Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ 21 ~E 10
This invention relates generally to remote
communication systems and more particularly to data
communication receivers and apparatus for use in such
systems to compensate for the inherent message delays
which occur in the system communication lines and
equipment transmitting messages to the receivers.
There are many types of automatic remote
communication systems which utilize a compu-ter or control
center to communicate with several remote terminals. In
large systems, this communication is generally done over
communication lines which interconnect the control center
to the remote terminals via some type of control or
distribution unit.
In some types of systems, such as utility company
remote automatic meter reading systems, the remote terminals
are responsive to commands sent out by the control center
to send messages or meter data back to the control center.
In the aforementioned systems, it is sometimes
desirable to collect vast amounts of data in a short period
of time. One way to accomplish this collection of data,
is to command several terminals to transmit their data
` simultaneously to the control center. It has been found,
however, that the simultaneous transmission of data
`- frequently results in the loss of message information or
data. This loss is due in large part to the inherent
system delays caused by different turn around delays in the
terminal units and the lengthy distribution of terminal
- units along the communication line or lines interconnecting
the terminal units to control unit, which causes the
messages to arrive at the control unit receivers at
different times.
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If the messages from the terminal units do not
all arrive at the receivers of the control unit at the
same time and iE those messages are transferred to the
control center based on timing derived from the first
received message, it is possible to lose some of the data
i in the later received messages.
Thus, it can be seen that a need exists for an
improved receiver and transfer apparatus for use in
communication systems which affords the advantages of
compensating for inherent system message delays to prevent
the loss of message data.
j The system disclosed herein, which makes use of
the present invention, is also disclosed in Canadian Patent
Application Serial No. 290,227, filed November 4, 1977,
entitled "Automatic Remote Meter Reading and Control System"
` and Canadian Patent application Serial No. 3D~ I ~3b
filed ~ , entitled "Meter Terminal Unit
For Use in Automatic Remote ~eter Reading and Control System",
both assigned to the same assignee.
The aforementioned problems are overcome by the
present invention which provides apparatus including
. receiver and transfer means common to the receiver for
compensating for inherent delays in messages transferred
from a plurality of message sources or terminal units
directable to simultaneously transmit messages to the
receiver.
In the preferred embodiment, several receivers are
connected to a common communication line such as a power
network transmission line. Groups of terminal units are
distributed at remote locations along the communication
line and are commandable or directable to simultaneously
transmit bit serialized message data to the receivers
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over the communication line.
Each of the receivers is tuned to a different
frequency to accep-t messages from only a terminal unit
transmitting at the receiver's tuned frequency. Thus, the
receivers sort out the several messages which may or may
not be simultaneously received.
When several terminals are directed to
simultaneously transmit their respective messages, those
messages may not all arrive at the receiver simultaneously.
As previously mentioned, inherent system communication
line distribution delays and variations in the unit response
and turnaround times cause these delays. Each receiver is
capable of keying on the first bit of its received message
to generate a strobe or clock signal which is used to clock
the message bits into a storage means in each receiver.
The receiver receiving the earliest message to arrive will
be the first receiver to generate a strobe signal. All
other receivers will likewise generate a strobe signal in
response to their respectively received messages.
A common logic means is provided which
communicates with all of the receivers. The strobe signals
from each receiver are provided to the common logic which
j includes inhibit means to allow the generation of an inhibit
and release pulse in response to the first strobe signal
received from the receiver receiving the earliest arrived
message. All other strobe signals are inhibited from
generating subsequent inhibit pulses.
From the preceding discussion of the common logic,
it can be seen that the apparatus of the present invention
always keys on the earliest message to arrive. This keying
starts the basic timing operations in the common logic, while
each receiver is independently operable to receive and store
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-their own messages.
The inhibit pulse generated by the common logic
initiates a delay pulse which results in the development of
a delay pulse occurring after a sufficient interval to allow
the latest arrived message bit -to be stored in the storage
means of that message's receiver just prior to transfer of
the message bits from the receivers to a user device. The
delay pulse effects the generation of a transfer pulse which
allows all of the previously stored message bits to be
transferred in parallel to the user device such as the
control center or a computer.
The apparatus of the present invention manifests
itself in the combination of the receivers which interface
with the common logic, the terminal units and the control
center and the means provided by the apparatus to allow the
non-simultaneous receipt of messages by the receivers and
, effect the simultaneous parallel transfer of the messages to
the control center without the loss of data due to inherent
system message delays.
- 20 While the invention is disclosed in a preferred
embodiment utilizing a common communication line interfacing
the terminal units to the receivers, it is to be understood
that the invention could likewise be implemented using a
separate communication line or lines to each oE the terminal
units for either the serial or parallel transfer of messages
from the terminal units to the receivers with suitable
storage or buffer means in the receivers to accommodate such
parallel transferring of messages.
It is therefore an object of the present invention
to provide receiver and transfer apparatus having enhanced
operating capabilities for transferring messages from a
plurality of message generating sources directable to
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simultaneously transmit messages to a user device.
~' It is another object to provide apparatus
', capable of compensating for the inherent message transmission
delays in a communication system to prevent the loss of
message data when messages are clirected to be simultaneously
transmitted.
A still further object is to provide a communication
system capable of compensating for the non-simultaneous
arrival of messages at apparatus in the system to prevent
the loss of data.
It is another object to provide apparatus in a
communication system for receiving bit serialized messages
from a plurality of sources at different times and for
simultaneously transferring the received messages in
parallel to a user device without the loss of data regardless
of the times when the messages are received.
Yet another object is to provide apparatus for
use in a communication system which recognizes the earliest
and the latest messages received from a plurality of message
generating sources directed to simultaneously transmitt
messages to effect the simultaneous transfer of the messages
to a user device without the los= of message data.
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The present invention may be more readily under-
stood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Fig. 1 is a major block diagram of the system of
the present invention.
Figs. 2 - 6 illustrate the various formats of
messages and data transferred between units of the system.
, Figs. 7 and 8 are flow charts useful in under-
s standing the sequence of operations which take place in the
system.
Figs. 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21 and 22 are
legendary drawings showing the inter-relationships between
Figs. 9A and 9B, lOA - lOD, llA - llH, 13A - 13F, 14A - 14D,
15A - 15D, 19A - 19~, 21A and 21B, and 22A - 22D.
Figs. 9A, 9B, lOA - lOD, llA - llH, and 12 are
timing diagrams useful in understanding the operation of
the section control units of Fig. 1.
Figs. 13A-13F and 14A - 14D are detailed block
diagrams of a typical one of the section control units of
J Fig. 1.
; 20 Figs. 15A - 15D, 17, l9A - l9D and 22A - 22D are
- detailed block diagrams of a typical one of the meter
terminal units of Fig. 1, and
Figs. 16, 18, 20, 21A and 21B and 23 are timing
diagrams useful in understanding the operation of the meter
terminal units of Fig. 1.
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Reference is now made to Fig. 1 of the drawing,
which presents a block dia~ram oE the overall system. Sys-
tem control is directed by a reading control center 10
(hereinafter referred to as the RCC), which is comprised of
a data processor or diyital computer. The computer is of a
general purpose type having sufficient memory capacity to
store data pertaining to the entire system and is programmed
to transmit messages or commands throughout the system and
to collect data from the system as described herein below.
Many such digital computers are commercially available. For
~; a relatively small system, the PDP8/E computer manufactured
j by the Digital Equipment Corporation is suitable. For large
system applications, the H4010 data processor manufactured by
the Honeywell Corporation may be employed. It is to be noted
that each of these computers contains its own input/output
equipment for the transfer of commands and the receipt of data
between the RCC and the rest of the system.
The RCC 10 issues commands and receives data pref-
erably in a multiplex mode over a plurality of digital input/ ;
output serial transmission lines 12. It will be noted tha-t
`! some of the lines 12 are connected to modems (modulator/
demodulator circuits), which in turn provide communication
with a plurality of section control units 16 (SCU) over in-
dividual voice grade or trunk lines 14 of the conventional
dedicated telephone type. Each SCU 16 also has a conven-
tional modem for interface between its trunk line and the
logic internal to the SCU. Transmission of data between the
modems is preferably of the frequency shift ke~ring (FSK) type;
however, other types of transmission may also be employed.
r~ach of the modems are preferably of the voice frequency
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type com?rised of a com~l~rcia]l~ available transmitter/
receiver. Typical transmitterS and receivers of the type
which may be employed in the present system are models
j 68T,2F and 68R,2F, respectively, manufactured by RFL Industries,
Inc., Boonton, New Jersey. These transmitter/receivers are
documented in the RFI. Industries, Inc. publication entitled
Voice-Frequency Carrier E~uipment, Series 6850, revised Mav
1975.
Certain other ones of the digital input~output
lines 12 of the RCC are connected directly to the SCU's 16.
, In most applications, the SCU's will be located at such a
distance from the RCC that it is desirable to use the modem
in order to properly amplify the signals transmitted over
lines 12 and 14. However, there may be situations where one
or more SCU's are directly adjacent the RCC, in which case
, signal strength will be large enough that it is unnecessary
to employ the modem
, For purposes of simplicity, the system is illus-
, trated with several SCU's connected to only one modem via
their associated voic~e grade line 14. It is to be understood
, that all of the other lines 14 could likewise have SCU's
connected thereto in the same fashion.
It will be noted that each of the SCU's is con-
nected to an associated electrical power transmission line 18.
Each of the power lines also has connected thereto at least
one meter terminal unit 20 (MTU). In the preferred embodi-
ment, the transfer of commands and data between the RCC and
the SCU's over the voice grade lines 14 is in ASCII code
format. Commands or messages issued by the RCC are trans-
ferred from the SCU's to their corresponding power lines as
digital data consisting of pulses of RF energy at a pulse
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repctition freauc,~ncy of prefera,~ly 30 }~z. It will be
noted in Fig. 1 that output messages from the SCU's are
designated as being transferred at a fre~uency of fO as
indicated by the arrow going downward on the page adjacent
each power line 18. The designation fO indicates the pulse
frequency of each bit of transmitted da-ta. Also, as shown
in Fig. 1, each SCU, if des;,red, is capable of transmitting
messages at a different frequency as indicated bv the fO'
and fO" notations.
As will be more fully described, each SCU is
uniquely addressable and is also capable of recognizing an
ALL SCU address in commands received from the RCC. Further,
each SCU is capable of recognizing a function code contained
within the command to determine the action that it is to take.
Message parity is also checked by each SCU. If an SCU rec-
`, ognizes its address, and the command contains proper parity,
- the SCU will transfer the command onto its associat,ed power
line 18. Depending on the contents of the function code, the
SCU will go into one of two modes. If the function code
specifies that no dat~ is to be received over the power line
' from one or more MTU's, the SCU will revert to a standbv
mode. However, if the function code specifies that data is
to be received from one or more MTU's, the SCU will go into
a receive data mode and wait for receipt of data from the
; MTU(s) for transfer to the RCC.
~ - It is significant to note that when the reading
,, control center (RCC) issues a command over a voice grade
, line 14, the SCU's connected to that line simultaneously re- '
ceive that command. Only those SCU's recognizing their
', 30 assigned address(s), as specified by the command, will
transfer that command over their corresponding power lines 18.
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As previously mentioned, me~,sages are transmitted
at a frequency of fO over each SCU's respective power line
to a plurality of meter terminal units (MTU's) connected to
each of those power lines. In response to certain commands,
; the MTU's will respond with data representative of a measured
commodity at a specified frequency.
Table 1 illustrates representative power line
transmission or carrier f~equencies which may be employed in
the system. A Set No. column in the table specifies a set
number of a group of frequencies in the row corresponding to
the Set No. The frequency in the fO column specifies the
power line carrier frequency of messages transmitted by the
various SCU's. The frequency in the fl ~ f8 columns speci-
fies the power line carrier frequencies transmitted by a
group of eight MTU's connected to the power line by the SCU
transmitting the fO carrier in the Set No. corresponding to
those frequencies (fl ~ f8)
It will be noted that the MTU's 20 on each power
line 18 are organized into groups, such as Group l through
Group N in Fig. 1. Likewise, N number of groups comprise one
set of N MTU groups. Each MTU in a group transmits its data at
an assigned frequency. For example, in Group 1 it is shown
that an MTU 20' transfers its data at a frequency fl, where-
' as an MTU 20" transfers its data at a frequency f8. All
other MTU's, not shown in Group 1, transmit their data at
corresponding frequencies f2 ~ f7. Preferably, the data
transferred from the MTU's to the SCU's is at 30 bits per
second with data pulse bursts of energy at frequencies f
through f8.
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Z ~1 !T CO ~I~
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:~ ~ ~ r~~ ~r
O o o o o o o
P~ ~ N Il') ~1 Il') ~--1 ~ ~
.' q-~ ~ ~r co~') I~ ~1 o
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Reference is no~ made to the meter tcrminal units
20 (~TU's) of Fig. 1. Each of the MTU's is located at me-
tering locations such as household residences, business
residences, factories or the like. The primary purpose of
each MTU is to provide communication interface between the
SCU's 16 via the power lines 18 and commoclity measuring
meters 22 and electrical loads 2~ connected to the MTU's.
Each MTU responds to messages or commands to read and store
meter data representative of a measured commodity such as
the consumption of power, water or gas, and transmit the
previously stored data to the RCC via the MTU's associated
SCU. Each MTU also responds to commands to control user
loads within a residence such as hot water heaters, air
conditioners, alext lights, etc.
A command function code specifies to the MTU's
whether meter information is to be read and stored, whether
the previously stored infoxmation is to be transmitted over
the power lines or whether a load or loads is to be con-
trolled. The function code also specifies a particular meter
to be read or a load(s) to be controlled.
The MTU's are individually addressable, group
addressable or addressable in large sets comprised of several
groups. A set may encompass all MTU's on a power line. One
MTU is generally addressed when it is desirable to interro-
gate only one residence, for example, during meter survey
, operations. During normal meter reading operations, however,
`, groups of eight MTU's are generally addressed. The purpose
of this will become more clear in the ensuing description.
There are situations in a large power system of the type
shown in Fig. 1 when it is either desirable, or necessary,
to quickly remove all loads from the entire system. This
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would occur under conditions o~ a catastrophic po~er
failure which necessitAtcs a mass scramble to shutdown an
entire-syste~ to prevent damage to the power transmission
equipment. In this latter situation, the MTU's can be
addressed in large sets or, if desired, all MTU's in an
entire system can be simultaneously addressed. Set address-
ing of the MTU's can also be used for the mass reading and
storing of the meter data in the MTU ' s for subsequent
transmission.
The unique addressing scheme of the system permits
calling on small concentrated groups of MTU's for the trans-
;` mission of meter data or for the performance of various
functions in large geographically dispersed sets of MTU's
for simultaneous actions such as read and store data or load
control.
There are many such meters on the market suitable
for employment in the present system. In the prefe~red em-
bodiment, however, the meters employed have encoders for
transferring consumed commodities such as power, water or
- 20 gas to the MTU's for ~storage for transmission at a later
time. Several types of encoder type meters are known such
as contact switch closure types, parallel switch contact
types, optical read-out, etc. The present system preferably
` employs a mechanical non-destructive storage encoder which
provides a meter serial data readout as disclosed in U. S.
' patent 3,846,789, issued November 5, 1974,
entitled Remote-Reading Register ~ith ErrDr Dete~cting
Capability, to Warren R. Germer et al and assigned to the
assignee of the ~resent invention.
' Prior to proceeding with a further description of
the system, it is considered advantageous at this time to
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j provide a detailed description of the various message and
data formats of the information transferred between the RCC
and the SCU's and MTU's of the system. Reference is now
made to Fig. 2, which illustrates the format of the messages
or commands transferred from the RCC to the SCU's. It will
be noted that the message is ln ten bit ASCII code format
wherein each character is comprised of a start bit at the
beginning of the character and a stop bit at the end of the
y character. Eight bits of information are inc]uded between
the start and stop bits of each character. The first charac-
' ter received by an SCU from the RCC is an SCU address. The
second character forms a portion of the MTU address. It will
be noted that the third character is comprised of three bits
of MTU address and five bits of information which specify an
s SCU/MTU function code. The decode of these five bits by the
SCU specifies to that unit its mode of operation. If the
, function code specifies that either a control or a meter read
`, and store function is to be performed by an MTU(s), then a
t data response is not expected by the SCU, and it will revert
to the standby mode after transmission of the message to the
MTU(s). If, however, the function code specifies that
information is to be received from the MTU, the SCU will go
into a wait or data receive mode. After the MTU(s) data
has been received by the SCU and transferred to the RCC, the
SCU will revert back to the standby state in preparation for
' receipt of another message from the RCC.
The last character in the message received by the
SCU from the RCC is a parity character. The present system
employs the well-known Bose-Chauduri check code generated
by the Polynomial 1 + X + x6 operating on the 24 message bits
transmitted from the RCC to the SCU, and on 36 bits of data
transmitted by each MTU. Only six bits of the eight-bit
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parity character are used, the last two bits being ignored.
Even though the use of parity is described in the present
system, it forms -no part of the invention and is merely
illustrated for a more simple unclerstanding of the
disclosure. It is to be understood that other types of
parity schemes could be just as effectively used.
Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which illustrates
the message format of messages transferred from an SCU(s) to
an MTU(s). It will be noted in this message that the start
and stop bits do not exist. Logic within the SCU removes or
strips off the start/stop bits and appends to the front of
the message a start message code of three bits having the
binary configuration of 001. These start bits are used by
the MTU to detect the start of a message from the SCU. It
will also be noted that the SCU passes the message intact as
received minus the start/stop bits. That is, it transfers
the SCU address in an eight-bit field, the MTU address in an
eleven-bit field, the MTU function code in a five-bit field
and the six-bit parity code. For purposes to be later de-
scribed, it should be noted at this time that the SCU regen-
; erates the SCU address and does not pass that address on
precisely as received from the RCC. Additionally, the SCU
regenerates parity because a portion of the message address
may be altered.
i Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which shows the
data format of messages transmitted from an MTU(s) to an
SCU(s). As previously mentioned, the MTU responds to
basically three differenct commands: Read and store, per-
form a control action, and transmit a meter reading. As
such, as shown in Fig. 4, the only data transferred from
the MTU~s to the SCU's over the power lines is a message
carrying information or data representative of the meter dial
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readings from the encoder of an addressed MTU meter. When
an MTU receives a transmit command from the SCU, the message
format as shown in Fig. 4 is transmitted by the MTU. The
MTU, like the SCU, generates three message start or sync bits
as binary 001 for recognition by the SCU to detect the start
of a message or data word. Further, the meter encoder gen-
erates an identification code (ID), as the second six-bit
character. The generation of this code is shown and described
i in the aforementioned patent 3,846,789, and is for use by the
RCC computer program to identify the particular meter being
read.
' Following the meter encoder identification code are
- five six-bit binary characters generated by the meter encoder
' representative of meter dial readings 1 through 5. The last
?~ character in the message transferred by the MTU's to each SCU
is the six-bit parity code. It is to be emphasized that the
message format shown in Fig. 4 is representative of the data
message transmitted by each addressed MTU to an SCU over the
power lines.
As previously mentioned, in the present system
groups of MTU's (e.g., eight MTU's) can be simultaneously
addressed to transfer their corresponding meter data to the
, SCU. In the present system, when a group of eight MTU's is
addressed, these eight MTU's basically transfer the meter
data simultaneously over the power lines to their corre-
sponding SCU. Also, as previously mentioned, this trans-
mission of data from each MTU is at a different frequency
corresponding to each MTU. Each SCU contains eight narrow-
band receiver amplifier circuits capable of discriminating
, 30 between the frequencies of the messages from each of the
eight MTU's. As a result, when eight separate messages are
placed on the power line, the SCU is capable of receiving
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each of those eight messages in its corresponding amplifiers.
Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which shows the
message or data format of information from an addressed
group of eight MTU's and how that information appears on
the power lines at the SCU's. No-t shown in Fig. 5 are the
three message start or sync bits 001 generated by each MTU.
It will be noted that when eight MTU's are simultaneously
addressed to transmit information to an SCU, the message bits
of each MTU are transmitted simultaneously in a serial fashion
onto the power line. The first character to be transferred
by each MTU (at their corresponding frequencies fl ~ f8~ is
i the first identification code bit of the addressed encoder
or meter of each one of the MTU' s 1 - 8 (See Fig.l). Not
shown in Fig. 5, but also transmitted immediately thereafter
are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th identification code bit char-
` acters. Next, the sixth identification code bits are trans-
mitted from the MTU' s 1 - 8. Following the last character
containing the meter identification code bits are the meter
dial readings (dials 1 through 5) in corresponding bits
characters 7th through 36th. Following the 36th bits
character are bits characters 37th through 42nd, which
contain the parity bits generated by each of the MTU's. The
information as shown in the message format of Fig. 5 is
received a bit at a time in each of the eight separate channel
receivers of the SCU and assembled in the SCU into eight-bit
ASCII characters for transfer to the RCC for processing.
Reference is now made to Fig. 6. Comparing the
message formats of Figs. 5 and 6, it can be seen that a great
deal of similarity exists between those formats. The SCU,
i 30 in reformating the message for transfer to the RCC, first
appends a start and stop bit to each character developing
the ASCII code. As pre~iously described, each MTU message
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to the SCU is comprised of 42 bits (i.e., minus the three
message start bits). The SCU detects these three message
start bits; however, they are removed before the message is
transferred to the RCC. As can be seen in Fig. 6, the
message is transferred basically intact as shown in Fig. 4.
That is, the first character transferred from the SCU to the
t RCC is comprised of eight bits corresponding to frequencies
t fl ~ f8 from each of the MTU's l through 8. Each of these
' bits corresponds to one bit from the MTU generating the
message bit at that specific frequency. The message format
of Fig.6 is basically the same format of Fig. 5, wherein
bits l - 8 of characters 1 - 6 of the message comprise the
meter encoder identification code for eight MTU's. Bits
~i l - 8 of characters 7 - 36 comprise the meter dial readings
of meters l - 5 of each of the eight MTU's and bits l - 8
of characters 37 - 42 comprise the parity bits for each of
the eight MTU's.
;~ Although not forming a part of the present inven-
; tion, it is worth noting that the RCC program receives the
data in the format shown in Fig. 6 and organizes that data
by assembling each of the bits of the characters into com-
plete words corresponding to data from each of the MTU's.
s Once this data is formatted into words corresponding to eachof the MTU's, then that data can be appropriately processed
t by a computer program for billing purposes, load control,
meter surveying, etc.
Figs. 7 and 8 are flow charts showing the sequence
of operations for the entire system. Referring first to
Fig. 7, there is shown a flow chart which exemplifies the
` 30 operation of the system during the generation of a read and
s store or load control sequence by the RCC. The initiation
~, of a command from the RCC is indicated by a start circle in
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Fig. 7. The read and store or load control command is pro-
vided to one of the voice grade trunk-lines 14 ~Fig.l)
activated at that tlme by the RCC. The message is tnen re-
ceived by the SCU's on that line, which check to see if
message parity is okay and if the address contained within
the message is meant for one or all of the SCU's. If an
SCU does not recognize the address, or if the parity check
is bad, that SCU branches through a no exit into an "SCU
resets to standby" block. That SCU will thus remain in a
standby mode pending receipt of another message. If, however,
an SCU determines that the parity check is okay, and that
the address contained within the message is meant for that
SCU, it exits through a yes branch into a action block
wherein the SCU proceeds to retransmit the command onto the
power line and reset to standby.
` The message now being transferred onto the power
line goes to each of the MTU's connected to that power line.
~ Each MTU checks to see if the parity of the message is okay.
; Each MTU also checks to see if the message address is meant
for that MTU and if the function code is valid. If any one
of these conditions does not properly check, the MTU will
exit a not branch, at which time it resets to a standby mode
in preparation to receive another message. However, if all
of the tests are valid, the MTU exits through a yes branch
and the function code is decoded to determine which operation
is to take place by the MTU. If the function code is
detected as a read and store command, the program exits
through an R & S branch into an action block wherein the
MTU reads the specified meter encoder of one of a plurality
of meter encoders and stores the meter dial readings of
that encoder into a designated one of several registers in
the MTU as specified by the function code. The MTU then
, C-13 1 9
.,. ' :
~8~81 21 ME 10
resets to the standby mode. It is in this manner that the
MTU can be commanded to read and store meter information for
subsequent recall by the program in response to an MTU
transmit command to subsequently be described.
Referring now back to the "which function code?"
decision block, if the function code is decoded as a load
and store command, the MTU then exits through an LC branch.
The LC branch enters into an action block wherein the MTU
or MTU's, if more than one is addressed, actuates the speci-
fied load or loads to perform a designated operation or
operations as specified by the function code. Upon termi-
nation of the load control operation(s), the MTU then resets
to standby in preparation to receive another message.
Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which is a flow
chart showing how each MTU responds to a transmit command
issued by the RCC. Similarly to Fig. 7, the RCC, in a
start circle, initiates the transmission of a transmit com-
mand to a selected one of the trunk lines 14 to the SCU(s)
on that line. The SCU(s) connected to that trunk line checks
the message parity and address as described for Fig. 7. If
either of these conditions fail, a no branch is taken out of
the "SCU Parity Address OK?" decision block and the SCU re-
sets to standby. If, however, the parity and address checks
are positive, the SCU exits through a yes branch into an
action block wherein the SCU retransmits the command onto
the power line and then goes into a wait mode for receipt
of the meter data from the addressed MTU(s). The MTU(s)
then checks the parity, address and function code as pre-
` viously described. If either of these checks fail, the
MTU exits through a no branch and resets to standby. If
all conditions are positive, however, the MTU(s) begins to
' transmit the meter data from the register as specified by
~ C- 14 2 ~
~, ~
21 ME 10
16)~5~
the function code in the transmit command. After the MTU(s)
has transmitted all of the meter data from the designated
register, it resets to the standby state in preparation to
receive another command.
SECTION CONTROL UNIT
,: (SCU)
OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
;
, Reference is now made to Figs. 9, 10, 11, 13 and
14, which are legendary drawings showing the inter-relation-
ships between the various drawings of the SCU
The timing diagrams showing the operation of the
SCU are shown in Figs. 9A and 9B, Figs. 10A - 10D, Figs~
llA - llH, and the detailed logic of the SCU is shown in
Figs. 13A - 13F and 14A - 14D. The various shift registers,
counters, flip-flops and gating circuits utilized in the
,i construction of the SCU are preferably fabricated from
integrated circuit logic.
The various blocks comprising the above-mentioned
circuits may be fabricated from commercially available de-
' vices as listed in Table 2. The listing in Table 2 gives
the manufacturers' names, the manufacturers' part number
and the circuit name identification as shown in the drawing.
Footnotes 1 - 5 at the end of Table 2 give the manufacturers'
references where the various circuits can be found.
TABLE 2
;
SECTION CONTROL UNIT
MANUFACTURERS' CIRCUIT
IDENTIFICATION
\
.
C-15 2~
.
.
21 ME 10
~085~B~L
CTRCUIT NAMF. MANUFACTURER MANUFACTURERS'S
NO.
~ MODEM RFL INDUSTRIES, TRANSMITTER
j INC. (68AT-WF-D)
` RECEIVER
(68R-2F-5)
DATA TRANSMITTER GENERAL INSTRUMENT AY-5-10131
RECEIVER CORP. AY-5-10134
RECEIVE DATA MEMORY SIGNETICS CORP. S54170
REGISTER
CHARACTER COUNTER " " S5493
WRITE CHARACTER F/F " " S5474
SYSTEM CONTROL F/F " " S5474
PARALLEL IN SERIAL " " S54166
OUT REGISTER
RESPONSE EXPECTED F/F " " S5474
FFEF " " S5474
FFDF " " S5474
RTSFF " " S5474
' PLRFF " " S5474
SAXFF " " S5474
GRFF " " S5474
POWER LINE CONTROL
COUNTER " " S54161
REGISTER READ OUT/
ADDRESS CHECK COUNTER " " S54161
S/R CONTROL F/F " " S5474
SCUADD F/F " " S5474
POWER LINE XUITR F/F " " S5474
ISEC DELAY FOR NEXT
CHAR. " " S5490
30 Ms DELAY COUNTER " " S5495
3 Ms DELAY CONTROL F/F " " S5474
C-16 2~
:
21 ~lE 10
Ta~le 2 ~ 48~b
Page - 2 -
STATE F/F SIGNETICS CORP. S547~
STORE A F/F " " S5474
STORE B F/F " " S5474
267 Ms DELAY . COUNTER " " S5492
FFlA " " S5474
50 Ms F/F " " S5474
FF2A " " S5~74
EOM F/F " " S5474
0 Ms DELAY 12 COUNTER ll r S5493
30 HZ STROBE CLOCK " " S5493
COUNTER
MESSAGE LENGTH COUNTER " " S54161
0A, 0B, ~C, 0D F/F's " ll S5474
REMOVE START BITS " " TwO S5473
COUNTER
ONE SHOT " " S54121
. NARROW BAND TEXAS INSTRUMENTS THREE
RECEIVER/AMPS INC. SN52709AL
BAND PASS FILTER GENERAL INSTRUMENTS TWO AY-6-4016
CORPORATION INTERCONNECTED
THROUGH AN
SN52709AL
', 20
This modem can be found in RFL Industries, Inc.,
Boonton, N. J. U. S. A., publication entitled,
Voice-Frequency Carrier Equipment, Series 6850,
revised 5/75.
This circuit can be found in General Instruments
Corp. Microelectronics Technical Bulletin entitled,
UAR/T Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter,
; AY-5-1013/AY-5-1013A, March 1974.
All Signetics circuits, including logic gates not
listed in Table 1, can be found in the manual entitled,
Signetics Digital Linear MOS Data Book, cop~right 1974.
4This circuit can be found in the Texas Instruments, Inc.
manual entitled, The Linear and Interface Circuits Data
Book for Design Engineers, copyright 1973.
5This circuit can be found in General Instruments Corp.
30 Advance Bulletin 1970, entitled MTNS 16 Channel
Random/Sequential Access Multiplexer AY-6-4016.
., .
23
C-17
~8S~ 21 ME 10
The operatio~ of the SCU will be described in
basically two modes of operation. The first mode will be
with the SCU starting in standby and its operation when
receiving a message from the RCC and the transmission of
that message onto the power line for receipt by an MTU(s).
The second mode of operation to be described will be with
the SCU in the wait mode and its operation when receiving
' meter data over the power line from an MTU(s) and the
transfer of that data to the RCC.
Let it first be assumed that power has just been
applied to the SCU. With the application of power, a
power on reset block 26 in Fig. 13A applies a binary 1 re-
set pulse to an R terminal of a system control flip-flop 28
j via an OR gate 30 and a conductor 32. Flip-flop 28 now re-
~- sets generating a binary 1 SCU reset signal on a conductor 34
connected to an O output terminal of flip-flop 28. The SCU
reset signal is applied to the various registers, counters
and flip-flops in the SCU, causing those devices to all re-
set to a binary 0 state and placing the SCU in the standby
mode.
Referring now to Fig. 13E, there is shown a master
clock generator 36 now generating a plurality of output
timing signals for use in controlling the SCU timing opera-
tions. These various timing signals are shown connected to
the appropriate circuits in the SCU as well as being shown
in the aforementioned SCU timing diagrams.
Reference is now made to Figs. 9A and 13A. In
Fig. 9A at the top of the timing diagram, there is shown a
message from the RCC appearing at a receiver/demodulator 38
of an SCU modem on a trunk line 14. As previously described,
this message is transmitted in ASCII code using FSI~
C- 18
~ 2~
1o85~8l 21 ME 10
transmission techniqu~s. Transmission is pref~rably at
300 baud. The receiver 38 passes the message in serial
form into a data transmitter receiver circuit 40 via a
conductor 42. The data transmitter receiver 40 is a
universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter LSI subsystem
which accepts binary characters from either a terminal
device such as a modem, or a computer such as the RCC. As
will subsequently be described, this subsystem also re-
ceives data characters in parallel. Data output from this
subsystem i~ also in serial or parallel.
As previously described in connection with Fig. 2
and as shown in Fig. 9A, all incoming characters to the SCU
i
from the RCC contain a start bit, eight data bits and a stop
' bit. As shown in Fig. 9A, when the data transmitter/re-
ceiver 40 detects a mark to space transition, it detects
that transition as the start bit of a character and begins
to take in the eight data bits plus the stop bit. When the
tenth bit (end of the first character) is received by the
data transmitter/receiver 40, that circuit generates a
binary 1 data available signal DAV on a conductor 44. The
DAV signal is applied simultaneously to a set input(s) of
a write character flip-flop 46, as one input to an AND gate
48 and to a one-second delay circuit 50 of Fig. 13C via a
conductor 49.
The presence of the DAV signal at AND gate 48
causes that gate to be enabled due to three binary 1 output
signals, CCA, CCB, CCC, applied to gate 48 from a character
; counter 52 via a plurality of conductors 54. With AND gate
48 enabled, a binary 1 CCO (character count 0) signal is
generated on a conductor 56 and applied to a set(s) input
terminal of the system control flip-flop 28, setting the
latter.
. c-lg 2 ~
21 1~. 10
S481
It will be recalle~, at the outset of ~he present
discussion, flip-flop ~ was reset when power was applied
to the system. With the system control ~lip-flop 28 now
set at the tlme shown in Fig. 9A, the SCU reset signal goes
to a ~inary 0 removing the reset signal from all counters,
registers and flip-flops ln the system, thus freeing the
system to run.
' Reference is now made back to the write character
flip-flop 46, which is set by the DAV signal. As can be
seen in Figs. 9A and 13A, the write character flip-flop
generates a write enable signal WF. on a conductor 58, which
is applied as an enable signal to a receive data memory
register 60 to effect the parallel transfer of the eight-
bit data character now in the data transmitter/ receiver 40
into the receive data memory register via conductors 62.
The receive data memory register 60 is basically
an LSI memory capable o~ storing a complete 32-bit message
(four eight-bit characters) into selectable character
locations of that memory. The locations in the data memory
register are selected by a plurality of address signals CCA
and CCB (called write select in Fig. 13A) on conductors 64
; from the character counter 52. As shown in Fig. 9A, the
WE signal allows the first message character to be loaded
into the receive data memory register into a location
specified by CCA and CCB. It will be noted that the write
character flip-flop 46 recei~es at its reset (R) input
terminal a 48 kHz clock signal from the master clock gen-
erator 36 of Fig. 13E. This signal is shown in Fig. 9A
resetting flip-flop 46.
As soon as the write character flip-flop 46 is
reset by the 48 kHz clock, its one-output terminal causes
the WE signal ~o go to a binary 0 and its O output terminal
C- 20 2~
~5~ 21 ME 10
to go to a binary 1 generating a Reset DAV signal. As
shown in Fig. 13A, this latter signal is applied to the
data transmitter/receiver 40 ancl to the character counter
52 via conductors 66 and 68, respectively. The Reset DAV
signal causes the ~AV signal to now go to a binary 0 and
simultaneously causes the character counter 52 to count
up to a count of one as shown in Fig. 9A (CCA set). With
the character counter now setting at a count of one, it
can be seen that the CCA signal is at a binary 1 and the
CCB signal is at a binary 0, thus applying the proper input
address signals to the receive data memory register 60 on
conductors 64 for receiving the second message character.
The second, third and fourth characters will con-
tinue to be taken into the data transmitter/receiver 40
and placed in the proper character positions of the receive
data memory register 60 under control of the CCA, CCB and WE
signals in the manner just described. As shown in Fig. 9A,
when the fourth character has been loaded into the receive
data memory register, the CCC output of the character
counter 52 goes to a binary 1, indicating that the receive
data memory register is full.
