FR3093841A1 - centralizing meter for automated metering management of an electrical distribution service - Google Patents

Abstract

In an automated metering management system as part of an electrical distribution service, a centralizing meter (120) is connected to a data concentrator (110) via a first line power communication network (100) operating in a first frequency band. The centralizing meter (120) is also connected to remote basic meters (131, 132, 133) via a second communication network by line powerline carriers (101) acting in a second frequency band. The centralizing meter (120) emulates an intelligent electricity meter application with respect to the data concentrator (110) for each remote basic meter (131, 132, 133), and thus responds to application requests from the data concentrator ( 110) with respect to the remote basic meters (131, 132, 133) as part of the electrical distribution service, by controlling the remote basic meters (131, 132, 133) using a set of atomic metrology commands and circuit breaker management. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

centralizing meter for automated metering management of an electrical distribution service

The present invention relates to powerline communication networks (“PowerLine Communications”) for AMM (“Automated Metering Management”) automated metering management systems.

Line carrier communication networks for AMM automated metering management systems have appeared in recent years, particularly in the context of electrical distribution services. Mention may be made, for example, of the G3-PLC standard specified in the ITU-T recommendation G.9903. In such communication networks powerline, communications are established between electrical meters, called smart electricity meters ( "smart electricity meters" in English), and a hub node, sometimes called data concentrator ( "data concentrator" English) or base node ( "base node" in English) or coordinator ( "coordinator" in English), in particular to enable automated remote reading of electricity consumption measurements made by said smart meters and to enable a generally a remote control of electricity meters. Several data concentrators are then geographically deployed to distribute the load of collecting meter readings from smart electricity meters. Each data concentrator then serves as a relay between the smart electricity meters and a management entity of the AMM automated metering management system which is in charge of centrally processing the meter readings.

Thus, smart electricity meters become more autonomous and make it possible to avoid an agent of the electricity distribution operator having to travel to the home to regularly take meter readings. On the other hand, the internal architecture of electricity meters is becoming more complex, which increases the cost of design, manufacture and maintenance. Indeed, such smart electricity meters comprise two controllers: a first controller dedicated to metrology operations for energy consumption metering and a second controller dedicated to application operations, namely user interface management, calendar and curve management. of load, qualimetry and anti-fraud operations, and, above all, the management of communications in the AMM automated metering management system. Indeed, the management of communications in the AMM automated metering management system is based on application encapsulations typically compliant with the DLMS/COSEM standard (“Device Language Message Specification / Companion Specification for Energy Metering”), as described in the normative document IEC 62056-5-3 and in the 12th edition of the document "Bluebook: COSEM Interface Classes and OBIS Object Identification System" published by the DLMS User Association, which requires significant processing resources in smart electricity meters.

It is then desirable to overcome these drawbacks of the state of the art. It is particularly desirable to provide a solution which makes it possible to limit the hardware resources of smart electric meters used in automated AMM metering management systems in the context of electric distribution services.

An object of the present invention is to propose a device, called centralizing meter, intended to be included in an automated metering management system within the framework of an electrical distribution service, the centralizing meter comprising a first communication unit by currents powerline carrier configured to perform powerline communications in a first frequency band, the first powerline communication unit being adapted to communicate with a data concentrator via a first powerline communication network. The centralizing meter further comprises: a second powerline communication unit configured to perform powerline communications in a second frequency band separate from the first frequency band, the second powerline communication unit being intended to communicate with a plurality of devices, called remote basic meters, via a second communication network by power line carriers; a control unit configured to emulate a smart electricity meter application to the data concentrator for each remote basic meter registered with the centralizing meter via the second power line communication network, such that each basic meter remote is perceived by the data concentrator as being located in the centralizing meter within the first communication network by power line carriers. In addition, the control unit is configured to respond to application requests from the data concentrator with respect to remote basic meters within the framework of the electrical distribution service, by controlling the remote basic meters using a set of commands atomic metrology and circuit breaker management. Thus, the bulk of the application processing which requires the bulk of the processing hardware resources usually required in smart electricity meters is pooled within the centralizing meter for the remote basic meters attached to it, which makes it possible to preserve hardware resources. smart electricity meters.

According to a particular embodiment, the first communication unit is equipped with a first filter adapted to suppress the second frequency band.

According to a particular embodiment, the second communication unit is provided with a second filter adapted to suppress the first frequency band.

According to a particular embodiment, the first frequency band is of the CENELEC-A type and the second frequency band is of the FCC type.

According to a particular embodiment, the centralizing meter further comprises a user interface unit, the user interface unit comprising a display and a control panel adapted to allow a user to enter a password, and in wherein the control unit is configured to verify that a password entered for a remote basic meter matches an expected password for said remote basic meter, and if so, the control unit is configured to retrieve a count index reading from the instance of the emulated application corresponding to said remote basic counter and to instruct the user interface unit to display the retrieved count index reading on the display.

