JP2006087169A - Uninterruptible communications apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an uninterruptible communications apparatus in which the capacity of a backup power supply is saved. <P>SOLUTION: When a power failure detection signal Sbo is obtained, a gate circuit 32 functions to operate a state relay R1 with a high-level state signal Sr1' indicating under operation thus closing a state relay switch Sra. Since a timer relay TM1 operates with the power failure detection signal Sbo, to close a timer relay switch Sw, the relay circuit of a switching relay MC1 is closed. When the switching relay MC1 operates, an interlocked switch Sb opens thus opening an emergency power supply line Lb for a stand-by communication apparatus 20B. Conversely, since the state signal Sr2' of the stand-by communication apparatus is at low level, relay R2 will not operate, and a state relay switch Srb is kept in closed state. Since a switch Sa is kept in a closed state, power supply line La of an operating communication apparatus 20A is connected, as it is, and that communication apparatus is fed from a backup power supply 22 as an emergency power supply. Since only the operating communication apparatuses are fed from the emergency power supply, load on the backup power supply is lessened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an uninterruptible communication device. Specifically, when configuring a communication device installed in a wireless base station or the like that constructs a communication network for monitoring power-related facilities as an uninterruptible type, the capacity of a battery (storage battery) used as an emergency power supply Even if it is small in size, a sufficient blackout compensation period can be secured.

  For example, in power-related facilities, there are a wide variety of facilities between the power generation site and the end user. In order to safely supply power to end users, safety, patrol, periodic or temporary inspection of equipment, emergency communication, etc. for all power related facilities, information for flood control and weather observation Therefore, a communication network is usually established between each power related facility and the monitoring center. In addition to direct facilities responsible for power transmission from power generation (power plants, substations, switch stations, control stations, central power supply command centers, etc.), power-related facilities collect information to obtain the above-mentioned safety information, etc. Facilities are also included.

  The wireless communication network is used for direct connection between a monitoring center and a radio station installed in each power-related facility or an unmanned radio base station, or via a relay radio station or an unmanned relay radio base station. In addition to the case where the monitoring center and each power related facility are connected, a wireless communication network is constructed according to the purpose and purpose, such as between the power generation substation and the control station.

  When a wireless communication network is constructed in this manner, a wireless station installed in association with each power-related facility, such as a wireless base station, may be operated unattended depending on the installation area. Therefore, an uninterruptible power supply is used as a power source for communication equipment (transceiver) installed in such a radio base station.

  That is, even when the commercial drive source (commercial AC source) for the communication device is blacked out, the wireless communication path is always secured so that the communication device can be operated for a predetermined time by the standby power supply.

  The uninterruptible power supply for instantaneous power failure compensation is disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like. This Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that prevents the battery of the uninterruptible power supply from being consumed during a planned power outage.

JP-A-5-32167

  The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above is to turn on the device by turning on the power to the device immediately before the start of business. But there is no particular problem. In other words, planned power outages are possible. Patent Document 1 aims to reduce power consumption during this planned power outage. And in the technical field to which patent document 1 is applied, it is not necessary to provide two systems having the same function.

  However, as described above, when deploying this communication device in a power-related facility where power must be continuously supplied for 24 hours, a wireless communication network must be secured at any time. In the case of a facility, at least two systems of communication devices having at least the same function are provided, and a commercial drive source is always constantly supplied to each of them.

  For example, in the case where two communication devices are provided, and an abnormality occurs in one operating communication device, the communication device is switched to the other communication device instantaneously and can communicate with the other communication device. ing.

  Similar to the commercial drive source, a standby power supply (backup power supply) is also constantly supplied to each communication device. By configuring the backup power supply to be connected to each of the two communication devices even during normal operation, even if the supply of the commercial drive source to the communication device stops due to a power failure, This is because it can be maintained. This is because the backup power supply is connected to each of the two communication devices, so that the operation state can be maintained during a power failure regardless of which communication device is in operation.