A momentary digression is now made in the present
description by referring to Fig. 13A to the one-second
delay for next character circuit 50. It will be noted
that that circuit receives the DAV signal and a 4.8 kHz
clock signal. The purpose of the one-second delay is to
cause the SCU to reset if it does not receive a data
character within one second from the generation of the first
DAV signal. If a character is not received within the one-
second time interval, a binary 1 time-out signal on
conductor 70 is applied to the system control flip-flop
via OR gate 30 causing the SCU to reset. In this manner,
/
C- 21 2~
..
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~85~8~L 21 ME 10
should a false start bi~ come down the telephone line 14
from the RCC, the system will not be falsely triggered into
operation. It will also be noted that the CCC signal from
the character counter is applied to an inhibit input of
the one-second delay via conductor 72. The CCC signal is
normally a binary O to enable the one-second delay through
a circle inverter. However, when the CCC signal goes to a
binary 1, that signal is inverted to a binary O inhibiting
the operation of the one-second delay and preventing the
time-out signal from being generated after the last
character has been fully loaded into the receive data memory
register.
Reference is now made to a register read-out/
address check counter 74 of Fig. 13C receiving the CC sig-
nal from the character counter 52. The CCC signal is a
binary O until the character counter has counted to its
maximum (count of 4). When the CCC signal is a binary 0,
' it provides an inhibit/reset input signal to an R terminal
of counter 74 preventing the counter from counting and keep-
ing it in the binary O or reset state. As shown in Figs.
9A and 9B, when the CCC signal goes to a binary 1, the
inhibit/reset signal is removed, enabling the register 74
to begin counting at a 48 kHz rate as shown by a start RR
and ACC line in Fig. 9B. Fig. 9B is actually a continuation
of Fig. 9A, but it is based on a different time frame with
all timing derived at a basic 48 kHz rate.
The purpose of the register read-out/address check
counter 74 is to generate coded count output signals to con-
trol the operational timing of the SCU during checking of
the message received from the RCC.
It will be noted that register 74 generates six
output signals designated RCA through RCF on a plurality of
C-22
~5~ 21 ME 10
cohductors 76. The final stage oE register 74, designated
RCF, is applied as one illpUt to an AND gate 78 as RCF.
The other input to AND gate 78 is the 48 kHz clock signal
as shown in Fig. 13C. Since register 74 is reset at this
time, the RCF signal is a binary 1, thus enabling AND gate
78 to allow the 48 kHz clock to be applied as a register
count signal RCNT to a trigger (T) input terminal of reg-
ister 74. The relationships between the RCA through RCF
; signals are shown in Fig. 9B. Since register 74 is a
straight-forward binary counter, only signals RCA, RCB and
RCF are shown, it being understood that the operation of
' such type counters is well understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art.
A decode network comprised of two sets of AND
gates 80 and 82 in Fig. 13C receives the RCA - RCF output
'5~ signals from register 74 to generate the proper control sig-
nals for controlling the operation of the SCU. Reference is
first made to an AND gate 84 of the group of AND gates 80
- receiving input signals RCA, RCB and RCC. As shown in the
, 20 timing diagram of Fig. 9B, a binary 1 read enable 1 signal
is generated on conductor 86 from AND gate 84 in response to
the just described input logic conditions. The read enable
lsignal is applied via conductors 86, 88 and an OR gate 90
s as a read enable signal to the receive data memory register60. The read enable signal is also applied as a shift/load
signal to a parallel in-serial out-register 92 via a
conductor 94 to enable that register to receive a parallel
character from memory register 60.
The read enable signal now enables the receive
data memory register 60 to transfer the first message
character, in parallel, via its output data lines 96
through a conventlonal multiplexer circuit 98 into the
,, :
C-23 2 9
"
,. ' , ` .
~0~8~ 21 ME 10
parallel in-serial out-register 92. Addressing oX the
receive data memory register is controlled by two input
signals RSA and RSB on conductors 100 from two OR gates
102 and 104. The OR gates 102 and 104 receive respective
input signals RSAl and RSBl via conductors 106 and 108 from
the output of register 74. These two signals are actually
the RCD and RCE outputs of register 74. As can be seen in
the timing diagram of Fig. 9B, during the transfer of the
first character from memory register 60 into registry 92,
the RCD(RSAl) and RCE (RSBl) signals are binary 0's. These
two binary 0 signals effect the generation of binary 0, RSA
and RSB signals to cause the read-out of the least
significant character of the message from the receive data
memory register by referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that
this first character is the SCU address character.
The SCU address character, which is now present
in the parallel in-serial out-register 92, is the first
character to be checked. This character is checked as
` follows: Reference is now made back to Fig. 13C to the
group of AND gates 82, wherein one of those AND gates 110
is receiving the read enable signal and an output signal on
conductor 112 from another AND gate 114, the latter re-
ceiving the 48 Khz clock and two input signals RCD and
RCE from the register read-out address counter 74. Since
these latter two signals are now binary l's, AND gate 114
is enabled to allow the 48 kHz clock to be applied to AND
gate 110 generating a check address (first character) output
signal on a conductor 116. The generation of this latter
signal is shown in Fig. 9B in coincidence with the read
enable signal applied to the memory register 60 and register
92.
The check address (first character) signal on
C- 24 ~ ~
.. . .
10~5~S1 21 ME 10
conductor 116 is applied to two gate logic structures
labeled, this SCU address compare gates 118 and all SCU
address compare gates 120 of Fig. 13E. As previously
mentioned, each SCU is capable of recognizing its own dis-
tinct address as well as an address which is common to all
SCU's in the entire system. The comparison of the address
in these two gate structures is effected by the parallel
input address bits being applied thereto from the receive
data memory register via a data bus 122.
The comparison of the distinct SCU address in
gate structure 118 is effected by a comparison of the SCU
address now applied from the receive data memory register
with a plurality of binary signals TSCUA (this SCU address)
on conductors 124 from a box 126 designated this SCU fixed
address. Box 126 may be hardwired or switch selectable to
apply the appropriate binary input signals (TSCUA) to the
compare gate structure 118. The contents of box 126 is
preferably switch settable so that each SCU can easily be
assigned its own address. If the address from the receive
data memory register does not match the TSCUA addressing
signals, a fail 1 signal is generated on conductor 128 and
applied via an OR gate 130 of Fig. 13D to the set(s) input
terminal of an SCU address flip-flop 132.
The ALL SCU address compare gate structure 120
contains its own hardwired address for comparison with that
address coming from the receive data memory register. The
logic in box 120 is designed to recognize an address common
to all SCU's in the system. If the ALL SCU address compare
does not check with the message address, compare gates 120
will also generate a fail 2 signal on conductor 134. This
latter fail signal is also applied to the SCU address
flip-flop 132 via OR gate 130.
r
' C- 25 31
.,
,,
21 ME 10
~5~
Setting of the SCU address flip-flop 132
generates a binary 1 output signal designated address
compare fail on a conductor 136, which is applied to the
system control flip-flop 28 via OR gate 30 to reset the
SCU. Thus, it can be seen, upon examination of the very
first character of a message, if the address does not
match the ALL SCU address or the address of the specific
SCU, the system will revert immediately to the reset or
standby mode. The timing for setting and resetting the
SCU address flip-flop 132 is shown in Fig. 9B.
Let it now be assumed that the address check is
valid. Under this condition, as can be seen in Fig. 9s,
the read enable 1 signal is again generated (the second
read enable 1 signal) to again enable the receive data
memory register to gate the data in parallel through multi- !
plexer 98 into the parallel in-serial out-register 92. The
second data character is the MTU address (see Fig. 2), which
is gated from the second character position of the receive
data memory register under control of the RSA and RSB sig-
nals as previously described. At this time the RCD signal
is a binary 1 and the RCE signal is binary 0. Thus, the
RSAl signal is in binary 1 and the RSBl signal is a binary 0. ~-
It is the decode of these two signal states which selects
the second character position out of the receive data memory
register 60. This data character is loaded into the
parallel in-serial out-register. However, as shown in
:"
Fig. 9B, the MTU address is not checked.
After the MTU address is loaded into the parallel
in-serial out-register, the next character to be read into
,~ 30 that register from the receive data memory register is the
third message character, the SCU/MTU function code (see
' Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 9B, the third read enable 1 signal
C-26 32
.,, :~ ~
~ 21 ~ 10
is now applied to the receive data memory register in con-
; junction with the RSA and RSB signals on conductor 100. At
this time the RSAl signal is a binary 0 and the RSBl signal
is a binary 1 (RCD is a binary 0 and RCE is a binary 1).
Thus, the third data character is selected out of the re-
ceive data memory register and transferred via the multi-
plexer 98 into the parallel in-serial out-register. At this
time, the function code is to be checked to see if the mes-
! sage from the RCC is of that type which dictates a response
10 from an MTU(s). This is accomplished by the generation of
` a check function (third character) signal on a conductor 138
from an AND gate 140 of the group of AND gates 82 for appli-
cation to an MTU response function compare gate structure 142
(see Fig. 13C).
Referring to AND gate 140 and to Fig. 9B, the
check function signal is generated as a result of the decode
~- of the binary 1 RCD and RCE signals along with the 48 kHz
clock applied to AND gate 142, the output of which is applied
as one input to AND gate 140 along with the read enable 1
,- 20 signal on conductor 86. The generation of the check function
signal effects a comparison of a hardwired coding in the MTU
response function compare gates 142 with the coding of the
third character now applied in paralle~ to that gating
structure from the receive data memory register 60. If
there is no comparison between the SCU/MTU function code
~b and the wired function code, a normally binary 0 signal on
' a conductor 144 applied to a set(s) input terminal of a
, response expected flip-flop 146 remains at binary 0, thus
; leaving that flip-flop in the reset state.
With the response expected flip-flop 146 in the
reset state, its one (1) output terminal is a binary 0
signal REFF on a conducto~ 148, whiich is ~pplied to an
~ c-27 3 3
., .
~a85~8~. 21 ME 10
inverter 150. The output of the inverter 150 is a binary 1
signal REFF, applied as one input to an AND gate 152. If
; no response is expected, AND gate 152 will be enabled at a
later time by a signal designated PL34 to apply a reset (no
response expected) signal to the system control flip-flop
via a conductor 154 and OR gate 30. The generation of the
PL34 signal will subsequently be described.
Let it now be assumed, however, that the function
code of the command specifies that a response is expected
from a meter terminal unit(s). In this case, the response
expected signal on conductor 144 will go to a binary 1
causing the response expected flip-flop 146 to set. Flip-
flop 146 now generates a binary 1 REFF signal on conductor
148. The REFF signal is applied via conductor 148 and 156
as one input to an AND gate 158 of Fig. 13B. The other
input signal to AND gate 158 is the PL34 signal to subse-
quently be described. As can be seen (Fig. 13B), when the
PL 34 signal is generated, a power line receiver flip-flop
PLRFF 160 will be set generating a binary 1 output signal
designated PLRF to turn on all of the SCU power line re-
; ceivers. The operation of the PLRFF flip-flop will be
described in more detail later.
It should also be noted at this time that the
REFF binary 1 signal is also applied via a conductor 161
to a transmitter modulator 162 of the modem to turn on the
carrier signal for the transmission of a data message to
subsequently be received from the addressed MTU or MTU's
It should also ~e noted that when the REFF signal is a
binary 0, the transmitter modulator carrier signal is
turned off or diabled. This would be the situation when
the response expected flip-flop 146 is reset.
Reference is now made back to Fig. 9B. After
~ C- 28 3k
..,
....
1~5~8~L 21 ME 10
the SCU/MTU function code has belen checked and the response
expected flip-flop either set or left in the reset state,
the fourth read enable 1 signal is generated to effect the
transfer of the 4th character from the receive data memory
register 60 into the parallel in-serial out-data-register 92.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, this 4th character is the parity
character. At this time the selection of that 4th character
from the receive data memory register is effected by the
two binary 1 states of the RSA and RSB signals (RCD and RCE,
lQ both binary l's). It will be noted, however, that parity
is not checked concurrently with the presence of the read
enable 1 signal, as in the case oE the first and third cha-
racters of the message. A check parity (4th character) sig-
~? nal is applied via a conductor 164 to a parity check generate
circuit 166 from the output of an AND gate 168. The genera-
tion of the check parity signal is the resilt of the ANDING
in an AND gate 170 of the RCA, RCB, RCC and the ANDING in
an AND gate 172 of the RCD, RCE and 48 kHz clock signals.
The output of AND gates 170 and 172 enable AND gate 168 to
generate the check parity signal on conductor 164. The
operation of the SCU under a parity check fail condition
will be described later in more detail.
In order to further understand the operation of
the SCU, it is now necessary to refer to a shift register
? ~ control flip-flop 174 as shown in Fig. 13C. Referring now
j to Figs. 13C and 9B, it is shown that the shift register
; control flip-flop 174 is set via a conductor 175 from AND
gate 176 enabled by the binary 1 signals RCD, RCE and read
enable 1. Flip-flop 174, now generating a binary 1 output
signal on conductor 178 from its 1 output terminal, enables
an AND gate 180 also receiving the 48 kHz clock signal.
{ The output of AND gate 180 is a gated kHz signal desig-
c-29 3~j
., ~
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~V~5~1 21 ME 10
nated G48KHZ on a conduc-tor 182. The G48KHZ signal is
applied to an OR gate 184 of Fig. 13A. The output of OR
gate 184 ls applied as a clock data signal on conductor 186
to a trigger (T) input of the parallel in-serial out-register
92. The purpose of the clock data signal is to control the
parallel loading and serialized shifting of the parallel
in-serial out-register.
Reference is now made to Figs. 9A, 9B and 13A.
As previously described, the read enable signal on conductor
88 is also applied as a shift/load signal on conductor 94
to one input of the parallel in-serial out-register. As
shown in Fig. 9B, when the read enable signal (also shift/
]oad signal) is a binary 0, the shift register 92 is
enabled to be serially shifted. On the other hand, when the
read enable (shift/load) signal is a binary 1, the parallel
,, in-serial out-register 92 is enabled to be parallel loaded
from the receive data memory register 60. The actual
parallel clocking of data into the parallel in-serial out-
register from the receive data memory register is performed
with the G48KHZ clock data signal via gates 180 and 184. It
; will be noted that the G48KHZ signal falls in the middle
of the read enable 1 pulse. The set/reset timing of the
shift register control flip-flop 174 is shown in Fig. 9B
and how that flip-flop controls the application of the
G48KHZ signal to the trigger input of the parallel in-serial
out-register 92.
When data is serially shifted out of register 92,
that data is shifted in response to the G48KHZ pulses on
conductor 186 starting at the time immediately following
the return of the shift/load signal from a binary 1 to a
binary 0 as shown in Fig. 9B. As can be seen, the spacing
between the read enable 1 signal allows 7 G48KHZ clock
3f;
C-30
,.
10~5~8~ 20 ME 10
signals to be applied to the parallel in-serial out-register
each time a character is shifted out of that register. In
other words, for each read enable signal generated, the
eight bits in each character residing in register 92 are
~; shifted out in a serial data stream via a conductor 188
` and fed to one input of -the parity check/generate circuit
166. It is to be noted that this serialized shifting of
data out of the parallel in-serial out-register is taking
, plaee substantially simultaneously with the parallel eheek-
ing of the SCU address and the MTU response funetion eode.
i The obvious reason for the serialized shifting of the data
; into the parity eheck generate circuit 166 is so that that
circuit can check parity of the entire message coming from
$ the RCC. This type of checking in eonjunction with the
decoding of the message saves time causing the SCU to ex-
, pedite overall operations.
..
After the entire message has been checked, the
' shift register control flip-flop is reset from an AND gate
190. That AND gate is enabled as a result of the ANDING of
signals RCE and RCD with the output of AND gate 170 receiving
the RCA, RCB and RCC signals.
Reference is now made back to the parity check
generate cireuit 166 wherein that cireuit, in response to
the eheck parity signal on conduetor 164, will generate a
parity check fail signal which goes from a binary 0 to a
binary 1 if parity of the message is invalid. If the parity
cheek does fail, the parity check fail signal on eonduetor
,~ 192 will go to a binary 1 resetting the system eontrol flip-
flop via OR gate 30, thus immediately plaeing the SCU baek
in the standby mode.
Let it now be assumed that the message parity
$ eheek is valid. In this ease, the parity eheek fail signal
:~ .
C- 31 37
f
,
108S~8~ 21 ME 10
on conductor 192 remains at a binary 0. This signal is
applied to an inverter 194 of Fig. 13D via conductors 192 and
196, where it is inverted to a binary 1. The output of
inverter 194 is applied as one input to an AND gate 198
along with the now present check parity signal on a
conductor 200 to enable that gat~. Since parity is valid,
it is now proper to transfer the message from the SCU to
the MTU(s) via the SCU's power line. This is accomplished
by the enablement of AND gate 194, which applies a binary 1
set signal to the S input terminal of a power line trans-
mitter flip-flop 202. As noted in Fig. 9B, the fourth
character (parity check) signal is utilized to set the power
line transmitter flip-flop.
With the power line transmitter flip-flop now set,
its one output terminal generates a binary 1 PLXF output
, signal on a conductor 204. The PLXF signal, previously a
binary 0, now removes an inhibit clear input from a power
line control counter 206 of Fig. 13B. With the PLXF binary
1 signal now present at the input of the power line control
counter, the latter is enabled to now begin counting at a
30 Hz rate as shown in Figs. lOA and lOB.
The power line control counter is a six-stage
conventional binary counter generating binary count output
signals PLCl - PLC32 on a plurality of conductors 208.
Certain ones of the PLCl - PLC32 output signals are applied
' directly to a control counter decode 210 and other ones of
those output signals are applied to three AND gates 212,
214, and 216 via conductors 218, 220 and 222, respectively.