The invention also relates to a metering system intended to be used in an automated metering management system intended to be used within the framework of an electrical distribution service, the metering system comprising the centralizing meter and the plurality of basic meters deported, connected to the centralizing meter via the second communication network by power line carriers.

The invention also relates to an automated metering management system intended to be used in the context of an electrical distribution service comprising: the metering system; the first powerline communication network; the data concentrator; and smart electricity meters connected to the data hub via the first powerline communication network.

According to a particular embodiment, the second line powerline communication network has a star topology and the first line powerline communication network has a mesh or spanning tree topology.

The invention also relates to a method implemented by a device, called a centralizing meter, included in an automated metering management system in the context of an electrical distribution service, the method comprising the following step: carrying out communications by carrier currents online in a first frequency band with a data concentrator via a first online powerline communication network. In addition, the method comprises the following steps: carrying out communications by carrier currents online in a second frequency band distinct from the first frequency band with a plurality of devices, called remote basic meters, via a second communication network by carrier currents in line ; emulate a smart electricity meter application to the data concentrator for each remote basic meter registered with the centralizing meter via the second power line communication network, such that each remote basic meter is perceived by the concentrator data as being located in the centralizing meter within the first power line communication network; and respond to application requests from the data concentrator vis-à-vis the remote basic meters in the context of the electrical distribution service, by controlling the remote basic meters using a set of atomic metrology and circuit breaker management commands .

The invention also relates to a computer program, which can be stored on a medium and/or downloaded from a communication network, in order to be read by a processor. This computer program includes instructions for implementing the method mentioned above, when said program is executed by the processor. The invention also relates to storage means comprising such a computer program.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of at least one embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

schematically illustrates a communication system, supporting automated counting management, in which the present invention is implemented;

schematically illustrates an example of a hardware arrangement of a control unit used in the communication system;

schematically illustrates a centralizing counter arrangement of the communication system;

schematically illustrates a basic remote meter arrangement of the communication system;

schematically illustrates exchanges between a remote basic meter and a centralizing meter in the communication system; and

schematically illustrates exchanges between a centralizing counter and a data concentrator in the communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 thus schematically illustrates an example of a communication system, supporting automated management of AMM metering in the context of electrical distribution services, in which the present invention is implemented.

The communication system comprises at least one PLCN (PowerLine Communications Network) communication network 100, simply referred to as PLCN network 100 hereinafter, logically deployed on an electrical power supply network. The PLCN 100 network allows the implementation of an automated AMM metering management system within the framework of electrical distribution services.

The communication system comprises a particular node device, called data concentrator DC (“data concentrator” in English). The PLCN network 100 is intended to allow a plurality of node devices to be connected to the DC data concentrator 110. The node devices that the PLCN network 100 aims to connect to the DC data concentrator 110 are smart electricity meters SEM ("smart electricity meters ” in English) 121, 122, 123. The PLCN network 100 thus makes it possible to establish communications by power line carrier currents (“powerline communications” in English), so that the data concentrator DC 110 can in particular automatically carry out operations for collecting electricity consumption meter readings, said metering being carried out by the smart electricity meters vis-à-vis electrical installations that said smart electricity meters are respectively responsible for supervising. The PLCN network 100 also notably allows the data concentrator DC 110 to carry out application update operations with the smart electricity meters, and in general, to remotely control said smart electricity meters. Communications by power line carriers via the PLCN network 100 preferably comply with the G3-PLC protocol. As a variant, communications by power line carriers via the PLCN network 100 are preferably in accordance with the PRIME (“Powerline Intelligent Metering Evolution” in English, as defined in the normative document ITU G.9904) specifications.

The communication system further comprises a management entity of the AMM automated metering management system which is in particular in charge of centrally processing the meter readings. The management entity of the AMM automated counting management system takes the form of a server SERV 150, or of a set of servers, to which the data concentrator DC 110 is connected via a communication link 140. communication 140 is a wireless communication link, for example of the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) type, UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) or LTE (Long-Term Evolution) type. . The communication link 140 can alternatively be a wired communication link.

Data concentrator DC 110 performs meter reading collection operations on behalf of server SERV 150. In other words, data concentrator DC 110 collects meter readings from smart electricity meters attached to it ( ie the smart electricity meters of the PLCN network 100), then provides said readings to the server SERV 150 for processing. In addition, the data concentrator DC 110 preferentially performs the application update operations on behalf of the server SERV 150. The application update operations are carried out by the data concentrator DC 110, data block by data block. , with the smart electricity meters attached to it. The data concentrator DC 110 manages any retransmission needs within the PLCN network 100 to ensure the smooth running of meter reading collection operations and any application update operations. In such an AMM automated metering management system, the server SERV 150 typically relies on a plurality of such data concentrators among which the remote operation of the smart electricity meters is distributed.

