and to adjust the access of the messages. In particular, the base module always initiates communication so that the auxiliary module can use the bi-directional line only in response to the request message. Thus, there may be no access conflict.
The interfaces of the auxiliary module and the base module are adapted to cooperate with such a belt 30. In particular, according to one embodiment, the interface comprises: a first connector for transmitting a unidirectional line of the invite signal; and a second connector for a set of bi-directional lines for transmitting messages. According to one embodiment, the set of bidirectional conductors comprises only one, and the second connector is adapted to the single conductor (conductor 4 in fig. 3). These first and second connectors may be the same physical component.
According to one embodiment, the interface is intended to be reversible with respect to the connector of the strap, that is, the strap may be connected in a variety of physically possible locations without causing damage. In particular, the power supply line is adapted not to generate a short circuit regardless of the connection position.
According to one embodiment, the band 30 may include 6 wires, as shown in FIG. 3. For example:
1+12V
2 mass
3 invite signal
4 serial mode data message
5 mass
6+12V
Redundancy of wires 1, 2 and 5, 6 makes it possible to solve the reversibility constraint of the ribbon with respect to the interface.
Thus, if the direction of connector 32 is reversed relative to interface 12, it is noted that conductor 1 will occupy the position of conductor 6, but both conductors correspond to a voltage of +12V. Likewise, conductor 2 would replace conductor 5, but both conductors would correspond to ground. Thus, this reversal by a human user will not cause damage to the module and the power distribution unit.
Fig. 4 shows other arrangements of the interface 12 of the module and the connector 32 of the belt 30.
The interface 12 comprises 6 connection elements 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126. The ribbon connector 32 further comprises 6 connection elements 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326 corresponding to the ribbon conductors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, respectively. Connection elements 121 and 126 correspond to a supply voltage of +12v, while elements 122 and 125 are grounded.
By connecting the connector to the interface, the wires 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are connected to the connection elements 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, respectively.
By reversing the connector 32 (or the interface 12), the connection elements 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126 are connected to the wires 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, respectively. Thus, connecting elements 121 and 126 remain connected to voltage +12v, while connecting elements 122 and 125 remain connected to ground.
According to the invention, an address is assigned to at least each socket of the auxiliary module group of the power distribution unit PDU. Addresses may also be assigned to other manageable objects and input modules according to embodiments of the invention. The manageable object may be, for example, an environmental sensor (thermometer, fluid analysis sensor, etc.).
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for assigning addresses to electrical outlets of a power distribution unit.
This method may be implemented, for example, when the power distribution unit is powered up. This method can also be triggered again by sending a specific command to the base unit (in order to reset the unit PDU, for example, after a problem or a new accessory has occurred).
Fig. 5 shows the course of the method according to the invention on an example of a power distribution unit PDU consisting of a base module and three auxiliary modules (auxiliary module 1, auxiliary module 2 and auxiliary module 3). The order of the modules shown corresponds to the physical arrangement of the modules in the unit PDU. Thus, the supplementary module 1 is located on a first branch connected to a first interface of the base module, and the supplementary modules 2 and 3 are located on a second branch connected to a second interface of the base module.
In a first step, the base module transmits an invite signal m on a first interface selected from its interface group 1 . The selection may be any one.
When handling a first interface through which the auxiliary module of the first branch is accessible, the base module will be able to handle a second interface through which the auxiliary module of the second branch is accessible, and so on in case more than two interfaces are available.
As described above, the invite signal m 1 May be a simple electrical signal on one of the conductors of the strip 30, for example set to a low voltage.
The management means of the auxiliary module are adapted to continuously monitor the presence of the invite signal, for example by continuously monitoring the level of the wire of the strip 30.
The auxiliary module detects that the invite signal triggers an address request message m for each electrical outlet comprised by the auxiliary module 2 Is transmitted by the base station.
The means for managing the auxiliary module may determine the number of electrical outlets comprised by the auxiliary module in different ways. For example, a resistor placed on a printed circuit that may constitute the management device may make it possible to indicate the type of auxiliary module and in particular the number of available sockets that the auxiliary module has.
Also, as described above, other manageable objects of the auxiliary module may require an address.
Typically, in response to the invite signal, the auxiliary module requires an address for each manageable object (including an electrical outlet) that the auxiliary module has. Thus, once the address of each manageable object is known, the manageable object may be addressed individually.