The logic structure of the control counter decode 210 is
defined in the following Table 3, which is a listing of
Boolean equations defining that structure.
., .
.. 38
C-32
., .
... .
.1~85~ 21 ME 10
TABLE 3
SCU
POWER LINE C~NTROL COUNTER
DECODE E~UATIONS
SRTSF = PLCl . PLC2 . PLC4 . PLC8 . PLC16 . PLC32
DCD = PLC4 . PLC8 . PLC16 . PLC32
3RD SYNC BII = PLCl . Pl,C2 . PLC4 . PLC8 . PLC16 . PLC32
RCHR = (PLCl . PLC2(PLC4 . PLC8 . PLC16 . PLC32) + (PLC4
PLC8 . PLC16 . PLC32)
PL34 = -~T . PLC2 . PLC4 . PLC8 . PLC16 . PLC32
~ PL27 = PLCl . PLC2 . PLC4 . PLC8 . PLC16 . PLC32
,~ As previously described, before the binary 1
, PL~F signal is applied to the power line control counter
206, that counter is held in the reset state. Thus, prior
to the occurrence of the first 30 Hz signal to counter 206,
,' a PLCl binary 1 signal is applied via conductor 218 to AND
gate 212 in conjunction with the 30 Hz signal. These two
signals now enable AND gate 212, which in turn enables an
AND gate 224 now receiving a binary 1 SCU RESET signal from
the system control flip-flop 28 of Fig. 13A. The output of
AND gate 224 applies a binary 1 reset signal via conductors
226 and 228 to two flip-flops SAXFF 230 and GRFF 232,
respectively.
Reference is now made to AND gates 214 and 216
of Fig. 13D. A second input to each of these AND gates is
the now binary 1 PLXF signal on a conductor 234 from the
power line transmitter flip-flop 202. Since that flip-flop
is set at this time, these two AND gates are in a condition
to be enabled when their respective input signals PLC8 and
s 30 PLC16 from the power line control counter become binary l's.
It will be noted that the outputs of the two AND gates
214 and 216, designated as RSB2 and RSA2 on conductors
~ C-33 39
.,
:.
108S~8~ 21 ME 10
236 and 238, are applied to the two OR gates 102 and 104
of Fig. 13C.
The RSA2 and RSB2 signals are utilized to enable
OR gates 102 and 104 in the same fashion as previously de-
scribed for the RSAl and RSBl signals. These two signals
(RSA2 and RSB2) will generate the proper logic levels for
signals RSA and RSB on conductors 100 to the receive data
memory register to effect the proper retrieval of message
characters from that memory during the transmit sequence
of the message. It will be noted at this time that the
two signals PLC8 and PLC16, applied to AND gates 214 and
;~ 216, are now binary 0's; thus, the RSA and RSB signals
` applied to the receive data memory register are likewise
binary 0's.
Reference is now made back to the control counter
, decode 210 (Fig. 13B) now providing a plurality of output
signals which are generated at the proper times to effect
the serial transmission of the message from the section
- control unit (SCU) to the power lines and on to the meter
terminal unit(s). In describing the operation of the
; transmit sequence of the SCV now under discussion, refer-
ence will be made to Figs. 10A - 10D and 13A - 13F and to
the previously mentioned Table 3. As previously described,
at the beginning of a transmit sequence, the power line
transmitter flip-flop 202 is set, enabling the power line
counter 206 to count. As shown in Table 3, the first sig-
nal to be generated by the counter decode 210 is an SRTSF
, ~ (set ready to send flip-flop) signal on a conductor 240.
The SRTSF binary 1 signal sets an RTSFF flip-flop 242
~ 30 causing its l-output terminal to generate a binary 1 RTSF
I signal on conductor 244 at the time shown in Fig. 10C. The
RTSF signal is applied to an AND gate 246 on a conductor 248.
.,
C-34 4~
.; .
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~5~6~1 21 ME 10
A binary 0 signal DCD (data control delay) on a conductor
250 from an inverter 251 is keeping gate 246 disabled at
this time because of the binary 1 DCD signal from decode
210 (see Table 3). The purpose of the DCD signal will sub-
sequently be described. The RTSF signal is also applied as
one input to a transmit AND gate 252 of Fig. 13F. One
other input to this latter AND gate is the output frequency
f0 of a crystal oscillator 253 in the SCU. It is this oscilla-
tor which generates the high frequency pulse bursts of the
message bits transmitted onto the power line from the SCU.
Reference is now made back to the RTSFF flip-flop
242 of Fig. 13D. The zero (0) output terminal of that flip-
flop is now a binary 0 applying a signal RTSF to an OR gate
254 via a conductor 256. OR gate 254 is disabled at this
time removing a reset input signal from the R terminal of a
flip-flop FFDF 258. The binary 0 RTSF signal on a conductor
260 also removes a reset signal from the R terminal of a
flip-flop FFEF 262. These latter two flip-flops are now in
a condition to be set at the proper time.
The next output signal to be generated by the
control counter decode 210 of Fig. 13B is a 3rd sync bit
binary 1 signal on a conductor 264. The equations for the
generation of this signal are shown in Table 3 and the
timing for the generation of that signal is shown in Fig.
10C. As can be seen, the 3rd sync bit signal has a pulse
width of one bit time and is generated at the count of three
by counter 206. The generation of the 3rd sync bit signal
at this time effects the generation of the 001 sync bits
which are appended to the front of the message going to
the MTU as shown in Fig. 10C on the data bits XMITD. line.
The binary 1 in the 001 sync bits is transferred to the
power line by the 3rd sync bit signal enabling an OR gate
265 (Fig.13F). The 3rd sync bit is passed through OR gate
C- 35 41
., .
~O~S4~1 21 ME 10
265 to AND gate 252 via a conductor 267.
.' Referring to Fig. 13D, the 3rd sync bit signal
; is also applied to an AND gate 266 in conjunction with a
~D signal from the clock generator 36 of Fig. 13E, enabling
that AND gate to set FFDF 258. Setting FFDF performs two
functions. Its one (1) output terminal now applies a
binary 1 signal FFD via conduc-tor 268 to an AND gate 270 of
Fig. 13F. AND gate 270 is also receiving a 0B signal to
now allow the generation of parity clock signals for appli-
cation to the parity check generate circuit 166 through an
OR gate 272 via conductors 274 and 276. The binary 1 FFD
signal from FFDF 258 is also applied via conductor 278 as
one input to an AND gate 280 of Fig. 13A in conjunction
with a 0A signal. This latter AND gate is now enabled to
~ generate a gated 30 Hz signal (G30HZ of 24 pulses) on a
`~ conductor 282. As shown in Figs. 10D and 13D, the FFDF
flip-flop which controls the G30HZ signal will be reset
after a period of 24 counts by a PL27 signal, thus covering
a period of 24 bits to be shifted onto the power line from
the SCU. The G30Hz signal will be applied via OR gate 184
. to the T input terminal of register 92 to control the
~ shifting of data through that register for this 24-bit
;~ period.
Reference is now made back to the control counter
decode of Fig. 13B and to Table 3. The DCD signal will
~' enable AND gate 246 (still receiving the RTSF signal) when
the power line control counter 206 achieves a binary count
of 4 (the end of the three sync bits). The output of AND
gate 246 is a binary 1 DCT signal on a conductor 284 applied
to an AND gate 286 in conjunction with serial data coming
from the parity check generate circuit on a conductor 288
(Figs. 13E, 13F and 13D). It should be noted that AND
' C-36 ~2
21 ME 10
:1085~1
gates 246 and 286 are not enabled until the 4th bit of the
message is to be transmitted onto the power line. Simul-
taneously, the 3rd sync bit signal goes -to a binary 0.
Referring to Fig. 10C, to the line designated data bits
XMITD., ;t can be seen that the 3rd sync bit is transmitted
just prior to the first eight message data bits designated
SCU fixed address. AND gate 286 is now enabled to allow
~, the 24-bit message of serial data to be transferred through
that AND gate out to the power lines 18 via OR gate 265, AND
gate 252, a power line transmitter 290 and a power line
coupler 292.
Reference is again made back to the control
counter decode 210 of Fig. 13B to the 3rd sync bit signal
line. This signal is also applied via a conductor 294 to an
AND gate 296 also receiving the 30Hz signal. As shown in
Figs. 10C and 13B, AND gate 296 is enabled with the 3rd
sync bit signal to set a flip-flop SAXFF 230. The SAXFF
flip-flop now generates a binary 1 signal SAXF on a
conductor 298, which is applied to an OR gate 300 to generate
a read enable 2 (shift/load) signal on a conductor 302 at
the time shown in Fig. 10C. In Fig. 13A, the read enable 2
signal is applied via OR gate 90 to the registers 60 and
92 on conductors 88 and 94, respectively. The first read
enable 2 signal is generated at the time shown in Figs. 10C
and 13B by the application of the 3rd sync bit signal to
~- the SAXF flip-flop via AND gate 296.
It will also be noted that the SAXFF flip-flop
~ is reset one 30Hz clock after it is set. This is due to
; the PLCl signal going to a binary 1 at a count of 4, thus
enabling AND gates 212 and 224 to apply a reset signal to
the SAXF flip-flop 230 via conductor 226. This resetting
is illustrated in Fig. 10C. The generation of the read
C-37 ~3
. ~ - . . ,~ ~. .
~ ~S ~ ~ 21 ME 10
enable 2 signal via OR gates 90 and 300 effects the reading
of the first message data charac1er to be transmitted into
the parallel in-serial out-register 92. This character is
the SCU fixed address on conductors 306 labeled TSCUA. It
will be noted in Fig. 13A that the multiplexer 98 receives
the SAXF signal from the SAXFF flip-flop on a conductor 304.
The multiplexer 98, which is basically a two-way switch,
normally channels data from the received data memory regis-
ter into the parallel in-serial out-register 92 when the
SAXF signal is a binary 0. As previously mentioned, however,
the SCU does not pass on the address which it receives from
the RCC, but rather i~ regenerates its own fixed address
for transmission to the MTU(s). This is accomplished by the
SAXF signal. With the SAXF signal now a binary 1, the multi-
plexer 98 directs the TSCUA signals (SCU fixed address) via
conductors 306 through the multiplexer into the input of the
parallel in-serial out-register. The TSCUA signals are
clocked into register 92 in response to the shift/load and
' clock data signals on conductors 94 and 186, respectively.
As shown in Fig. 10C, when the shift/load signal goes to a
, binary 1, the TSCUA is parallel loaded through the multi-
, plexer into the parallel in-serial out-register. The SCU
fixed address is now shifted out of register 92 as the first
eight bits of the message on conductor 188 and applied to
the parity check generate circuit 166. These bits of the
first character are fed into the parity generate circuit
` where that circuit monitors these bits and all subsequent
bits of the message in order to generate the proper parity
in the last character of the message. The first character
(SCU fixed address) is shifted out of the parity check
generator circuit as serial data on conductor 288, and
applied to the power lines 18 via AND gate 286, OR gate 265,
C- 38 ~ ~
:,
,;, .
~ 8~L 21 ME 10
AND gate 252, power line transmitter 290 and the power line
coupler 292.
As shown in Fig. lOC, as soon as the SCU fixed
address has been shifted out of register 92, the second read
enable 2 (shift/load) signal is generated and applied to
registers 60 and 92 via conductors 88 and 94 to load and
shift the MTU address to the power line. A third enable 2
(shift/load) signal is also generated to load and shift the
MTU function code on-to the power lines. The generation of
these two read enable 2 (shift/load) signals is described
by reference now back to the control counter decode 210 of
Fig. 13B. The signal which controls the generation of these
two read enable 2 signals is a read character signal RCHR
coming out of the control counter decode on conductor 308.
By observation of Table 3 and of the timing diagram of Figs.
lOA - lOD, it can be seen that the RCHR signal is generated
at binary counts of 11 and 19. In reality, the count of 11
is actually representative of a count of 8 message bits and
the count of 19 is representative of 16 message bits. This is
due to the necessity of having to count the three sync bits
previously appended to the front of the message. The first
RCHR signal is applied to an AND gate 310 in conjunction with
the 3OHz signal. The RCHR and 3OHz signals now enable AND
gate 310 to apply a binary 1 set signal to the S input
terminal of the GRFF flip-flop 232. The GRFF flip-flop
l-output terminal now goes to a binary 1 on conductor 316 to
enable OR gate 300 to generate the second read enable 2
signal for application to registers 60 and 92. As shown in
Fig. lOC, the generation of the second read enable 2 signal
allows the second character (8-bit MTU address)to be
transferred in parallel from the receive data memory register
via the multiplexer into the parallel in-serial out-register.
C-3g 45
~85~1 21 ME 10
It should be mentioned at this time that the
SAXFF flip-flop is in the reset state; thus, the SAXF signal
is a binary 0 allowing the message data to now be trans-
ferred through the multiplexer 98 from the receive date mem-
ory register into the parallel in-serial out-register. Since
the FFDF flip-flop is still set, the G30Hz clock pulses are
still being applied to the parallel in-serial out-data-
register via AND gate 280, OR gate 184 and conductors 282
and 186. Thus, the second character is shifted out of
register 92 to the power line as previously described.
The addressing of the second character just loaded
into register 92 from the memory register 60 is effected by
the enabling of AND gate 216 with the PLC8 binary 1 signal
on conductor 222 from the power line control counter. With
~ the PLC8 signal at a binary 1, AND gate 216 generates a
;~ binary 1 RSA2 output signal, which now enables OR gate 104to provide an RSA binary 1 signal to the receive data memory
register. AND gate 214 is presently disabled, generating a
binary 0 RSB 2 output. Thus, OR gate 102 is disabled to
make the RSB signal on conductors 100 a binary 0. This
binary combination of the RSA and RSB signals addresses the
; second character location in memory register 60.
Counter 206 will now continue to count, and at a
count of 19, the second RCHR signal is generated. The RCHR
signal will again effect the setting of the GRFF flip-flop
via AND gate 310 as previously described. This will again
cause the generation of the read enable 2 signal to this
! time load the third character (function code) from the
receive data memory register into the parallel in-serial
out-register. As shown in Figs. 10A, 10B, 10D and 13D,
, the addressing of this third character is effected by the
PLC16 signal on conductor 220 from the power line control
~ C-40 4 ~
<
.,
.,
~ 8~ 21 ME 10
counter 206 now being a binary 1 and the PLC8 signal being
a binary 0. These two signals cause the RSA and RSB sig-
nals to become binary 0 and l,respectively, to effect the
t addressing of the third message character for transfer from
the receive data memory register into the parallel in-serial
out-register. This third data character is serially shifted
out of register 92 on out to the power line as previously
described.
After transmission of the first three characters
(24 bits), the control counter decode now generates an
output signal designated PL27 (PL27 minus 3 sunc bits = 24
; bits). The equation for the generation of the PL27 signal
is shown in Table 3 and is correspondent with the 24th bit
of the message (see Fig. 10D). The PL27 signal is applied
, via conductor 318 to AND gate 320 in conjunction with a 0D
signal to enable that AND gate at 0D time to set the FFEF
flip-flop 262 and reset the FFDF flip-flop 258 via OR gate
254. Resetting the FFDF flip-flop now applies a binary 0
signal to AND gate 280 of Fig. 13A, thus disabling the
G30HZ signal being applied to the parallel in-serial out-
register and preventing further shifting of that register.
Additionally, when FFDF resets, the FFD signal on conductor
268 goes to a binary 0, disabling AND gate 270 of Fig. 13F
preventing the 0B signals from being applied as parity clock
signals to the parity check generate circuit 166. However,
at this time, since FFEF is set, its binary 1 output
terminal applies a binary 1 signal via conductor 322 to an
AND gate 324 of Fig. 13F. The parity clock signals now
continue to be generated as a result of the coincidence
between the FFE also receiving the binary 1 REFF signal. In
this case, if a response is expected, AND gate 158 will be
enabled to apply a binary 1 set signal to a power line
; C-41
47
.,
~0~5~8~ 21 ME 10
receiver flip-flop PLRFF 160 at the time shown in Fig. lOD.
Reference is now made to Figs. llA - llH, which
show the SCU timing for the receipt of a data message from
one or more MUT's. With the PLRFF flip-flop now set as
; shown in Fig. llA, a binary 1 PI.RF output signal from its
l-output terminal is applied via conductors 332 and 336 to
an OR gate 334) which applies a binary 1 reset signal to
the power line transmitter flip-flop 202. The time of re-
setting this flip-flop is noted in Fig. llA as the leading
, 10 edge of the PLRF signal. When flip-flop 202 resets, its
binary 1 output terminal goes to a binary 0 disabling AND
~, gates 214 and 216 and replacing the inhibit/clear signal
on the power line control counter. Counter 206 is now re-
set in preparation to receipt of the next message from the
RCC. Resetting counter 206 causes the DCD signal on con-
ductor 250 to go to a binary 0, thus preventing any further
transmission of message data through AND gate 286 to the
power line. This now frees the SCU to receive data messages
via the power line coupler 292.
2Q Referring now to Fig. 13B, the PLRF signal is also
applied to a plurality of receivers 338 and to a common data
path switch 340 in a power line receiver common logic
~ block 342. The PLRF signal in essence simultaneously turns
;' on all receivers 338 and enables switch 340 for receipt of
' data from the power lines 18 via the power line coupler 292,
conductor 344, and conductor 346. After an MTU(s) has
decoded the function code of its received message as a
' transmit data command, it will serially transmit the meter
data onto the power lines for receipt by the SCU. The
3Q serialized meter data appears at switch 340 after passing
through coupler 292 and is transferred therethrough at
frequencies f through f8, with each frequency corresponding
i to a separately addressed MTU. The meter data on conductor
. c-42 48
:,, .
.