The PLCN network 100 includes at least one centralizing meter CM (Centralizing Meter) 120. The centralizing meter CM 120 serves as a proxy device for a plurality of remote basic meters RBM (Remote Basic Meter). » in English) 131, 132, 133. From the point of view of the PLCN network 100 and therefore of the data concentrator DC 110, the remote basic meters RBM 131, 132, 133 are masked by the centralizing meter CM 120, in which are centralized the applications which would have been necessary for the RBM 131, 132, 133 remote basic meters to communicate with the DC 110 data concentrator if said RBM 131, 132, 133 remote basic meters had been directly connected to the PLCN 100 network. 131, 132, 133 are thus much less complex, and therefore less costly in terms of material and energy resources, than the SEM 121, 122, 123 smart electricity meters which are nt adapted to communicate with the DC 110 data concentrator directly via the PLCN 100 network.

The CM 120 centralizing meter is thus intended to equip a building complex, such as a building or a residential area, in which each room or dwelling is equipped with a remote basic meter RBM. This forms a counting system dedicated to the building complex.

As detailed below, the centralizing meter CM 120 instantiates an emulated application for each remote basic meter RBM attached to it, each emulated application thus instantiated being in communication with the data concentrator DC 110 as if the smart electricity meters thus emulated were located in the centralizing meter CM 120. In other words, the centralizing meter CM 120 emulates, vis-à-vis the data concentrator DC 110, a smart electricity meter behavior for each remote basic meter RBM attached to it, although the centralizing meter CM 120 does not itself perform the electricity consumption metering. As detailed below, each RBM remote basic meter performs electricity consumption metering for the dwelling or premises concerned, and informs the centralizing meter CM to which said RBM remote basic meter is attached, using a simplified protocol compared to the communication with the DC 110 data concentrator. The centralizing meter CM in question is then responsible for managing the complexity and variety of exchanges with the DC 110 data concentrator, which are typically governed by the DLMS/COSEM (Device Language Message Specification / Companion Specification for Energy Metering” in English), as described in the normative document IEC 62056-5-3 and in the 12th edition of the document “Bluebook: COSEM Interface Classes and OBIS Object Identification System” published by the DLMS User Association , are thus preferentially used to carry out meter reading and application update operations. A smart electricity meter typically has more than 500 COSEM objects, including load curves, schedules, tariffs, indexes, as well as all the interfaces (breaker devices, modem, optical flag, etc.). ). The DLMS protocol makes it possible to make SET and GET type calls, as well as other specific actions on these objects. You can configure smart electricity meter parameters via SET type calls (modem parameters, application parameters such as tariffs, etc.), read load curves (typically curves allowing a reading every 15 minutes) via GET, and open or close their switching devices via specific actions. The application of a smart electricity meter generates and stores the COSEM objects and updates them regularly, reads them in order to upload them to the DC 110 data concentrator or acts on them if necessary according to the protocol exchanges with the concentrator DC 110 data.

The communications between each remote basic meter RBM 131, 132, 133 and the centralizing meter CM 120 are also communications by line carrier currents. This forms another LN 101 line powerline communication network separate from the PLCN 100 network. a star topology, whereas the PLCN network 100 has a mesh topology, as in the context of the G3-PLC protocol, or a spanning tree topology ( “spanning tree topology” in English), as in the PRIME specifications.

In order to ensure that the RBM remote basic counters 131, 132, 133 are hidden from the DC data concentrator 110, separate frequency bands are used. Communications by power line carriers on the PLCN network 100 therefore use a first frequency band and communications between the remote basic meters RBM 131, 132, 133 and the centralizing meter CM 120 use a second frequency band distinct from the first frequency band ( ie, which does not overlap with the first frequency band). For example, the G3-PLC protocol and the PRIME specifications define different distinct usable frequency bands, in particular: a first CENELEC-A frequency band, which goes from approximately 35 kHz to 91 kHz; a second FCC frequency band, which ranges from approximately 150 kHz to 480 kHz; a third CENELEC-B frequency band, which ranges from approximately 98 kHz to 122 kHz. In a preferred embodiment, the centralizing meter CM 120 uses the CENELEC-A frequency band to communicate with the data concentrator DC 110 and the FCC frequency band to communicate with each remote basic meter RBM 131, 132, 133 managed by said meter centralizer CM 120.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of hardware arrangement of a control unit used in the communication system of the communication system of FIG. 1. Such a control unit is found in each remote basic meter RBM 131, 132, 133 and in the centralizing meter CM 120, as detailed below in relation to Figs. 3A and 3B.