  By the way, in such an uninterruptible communication device, backup power is supplied to each of the two communication devices, so that even when there is a power outage, it is supplied to each of the two communication devices. The configuration to be maintained is maintained as it is. As a result, it is necessary to prepare a relatively large backup power source as the power source capacity of the backup power source. This is because a sufficient operating time must be secured with this backup power supply. Otherwise, when uninterruptible communication equipment is deployed in mountainous areas or remote areas, even if a power failure occurs at that location, the time until maintenance personnel arrive (power failure compensation time), backup power supply This is because the communication equipment must continue to operate.

  A backup power supply with a large power supply capacity is a factor that increases the installation cost because the power supply device itself is large and the installation space is large and the equipment is large.

  Therefore, the present invention solves such a conventional problem, and particularly by controlling the backup power supply system so that only one system of communication devices in the operating state can be operated during a power failure, We propose uninterruptible communication equipment that achieves a small capacity.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the uninterruptible communication device according to the present invention described in claim 1, at least two systems of communication devices having the same function;
A commercial drive source commonly supplied to these communication devices;
An emergency power supply for the communication device;
A power failure detection means for detecting a power failure state for the commercial drive source;
The power supply control means for controlling the switching of the emergency power supply path with respect to the emergency power supply,
The emergency power supply path is automatically switched by the power supply control means so that the emergency power supply is supplied only to a communication device in an operating state at the time of a power failure of the commercial drive source. And

  In the present invention, power control means for performing switching control of the emergency power supply path is provided. A power failure detection signal is supplied to the power control means. Similarly, a status signal indicating the operating status of the communication device is supplied to the power supply control means.

  When the communication device is in the operating state, a high level signal is obtained, and when the communication device is not in the operating state, a low level state signal is obtained. The power failure detection signal is a high level signal when a power failure occurs.

  In the power control means, when the power failure detection signal cannot be obtained, the emergency power supply path is set so that the emergency power supply path for the two systems of communication devices is kept closed regardless of whether the status signal is high level or low level. Be controlled. Therefore, the backup power supply is in a state connected to any of the two systems of communication equipment.

  On the other hand, when the power failure detection signal is obtained, only the emergency power supply path for the communication device whose status signal is at the high level is maintained. That is, only the emergency power supply path for this communication device is kept closed.

  When such an emergency power supply path is controlled, the backup power supply replaces the commercial drive source as the power supply for the communication device that is in operation when a power failure occurs. In addition, in this case, since the backup power source is already connected to the communication device, no instantaneous interruption due to a power failure occurs.

  On the other hand, when the power failure detection signal is obtained, the emergency power supply path for the communication device that is not in operation, i.e., is on standby, is disconnected. Therefore, since the load of the backup power source is only the communication device currently in operation, the operation time of the communication device by this backup power source can be greatly extended compared to the conventional case.

  If the same operating time as before is ensured, the power capacity of this backup power supply can be made smaller than before, so that the installation space is reduced and the maintenance cost is also reduced.

  The present invention is configured so that a backup power supply is connected to each of a plurality of communication devices at all times, but this backup power can be supplied only to communication devices that are currently in operation in the event of a power failure. is there.

  According to this, in the event of an abnormal situation such as a power failure, the backup power supply needs only to have a power capacity sufficient to operate one communication device for a specified time. As a result, the backup power supply can be reduced in size, installation space can be reduced, and maintenance costs can be reduced.

  Next, a preferred embodiment of the uninterruptible communication device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a case where an uninterruptible communication device 10 according to the present invention is applied to a communication device in a wireless station equipped in a power-related facility, for example, an unmanned wireless base station.

  The uninterruptible communication device 10 is provided with a plurality of communication devices (transceivers) 20 having the same function. In the embodiment, two systems of communication devices 20A and 20B are provided, and one of them is in an operating state. One communication device 20A will be described as an A-system (or 1-system) communication device, and the other as a B-system (or 2-system) communication device.

  A commercial drive source 12 is connected to the uninterruptible communication device 10. The commercial drive source 12 is a commercial AC source, and the voltage of the commercial drive source 12 is supplied to an AC-DC converter (converter) 14 and is converted into a DC voltage of 48 volts in this example. This DC voltage is the same voltage as the drive voltage (operating voltage) of the communication devices 20A and 20B.