Thus, address request message m 2 An indication of the number of addresses required is included to request an address for each manageable object.
This message m 2 Is a data message transmitted by the data conductor of the band 30. Different embodiments of formatting this message are possible. According to a particular embodiment, this message may be of the form:
TABLE 1
FC Destination(s) PL1 PL2 CRC
The field FC ("function code") indicates the code of the function transmitted by the message. The value of this field may be a preset value to indicate that this is an address request.
The "destination" field may indicate the address of the destination manageable object. Here, this field is a base module. This field may not work in the context of address allocation, but once an address has been allocated, it may be important to manage manageable objects.
These first two fields form the header of the message.
The field "PL1" ("payload") constitutes a first part of the payload of the message and may contain an indicator of the type of auxiliary module, in particular in case the auxiliary module is a jack module, an input module or alternatively another type yet to be defined.
The field "PL2" constitutes the second part of the payload of the message and may contain an indicator of the number of addresses required. This number may be encoded in 8 bits, for example, so that up to 256 manageable objects may be indicated. Typically, however, the number of receptacles of the auxiliary module may be 2, 3, 8, etc.
The field "CRC" ("cyclic redundancy code") is an error correction code so that it can be verified that the message is transmitted correctly.
Responsive to such address request message m 2 The base module assigns as many unique addresses as indicated in the received request message.
When a plurality of messages are received, the addresses may be determined by the base module based on the interface from which the address request message was received and the reception level of the message.
Once assigned, the address may be stored within the data structure of the base module.
Thus, the base module may have a set of addresses and assign the set of addresses in sequence.
According to one embodiment, these available addresses may be simple counters, which allow the addresses to be allocated sequentially and consecutively, that is, at the end of the allocation process, consecutive addresses are allocated from address 1 to address N, where N is the total number of manageable objects within the power distribution unit PDU.
For example, when the base module receives the first address request message, the base module assigns a first address (e.g., addresses 1, 2, 3 if 3 addresses are requested) of the available addresses. Then, when another address request message is received, another auxiliary module, other available addresses (e.g., addresses 4, 5 if two addresses are being requested), etc. are assigned.
Thus, for a given branch (corresponding to the interface of the base module), addresses are allocated in the order of the chain of auxiliary modules, the first address being allocated to the manageable objects of the auxiliary modules adjacent to the base module.
Once the processed address request message and the assigned corresponding address are sent, a message m is assigned by one or more addresses 3 To transmit the processed address request message and the assigned corresponding address. According to one embodiment, a single address assignment message contains all addresses.
According to an embodiment in which the addresses are consecutively and sequentially allocated counters, it may be sufficient to transfer the boundaries of the allocated address groups.
For example, if it is assumed that the supplementary module 1 requires 8 addresses, the address allocation message may contain a value of 8. This value may mean that addresses 1 to 8 are assigned to the auxiliary module. In general, an auxiliary module requesting x addresses and receiving a value V may interpret the value as indicating that addresses from V-x+1 to V are assigned to the auxiliary module as addresses.
A convention may be established to determine which socket of the auxiliary module matches the assigned address.
According to one embodiment, addresses are assigned to the receptacles of the auxiliary module according to the order in the physical arrangement of the receptacles. In particular, an order corresponding to the physical distance level of the base module may be adopted.
For example, a first assigned address is assigned to the socket closest to the base module (i.e., the interface receiving the address assignment message), a second address is assigned to the immediately adjacent socket, and so on, until the last assigned address is assigned to the socket furthest from the base module.
Address assignment message m 3 The format must be that of the address request message m 2 The same type.
In particular, this message m 3 Is a data message transmitted by the data conductor of the band 30. Different embodiments of formatting the message are possible. According to a particular embodiment, this message may be of the form:
TABLE 2
FC Destination(s) PL1 PL2 CRC
The field FC (for "function code") indicates the code of the function transmitted by the message. The value of this field may be a preset value to indicate that this is an address request. In practice the same value may be used in order to indicate that the address assignment message is a response (according to the protocol) to the address request message.
The "destination" field may indicate the address of the destination manageable object. Here, this field is a base module. This field may not work in the context of address allocation, but once an address has been allocated, this field may be important for managing manageable objects.
These first two fields form the header of the message.
The field "PL1" ("payload") constitutes the first part of the payload of the message and may contain, for example, an identifier of the power distribution unit. This field is optional.