The example of hardware architecture presented comprises, connected by a communication bus 210: a processor CPU 201; a random access memory RAM (Random Access Memory) 202; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203 or a Flash memory; a storage unit or a storage medium reader, such as an SD (Secure Digital) card reader 204; and a set of I/O input/output interfaces 205. The set of COM communication interfaces 305 allows the control unit to interact with other components within the same device, such as as detailed below in relation to Figs. 3A and 3B.

CPU 201 is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM 202 from ROM 203, external memory (such as an SD card), storage medium, or network. Communication. When powered up, the processor CPU 201 is able to read instructions from the RAM 202 and execute them. These instructions form a computer program causing the implementation, by the processor CPU 201, of all or part of the methods and steps described here.

Thus, all or part of the methods and steps described here can be implemented in software form by execution of a set of instructions by a programmable machine, such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a microcontroller or a processor. All or part of the methods and steps described here can also be implemented in hardware form by a dedicated machine or component, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). " in English). Thus, the control unit includes electronic circuitry adapted and configured to implement the methods and steps described here.

Fig. 3A schematically illustrates an arrangement of the centralizing counter CM 120, in a particular embodiment.

The centralizing meter CM 120 comprises a control unit CTRL_A 302. The control unit CTRL_A 302 is in charge of supervising the operation of the centralizing meter CM 120.

The centralizing meter CM 120 further comprises a first communication unit COM_A1 304 intended to allow communication by line carrier currents with the data concentrator DC 110 (i.e., via the PLCN network 100). The first communication unit COM_A1 304 therefore acts in the first frequency band.

The centralizing meter CM 120 further comprises a second communication unit COM_A2 305 intended to enable communication by line carrier currents with each remote basic meter RBM attached to the centralizing meter CM 120. The second communication unit COM_A2 305 therefore acts in the second frequency band.

In a particular embodiment, the first communication unit COM_A1 304 is provided with a first filter F1 306 adapted and configured to suppress the signals of the frequency band of the communications by carrier currents in line with the second communication unit COM_A2 305. Thus, communications with the PLCN 100 network undergo less interference from communications with the remote basic meters RBM 131, 132, 133 attached to the centralizing meter CM 120.

In a particular embodiment, the second communication unit COM_A2 305 is equipped with a second filter F2 307 adapted and configured to suppress the signals of the frequency band of the communications by carrier currents in line with the first communication unit COM_A1 307. Thus, communications with the remote basic meters RBM 131, 132, 133 attached to the centralizing meter CM 120 suffer less interference from communications within the PLCN network 100.

Note that in the case of a three-phase power supply distribution, it is possible to inject the communication signals in three-phase on the side of the second communication unit COM_A2 and in single-phase or three-phase on the side of the first unit communication COM_A1.

The control unit CTRL_A 302 implements an internal application IAPP 310. The internal application IAPP 310 is notably in charge of instantiating an emulated application EAPP for each remote basic meter RBM attached to the centralizing meter CM 120. Thus, the control unit CTRL_A control 302 therefore comprises an emulated application instance EAPP for each remote basic counter RBM attached to the centralizing counter CM 120. By way of illustration, as three remote basic counters RBM 131, 132, 133 are attached to the centralizing counter CM 120 in FIG. . 1, FIG. 3A shows three respective emulated EAPP applications 311, 312, 313.

The centralizing meter CM 120 may also comprise a user interface unit UI_A 303 adapted to interact with users. In a particular embodiment, the user interface unit UI_A 303 comprises a display making it possible in particular to display counting index readings corresponding to the remote basic counters RBM 131, 132, 133 attached to the centralizing counter CM 120. The user interface unit UI_A 303 comprises a control panel adapted to allow users to enter a password. Each remote basic meter RBM 131, 132, 133 attached to the centralizing meter CM 120 has its own password. The control unit CTRL_A 302 is in charge of verifying that the password entered for a remote basic meter RBM 131, 132, 133 corresponds to an expected password for said remote basic meter RBM 131, 132, 133, and if this is the case, the control unit CTRL_A 302 retrieves the counting index statement from the instance of the emulated application EAPP corresponding to said remote basic counter RBM 131, 132, 133 and instructs the interface unit user UI_A 303 to display the retrieved counting index reading on the display. A default password is deterministically defined for each remote basic meter RBM 131, 132, 133. The password for each remote basic meter RBM 131, 132, 133 can be changed with the centralizing meter CM 120 using user interface unit UI_A 303, the password thus changed then being stored by the centralizing counter CM 120 in association with the instance of the corresponding emulated application EAPP.

Unlike RBM remote basic meters, the CM 120 centralizing meter preferably does not include a cut-off device. Indeed, the role of the CM 120 centralizing meter is not to carry out metrology and electrical installation protection operations, but to centralize the application intelligence, and therefore the related material resources, on behalf of the remote basic meters RBM.