  A 48-volt DC voltage is supplied to both the distribution board 16 and the backup power source 22. The DC voltage supplied to the distribution board 16 is divided into two systems, each of which is supplied as a drive voltage (drive power supply) to the communication devices 20A and 20B. It is assumed that the communication devices 20A and 20B are wireless communication devices and have an automatic transmission / reception function. As the carrier frequency, a UHF band (for example, a frequency of 70 MHz or more) and a microwave are used, and which frequency band is used is arbitrary.

  The DC voltage converted by the converter 14 is further supplied to a backup power supply (standby power supply) 22 that is an emergency power supply, and the backup power supply 22 is charged. Therefore, a battery or the like is used as the backup power source 22. Since the backup power source 22 is used as an emergency power source for the two communication devices 20A and 20B described above, the voltage (48 volts) from the backup power source 22 is applied to the corresponding communication devices 20A and 20B.

  The power capacity of the backup power source 22 differs depending on where the radio base station is installed. It is determined based on the time required for maintenance personnel to arrive at the radio base station during a power outage (corresponding to the power outage compensation time). Depending on the location, it may take several hours. Therefore, the power supply capacity of the backup power supply 22 and therefore the scale of the backup power supply 22 are determined.

  A power supply control means 24 is provided between the distribution board 16 and the communication devices 20A and 20B. The power paths La and Lb connected to the communication devices 20A and 20B function as normal driving power paths and also function as emergency power paths. The power supply control means 24 controls the drive power to be supplied to any of the communication devices 20A and 20B at all times (during operation other than during a power failure). In other words, the communication devices 20A and 20B are always configured to be supplied with drive power in parallel from two systems of a commercial drive source and an emergency power source.

  In the event of a power failure, the power supply path is secured by the power supply control means 24 so that the power supply path is secured for the communication apparatus currently in operation (operating) and only the power supply path to the standby communication apparatus is disconnected. La and Lb are controlled to be switched.

  For this reason, the power control means 24 is supplied with the power failure detection signal Sbo generated by the power failure detection means 26 and also with signals (state signals) Sr1 and Sr2 indicating the operating state of the communication devices 20A and 20B. . A commercial drive source is supplied from the preceding stage of the converter 14 to the power failure detection means 26, and a power failure state of the commercial drive source is detected. When a power failure occurs, the detection signal Sbo becomes high level (see FIG. 3A).

  FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the power supply control means 24. The power supply control means 24 has a pair of power supply paths La and Lb shunted by the distribution board 16 and a switch control unit 30. As described above, the pair of power supply paths La and Lb function as normal and emergency power supply paths for the communication devices 20A and 20B. In an emergency, the charging voltage from the backup power supply 22 is an emergency drive. The voltages Dca and Dcb (both 48 volts) are supplied to the communication devices 20A and 20B via the emergency open / close switches Sa and Sb. These open / close switches Sa and Sb are normally closed switches.

  The charging voltage of the backup power supply 22 is supplied to the DC-DC converter 32 provided in the switch control unit 30 via the distribution board 16 and the power switch So, and is lowered to 24 volts in this example. The stepped down voltage is used as a drive voltage for the switch control unit 30.

  The switch control unit 30 includes a plurality of relays TM1, R1, R2, MC1, and MC2, and a plurality of relay switches Sa, Sb, Sw controlled by them.

  Therefore, first and second open / close relays MC1 and MC2 for controlling the above-described open / close switches Sa and Sb are connected in parallel to the drive power supply path. Since the open / close relays MC1 and MC2 are controlled by the operating state (operating state) of the communication devices 20A and 20B, the first state relay switch Sra is in series with the first open / close relay MC1 and the second open / close relay MC2 is in series. A second state relay switch Srb is connected to each other, and a timer relay switch Sw is connected between the common power supply path of these relay circuits and the ground.

  The first and second state relay switches Sra, Srb are controlled by the first and second state relays R1, R2. The timer relay switch Sw is controlled to be opened and closed by the timer relay TM1. The excitation state of the timer relay TM1 is controlled by the power failure detection signal Sbo.