The field "PL2" constitutes the second part of the payload of the message and may contain the boundary value of the address counter. This number may be encoded in 8 bits, for example, so that up to 256 manageable objects may be indicated.
The field "CRC" ("cyclic redundancy code") is an error correction code so that it can be verified that the message is transmitted correctly.
In response to this address assignment message, the auxiliary module stores the address in an internal data structure within the management device.
The supplementary module may transmit an acknowledgement message (or "acknowledge message") m 4 To indicate that the auxiliary module has successfully received an address corresponding to the request of the auxiliary module.
The auxiliary module (i.e. its management means) may further trigger the transmission of the invite signal on another interface, i.e. to a different adjacent module than the module from which the auxiliary module itself received the invite signal.
In the example of fig. 5, the supplementary module 1 has no other neighbors than the basic module and is therefore not able to transmit this invite signal.
The base module receives the confirmation message m 4 A timer may be triggered. When the last message (and thus the acknowledgement message) has been received on a given interface for a predetermined duration, it may be assumed that the entire branch corresponding to that interface has been processed.
The base module may then consider another interface and another branch. The base module is then in the otherTransmitting an invite signal m over an interface 5 . All auxiliary modules have the same behavior and therefore will perform the same address assignment process for this other branch. When all interfaces have been processed (typically only two interfaces), the process of assigning addresses may be stopped, as all sockets and other manageable objects have been assigned unique addresses.
In the example of fig. 5, the supplementary module 1 is located at the end of the branch, and the basic module receives only a single acknowledgement message m over this interface 4 . After a predetermined time has elapsed, the supplementary module thus transmits an invite signal m on the second interface of the supplementary module 5
The invite signal is detected by the supplementary module 2, the neighbouring module of which is on the branch corresponding to the second interface.
In response, the supplementary module 2 transmits an address request message m containing the requested plurality of addresses 6 . In this example, it is assumed that the auxiliary module 2 has 3 electrical outlets. The supplementary module thus requires 3 unique addresses.
In response to this message m 6 The base module determines new addresses, stores these new addresses, and assigns messages m at the addresses 7 These new addresses are transmitted.
For example, this message m 7 A value of 11 may be included, meaning that addresses 9 to 11 are assigned to this message (i.e., V-x+1=9 to v=11, where x=3).
The supplementary module stores these addresses and transmits an acknowledgement message m on the interface on which the supplementary module receives the allocation message 8 Then transmitting the invite signal m on another interface (different from the interface on which the supplementary module itself received the invite signal) 9
The invite signal m 9 Detected by the next auxiliary module in the chain, i.e. the auxiliary module 3.
In response, the auxiliary module is at address m 10 A request message containing the number of addresses that the supplementary module is requesting (corresponding to the number of manageable objects the supplementary module has). In this example, assume that theThe auxiliary module comprises two electrical outlets and thus the auxiliary module is requesting two unique addresses. This message is transmitted over the same interface as the interface that receives the invite message.
Address request message m 10 Received by the supplementary module 2.
The module determines that the address request message is independent of the module. In fact, the supplementary module 2 has previously received an address allocation message, which is no longer waiting to receive an address allocation message, so it is assumed that any new message of this type is associated with another supplementary module.
The supplementary module then retransmits the message m on another interface of the supplementary module 10
Once received by the base module, the module then determines the number of unique addresses (2 in this example) corresponding to the value indicated by the address request message.
These addresses may be the next address in the ordered set of available addresses. The base module stores these addresses and assigns a message m at the address 11 These addresses are transmitted.
For example, this message m 11 A value of 13 may be included, meaning that addresses 12 to 13 are assigned to this message (i.e. from V-x+1=11 to v=13, where x=2).
Just like the previous message m 10 That way, this message m 11 From the auxiliary module to the auxiliary module. This message eventually reaches the destination assistance module 3.
In fact, the secondary modules that have received the secondary allocation message are in a state in which they transmit only new messages of this type, as previously described.
The supplementary module 3 stores these addresses and transmits an acknowledgement message m on the interface on which the supplementary module receives the allocation message 12 It is then checked whether the supplementary module has a neighboring module on another interface (different from the interface on which the supplementary module itself received the invite signal). The supplementary module is not able to transmit the invite signal because it has no adjacent module on the other interface.