Fig. 3B schematically illustrates an RBM remote basic meter arrangement 130. RBM remote basic meter 131, 132, 133 are arranged in accordance with this RBM remote basic meter 130, in a particular embodiment.

The RBM 130 remote basic meter includes a CTRL_B 352 control unit. The CTRL_B 352 control unit is responsible for supervising the operation of the RBM 130 remote basic meter.

The RBM 130 remote basic meter also includes an MTR 353 metrology unit responsible for recording the electricity consumption of the electrical installation that the RBM 130 remote basic meter is responsible for supervising. The control unit CTRL_B 352 thus obtains from the metrology unit MTR 353, among other things, counting index readings.

The RBM 130 remote basic meter also includes a BRK 355 cut-off device. The BRK 355 cut-off device is a circuit breaker that can be controlled remotely by the operator and which allows the power supply to be switched on and off at will. of the electrical installation supervised by the RBM 130 remote basic meter.

The remote basic meter RBM 130 further comprises a communication unit COM_B 354 intended to enable communication by line carrier currents with the centralizing meter CM to which said remote basic meter RBM 130 is attached. The COM_B 354 communication unit operates in the second frequency band.

The RBM 130 remote basic meter preferably also comprises an FLG 370 optical communication interface allowing a human operator to connect a probe conforming to the IEC 62056-21 standard, also known as a “Flag” probe. Such a probe is connected to a terminal made available to the human operator, and makes it possible to take a reading of the counting index from the remote basic meter RBM 130 and possibly to modify the configuration of the remote basic meter RBM 130. The remote basic meter RBM 130 then comprises a metal washer surrounding a first optical transceiver, and the probe comprises a magnetic washer surrounding a second optical transmitter-receiver. The arrangement is such that, when the human operator uses the probe, the magnetic washer is placed against the metal washer, so that the first and second optical transceivers are facing each other. This arrangement makes it easier to install the probe on the RBM 130 remote basic meter. at regular intervals of predefined duration (eg, every 5 minutes) by the MTR 353 metrology unit over a predefined time range (eg, during the last 2 days). The human operator can then retrieve, using the FLG 370 optical communication interface, the counting index readings thus stored.

Unlike the CM 120 centralizing meter, the RBM 130 remote basic meter does not include a user interface (possibly a few operating status light-emitting diodes) and in particular no display. However, the basic remote meter RBM 130 preferably further comprises a wireless communication interface WIF 360 adapted and configured to transmit information to be displayed on a remote display (“remote display” in English) RDSP 361. Such a remote display RDSP 361 is typically installed in the dwelling or room whose electrical installation is supervised by the RBM 130 remote basic meter in question. The WIF 360 wireless communication interface is for example of the WiFi, Zigbee, or KNX-RF type (ie, KNX on radio frequency physical layer) as defined in the ISO/IEC 14543 standard. The information to be displayed on the remote display are indicated to the remote basic meter RBM 130 by the centralizing meter CM 120 thanks to a specific command, as described below.

Note that in a particular embodiment, a filter of the same type as the F2 filter 307 can be interposed between the communication unit COM_B 354 and the power supply line.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates exchanges between a said remote basic meter RBM 130 and the centralizing meter CM 120 to which said remote basic meter RBM 130 must be attached.

In a step 400, the remote basic meter RBM 130 is initialized, for example following installation by an approved installer.

In a step 401, the remote basic meter RBM 130 performs a beaconing operation in cooperation with the centralizing meter CM 120 (step 451). The beaconing operation consists for the remote basic meter RBM 130 in detecting the presence of the centralizing meter CM to which it is attached.

In an exemplary embodiment modeled on the behavior of the 6LoWPAN protocol (“IPv6 Low power Wireless Personal Area Networks” in English, as specified in the normative documents RFC 4919 and 4944) used within the framework of the G3-PLC protocol, the operation beacon request comprises the broadcasting ("broadcast" in English) of a beacon request ("beacon request" in English) by the remote basic meter RBM 130. Each device connected to the electrical distribution network picking up the broadcast beacon request is assumed respond to it in point-to-point (“unicast”) mode. The CM 120 centralizing meter responds to this. Indeed, the electrical distribution network is such that the electrical cable distance between the remote basic meter RBM 130 and the centralizing meter CM 120 to which said remote basic meter RBM 130 is supposed to be attached is less than the range of communications by carrier currents lines specified for basic remote RBM meters.