,.,
~O ~ ~ 21 ME 10
346 is applied in common to all of the receivers 338. Each
receiver will accept only the meter data being received at its
tuned frequency (one of fl - f~). The timing signals for con-
trolling the transfer of data into the receivers and to -the
RCC are controlled b~ a plurality of clock signals D A, D B
and D C generated by common logic 342 on conductors 348, 350
and 352, respectively. The common logic 342 also receives a
strobe signal from each of the receivers 338 via conduc-
354 and 356 when a receiver detects the receipt of a message
of meter data. The meter data is transferred in parallel
' from each of the receivers via conductors 554 to the data
transmitter receiver 40. The D C signal clocks the meter
data into the transmitter receiver, which transfers that data
, to the RCC via the transmitter 162.
SCU RECEIVER OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
Reference is now made to Fig. 14, which is a
legendary drawing showing the inter-relationships between
Figs. 14A through 14D. In order to follow the operational
description of the receiver portion of the SCU, it is rec-
ommended that Figs. 14A through 14D be organized as shown in
accordance with Fig. 14. In a similar fashion, it is
recommended that Figs. llA - llH be positioned in accordance
; with the legendary drawing of Fig. 11.
The previously mentioned power line receiver
common logic 342 is illustrated in detailed block diagram
form in Figs. 14C and 14D. Each of the previously mentioned
receivers 338 in Fig. 13B is similar with the exception of
their ability to receive data messages from the MTU's at
a specified frequency for a particular MTU. Since all of
the receivers 338 are substantially the same, the operation
of only one of those receivers will be described. The de-
tail logic for a typical one of the receivers 338 is shown
C-43 4 9
,
lV8S~1 21 ME 10
,;
by Figs. 14A and 14B.
Reference is now made to Figs. llA - 111l. Figs. llA
and llB show the basic timing of the various clock pulses
provided to the receiver logic from the master clock genera-
tor 36 of Fig. 13E. Figs. llC and llD illustrate the timing
of a typical one of the receivers 338, which is receiving
message data from the power line. In the illustrated embodi-
ment, it will be recalled as previously described in connec-
' tion with Fig. 1, that as many as eight MTU's can be trans-
mitting information onto the power line simultaneously.
Because of various delays in the system caused, for example,
by the physical displacement of MTU's along the power line
and the turnaround or response time in each of the various
MTU's to received messages, the message data from each of
eight addressed MTU's may not reach the SCU at exactly the
i same time. For this reason, the SCU must be capable of in-
suring that the ~irst message received from an MTU and the
latest message received from an MTU is captured by the SCU
and transferred to the RCC. In Figs. llC and llD, it will
be noted that that timing diagram specifies the receipt of
the earliest power line data from a receiver #1, which could
be any one of the receivers 338. Figs. llG and llH are
somewhat similar to Figs. llC and llD; however, Figs. llG
and llH show the operation of a receiver #N, which can be
any one of the receivers 338, receiving the latest power
, line data from an MTU. The power line receiver common logic
timing is illustrated by Figs. llE and llF.
In the ensuing description, the receiver opera-
, tion will be described by first assuming that a message
has been transmit~ed onto the power line by an SCU to
address only one MTU on that power line. Thus, that one
MTU will be the only one to respond with a data message
.,
C-44 ~
.,
21 ME 10
~ 5~
back to the SCU. In this part:icular instance, that message
could be considered to be the earliest power line data
illustrated by the timing diaclram of Figs. llC and llD. The
common logic for the receiver as illustrated by Figs. llE and
llF will also be described in connection with this one ad-
dressed MTU. Following that description, the operation of
the receiver logic will be described, utilizing Figs, llG
and llH with the assumption that a message transmitted to the
MTU's is a message which addresses a plurality of MTU's
(e.g., eight MTU's) to transmit their meter data simult-
aneously to the SCU. In this particular instance, the
` description of Figs. llG and llH will entail the receipt of
an SCU of the latest data from one of the addressed MTU's.
~igs. llE and llF will also be described in connection with
Figs. llG and llH.
Reference is now made to Fig. 14C. In that figure
the PLRFF flip-flop 160 has been re-illustrated as a portion
of the power line receiver common logic 342 to make it
easier to understand the overall operation of the power line
receiver logic.
AS previously described in connection with Fig. 13B,
the primary purpose of the PLRFF flip-flop is to turn the
, power line receivers on and off. Let it first be assumed
that the PLRFF flip-flop is in a reset state. AS a result,
its zero output terminal is generating a binary 1 PLRF
signal on conductor 358. The PLRF signal is utilized to
keep each of the receivers and the receiver common logic in
the reset, or and the 0A signals at AND gate 324. With
each 0A signal, AND gate 324 applies a generate parity clock
signal via OR gate 272 to the input of the parity check
generate circuit. In this manner the necessary clock pulses
will be generated to allow the parity check generate circuit
C-45
1085~8~1 21 ME 10
to generate proper parity in accordance with that
determined from the previously transmitted message bits.
The parity check generate circuit as shown in Fig. 10D will
now generate the six parity bits of the message and place
; them onto the power lines 18 as previously described.
Reference is now made back to the control counter
decode 210 of Fig. 13B for a description of the last opera-
tion performed during the transmit sequence of a message from
the SCU to the MTU(s). The signal to be generated by the
control counter decode 210 is a PL34 binary 1 signal. The
equations for the generation of this signal are shown in
Table 3. The PL34 signal is applied via conductor 326 to
an AND gate 152 also receiving the REFF signal from
inverter 150. If the function code, as previously described,
specified that no response is expected from the MTU(s), the
REFF signal will be a binary 1 at this time. Thus, the PL34
signal will enable AND gate 152 to apply a binary 1 reset
signal to the system control flip-flop via OR gate 30,
placing the SCU back in the standby mode. The reset timing
is shown in the last line of Figs. 10C and 10D.
If, however, the function code indicated that a
data message response is expected from the MTU (S) the REFF
signal will be a binary 0, disabling AND gate 152 and the
SCU will go into a wait mode for receipt of the data message.
This wait mode is accomplished by the application of the
PL34 signal via conductor 33Q to the inpot of an AND gate 158
off, state when a message is not to be received from an
MTU(s). A plurality of flip-flops, 0 AF/F 36Q, 0 BF0F 362,
0 CF/F 364, and 0 DF/F 366 are all held in the reset state
, 30 by the PLRF signal applied to the reset terminals of those
flip-flops via a conductor 368. The PLRF signal is like-
wise applied on a conductor 370 to a reset R terminal of a
C-46 ~ 2
.,
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remove start bits discounter 172 to reset that counter and
simultaneously inhibit it from counting. Three other flip-
flops, F/FlA 374, F/F2A 376, and EOMF/F 378 of Fig. 14D,
are likewise held in the reset state by the PLRF signal on
a conductor 380. Fur-ther, a flip-flop 50MSF/F 382 is held
in the reset state by the PLRF signal's being applied to the
reset terminal of that flip-flop via an OR gate 384 and con-
ductors 386 and 388. Additionally, a message length counter
390 is inhibited from counting and held in the reset state
by the PLRF signal on conductor 392 being applied to a reset
input terminal of that counter. A 30Hz strobe clock counter
394 is held in the inhibited reset state indirectly by the
PLRF signal, which resets flip-flop 376 to apply a binary 1
signal from its zero output terminal via a conductor 396
and an OR gate 398 to the reset terminal of counter 394. In
, a similar fachion, a 50 MS delay divide by 12 counter 400 is
held in a reset inhibit count state indirectly by the PLRF
, signal from the zero output terminal of flip-flop 374 via
conductors 402 and 540.
Referring to Fig. 14C, the PLRF signal is also
applied to a reset inhibit input terminal of a 267 MS delay
divide by 8 counter 404 on a conductor 406 holding that
counter in a reset inhibit count state. Four additional
flip-flops, a 25MS Delay Control flip-flop 408, a STATE F/F
flip-flop 410, a STORE A flip-flop 412, and a STORE B flip-
flop 414 of Fig. 14B are also held in the reset state by the
PLRF signal. It will be noted that the PLRF signal applied
to the reset input terminal of each of these latter flip-
flops is the complement of the binary zero PLRF signal now
present at the one output terminal of the PLRF flip-flop 160
on conductor 416. The PLRF signal on conductor 416 is in-
- verted through an inverter 418 to the PLRF binary 1 signal on
. . .
C-47 3
,
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1(385~31
conductor 420. An OR gate 422 passes the PLRF signal to the
reset R input terminal of flip--flop 410 via conductor 424.
In a similar manner, the PLRF signal is applied to the reset
input terminal of flip-flop 40g via conductors 426, 428 and
an OR gate 430. Flip-flops 412 and 414 are reset by the
PLRF signal from inverter 418 via conductors 432 and 434
' applied to reset input terminals of those flip-flops.
AS previously described, the receivers illustrated
by Figs. 14A and 14B are representative of a one of the
plurality of receivers 338 in the SCU. As shown in Fig.
14C, the PLRF and PLRF signals are provided to all other
power line receivers in the SCU in the same manner as just
, shown and described in connection with Figs. 14A - 14D. The
PLRF and PLRF signals are shown going to all of the other
receivers (not shown) on conductors 436 and 438,
respectively. Also, for a more easy understanding of the
description of the SCU receivers, the data message switch
340 has been duplicated in Fig. 14C receiving the PLRF
signal via conductors 416 and 440.
¢ 20 Prior to proceeding with a further description of
the SCU receiver operation, it is considered advantageous
to reconsider the message format of Fig. 4 showing the
format of meter data which is received by the SCU from any
one of the MTU's. As shown in Fig. 4, that message is
comprised of 45 bits, of which the first three bits are the
sync, or start, bits and 42 bits comprise meter data and
parity. This message is received by the SCU in the order
shown in Fig. 4 from the left to the right, starting with
the three sync bits.
, 30 Let it now be assumed that the SCU has just
decoded a command and transmitted it to an addressed MTU
, that specifies that the MTU is to transmit meter data back
C-48 ~ ~
~O ~S ~ 21 ME 10
over the power lines to the SCU. As such, the PLRF flip-
flop 160 is in the set state, p]acing the SCU in a message
receive wait mode by removing the previously described reset
signals from the various flip-flops and counters in the
receiver logic. This has the effect of basically turning on
all of the receivers simultaneously in preparation to the
receipt of a message from the addressed MTU. As previously
mentioned, the operation of the receivers will first be
described with the receipt of a message from a single MTU.
Reference is now made to Fig. 14C to the data input
(fl - f ) on conductor 344 coming into switch 340. Since the
PLRF flip-flop is now set, switch 340 is enabled by a binary
1 PLRF signal on conductor 440 applied to that switch. As
soon as the meter data arrives at the SCU from the MTU, it
will be passed through switch 340 via conductor 346 and
applied to a narrow band receiver/amplifier circuit 442.
The message data is amplified in receiver amplifiers 442
and provided to the input of a band pass commutating filter
444 via conductor 446. It will be recalled that the MTU is
capable of transmitting its metered data at its own speci-
fied frequency. These frequencies were previously described
as fl ~ f8. Further, it was also pointed out that the SCU
is capable of receiving in each of its receiver circuits a
meter data message at the frequency corresponding to that
being transmitted by one of the MTU's. In Fig. 14A there is
shown an f crystal oscillator 448 providing an f RF signal
on a conductor 450 to one input of the band pass
commutating filter 444. The frequency of the fx signal on
conductor 450 can be representative of any one of the
i 30 previously mentioned frequencies fl ~ f8, depending upon
which receiver is being considered. The purpose of the band
pass commutating filter 444 is to allow the receiver to
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C-49 ~ ~
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receive only the message data corresponding to that
frequency f by fil-tering out all unwanted frequencies and
passing the message data out oE the filter 442 correspond-
ing to the desired message.
Reference is now made to the two top lines of
Fig. llC and llD designated earliest power line data
(receiver #l) and one-shot #l (lOMS). To understand the
,; operation of the receivers of the SCU, it is important to
realize that in the present system, the presence of a pulse
burst of energy on a power line is representative of a binary
O, whereas the absence of a pulse burst is representative of
' a binary 1. As shown in Fig. llC, the first three bits of
information from the MTU entering the SCU receiver of Fig.
14A are the three sync bits designated Sl, S2 and S3. It
will also be noted that the message data transferred over
the power lines between the MTU and SCU and from the SCU to
the MTU is at a 30Hz rate; thus, the pulse spacing between
each of the data bits in the message is 33.3 milliseconds as
shown in Fig. llC. As shown in Fig. llC, the power line
data is normally at a binary 1 state and when a pulse burst
', (binary O) is placed on the power line by the MTU, the
output of the band pass filter 444 will generate a negative
signal as shown in the earliest power line data line of
Fig. llC. This negative going pulse is applied via a
conductor 452 to a trigger (T) input of a one-shot, 10
millisecond multivibrator 454. The output of multivibrator
454 is shown in Fig. llC on the one-shot #l line as two
pulses corresponding to the first two binary O sync bits
and the absence of a pulse shown as a dotted or phatom
pulse representative of the binary 1 sync bit. All message
bits following the three sync bits are shown in cross-
i~ hatched form as those bits are indeterminate, dependent upon
~, C- 5 0 ~
1~8S~11 21 ME 10
the contents of the message. These cross-hatched bits are
shown as data bits 1 through 42. For each data bit which
is a binary 0, one-shot 454 will be fired to generate a 10
millisecond output pulse as shown in Fig. llC. The data
bits from the output of one-shot 454 are applied to an AND
gate 456 via a conductor 458.
The other input to AND gate 456 is a binary 1 sig-
nal on a conductor 460 from the output of an inverter 462.
Inverter 462 is presently receiving a binary 0 input signal
from an OR gate 464 now disabled. This is explained as
follows: Prior to the reception of a message from the MTU,
the four flip-flops 360 through 366 are in the reset state.
Thus, their binary 1 output terminals are each providing a
binary 0 signal on conductors 466 to the input of OR gate
464. Thus, it can be seen that with the appearance of the
very first sync bit in the message, AND gate 456 will be
enabled to apply a binary 1 signal as one input to each of
:
; four AND gates 468, 470, 472 and 474 via a conductor 476.
The second input to these AND gates are the 0A through 0D
signals from the master clock generator 36 of Fig. 13E.
Reference is now made to Figs. 11A and llB, which
illustrate the timing relationships between the 0A through
0D signals. It will be noted that there are four phase sig-
nals (0 through 0D) generated for each bit time of the in-
coming message. This is seen by comparing the 0A through
.
.
C-5l ~7
1~85~8~L 21 ME 10
0D signals with the pulse ~idth of the 301~2 signal shown in
Fig. 11A. The reason for the 0A through 0D signals and the
- circuitry in Fig. 14A is to be able to synchronize the
clocking of the data bits intc the receiver with a 30Hz clock
signal. The majority of the circuitry shown in Fig. 14A com-
prises basically a strobe sync detector circuit for develop-
ing the just-mentioned synchronization. As will be seen, this
circuitry is capable of synchronizing any one of the 30Hz
0A through 0D signals with the 30~1z incoming data to generate
a synchronization strobe A signal shown in Figs. llC and llD.
. AS shown in Fig. llC, it will be noted that one-
~ shot 454 generates the first sync pulse output signal appro~-:~ imately in the middle of the 0B signal. Referring now to
AND gate 470 of Fig. 14A, the coincidence between the first
sync bit on conductor 476 and the 0B signal applied to AND
~: gate 470 enables that AND gate to apply a binary 1 set sig-
nal to the input of the 0B F/F 362. Fig. llC shows the
setting of the 0B F/F #l on the leading edge of the output
of one-shot #1. The one-output terminal of the 0B F/F 362
is connected via a conductor 478 as one input to an AND
gate 480. The other input to AND gate 480 is the ~C signal
' on a conductor 482. With the 0B F/F now set, the first 0C
$ signal following the setting of that flip-flop will enable
,~ AND gate 480 to generate a binary 1 output signal on a con-
~, ductor 484 to an OR gate 486. The OR gate 486 now passes
its input signal, via a conductor 488, to an AND gate 490.
The other input to AND gate 490 is presently a binary 1
signal from an inverter 492 now receiving a binary 0 input
on conductor 494 from disabled AND gate 496.
AND gate 496 is connected to the output of the
remove start bits counter 372 and decodes the output of that
counter to generate a binary 1 signal on conductor 494 when
. . .
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5~81
the counter reaches a count oE three At the present time
this counter is zeroed out; thus the output of AND gate 496
is a binary zero, causing inverter 492 to apply a binary 1
enable signal to AND gate 490 Reference is now made back
to Figs. llC and 14A, which show the start bits strobe #l
beins applied to the trigger T input of counter 372 via
conductor 498. It will be noted that the start bits strobe
coincides with the 0C s_gnal applied to AND gate 480.
It will be noted in Fig. 14A that when the 0B
F/F 362 sets, its one-output terminal provides a binary 1
signal on one of the conductors 466 to OR gate 464. This
binary 1 signal is passed through OR gate 464 and inverted
to a binary 0 signal by inverter 462, thus applying a disable
input signal to AND gate 456 via conductor 460. Disabling
AND gate 456 applies a binary 0 disable signal to each of
; the AND gates 468 through 474. Since these AND gates are
disabled, those AND gates can no longer apply set signals to
any of the other flip-flops 360 through 366. It is signifi-
cant to note that the circuit of Fig. 14A is capable of
synchronizing any one of the 0A through 0B signals with the
first data or sync bit coming into the receiver. Further,
it will be noted that whenever a particular one of the 0A
through 0D flip-flops is set, the strobe A signals will be
generated at the phase (0) signal immediately following that
which set the particular flip-flop. In the example shown in
Figs. 11A through 11D, the 0B flip-flop is set at 0B time
and the strobe A (#l) signals are generated at 0C time, thus
locking in the system to generate the strobe A signal with
each 0C signal. If the first sync bit (Sl) had happened to
coincide, for example, with the 0A signal, A~D gate 468
would have been enabled to set flip-flop 360. This would
cause the binary 1 output of the ,0A F/F 360 to enable an
.,
C-53 5 9
21 ME 10
10854~i
AND gate 506 to beqin acn~rating th~ start bits strobe and
the strobe A signals at 0B time.