At the receiving sideTo acknowledgement message m 12 After that, the base module does not receive other messages. After a predetermined period of time, the corresponding branch may be considered to have been fully addressed. Then, if another interface is present, a new interface may be considered, otherwise (as in the example illustrated in fig. 5) the process of assigning addresses is discontinued.
At this stage, the base module has stored the entire addressing space:
addresses 1 to 8: auxiliary module 1 on first interface
Addresses 9 to 11: auxiliary module 2 on the second interface
Addresses 12 to 13: auxiliary module 3 on the second interface
If the example of the power distribution unit of fig. 1 is employed, wherein the circles represent managed electrical outlets, and assuming that the base module 20 starts the addressing process on its left interface, the following addressing spaces are obtained:
Addresses 1, 2: module 10 on left interface 4
Addresses 3, 4: module 10 on left interface 3
Address 5: module 10 on left interface 2
Address 6: module 10 on left interface 1
Addresses 7, 8: module 10 on right interface 5
Addresses 9, 10: module 10 on right interface 6
Addresses 11, 12: module 10 on right interface 7
Address 13: input module 10 on right interface 8
Thus, the method allows for the automatic assignment of unique addresses to a group of electrical outlets (or other managed elements) of the power distribution unit without requiring pre-configuration.
In practice it is sufficient to connect one module to another by means of a management band, so that the transmission of the invite signal and the address request message, the address allocation and the acknowledgement automatically makes it possible to allocate the correct number of addresses to the module.
The sockets and modules can be addressed correctly, regardless of the number of sockets and modules.
According to one embodiment, the mechanism for assigning addresses based on counters makes it possible to further ensure the uniqueness of the addresses and to be easy to implement. However, other embodiments are contemplated.
The use of the invite signal allows for ordering of the address assignments from module to module in a structured and known order. Thus, all addresses assigned to the same module must be consecutive. Likewise, two adjacent modules must have adjacent addresses. Thus, this mechanism greatly facilitates the management of the module addressing tables and message routing mechanisms for the management unit PDUs.
According to one embodiment, the base module comprises a management interface enabling exchange with external devices via management messages. These management messages may include at least one socket address (or the address of another manageable object) as previously assigned.
Thus, the address assigned by the present invention may allow the management device to manage each plug of the power distribution unit individually.
In particular, a message containing measurement results or other information may be received from the outlet, and the address of the outlet is such that the outlet may be identified. In the other direction, the external device may control the remote measuring device through a unique address of the remote measuring device to turn the remote measuring device on, off, and the like.
The management message may conform to various standards for remote management of the network or electronic device. One example of such a standard is the SNMP protocol ("simple network management protocol"). Other mechanisms are possible as CLI-type interfaces ("command line interfaces") or implementations of Web servers within the base module that are accessible by external devices via protocol http.
According to one embodiment, several power distribution units may be connected to each other. The first unit is connected to the second unit in a "cascade" fashion, the second unit itself is connected to the third unit, and so on. Only the unit at the beginning of the chain may have a management interface which may thus allow interfacing of all units interconnected with external devices.
In such cases, it may be desirable that the electrical outlets of all power distribution units constitute only a single addressing space for external devices.
Thus, the address may be determined by combining the locally unique address to the power distribution unit (e.g., counter) and the identifier of the power distribution unit. This way of constructing the address makes it possible to address all sockets of a set of several PDUs in a unique way.
Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described and shown, but is defined by the claims. In particular, the present invention is susceptible to a number of variants available to those skilled in the art.

Claims (15)

1. An auxiliary module (10) for a Power Distribution Unit (PDU), the auxiliary module comprising
-a set of electrical sockets (14) 1 ,14 2 ,14 3 ) The set of electrical outlets being connected to an internal connection outlet (15) enabling energy to be supplied through an input module of the power distribution unit,
at least one interface (12, 13) for transmitting data with another module in the power distribution unit,
management means (11) for individually managing the electrical outlets of the group by means of messages exchanged with the base module of the power distribution unit via the at least one interface, identifiers of the electrical outlets of the group determined by unique addresses,
-wherein the management means is adapted to transmit an address request message on a first interface (12) of the at least one interface specifying the number of electrical sockets of the group in response to an invite signal received on the first interface, and the management means is adapted to store the one or more addresses in response to one or more address allocation messages.
2. The auxiliary module according to the preceding claim, wherein the management means are adapted to transmit a second invite signal on a second interface (13) of the at least one interface, which second interface (13) is different from the first interface (12), after having received the one or more allocation messages.