Other RBM remote basic counters can pick up the broadcast beacon request. In one embodiment, the basic remote RBM counters are configured to respond to beacon requests. In their response, the remote basic meters RBM provide information representative of the number of hops which separate them from the coordinator of their network, namely the centralizing meter CM to which they are attached. This can therefore be done indirectly using route cost information, insofar as the routing is configured so that a given route cost corresponds to one and only one number of hops. For example: a route cost < 7 corresponds to 0 hops, from 7 to 13 corresponds to 1 hop, from 14 to 26 corresponds to 2 hops, etc. The remote basic counters RBM likely to respond have already been recorded, and the number of hops which separate them from their centralizing counter CM is thus equal to "1" (direct logical connection). The remote basic counters RBM are then configured to discard any response which indicates a non-zero number of hops to reach the network coordinator, namely the centralizing counter CM to which they are supposed to be attached. In a preferred embodiment, the remote basic meters RBM are configured not to respond to beacon requests, and therefore only the centralizing meter CM 120 responds to the beacon requests sent by the remote basic meters RBM which are likely to be sent to it. attached.

In a step 402, the remote basic meter RBM 130 performs a registration operation in cooperation with the centralizing meter CM 120 (step 452). The recording operation consists of confirming with the centralizing meter CM 120 that said remote basic meter RBM 130 has identified the centralizing meter CM 120 as being its point of attachment and confirming that the centralizing meter CM 120 has taken into account the appearance of said remote basic meter RBM 130. During the recording operation, the centralizing meter CM 120 and said remote basic meter RBM 130 mutually authenticate each other. Preferably, during the recording operation, the centralizing meter CM 120 transmits to said remote basic meter RBM 130 communication security information intended to secure subsequent exchanges between the centralizing meter CM 120 and said remote basic meter RBM 130.

In an exemplary embodiment modeled on the behavior of the EAP-PSK protocol (“Extensible Authentication Protocol with Pre-Shared Key” in English, as defined in the normative document RFC 4764) used within the framework of the G3-PLC protocol, the counter remote base RBM 130 transmits to the centralizing meter CM 120 a membership request ("join request" in English), which leads to a first identification request ("challenge request" in English) from the centralizing meter CM 120 to destination of said remote basic meter RBM 130. This first identification request includes a first random number, as well as an identifier which identifies the centralizing meter CM 120. Said remote basic meter RBM 130 transmits in return a first identification response (“ challenge response” in English) which includes a second random number, as well as an identifier of said remote basic counter RBM 130 and a first calculation result. The first calculation result results from an execution of a predefined function taking as input the first random number, the second random number and a secret key PSK ("Pre-Shared Key" in English) known to said remote basic counter RBM 130 and to the counter centralizing meter CM 120. The verification of the first calculation result by the centralizing meter CM 120 makes it possible to authenticate said remote basic meter RBM 130. Then, the centralizing meter CM 120 transmits to said remote basic meter RBM 130 a second identification request, which includes a second calculation result. The second calculation result results from an execution of a predefined function taking as input the second random number and the secret key PSK. Verification of the second calculation result by said remote basic counter RBM 130 makes it possible to authenticate the centralizing counter CM 120. The second identification request preferably contains, in encrypted form, an encryption key GMK_CC which is subsequently used to encrypt the exchanges between said remote basic meter RBM 130 and the centralizing meter CM 120.

As a result of the registration by the centralizing counter CM 120 of said remote basic counter RBM 130 in step 452, the centralizing counter CM 120 instantiates an emulated application EAPP for said remote basic counter RBM 130 in a step 453. Then, in a step 454 the centralizing counter CM 120 declares, thanks to said emulated application EAPP, said remote basic counter RBM 130 to the data concentrator DC 110. An embodiment is detailed below in relation to FIG. 5. The data concentrator DC 110 thus sees said remote basic meter RBM 130 as if said remote basic meter RBM 130 were an intelligent electric meter, with complete functionalities, directly implemented by the centralizing meter CM 120.

In a step 455 (which can take place in parallel with step 453 and/or step 454), the centralizing counter CM 120 performs a route discovery operation in collaboration with said remote basic counter RBM 130 (step 405 ). The route discovery operation consists in updating the respective routing tables of the centralizing meter CM 120 and of said remote basic meter RBM 130 to finalize their communication.

In an embodiment modeled on the behavior of the LOADng protocol (“Lightweight On-demand Ad-hoc Distance-vector routing protocol – next generation” in English) used within the framework of the G3-PLC protocol, the centralizing meter CM 120 broadcasts a route request. The route request targets said RBM remote basic meter 130 and asks to discover which path to use to communicate with said RBM remote basic meter 130. Said RBM remote basic meter 130 transmits in return, in point-to-point mode, a route response ("route reply" in English). The centralizing meter CM 120 and said remote basic meter RBM 130 then update their respective routing tables indicating that said centralizing meter CM 120 and said remote basic meter RBM 130 are in direct connection (i.e., a single hop). This approach simplifies the deployment of basic remote RBM 130 meters by reusing the routing mechanisms commonly used in the context of AMM automated metering management systems.