ReferenCe is again made to Fig. llC to the start
bits strobe #l line. It is seen there that three sync, or
start, strobe signals are generated by AND gate 490 and
applied to counter 372 (Fig. 14A). When counter 372 reaches
a count of three, AND gate 496 is enabled to apply a binary
! 1 signal as one input to an AND gate 500 on a conductor 502.
The binary 1 signal is also applied to inverter 492, which
now disables AND gate 490 preventing application of the
j start bits strobe to the counter 372. It will be noted that
the output of OR gate 486 is also connected as one input to
AND gate 500. AND gate 500 will now begin to generate the
previously mentioned strobe A signal on a conductor 504 in
response to each 0C signal as shown in Figs. llC and llD on ~ -
the strobe A(#l) line. The strobe A signal on conductor 504
is applied as one input to an AND gate 508, which is now en-
abled by the binary 1 PLRF signal also applied to that AND
gate. The output of AND gate 508 is utilized to strobe or
clock the meter data from the MTU into a STORE A F/F 412
,~ via a conductor 510. The serialized message data from one-
shot 454 is also applied to a data terminal D of flip-flop 412
via conductor 512. Referring to Fig. llC, it can be seen,.
that the strobe A (#l) signal at ~C time always falls in
coincidence with the output of one-shot #1 454. If one-
shot 454 is generating a binary 1 output signal, the strobe
A signal on conductor 510 will cause flip-flop 412 to set.
If the output signal from one-shot 454 is a binary 0, flip-
flop 412 will reset. In this manner,-binary l's and 0's
are shifted from the power line into the data receiver
~, flip-flop 412.
, :
~ C-54
.'' ~0
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, : .
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~ 3~ 21 ME 10
Thc output o' ~ D (3ate 508 is also a!~plied to
an OR gate 514 via a conductor 516. For each strobe A sig-
nal generated by AND gate 508, OR gate 514 passes that sig-
nal to a trigger T input terminal of the 25 MS delay control
flip-flop 408 causing that flip-flop to set at a time as
shown in Fig. llC on a 25MSD (#1) line. Flip-flop 408 sets
at this time causing its 0 output terminal to go to a
binary 0 state on conductors 518 and 520. With the 0 out-
put terminal on conductor 518 toing to a binary 0 at this
time, it has no effect on the state flip-flop 410. However,
the binary 0 signal 25MSD on conductor 520 is applied as a
release input signal to an R terminal of the 25 MS delay
counter 522. This removes the reset inhibit input to
counter 522, allowing that counter to begin to count 120Hz
pulses. At the end of the count of three by counter 522,
it generates a 25 millisecond delay output signal CT3 on a
con~uctor 524. The CT3 signal enables OR gate 514 to again
trigger flip-flop 408, causing it to reset. Resetting this
flip-flop 408 results in applying a binary 1 signal back to
, 20 the R input of counter 522, thus zeroing out that counter
and inhibiting it from counting. Further, the binary 1
signal causes-the STATE F/F 410 to now set at the time
shown in Fig. llC on the STATE F/F (#l) STATE line. With
; flip-flop 410 now set, its 0 output terminal generates a
binary 0 output signal STATE on a conductor 526 to disable
an AND gate 528.
The binary 1 output of flip-flop 408 on conductor
! 518 is also applied at this time to a trigger (T) input sig-
nal of a STORE B flip-flop 414 via a conductor 530. As
shown in Fig. llC, the binary 1 25MSD signal causes the pre-
- viously stored data bit from flip-flop 412 to now be clocked
into the STORE B flip-flop 414 via a conductor 532 applied
, C- 55
.,, .
.,
21 MÆ 10
~o~s~
to a ~ata D input ter~inal of that flip-flop. Simultaneous-
ly with the clocking of the previously stored data bit from
flip-flop 412 into flip-flop 414, the next data bit is
strobed into flip-flop 412. This is always done on the
leading edge of the STROBE A signal as shown in Fig. llC.
~eference is now made back to Fig. 14A to the
output of AND gate 500 generating the strobe A signal on
conductor 504. It is shown there that the strobe A signal
is also applied via a conductor 534, as one input to an OR
gate 536 of Fig. 14D. It is significant to note at this time
that OR gate 536 receives a strobe A input from each of the
plurality of receivers in the SCU. The reason for this is
explained as follows: In order to properly clock all of the
message data from the MTU's into the SCU receivers, it is
i desirable to develop the sync bits and strobe A signals from
the first sync bit of the first, or earliest, incoming
message from the MTU's. The detection of this first sync
bit, as previously described, effects the starting of the
strobe A signals on conductor 534. Once that first strobe A
1 20 signal has been generated, it is necessary to block out all
of the other receivers from providing strobe A signals to
the common power line receiver logic in Figs. 14C and 14D
so that all data will be clocked into the plurality of re-
, ceivers simultaneously under control of one strobe A signal.
As shown in Fig. 14B, when OR gate 536 is enabled,
it simultaneously applies a binary 1 signal on a conductor
~i~ 538 to a set input terminal of the FFlA flip-flop 374 and
the 50 MS flip-flop 382. This binary 1 signal causes both
of those flip-flops to set, generating a binary 0 output
signal from each one's 0 output terminal. The timing for
the F/FlA and 50 MS F/F is shown in Figs. llE and llF.
The binary 0 output signal from flip-flop 374 is applied
.,
~ C-56
62
.,
.,
,~ .
~Q8S~ 21 ME 10
as an inhibit sigllal via conductors 540 and 542 to an
inhibit terminal shown as a circled inverter on the i~put
of OR gate 536. This inhibits the passage of strobe sig-
nals from any of the other receivers through OR gate 536.
; ~ As shown in Figs. llE and llF, the FFlA flip-flop will
remain in the reset state until the complete message has
been received, at which time it will be reset. This will
be described subsequently.
Reference is now made back to the set S input
terminal flip-flop 382. Flip-flop 382, which is now set,
generates a binary 0 signal from its 0 output terminal on
a conductor 544. This signal is applied to a set S input
terminal of G flip-flop FF2A 376. As shown in Fig. llE,
this signal has no effect on the operation of that flip-
flop at this time. Referring now to Fig. 14D, it will be
noted that the binary 0 output signal from flip-flop 374
is also applied as a release signal on conductors 402 and
540 to an R input terminal of the 50 millisecond delay
divide by 12 counter 400. Counter 400 now begins to count
120 Hz input clock signals applied to the trigger T input
terminal of that counter. The output signals of counter 400
are applied via a plurality of conductors 546 to the input
of a 50 MS divide by 12 decode network 548. As shown in
Fig. llE, after a 50 millisecond delay, the decode network
548 will generate a binary 1 output signal on a conductor
550, which is passed through OR gate 384 via conductor 388
s to reset the 50 MS F/F 382. Resetting flip-flop 382 now
' causes the 0 output terminal of that flip-flop to go to a
binary 1 on conductor 544, thus setting F/F2A 376 as shown
in Fig. llE. With flip-flop 376 now set, its 0 output
terminal now goes to a binary 0 on conductor 396 to now
apply a binary 0 release signal to the R input terminal of
:
~ C-$7 63
"
,.
'`' .
1~5~1 21 ME 10
the 301lz strobe clock counte7~ 394 via o~ g.lt~ 398.
Counter 394 now begins to count 240 H~ ir.put
pulses applied to the T terminal of that counter. The out-
put stages of that counter designated CCB, CCC and CCD are
applied via their corresponding output lines to the input
of a clock decode 301~z generator circuit 552. Decode 552
also receives the 240Hz input pulses via a conductor 554.
The equations defining the internal decode logic of decode
552 are given on the timing diagram of Fig. llE on the lines
DeA, DeB and DeC. It will be noted in Fig. llE and 14D
that the DeA, DeB and DeC signals are sequentially generated
by the decode 552.
The generation of the first DeA signal in the
' present description has no effect on the operation receiver.
However, it will be noted as shown in Figs. llE and llC that
the leading edge of the first DeB signal from the output of
decode 552 is applied as a binary 1 signal to OR gate 422
of Fig. 14B via conductor 350. OR gate 422 now passes the
DeB signal to the reset input terminal of flip-flop 410 via
2Q conductor 424. This causes the STATE F/F 410 to now reset
generating a binary 1 STATE output signal on conductor 526
to AND gate 528. It will also be noted at this time that
the 25 ~IS delay control flip~flop 408 is again triggered to
reset at the count of three (CT3) applying a set signal to
the STATE F/F 410, causing that flip-flop to immediately set
as shown in Fig. llC.
It is significant to note that the DeA and DeB
signals as shown in Fig. 14D are also applied to all of the
power line receivers 338, causing those receivers to all
operate in the same fashion as just described in connection
with Figs. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D. Referring now back to
, C-58
.~ 6~
,. .
~85~1 21 ME 10
Figure 14D, the next out~ut signal to be generated from the
decode 552 is the DeC signal on a conductor 352. That sig-
nal is shown being developed as an output signal from the
power line receiver common logic 342 in Figs. 14D and 13B
for application to the data transmitter/receiver circuit 40.
It is this DeC signal which effects the parallel transfer
of data from each of the eight receivers (Fig. 13B) into the
data transmitter~xeceiver 40.
~ eferring back to Fig. 14B, it will be recalled
that each data bit which is strobed into the STORE B flip-
flop is transferred via a one of the plurality of conductors
554 from the corresponding receivers to the input of the
data transmitter/receiver 40 shown as 8 data lines in
Figs. 13A and 13B. As each data bit from the receivers is
transferred to the data transmitter/receiver 40, it is nec-
essary to keep track of the number of bits in the message,
which have been transferred. This is effected by the CCD
signal generated by the clock counter 394 in Fig. 14D.
The timing for the generation of the CCD signal is shown in
Figs. llE and llF, whereby the leading edge of that signal
triggers a message length counter 390 with a binary 1 signal
on a conductor 556. As shown in Figs. llE and llF, the mes-
sage length counter 390 is counted up by one in response to
each CCD pulse. The message length counter output stages
are provided via a plurality of conductors 558 to a message
length decode 560, which generates an output signal CT42 on
a conductor 562 when the message length counter achieves a
count of 42. The generation of the CT42 signal is shown in
Fig. llF. The CT42 signal, upon the detection of the 42nd
count, or 42nd message bit, (see Fig. 4~ is applied as a
binary 1 set signal to an end of message flip-flop EOM F/F
: .
.
C-~59
; B~
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1~5~1 21 ME 10
378 via conductor 562~ ,~s shown in Fig. llF, the CT42
signal causes the EO~I F/F to set, thus generating a binary 1
EOM signal from the 1 output terminal on a -ondu~tor 564.
The EOM signal on conductor 564 is applied to the input of
OR gate 30 of Fig. 13A, causing the system control flip-flop
28 to reset, thus generating the binary 1 SCU reset output
signal on conductor 34 to completely reset the entire SCU in
preparation to receipt cr another message from the RCC.
It should also be pointed out that each message
bit transferred to the data transmitter/receiver 40 of
Fig, 13A by the DeC signal is strobed through the transmitter
modulator 162 for transfer to the RCC prior to the transfer
of the next data bit from the receiver. Referring back to
Fig. 14D, it will also be noted that the CT42 signal from
decode 560 is applied on conductor 562 to OR gate 398 to
immediately reset counter 394 after it has generated the
last CCD signal shown as a very short signal in Fig. llF.
Referring to Fig. 13B, it will be noted that the SCU reset
signal is now applied to the PLRFF flip-flop 160. The
PLRFF flip-flop will now reset as shown in Fig. llB, causing
that flip-flop to generate a PLRF binary 1 signal on con-
ductor 358 as shown in Fig. ~4C to reset the entire receiver
section in the manner as previously described at the outset
of this discussion,
The operation of the SCU receiver section will now
be described with the assumption that the messa~e command
previously transmitted to the power lines addresses eight
MTU's and specifies in its function code that all of the
MTU's are to simultaneously transmit their meter data over
the power lines 18 to the SCU. These eight messages will
each be at a different frequency and will be received by
the eight receivers corresponding to the frequency of each
., :
C- 60 ~6
1~S~81 21 ME 10
o~ th~ messag~s from th~ a~l~r~ssed MTU's. It will be re-
called, as previo-lsly m~ntioned, because of inherent delays
in the system, that the data from several MTU's may not
arrive simultaneously at the SC~. This non-simultaneous
arrival of information at the S~U receiver section frcm the
' plurality of MTU's is illustrated in the timing diagrams of
Figs. llC, 11D, llE, llF, llG and llH. Figs. llG and llH,
in particular, illustrate the latest power line data being
received by a one of the receivers designated receiver ~N
in Fig. llG approximately 40 milliseconds after recelpt of
, 10 the earliest power line data being received by receiver ~1
, as shown by Figs. llC and l1D. To understand the operation
of the plurality of receivers receiving the earliest and
latest data, it is necessary to visualize that the receiver
of Figs. 14A and 14B is representing a receiver (receiver #l)
receiving the earliest power line data, as well as another
receiver (receiver #N) receiving the latest power line data.
, Let it now be assumed that all MTU's have been
: commanded to transmit their meter data over the power lines
18 to the SC~. The first receiver to receive the first sync
or start bit of the SCU message is illustrated by the earli-
est power line data (receiver #l) timing diagram of Figs. llC
and llD. The operation of receiver #l has already been
; described in connection with the timing diagrams of Figs. llA- llF and will operate in the same manner as previously de-
scribed. However, it will be noted that the receiver #N
receiving the latest power line data illustrates certain
differences in the timing in Figs. llG and llH compared to
that previously described in connection with Figs. llC and
llD of receiver #1.
Referring to Figs. 14C and 14D, it is significant
to point out, as previously described, that the power line
receiver common logic will always select the first strobe A
/
C-61 6 7
,,,
.
,, ~
21 ~E 10
3S~
signal gener~ted bv thc rec~iv~r receiving th~ rli~st
power line data. When this occurs, O~ gate 536 is in-
hibited from receivin~ the strobe A signal ~rom any other
receiver later receiving data from an 11TU. Let it now be
assumed that the receiver illustrated in Figs. 14A and 14s
is that shown by the timing diayram of Figs. llG and llH
receiving the latest data. It will be noted that the
strobe A #N signal is generated in the same manner as ~re-
viously described for the strobe A #l signal. ~owever, for
illustrative purposes, it is shown that the strobe A ~N
signal is being generated at 0A time instead of 0C time as
previously described in connection with Figs. llC and llD.
This was done merely to show how any receiver can lock in
on any one of the 0A - 0D pulses. The operation of the
remove start bits counter 372 in Fig. 14A to stop that
counter at the end of three start bits strobes and to en-
able AND gate 500 is the same as previously described in
' connection with Figs. llC and llD. As previously described,
$ the first strobe A signal (#N) will simultaneously clock
the first data bit (latest received data bit) into the
, STORE A F/F 412 and trigger the 25 millisecond delay con-
trol flip-flop 408, causing that flip-flop to go into a
set state generating a binary 0 25MSD signal on conductor
520. The next significant action to note is that the first
strobe A signal generated by receiver ~1 at 0C time has
-~ effected the starting of the 30Hz strobe clock counter 394
; to begin the generation of the DeA, DeB and DeC signals after
the 50 millisecond delay (50 MSF/F) as shown in Figs. llE
and ~lF. It will be noted at this time that the STATE F/F
410 as shown in Fig. llG is in a reset state, thus generat-
ing a binary 1 STATE signal on conductor 526 to now enable
AND gate 528 to be enabled upon the occurrence of the DeA
.
C- 62
6 8
21 ME 10
iV8~81
signal. ~s s}-lown in Figs l~B, llE, llF, llG, the leading
edge of the DeA signal on conductor 348 causes AND g~te
528 to be enabled, generating a binary 1 output signal on
conductor 566. This latter sigllal is passed through OR
gate 430 to now set the 25 milllsecond delay control flip-
flop 408 at a time as shown on the 25MSD (~N)line oE Fig.
llG. With flip-flop 408 now reset, its binar~r 0 output
terminal goes to a binary 1 on conductor 518, causing flip-
flop 410 (STATE F/F #N) to set, disabling AND gate 528.
However, flip-flop 410 will immediately be reset at leading
edge of the DeB signal as shown in Figs. llG, 14B and 14D,
in preparation for the repeated cycle of the 25 millisecond
delay and STATE F/F (~'s l~)operations as just described.
By comparing the timing of the 25MSD signals shown
in Figs. llG and llC, it can be seen that this timing allows
the data in the latest power line receiver #N to be clocked
into its STORE A FjF 412 and from that flip-flop into its
` STORE B F/F 414 prior to the occurrence of the DeC signal
shown in Fig. llE, so that the latest received data is in the
buffer store flip-flop 414 of all receivers in time to be
simultaneously transferred from the receivers via conductors
554 (Fig 13B) into the data transmitter/receiver 40 for
transfer to the RCC via the transmitter modulator 162.
By referring to Figs, llD, llF and llH, it can
be seen that the 42nd data message bit from each MTU is
clocked from the eight receivers into the data transmitter/
receiver 40 for transfer to the RCC upon the occurrence of
the last DeC pulse appearing in Fig. llF. Immediately fol-
lowing the shifting of the 42nd data bit out of the SCU to
the RCC, the CCD signal as shown in Fig. llF causes the
message length counter to be triggered to generate a count
.,
~ C- 63
~9
. .
~ ~S ~ 21 ME 10
of CT42 from decode ~6 to thus set t~c EO~I F/F 37~. The
EOM F/F, now generating the EOM binary 1 signal on conductor
564, will effect a complete total rcset of the SCU in the
same manner as previously described, thus preparing the SCU
for receipt of another command from the RCC.
One remaining portlon of the SCU remains to be
explained. Reference is now made to Figs. 12, 14C and 14D.
There may be circumstances whereby an MTU or MTU's do not
respond to a message transmitted to those units from an SCU.