3. A base module (20) for a power distribution unit, the base module comprising
At least one interface (22, 23) for transmitting data with an auxiliary module in the power distribution unit,
-management means (21) adapted to issue an invite signal on a first interface (22) of said at least one interface, and then to allocate one or more unique addresses in response to an address request message received on said first interface and to transmit said one or more unique addresses on said first interface in the form of one or more address allocation messages.
4. The base module according to the preceding claim, wherein the management means are adapted to issue a new invite signal from the at least one interface on the second interface (23) when a predetermined duration has elapsed after receipt of the last message via the first interface (22).
5. The base module according to one of claims 3 or 4, comprising a management interface capable of exchanging management messages with external devices, the management interface comprising at least one socket address.
6. The auxiliary module according to one of claims 1 to 2 or the base module according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the management device is constituted by a printed circuit comprising: a programmable microcontroller; a memory; and circuitry enabling connection between the microcontroller, the memory, and the at least one interface.
7. The auxiliary module according to one of claims 1 to 2 or the base module according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one interface comprises a unidirectional wire connector for transmitting the invite signal and a connector for a set of bidirectional wires for transmitting the message.
8. The auxiliary module according to one of claims 1 to 2 or the base module according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the invite signal corresponds to a predetermined voltage level on the unidirectional line.
9. The auxiliary module according to one of claims 1 to 2 or the base module according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the unique address is assigned by a counter of the base module, the address assignment message contains a value of the counter, and the auxiliary module determines the unique addresses assigned to the sockets of the group in a predetermined order according to the value and the number of sockets.
10. A power distribution unit comprising a base module according to one of claims 3 to 6 and at least one auxiliary module according to one of claims 1 or 2, said modules being connected via at least one respective interface of said modules so as to form a chain.
11. The power distribution unit of the preceding claim, further comprising an input module comprising an electrical outlet (16).
12. The power distribution unit of one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the at least one interface further comprises two pairs of connectors for a power supply of the management device, the two pairs of connectors being arranged such that the interface is reversible and the power supply is provided by a current converter arranged in the base module.
13. A method for assigning addresses to electrical outlets of an electrical distribution unit, the electrical distribution unit comprising a base module (20) comprising at least one interface through which at least one auxiliary module is accessible, the at least one auxiliary module comprising a set of electrical outlets connected to internal connection outlets enabling energy supply through an input module of the electrical distribution unit,
wherein for each of the at least one interface (22, 23), the base module transmits an invite signal (m 1 ,m 5 ),
Then, iteratively:
-upon receipt of the invite signal, the at least one supplementary module transmitting an address request message (m 2 ,m 6 ,m 10 ) Indicating the number of electrical outlets of the assembly;
-the base module assigning a unique address to each socket and using such addresses as one or more address assignment messages (m 3 ,m 7 ,m 11 ) Transmitting;
-the at least one auxiliary module storing the unique address and then transmitting a second invite signal (m 9 ) If the second invite signal is present.
14. A data processing center comprising at least one power distribution unit according to one of claims 10 to 12.
15. The data processing center according to the preceding claim, further comprising an external management device adapted to exchange with the power distribution unit through management messages comprising at least one outlet address.
CN202380011957.3A 2022-01-31 2023-01-10 Address assignment for modular power distribution units Pending CN117461236A (en)

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FR2200798A FR3132366B1 (en) 2022-01-31 2022-01-31 Address assignment for modular power distribution unit
FRFR2200798 2022-01-31
PCT/FR2023/050027 WO2023144479A1 (en) 2022-01-31 2023-01-10 Address assignment for a modular power distribution unit

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US7522036B1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2009-04-21 Geist Manufacturing, Inc. Integrated power and environmental monitoring electrical distribution system
US8170722B1 (en) * 2010-12-09 2012-05-01 Elbex Video Ltd. Method and apparatus for coding and linking electrical appliances for control and status report
CN103176433B (en) * 2011-12-23 2015-04-22 硕天科技股份有限公司 Power distribution unit and method for utilizing single internet protocol (IP) to control majority of power distribution units
GB2504056A (en) * 2012-04-27 2014-01-22 Vioearth Holdings Ltd Energy saving device with intelligent power control
TWI575363B (en) * 2015-07-28 2017-03-21 碩天科技股份有限公司 Power apparatus having expandable outlet and outlet expanding method thereof

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