Then, in a step 456, the centralizing meter CM 120 is capable of setting up application exchanges, preferably secure, with said remote basic meter RBM 130 (step 406). As already mentioned, these application exchanges are preferentially encrypted using the encryption key GMK_CC.

Thanks to these application exchanges, the centralizing counter CM 120 is able to transmit atomic command frames to said remote basic counter RBM 130 and to receive in return response frames from said remote basic counter RBM 130.

This means that the CM 120 centralizing meter and the RBM remote basic meters attached to it only have to interact to process atomic metrology and circuit breaker management commands, whereas application requests from the data concentrator DC 110 require substantially more complex processing, such as analytical processing, shaping, and encapsulation. The atomic commands relate to time-setting of said remote basic meter RBM 130, opening orders for the BRK 355 cut-off device, closing orders for the BRK 355 cut-off device, orders for sending a counting index statement, and requests for reports on the state of said remote basic meter RBM 130.

When said remote basic meter RBM 130 includes the wireless communication interface WIF 360 in order to allow the use of the remote display RDSP 361, the centralizing meter CM 120 is able to order a display on said remote display RDSP 361 d 'a character string provided as an argument.

Each atomic command frame comprises for example a command byte, possibly followed by payload data of predetermined size according to the command in question. For example, the command byte takes the following values, the other values being reserved for future use:

0x01: Time setting command, followed by 6 bytes of useful data to indicate the current year, month, day, hour, minute and second;

0x02: BRK 355 breaking device opening command;

0x03: BRK 355 breaking device closing command;

0x04: Command to send counting index reading;

0x05: Command to send status of said remote basic meter RBM 130; and

0x06: Display command on remote display, followed by 1 byte indicating the size M of a character string to display, as well as M bytes containing the character string to display.

Upon receipt of such an atomic command frame, the remote basic counter RBM 130 performs the command in question; the response frame indicates whether the taking into account of the command was a success or a failure. Each response frame comprises, for example, a response byte, optionally followed by payload data of predefined size depending on the command that caused the response in question. For example, the response byte takes the following values, the other values being reserved for future use:

0x01: Single acknowledgment;

0x02: Supply of counting index statement, followed by 4 bytes of counting index and 6 bytes of corresponding timestamp; and

0x03: Status supply, followed by 1 status byte.

For example, the status byte takes the following values:

0x00: okay

0x01: Suspected magnetic fraud;

0x02: Bypass fraud suspected;

0x03: Metrological anomaly detected;

0x04: Abnormal heating detected; and

0x05: Other failure detected.

Two bits can be reserved in the status byte to indicate the states of the UBRK 355 operator circuit breaker and the DBRK 356 branch circuit breaker:

1 bit: BRK 355 switchgear open (“0”)/closed (“1”).

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates exchanges between the centralizing meter CM 120 and the data concentrator DC 110 via the PLCN network 100.

Following the instantiation by the centralizing counter CM 120 of an emulated application EAPP for a said remote basic counter RBM 130 in step 453, the centralizing counter CM 120 declares, thanks to said emulated application EAPP, said remote basic counter RBM 130 with the data concentrator DC 110. Thus, in a step 501, the centralizing counter CM 120 performs a beaconing operation in cooperation with the data concentrator DC 110 (step 551). The beaconing operation consists in identifying for the EAPP emulated application in question how to attach itself to the PLCN network 100 in order to be declared to the data concentrator DC 110. As for the algorithm of FIG. 4, the 6LoWPAN protocol can be used here. A difference, however, is that in the PLCN 100 network, one or more SEM smart electricity meters can act as a relay to reach the DC 110 data concentrator.

In a step 502, said EAPP emulated application performs a save operation in cooperation with the DC data concentrator 110 (step 552). The registration operation consists of confirming with the DC 110 data concentrator that said EAPP emulated application has identified a point of attachment to the PLCN 100 network and confirming that the DC 110 data concentrator has taken into account the appearance of the counter smart electric emulated by said EAPP emulated application. During the registration operation, the data concentrator DC 110 and said emulated application EAPP authenticate each other. As for the algorithm of Fig. 4, the EAP-PSK protocol can be used here.

In a step 553, the data concentrator DC 110 performs a route discovery operation in collaboration with said emulated application EAPP (step 503). The route discovery operation consists in updating the respective routing tables of the data concentrator DC 110 and of said emulated application EAPP to finalize their communication. As for the algorithm of Fig. 4, the LOADng protocol can be used here. It should be noted that, in this case, each emulated application EAPP instantiated within the centralizing counter CM 120 has its own routing table with respect to the network PLCN 100.

Then, in a step 504, the data concentrator DC 110 is capable of setting up application exchanges, preferably secure, with said emulated application (step 554).