These may be situations where an invalid function code or
' an invalid address is transmitted to MTU(s), in which case
the MTU(s) will not respond with a message back to the SCU.
If the SCU is in the wait mode, expecting a message response
from the MTU(s), that unit will hang up in the wait mode
until a message is received. In order to prevent the SCU
from hanging up in this mode, a provision has been made
-- whereby, if a message is not received within a specified
period of time, the SCU will automatically send a message of,
~ for example, all binary l's or all binary 0's, to the RCC .
:~: 20 This message can be recognized by the program in the RCC as
an invalid message. The SCU will reset after that message
is transferred to the RCC .
Referring to Fig. 14C, let it now be assumed that
the PLRFF 160 is in a set state. With PLRFF 160 in a set
state, the PLRF signal applied to the 267 millisecond delay
counter 404 via conductor 406 is a binary 0 enabling the
counter to begin counting the 30Hz signals applied to an
AND gate 570. AND gate 570 is enabled by the binary 1 FF2A
signal from flip-flop 376 via conductor 572. The timing
for the operation of the 267 millisecond counter 404 is
shown in Fig. 12 on the 267 MSD line. It will be noted
that after 267 milliseconds, an AND gate 574 decoding output
C-64
"
iV~S~l 21 ME 10
signals on conductoxs 576 ~rom counter 404 c~ene~ates a
267 MSD binary 1 signal when that gate detects a count
representative of a 267 millisec:ond delay. The 267 MSD
signal is simultaneously appliecl to a preset input PR of
flip-flops 374 and 376 via d conductor 578. As shown in
Fig. 12, the two flip-flops FFlA 374 and FF2A 376, when
set by the 267 MSD signal, will generate binary 0 out~?ut
signals on their corresponding conductors 540 and 572.
The binary 0 signal from the 0 output terminal of FF2A now
allows the output of OR gate 398 to go to a binary 0 signal
releasing the 30Hz strobe clock counter 394 to begin coun~-
ing the 240Hz clock signals. As can be seen in Fig. 12,
the clock decode 552 of Fig. 14B will now begin to generate
the DeA, DeB and DeC signals in the same manner as previously
described. The DeA and DeB signals are applied to all of the
power line receivers; however, those two signals have no ef-
fect on any of the receivers because a message has not been
received by any of those receivers to effect the generation
of a strobe A signal, which starts those receivers into op-
eration. The one signal which is significant coming out ofthe clock decode 552 in this particular instance is the
DeC signal on conductor 352. That signal, as previously
described, is applied to the data transmitter receiver 40
of Fig. 13A via conductor 352 to parallel transfer the in-
formation from the STORE B F/F 414 in each of the receivers
onto the trunk line 14 going to the RCC from the transmitter
modulator 166. The information transferred to the transmitter
receiver 40 will be either binary l's or binary 0's, depend-
ent upon the state chosen for the STORE B F/F 414. The state
of the STORE B F/F is shown in the example of Fig. 14B to
be reset at all times, except when data is being received
from the STORE A F/F 412. In this example, all binary 0's
, .
~ C-65 71
/
lV~5~ 21 ME 10
woul~ thus L)~ tr~nsferr~d ,o t}~ CC as an inv~lid message
for use by the program. Ho~e~ r, if the desic3n so ~ictates
that all binary l's are to be transfcrred to the RCC, the
STORE A F/F ~12 would merely have to be in the set state
to effect the transfer of all binary l's from the STORE B
, F/F to the RCC.
Referring again to Figs. 12 and 14D, it can be seen
that the CCD signal will cause the message length counter 390
to count each bit being transferred (each DeC pulse generation)
to the RCC. When the message length counter decode 560
generates the CT42 pulse on conductor 562, the EOM F/F 378
is set, thus effecting the SCU reset through OR gate 30 by
,~ resetting the system con~rol flip-flop 28.
i METER TERMINAL UNIT
(MTU~
~ OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
`s The detail logic and timing for the MTU is illustrated
by Figs. 15 through 22. By referring to Figs. 15, 19, 21 and
22, it can be seen that each of those figures is a legendarv
drawing showing the interrelationships between several figures
with corresponding numbers. Each of the legendary drawings
comprise a designated portion of the MTU. The MTU o~erates in
basically four modes. These modes are (1) a receive message
mode, (2) a control mode, (3) a read and store mode and (4) a
transmit mode. A great deal of the MTU logic is time shared
logic and the MTU utilizes this time shared logic in each of
its operating modes. For this reason, the drawings illustrating
the detailed logic of the MTU have been segmented into figures
which correspond to each of the MTU operating modes. Further,
as the ensuing description proceeds, it will be noted that
30 some of the time shared logic is duplicated on some of the
figures. This was done for clarity and to simplifv the
complexity of the drawings. The number designations of the
C-66
72
.
21 ME 10
~8S4~31
com~onents on the dra~inls having lik~ numhcrs are duplicated
in the varlous drawings.
The MTU's are preferablv fabricated from commerciallY
available integrated circuit packages. A complete listing of
the major operational blocks as s:hown i~ the logic drawing
is listed in the following Table 4. Table 4 provides a circuit
name or description of the major circuit packages, the
manufacturers' names, the manufacturers' part number for those
packages and a reference to a manual or the like which Provides
detailed information on the use of each of those packages.
TABLE 4
METER TERMINAL UNIT
MANUFACTURERS' CIRCUIT IDENTIFICATION
CIRCUIT NAME/
' DESCRIPTION MANUFACTURER MANUFACTURERS' NO
MULTIPLEXERS (MPX's) MOT2OROLA MC14539
. RCA CD4019A
.~ DEMULTIPLEXERS (DMPX's) RCA CD4555B
ALL FLIP FLOPS RCA CD4044A
~0 RECEIVE MESSAGE RCA CD4015A
REGISTER
MTU AND SCU ADDRESS RCA CD4030A ,~
COMPARATORS
CLOCK SYNC REG & XMIT RCA CD4035A
:~ CLOCK REG
, SYNC BITS COUNTER RCA CD4027A
CLOCK COUNTER RCA CD4518B
ALL ONE SHOTS MOTOROLA MC14528
1/2 SEC DELAY COUNTER RCA CD4024A
PARITY CHECK GENERATE NATIONAL3 MM74C174 (PLUS
. GATING NOT SHOWN)
LOAD SELECT DECODE RCA CD4556B FOR LOADS
CD4555 FOR LIGHTS
PHASE LOCKED LOOP RCA CD4046A
DIVIDE BY 48 COUNTER RCA CD4024A
. .
C-~67
, 73
.,.
1~5~8~ 2l ME lO
(Tabl~ 4 -- continu~d
DIVIDE BY 5 DOWN MOTOROLA MCl~52
COUNTER
36 BIT S~IIFT REGISTERS MOTOROLA MCl4557
METER SELECT DECODE RCA CD4555B
.~
, All Motorola circuits can be found in the manual
; entitled McMCS Integrated Circuits Data Book,
', copyright l9;3 by Motorola Corp.
; All RCA circuits can be found in the manual entitled
COS/MOS Integrated Circuits, copyright 1974 by RCA Corp.
'This circuit can be found in the manual entitled CMOS
Integrated Circuits, cop,vright 1975 by National
~; Semiconductor Corp.
The operation of the MTU will now be described
in the above sequence as previously mentioned. First, going
through the message receive mode, then the control mode, the
read and store mode and finally the transmit mode.
Prior to proceeding with the operational description
of the MTU, it is considered advantageous at this time to
review the format of the message transferred over the power
lines from each of the SCU's to the MTU's as shown in Fig. 3.
The message entering an MTU from an SCU enters in the format
as shown from the left to the right of Fig. 3. The first
three bits of the message are the start code (OOl) bits, which
are utilized by the MTU to detect the start of a messaqe. The
following eight bits are the SCU address which,as previously
described, were reconstructed by the SCU's address generation
logic. This SCU address is utilized bv the MTU as a part of
its address during the receive mode operation. Following the
SCU address is the previously mentioned ll bit MTU address.
As will be described in detail, the MTU address is decoded by
the MTU to select either one MTU, a group of eight MTU's, one
C- 68 74
~o~481L 21 M~ 10
section of r~Tu'S (e.g , one-eiqht}l of all rlTuls on a power
line) or all of the MTV's on a po~er line or in a complete
system. Following the MTU address is the MTU function code
previously noted in connection with the SCU as the SCU/MTU
`~ function code. The MTU function code is decoded by the MTU
to place that unit into a specified one of its modes of
operation. Following the MTU function code is a 6-bit parity
field, which is checked by the MTU during -the receive mode
to see if the message contains valld parity. As previously
described, the parity check and generate function of the MTU
plays no part in the operation of the invention, it merelv
is being shown to complete the description of the present
disclosure.
MTU RECEIVE MODE OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
In the ensuing description it should be assumed
that all flip-flops, registers, counters, etc. in the MTU
have been reset or initialized at the time of power
application to the MTU from a source not shown.
Reference is now made to Fig. 15, which illustrates
~ 20 the interrelationships between Figs. 15A - 15D. These latter
i` figures illustrate in detailed block diagram form the MTU
, logic which controls the message receive mode of operation.
It is suggested at this time that Figs. 15A - 15D be placed
' as shown by Fig. 15, since those drawings interconnect with
each other by interfacing lines. Additionally, the timing
diagram which illustrates the operational timing of the MTU
during the message receive mode is illustrated by Fig. 16.
Reference is now made to Fig. 16 to an RF data line
illustrating the message format of data being provided to the
MTU over the power lines. As previously described, a burst
of energy on the power line represents a binary 0, whereas a
binary l is represented by the absence of a burst of energv.
C-69 7~
.,
1085~1 21 ME 10
In Fi~. 16 the flrs. three bi~s of ~ data whicn enter the
MTU are the sync bits 00 shol~n as bursts of energy and a 1,
followed bv the remainder of the message. It will be noted
that the message excluding the three sync bits, is comprised
of 30 data bits shown as dotted blocks, since these data bits
are indeterminate depending upon whether thev are binarv l's
or binary O's.
Reference is now made to Fig. 15A, which shows the
MTU receiving the RF ~ata into a capacitive power line coupler
low frequency attenuator 600. The power line coupler, which
isolates the 60 Hz line voltage from the input of the MT~,
passes the RF data pulses to a conven-tional operational
amplifier 602 via a conductor 604. The output of amplifier 602
designated RF data is on a conductor 606. The RF data from
amplifier 602 is provided to a commutating band pass filter
608 similar to that previously described in connection with
the SCU. Band pass filter 608 is also receiving an fO signal
on a conductor 610 from an AND gate 612. It will be recalled
that the frequency of the fO signal is that frequencv at which
~ 20 the SCU's transmit their messages over their corresponding
: power lines to the MTU's. It should be mentioned that the
frequency of the fO signal may be any one of several frequencies
as listed in the previously mentioned Table 1, which allows the
MTU's on various power lines to operate at different receive
frequencies.
Still referring to Fig. 15A, the fO signal is
generated by a receive oscillator 614 on a conductor 616 and
provided to a multiplexer (MPX) 618 illustrated as an electronic
switch. MPX 618 receives two control inputs, mode A and mode B,
' 30 via conductors 620 and 622. The control inputs to MPX 618 are
; generated by function decode logic illustrated in Fig. l9B.
The generation of mode A and mode B signals will be covered
:' .
C-`70
10~5~8~L 21 ME 10
subsequently in more det~il; hOWeVC?r , for the present let it
be recognized that the mode A ancl m~ signals are both
binary l's at this time. These two signals enable MPX 618
and a demultiplexer (DMPX) 624 to activate their correspondinq
switches to connect the f0 signal from the receive oscillator
614 to the input of AND gate 612 via conductor 630. AND gate
612 is enabled at this time by a binary 1 siynal on a
conductor 632 from a now enabled AND gate 634 also receiving
the mode A and mode B signals via conductors 636 and 638,
t 10 respectively.
,~ A digression is momentarilv made back to the MPXs 618 of Fig. 15A, also receiving an fl input signal from a
transmit oscillator (XMIT OSC) 640 via a conductor 642, and
a 60 Hz pulsating signal via a conductor 644. In the present
', description, these two input signals have no effect on thej operation of the MTU in that those signals are utili~ed during
the operation of two other modes to be explained in the
subsequent description. However, it should be noted at this
time that, as the binary configurations of the mode A and
mode B signals applied to MPX 618 and DMPX 624 change during
subsequent operations, the switches of those two circuits
' will likewise change to the appropriate positions in accordancewith the binary configurations of the mode A and mode B signals.
- The description now continues by reference back to
, the commutating band pass filter 608, which now selects the
i message coming from the SCU and passes that message via a
conductor 646 to a detector circuit 648. The output of
detector 648 is applied to a one-shot multivibrator 650 on a
conductor 652. One-shot 650 is triggered upon the detection
of each binary 0 in the input message data stream as shown
on the data line of Fig. 16. Thus it can be seen that each
time one-shot 650 is triggered, a binary 0 data bit is clocked
C- 71 77
,.
108~1. 21 M~ 10
out of that on~-shot, w}le~eas i?f a binarv 1 is detected,
one-shot 650 is not fired and its output is representative
of a binary 1.
The output of one-shot 650 is simultaneously applied
to three elements. One connection from one-shot 650 is the
receive data (REC DATA) on a conductor 654 applied to a D or
data input terminal of a message receive register 656 of
Fic. 15B. The manner in ~hich the receive data is clocked
into register 656 will subsequently be described. The receive
data is also applied from one-shot 650 to a data input (DATA IN)
terminal of a parity check generate circuit 658 of Fig. 15D
via a multiplexer MP~ 660 and conductors 662 and 664 (the
latter conductor traverses through Fig. 15C to Fig. 15D).
Reference is now made back to Fig. 15A and to an
SOM line of Fig. 16, where it is shown that the first binary 0
detected by the MTU fires one-shot 650 and applies the negative
going edge of first data bit to a set input terminal of a
start-of-message flip-flop SOMFF 666 on a conductor 668. As
shown in Fig. 16, the SOMFF 666 sets at this time generating
a binary 1 output signal on a conductor 670 to fire another
one-shot designated SOM reset 672. The output of one-shot 672
is shown in Fig. 16 as a short binary 1 pulse applied as a
SOM reset signal to a common reset CR input terminal of a
clock sync register 674 via conductors 676 and 678. The
purpose of the clock sync register 674 will momentarily be
described. The SOM reset signal on conductor 676 is also
applied to a reset terminal of the parity check generate
circuit 658 of Fig. 15D through the multiplexer 660 via
conductors 680, 682 and an OR gate 684 of Fig. 15C. The
parity check generate circuit 658 is now reset to receive a
parity receive data on conductor 664 to check parity of the
incoming message from the SCU.
., .
~ C-`72 78
.
., ,
21 ME 10
lV1~5~
Refer~ce is no~ made bac~ to F'ig. 15~ to the clock
sync register 674 and to the timing diagram of Fig. 16. It
will be noted in Fig. 16 that a 120 i~z pulsating signal is
applied to a T input terminal of the clock sync register on
a conductor 6~6. The 120 llz signal is generated from a master
clock generator 688 shown in Fig. l9C. The master clock
generator receives a 60 ~Iz sine wave input signal on a
conductor 690 from any 60 E~z source not shown (e.g., the power
lines 18). It will also be noted that the master clock
generator 688 generates a 60 Hz pulsating output signal on a
conductor 692. As will subsequently be described, the 60 Hz
signal is also utilized in the MTU to derive the appropriate
timing for that unit.
Reference is now made back to Fig. 15A and Fig. 16.
_ The purpose of the clock sync register 674 is to synchronize
the incoming data bits with clock pulses generated by that
circuit. It will be recalled that the SOM reset signal caused
-, the clock sync register 674 to reset upon the detection of
the very first binary 0 in the sync bits of the message. With
the clock sync register 674 now reset, the output signal from
` the 0 terminal of the first three flip-flops of that register
on conductors ~94 are now binary l's. These three binary 1
signals on conductors 694 now enable an AND gate 696 to apply
a binary 1 signal to a S input terminal of the first flip-flop
j of register 674 via conductor 698. As shown in Fig. 16, the
first 120 Hz pulse following the SOM reset pulse causes the
first flip-flop of register 674 to be set generating a
, positive going basic clock signal at the output of an inverter
700 to trigger a sync bits counter 702 via conductors 704 and
706.
j The clock sync register 674 is a conventional shift
register which will cause a binary 1 from the first register
~ C-73 7 9
,
l~S~l 21 .'~E 10
to be clocke~ se~ .rltially throuclh ec~ch of the ~lip-flo}~s in
that register upon the occurrence of each 120 ~Iz siqnal on
conductor 686, thus generating a basic clock output signal
from inverter 700 as shown in Figs. 15A and 16. It will be
noted that AND gate 696 is enabled only when the first three
flip-flops of register 674 are binary O's. Thus, upon the
occurrence of the fourth 120 Hz input signal, the fourth flip-
flop of register 674 will be set and the first three flip-
flops will be reset, thus causing AND gate 696 to be enabled
to repeat the cycle as previously described. The reset signal
to the clock sync register 674 is applied from ~ND gate 696
when that AND gate is disabled by the application of a binary
1 signal to a reset R input terminal of the first flip-flop
S of register 674 via an inverter 708 and a conductor 710.
Reference is now made to the sync bits counter 702
of Fig. 15A, which is now counting the basic clock signals on
conductor 706. When the sync bits counter 703 achieves a
count of three, an AND gate 712 receiving input signals from
the counter 702 on conductors 714 is enabled to generate a
` 20 count of three, CT3, output signal on conductor 716. The
timing for the generation of the CT3 signal is noted on the
basic clock line of Fig. 16. The CT3 signal now sets a sync
flip-flop 718 by the application of a binary 1 signal to a
set S input terminal of that flip-flop. With the svnc flip-
flop 718 now set, a binary 1 signal is generated from that
flip-flop's 1 output terminal on a conductor 720 to now enable
an AND gate 722, also receiving the basic clock signal at a
30 Hz rate from inverter 700 on a conductor 724. Referring
to Fig. 16, it can be seen that AND gate 722 now begins to
generate receive clock signals (REC clock) on a conductor 726.