  The switch control unit 30 is provided with a gate circuit 32, to which state signals Sr1 and Sr2 are supplied from the communication devices 20A and 20B, and the state signals Sr1 and Sr2 are gated by the power failure detection signal Sbo. Therefore, the gated first state signal Sr1 ′ is supplied to the first state relay R1, and the same gated second state signal Sr2 ′ is supplied to the second state relay R2.

  The timer relay switch Sw, the first and second state relay switches Sra, Srb described above are each normally open as shown in the figure.

  Next, the operation of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. First, the switch state before the power failure (time point before time point t1) is the state shown by the solid line, and the open / close switches Sa and Sb are both closed as shown in FIGS. The DC voltage of DC 48 volts and the charging voltage of the backup power source 22 are supplied to the communication devices 20A and 20B as drive voltages, respectively.

  Also, assuming that one communication device 20A is actually operated and the other communication device 20B is on standby, the status signal as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E (status signal Sr1 is “H” and the other status signal is shown). Sr2 is always “L”).

  For example, if a power failure occurs at time t1 in such an operating state, a power failure detection signal Sbo shown in FIG. 3A is obtained. The power failure detection signal Sbo is supplied to each of the timer relay TM1 and the gate circuit 32. The gate circuit 32 is a circuit for preventing the first and second state relays R1 and R2 from operating except during a power failure. When the power failure detection signal Sbo is obtained, the gate is opened, Second state signals Sr1 ′ and Sr2 ′ (FIG. 3F, G) are supplied as activation signals (excitation signals) to the first and second state relays R1 and R2. Therefore, in this example, since only the first state signal Sr1 ′ is a high level signal, only the first state relay R1 is excited. As a result, only the first state relay switch Sra connected to the above-described relay circuit is switched as shown by a broken line to be turned on (closed state) (see FIGS. 3H and I).

  On the other hand, in the timer relay TM1, the continuous duration of the power failure detection signal Sbo is measured, and it is determined that the commercial drive source has failed due to a predetermined time. This is to avoid malfunction. The predetermined time T is about 10 to 12 minutes, and FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate 10 minutes.

  Only when the power failure detection signal Sbo continues for a predetermined time T, the timer relay TM1 operates and the timer relay switch Sw is turned on (closed state), so that the relay circuit of MC1 is completely closed at the time t2 as shown by the broken line in FIG. (See FIG. 3C). As a result, a current flows only in the relay circuit to which the first switching relay MC1 is connected, and a current flows only in the first switching relay MC1 side. When the first open / close relay MC1 is energized, only the second open / close switch Sb is opened, while the first open / close switch Sa associated with the second open / close relay MC2 is closed, as shown by the broken line in FIG. The state is held (FIG. 3J, K).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3L, during the power outage period, only the communication device (20A in this example) that has been operating since the power outage is supplied and operated. As a result, the load of the backup power supply 22 is only one of the two systems at the time of a power failure. Therefore, even if the backup power supply 22 having the same capacity as the conventional one is used, the load is reduced accordingly. You will be able to back up over time. If the backup can be performed for the same amount of time as before, the power capacity of the backup power source 22 can be reduced accordingly. Since the backup power supply 22 can be reduced in size as the power supply capacity is reduced, the installation area of the backup power supply 22 can be reduced.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is an example in which the pair of open / close switches Sa and Sb are controlled by hardware. For example, the peripheral part of the gate circuit 32 constituting the switch control unit 30 can be replaced by a control unit using a CPU. . In that case, the control using the status signals Sr1 and Sr2 starting from the measurement of the power failure duration time is a software control.

An example of a flowchart in that case will be described with reference to FIG.
When the switch control program starts from the state where the commercial drive source is receiving power and a power failure of the commercial drive source is detected (step 41), the duration of the power failure is checked, and the power failure state continues for 10 minutes or more continuously. If there is, it is regarded as a power failure (step 42).