Thus, thanks to its control unit CTRL_A 302 and the emulated applications EAPP, the centralizing meter CM 120 is able to respond to application requests from the data concentrator DC 110 vis-à-vis the remote basic meters RBM 131, 132, 133 as part of the electrical distribution service, by controlling the RBM 131, 132, 133 remote basic meters using a set of atomic metrology and circuit breaker management commands. Most of the application processing, which requires most of the processing hardware resources usually required in smart electricity meters, is thus pooled within the CM 120 centralizing meter for the RBM 131, 132, 133 remote basic meters.

Claims (11)

Device, called a centralizing meter (120), intended to be included in an automated metering management system within the framework of an electrical distribution service, the centralizing meter (120) comprising a first communication unit (304) by carrier currents line configured to perform line carrier communications in a first frequency band, the first line carrier communication unit (304) for communicating with a data concentrator (110) via a first line communication network line carrier currents (100), characterized in that the centralizing meter (120) further comprises:
- a second powerline communication unit (305) configured to perform powerline communications in a second frequency band separate from the first frequency band, the second powerline communication unit (305) being intended to communicate with a plurality of devices, called remote basic meters (131, 132, 133), via a second powerline communication network (101),
- a control unit (302) configured to emulate a smart electric meter application (311, 312, 313) with respect to the data concentrator (110) for each remote basic meter (131, 132, 133) registered with of the centralizing meter (120) via the second power line communication network (101), so that each remote basic meter (131, 132, 133) is perceived by the data concentrator (110) as being located in the centralizing meter (120) within the first power line communication network (100),
and in that the control unit (302) is configured to respond to application requests from the data concentrator (110) vis-à-vis the remote basic meters (131, 132, 133) within the framework of the distribution service electrical, by controlling the remote basic meters (131, 132, 133) using a set of atomic metrology and circuit breaker management commands. Device according to Claim 1, in which the first communication unit (304) is provided with a first filter (306) adapted to suppress the second frequency band. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the second communication unit (305) is provided with a second filter (307) adapted to suppress the first frequency band. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the first frequency band is of the CENELEC-A type and the second frequency band is of the FCC type. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a user interface unit (303) comprising a display and a control panel adapted to allow a user to enter a password, and in which the control unit (302) is configured to verify that a password entered for a remote basic meter (131, 132, 133) corresponds to an expected password for said remote basic meter (131, 132, 133), and if this is the case, the control unit (302) is configured to retrieve a counting index reading from the instance of the emulated application (311, 312, 313) corresponding to said remote basic counter (131, 132, 133) and to instruct the user interface unit (303) to display the retrieved count index reading on the display. Metering system intended for use in an automated metering management system intended for use in the context of an electrical distribution service, the metering system comprising:
- a device, called a centralizing counter (120), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and
- the plurality of remote basic meters (131, 132, 133), connected to the centralizing meter (120) via the second line carrier communication network (101). Automated metering management system intended for use in the context of an electrical distribution service comprising:
- the counting system according to claim 6,
- the first power line communication network (100),
- the data concentrator (110), and
- smart electricity meters (121, 122, 123) connected to the data concentrator via the first powerline communication network (100). An automated metering management system according to claim 7, wherein the second powerline communication network (101) has a star topology and the first powerline communication network (100) has a mesh topology or in a spanning tree. Method implemented by a device, called a centralizing meter (120), included in an automated metering management system within the framework of an electrical distribution service, the method comprising the following step:
- performing (504) powerline communications in a first frequency band with a data concentrator (110) via a first powerline communication network (100),
characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps:
- performing (456) online powerline communications in a second frequency band distinct from the first frequency band with a plurality of devices, called remote basic meters (131, 132, 133), via a second powerline communication network online (101),
- emulating (453) a smart electricity meter application vis-à-vis the data concentrator (110) for each remote basic meter (131, 132, 133) registered with the centralizing meter (120) via the second communication network by carrier currents in line (101), so that each remote basic meter (131, 132, 133) is perceived by the data concentrator (110) as being located in the centralizing meter (120) within the first communication network by carrier currents in line (100), and
- responding (504) to application requests from the data concentrator (110) vis-à-vis the remote basic meters (131, 132, 133) within the framework of the electrical distribution service, by controlling the remote basic meters (131, 132, 133) thanks to a set of atomic metrology and circuit breaker management commands. Computer program product, characterized in that it comprises instructions causing the execution by a device, called a centralizing counter (120), of the method according to claim 9, when said instructions are executed by a processor (201) of said counter centralizer (120). Storage medium, characterized in that it stores a computer program comprising instructions causing the execution by a device, called a centralizing counter (120), of the method according to claim 9, when said instructions are read and executed by a processor (201) of said centralizing counter (120).