  If it is determined that a power failure has occurred, the timer relay TM1 is driven to turn on the timer relay switch Sw (step 43). Next, which system (A system or B system) out of the two systems is checked as the current operation system (step 44). When the system is the A system, the first state relay R1 is excited to activate the first state relay. Sra is turned on (step 45). Thereafter, the first open / close relay MC1 is excited to turn off, that is, open, the second open / close switch Sb (step 46). This open / close control is performed only for the second open / close switch Sb, and the first open / close switch Sa is not controlled at all, so that the closed state is maintained. As a result, only the emergency power supply for the communication device 20B currently on standby is opened, and the supply of the emergency power supply to the currently operated communication device 20A is continued as it is even during a power failure (step 47).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 44 that the other communication device 20B is currently operated, the second state relay R2 is excited to turn on the second state relay Srb (step 51). Thereafter, the second opening / closing relay MC2 is excited to turn off, that is, open, the first opening / closing switch Sa (step 52). This open / close control is performed only for the first open / close switch Sa, and the second open / close switch Sb is not controlled at all, so that the closed state is maintained. As a result, only the emergency power supply for the communication device 20A currently on standby is opened, and the supply of the emergency power supply to the currently operated communication device 20B is continued as it is even during a power failure (step 53).

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to an uninterruptible communication device deployed in a power-related facility. However, it is easily understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. it can.

  The present invention relates to an uninterruptible communication device equipped with a plurality of communication devices having the same function including a spare, particularly an unmanned radio station or unmanned when a communication network between power-related facilities is constructed with a communication line. It can be applied to uninterruptible communication equipment deployed in wireless base stations.

It is a systematic diagram of the principal part which shows the Example at the time of applying the uninterruptible communication apparatus which concerns on this invention to the uninterruptible communication apparatus deployed in the radio base station of an electric power related facility. It is a systematic diagram of the principal part which shows an example of the power supply control means used for this uninterruptible communication apparatus. It is a wave form diagram with which the operation | movement description is provided. It is a flowchart which shows an example when building a power supply control system like software.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Uninterruptible communication equipment 12 ... Commercial drive source 14 ... Converter 20A, 20B ... Communication equipment 22 ... Backup power supply 24 ... Power supply control means 26 ... Power failure detection means 30 ..Switch control unit 32 ... Gate circuits Sa, Sb ... Open / close switches Sw, Sra, Srb ... Relay switches TM1, R1, R2, MC1, MC2 ... Relay

Claims (5)

At least two systems of communication equipment having the same function;
A commercial drive source commonly supplied to these communication devices;
An emergency power supply for the communication device;
A power failure detection means for detecting a power failure state for the commercial drive source;
The power supply control means for controlling the switching of the emergency power supply path with respect to the emergency power supply,
The emergency power supply path is automatically switched by the power supply control means so that the emergency power is supplied only to the communication equipment in an operating state at the time of a power failure of the commercial drive source. Uninterruptible communication equipment. The uninterruptible communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is installed in a radio station that constructs a communication circuit network for monitoring a power-related facility. The power control means includes an open / close switch provided in an emergency power supply path for the two systems of communication devices, and a switch control unit thereof.
In addition to the power failure detection signal obtained at the time of a power failure, the switch control unit is supplied with a status signal indicating the operating state of the communication device,
The charging voltage from the battery functioning as an emergency power supply is constantly supplied to the two communication systems, and
In the event of a power failure of a commercial AC source that functions as a commercial drive source, the switch control unit is controlled so that the open / close switch corresponding to the communication device that is not operating is opened and the emergency power supply path is disconnected. The uninterruptible communication device according to claim 1. The switch control unit includes a pair of open / close relays that control open / close of the open / close switch;
First and second state relay switches connected to the pair of open / close relays;
A timer relay switch that controls opening and closing of the power path of the pair of state relay switches in common;
A pair of state relays for opening and closing the first and second state relay switches;
It consists of a timer relay that controls opening and closing of the timer relay switch,
The pair of status relays are activated by a status signal indicating an operating status of the communication device,
The uninterruptible communication device according to claim 3, wherein the timer relay is activated by the power failure detection signal. The uninterruptible communication device according to claim 4, wherein the timer relay is activated when the power failure detection signal continues for a predetermined time.

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