The purpose of the REC clock is to generate two additional
signals shown in Fig. 16 as a receiver shift register clock
'
. .
,, 21 ME 10
(REC S~R clock) and a parity recc~ive cl~ck (~'ARITY REC CLOCK).
These two clock signals are generated as follows.
The REC clock of conductor 726 is now applied
through a multiplexer MPX 728 of Fig. 15C on a conductor 730
to a trigger T input terminal of a clock count~r 732. Clock
counter 732 will now begin to count the REC clock pulses and
provide count output signals on a plurality of conductors 734
to a clock counter decode logic 736. Three output signals
representative of binary counts in counter 732 are generated
10 by the clock counter decode 736. It will be noted that the
clock counter 732, when in a reset state, generates a binary 1
00 count output signal on a conductor 738 to apply set signals
to a receive control flip-flop (REC CONT FF) 740 and a parity
control flip-flop (PARITY CONT FF) 742, placing each of those
. flip-flops in a set state. Flip-flops 740 and 742 at this time
are now providing binary 1 output signals from their 1 terminal
on conductors 744 and 746 as one input to two AND gates 748 and
750, respectively. Still referring to Fig. 15C, it will be
' noted that AND gates 748 and 750 are now enabled to generate
20 the REC S/R clock signals on a conductor 752, and AND gate 750
is enabled to generate the PARITY REC CLOCK signals on a
conductor 754; The enablement of these two AND gates is
, effected by the previously mentioned input signals on conductors
744 and 746 in conjunction with the REC clock signal now applied
on a conductor 756 from an AND gate 758. AND gate 758 is
, receiving the binary 1 mode A and mode B input signals on
conductors 636 and 638, along with the REC clock signals on
a conductor 760. The timing for the generation of the REC S/R
clock and PARITY REC CLOCK signals is shown in Fig. 16.
The PARITY REC CLOCK on conductor 754 is applied
from the output of AND gate 750 from Fig. 15C to a CL clock
' input terminal of the parity check generate circuit 658 of
~ C- 75 81
~V~5~L 21 ~E 10
Fig. 15D via ~he MPi 660 on a con~uctor 762. It should
be noted at this tlme that the l?ARITY REC CLOCK signals
now allow the PARITY REC DATA to be clocked into the parity
check generate circuit 658 to allow that circuit to now begin
checking message parity. Simultaneously with the clocking of
the PARITY REC DATA into the paritv check generate circui ,
the REC DATA from the one-shot 650 of Fig. 15A is clocked
into the message receive reqister 656 under control of the
REC S/R clock signal applied to that register to a CL clock
input terminal as shown in Fig. 15~.
It is significant to note at this time that the
three sync, or start, bits (001) of the incoming message have
been stripped off of that message under control of the sync
bits counter 702 in Fig- 15A- This removal of the three sync
pulses is illustrated by the delay in the generation of the
REC CLOCK signal after the three sync pulses have been counted
as a result of the generation of the CT3 signal onjconductor
716 in Fig. 15A. This prevents the three sync bits from being
clocked into the message receive register 656.
Reference is now made back to Fig. 15C to an output
conductor 780 from the clock counter decode 736 generating a
binary 1 signal at a count of 24 of the clock counter to
provide a reset input signal to the REC CONT FF 740. The
flip-flop 740 is reset at a count of 24 to prevent the six
, parity bits of the 30-bit message from being taken into the
message receive register 656. When the receive control flip-
flop 740 resets,a binary 0 output signal on conductor 744
disables AND gate 748 to thus prevent the further application
of the REC S/R clock signals on conductor 752 to the CL input
terminal of the message register 656. Thus, it can be seen
that the message register 656 receives onlv the 24 data bits
of the incoming message from the SCU.
, 82
C-76
~0854~ 21 ME 10
The Irlessage will not contlnu~ to b~ clocked into
the message register 656 of ~ig. 15s until the clock counter
decode 736 of Fig. 15C decodes a count of 30 from the clock
counter 732. Referring to the clock counter decode 736, a
signal T30 is generated by that decode on a conductor 764
when the 30th message bit is recelved (see T30 of Fig. 16).
The T30 signal is applied to a reset R input terminal of the
parity control flip-flop 742 at this time causing that flip-
flop to reset, generating a binary 0 output signal on conductor
746 to disable AND gate 750. Disabling AND gate 750 now re-
moves the PARITY REC CLOCK signal to the parity check generate
circuit 658 of Fig. 15D inhibiting the further clocking of
the message through that circuit. Simultaneously, the T30
~, signal on conductor 76~ is applied to a set S input terminal
of a receiver reset one-shot (REC RESET OS) 766 causing that
one-shot to generate a receiver reset (REC RESET) binary 1
output pulse on a conductor 768 as shown in Eigs. 15C and 16.
One-shot 766 is fired on the trailing edge of the T30 pulse
I
as illustrated in those two figures. The binary 1 REC RESET
signal is now applied to a reset R input terminal of the
' clock counter 732 via a multiplexer MPX 770 and conductors 772
and 774. It will be noted that the MPX 770 is also receiving
at this time the mode A and mode B input signals to establish
the proper switch position for MPX 770. The application of
the REC RESET signal to the clock counter 732 now causes that
counter to be reset back to a binary 0 state in preparation
, to the receipt of another message from the SCU. It will also
, be noted as shown in Figs. 15A, 15C and 16 that the REC RESET
, signal is applied to an R reset input terminal of the SOM
flip-flop 666 via a conductor 776, resettinc that flip-flop.
Additionally, the REC RESET signal is applied to the RESET
input terminal of the parity check generate circuit 658 via
'
C-77
~3
., .
.
1~ ~S ~1 21 ME 10
the multiplexer 660, con~uctors 680, 682, OR gates 684 and
778. The parity check generate circuit is now in a reset
state in preparation to the receipt of another message from
the SC~.
Reference is aaain made back to Fig. 15C to the
; REC RESET output signal from the REC RESET OS 766. The REC
RESET signal on conductor 776 is also applied to a reset R
input terminal of the sync bit counter 702 of Fig. 15A via
a conductor 782, resetting that counter in preparation to
receipt of another message from the SCV. The REC RESET sig-
nal is also applied off of conductor 782 of Fig. 15A to a
reset R input terminal of the SYNCFF 718 via conductors 784
and 786. Resetting the SYNCFF 718 now causes a binary 0
signal on conductor 720 to disable AND gate 722, preventing
the further generation of the REC CLOCK signals. Additionally,
the REC RESET signal on conductor 784 is applied as one input
to an OR gate 788, which now passes that signal via a con-
, auctor 790 to a reset R input terminal of a function strobe
flip-flop FSFF 792. The FSFF 792 now resets, generating a
binary 0 output signal on conductor 794 disabling the .unction
code gating circuit 796 of Fig. 15B.
At time T30 the entire message is now loaded into
, the message receive register 756 of Fig. 15B. It will be
` noted that the T30 signal from the clock counter decode 736
of Fig. 15C is now applied to an AND gate 798 of Fig. 15D
via conductors 764 and 800. AND gate 798 will be enabled at
this time to generate a function strobe enable (FUNC.STROBE
EN.) signal on a conductor 802 to set the FSFF flip-flop 792,
provided that all inputs to AND gate 798 are binary l's at
this time. At the leading edge of the T30 pulse, if the
parity check generate circuit 658 of Fig. 15D has determined
.~
C- 78
. 84
., .
., .
l~S4~1 21 ME 10
that the messa~Je contains good parity, that circuit ~Jill
generate a GOOD PARII'Y binary 1 output signal on a co~ductor
804 to set a PARITY R~G FF 805. The 1 output terminal of
flip-flop 805 applies a binary 1 sigrlal on con~uctor 807 tc
; AND gate 798. The purpose of the PARITY REG FF ~05 is to
keep AND gate 798 enablea during the transmit mode because
the GOOD PARITY signal is lost during the execution of that
mode. The other inputs to ~ND gate 798 come from variouJ
decode functions from the message receive register 656 of Fig.
15B. The decoding of these ;nput signals applied to AND gate
79~ will now be described.
Register 656 is 24 bits in length having bits or
stages 3 - 26 illustrating the format of the message as it
resides in the register at T30. Bits 0, 1 and 2, not shown
correspond to the three sync bits removed from the received
, message. Reference is now made to the SCU address field
shown in Fig. 15B comprising 7 bits (3 - 9). As previously
described in connection with Fig. 3, the SCU address was shown
as eight bits; however, in the SCU the eighth bit (bit 10) is
, 20 designated as a mode bit having a purpose to be describea.
It will be recalled from the previous description that an
- MTU must recognize the SCU address from which it is receiving
~, a message before that MTU can be activated. This is accom-
plished by an SCU address comparator 806 monitoring bits 3 -
9 of the SCU address from register 656 on a plurality of con-
ductors 808 and comparing that SCU address with a fixed SCU
address provided to the comparator 806 on a plurality of
, conductors 810 from an SCU address switches block 812.
Switches 812 are set to duplicate the SCU address of that SCU
in communication with the MTU. If the SCU address switches
~i~ compare with the SCU address from register 656, the SCU
.:
C-79
, 8
.
.
.
1~85481 21 ME. 10
address comparator will gerlcrate a ~inary 1 Ollt~)Ut signal
designated SC~ ADD. COM~ARE on a conductor 81~. The SCU
ADD. COMPARE signal on cor-ductor 8]4 will thus provide one
of the enable input signals to AND gate 798.
Reference is now made back to Fig. 15B to tha~
field of the message register 656 designated FUI~C. CODE.
The function code field of the message is cornprised oE five
bits (22 - 26) as previously descxibed in connection wi-th
Fig. 3. These five ~its are decoded as bits FC0 - Fc4 by
lQ a valid function decode (VALID FUNC. DECODE) circuit 71~
receiving those signals via a plurality of conductors 818 and
820 from the output of the message register 756. If the
VALID FUNC. DECODE 816 determines that the binary bit con-
figuration of the function code is a valid MTU operation,
that circuit will generate a binary 1 VALID FUNC. output
signal on a conductor 822 as an additional enable input sig-
nal to AND gate 798.
Reference is now made back to Fig. 15B to the
'~ message register 656. That which remains to be described in
` 20 connection with the decoding of the message register 656 is
a determination as to whether the MTU is receiving an address
designated for that MTU. As previously mentioned, each MTU
in the system is capable of being individually selected, se-
' lected as a group of MTU's, a section of MTU's or selected
' in conjunction with all MTU's in the system or on an SCU
power line. Referring to the MTU address field of register
t 656 of Fig. 15B, it will be noted that that address field is
comprised of bits 11 - 18 making up the entire ll-bit MTU
address as previously described in connection with Fig. 3.
Bits 11 - 13 are applied via a plurality of conductors 824
to an ALL MTU GATES 826 and to a comparator 828 of a pair
of comparators 830. Bits 19 - 21 of the MTU address are
.~
C- 80 86
..
... .
,.
~ 8~L 21 ME 10
applied to a cornpar~tor Pl? o~ co.~ar~-~t~r~; ~,0 i~
plurality of conductors 83~. Th~ comvarators 8~(J receive
fixed MTU address input sigrlals i-rom an ~TU Ar)l~. Sl,ITCIIE.S
block 836 comprised of a set of switc}les 838 and 840 via a
plurality of conductors 842 and 844, respectively, connected
to the comparators 828 and 832. Each of the comparators 828
and 832 has its own respective output si~nal lines, which
will become binary l's whene~er the MTU address from regis-
ter 656 compares with the corresponding address in the MTU
ADD. SWITCHES 836.
To select a sinqle MTU, the comparatoxs, when de-
coding the proper binary bit configuration of the MTU address,
will generate a binary 1 output signal on each of two conduc-
tors 846 and 848 to enable an AND gate 850, which in turn
generates a 1 MTU binary 1 output signal on a conductor 852.
To select 1/8, or a section, of the MTU's on a designated
power line, an AND gate 854 is enabled by a binary 1 signal
on conductor 848 from the comparator 832 and a binary 1 sig-
. nal on conductor 856 from the ALL MTU GATES 826.
~ 20 The ALL MTU GATES monitor bits 11 - 1~J to generate
>^ a binary 1 output signal on conductor 856 whenever the ad-
dress as specified by bits 11 -18 specify an all MTU address.
Reference is now made to bit 10, designated MODE
of register 656. Bit 10 will be either a binary 1 or a bi-
nary 0 dependent upon the type of mode addressing speclfied
to the MTU by the message. When bit 10 is reset, a binary 0
on a conductor 858 will disable two AND gates 860 and 862.
This will prevent the selection of a group of eight MTU's
and all MTU's. However, when the MODE bit 10 is a binary 1,
AND gates 860 and 862 are conditioned to be enabled to
generate a binary 1 output signal in ~ccordance with an
address signal provided to each of those gates. Referring to
C- 81 8 7
.
~,
1~85~81 21 ME 10
AND gate 860, it will i,e not~d thz~t that ~ND gate i5 enable~
to generate an eight MTU's binary 1 signal whenever the MODE
bit is set and when the output of comparator 828 generates a
j binary 1 on conductor 846. Comparator 828, which monitors
bits 11 - 18 of the MTU address, can thus generate a binary 1
output s~al to select any number of groups of MTU's on a
designated power line limited only by the size of the MTU
address field. When AND gate 860 is enabled, the 8 MTU's
binary 1 address signal is generated on a conductor 864. A~D
gate 862 is similarly enabled when the MODE bit is a binary 1
and bits 11 - 18 specify to the ALL MTU GATES 826 an address
common to all MTU's on a power line or in the system. The
combination of the binary 1 signals on conductors 856 and 858
will cause AND gate 862 to generate an ALL MTU's signal on a
conductor 866.
Whenever the MTU decodes an acceptable address,
one of the AND gates 850, 852, 854 or 860 will be enabled to
apply a binary 1 signal on their corresponding conductors to
an OR gate 867 to allow that OR gate to provide a binary 1
MTU ADD. ENABLE signal to AND gate 798 via conductor 868.
It can now be seen how AND gate 798 will be enabled at time
T30, as shown in Figs. 15D and 16 to set the FSFF 792 with
the FUNC. STROBE EN. signal at the time the message is de-
coded. Assume now that all inputs to AND gate 798 are bi-
nary l's, thus indicating the received message has good
parity, an SCU address compare, a recognized MTU address
and a valid function code. As a result, the AND gate 798
will generate a binary 1 FUNC. STROBE EN. signal on con-
ductor 802 to set FSFF 792. The setting of FSFF 792 is shown
' 30 in Fig. 16 on the FUNC. STROBE line, whereby that flip-flop
is providing a binary 1 FUNC. STROBE signal on a conductor
794 to a function code gating 796. The FUNC. STROBE signal
now enables the function code gating circuit 796 to pass the
FC0 - Fc4 signals on conductors 818 through that gating network
C~2 ~8
.
1~8~8.~ 21 ME 10
generatlng binary output si~3nals ~c' ~ Fc~' on a plural-
ity of conductors 870. The FC0' ~ Fc4' signals are pro-
vided to various decode logic in the MTU to subsequently be
described. It is these signals which are decoded to deter-
mlne the subsequent mode of operations that the MTU will go
into.
Reference is now made to Fig. 15D to OR gate 788
receiving the REC RESET signal on conductor 784. As can be
seen in the timing diagram of Fig. 16, the REC RESET signal
occurs, after the message is decoded, at the trailing edge
of the T30 pulse to reset the FSFF 792 via OR gate 788 to
remove the FUNC STROBE signal from the function code gating
796 at the time shown by the dotted lines in the FUNC STROBE
pulse.
This completes the message receive mode description
for the MTU. In all subsequent descriptions, the assumption
should be made that a message has been loaded into the mes-
sage receive register 656 and that that message has been de-
coded as a valid message with a proper address, good parity
and valid function code to activate the function code gating
to allow the MTU to go into the mode specified by the FC0' -
Fc4' signals.
MTU Control Mode Operational Description
.,
Reference is now made to Figs. 17 and 18, wherein
Fig. 17 shows a detailed block diagram of the load control
logic for controlling a plurality of loads, or lights, ex-
? ternal to the MTU at a designated customer residence, and
Fig. 18 shows the operational timing of the load control
logic. In Fig. 17 the time-shared logic comprised of OR
gate 788 and the FSFF 792 has been duplicated for simplicit~
purposes to provide a better understanding of the MTU
; control mode.
~ C-83
89
21 ME 10
~O~S481
As sho~ in Fia 18, t}l~ decode of the function
code takes place at T30 as just described for the receive
mode. Let it now be assumed that the E~FF 792 is in the
set state generating the FIJNC ST~03E signal as shown in
Fig. 18. This allows the application of the FC0' - Fc4'
signals on conductors 870 to be simultaneously applied to a
load select decode circuit 872 via a plurality of conductors
874, a drop load decode 876 via a plurality of conductors 878
and a set load decode 880 via a plurality of conductors 882.
The load select decode 872 is a conventional type of binary
decode logic for decoding the binary configurations of the
Fc0' - Fc41 signals. The input signals FC0' - Fc4', when
decoded by the load select decode, cause that decode to gen-
} erate a binary 1 output signal to either set or reset a par-
:
ticular load or light flip-flop to that decode. It will be
noted that each of a plurality of LOADFF's 886 receive set
and reset input signals to their S and R terminals on respec-
' tive conductors 888 and 890. Whenever a one of the LOADFF's
886 is set by its corresponding binary 1 input signal on con-
~ 2Q ductor 888, that flip-flop will generate a binary 1 output
;, signal on a corresponding conductor 892 to activate a corre-
sponding one of-a plurality of switches 894. Each of the
switches 894 is illustrated as a TRIAC semi-conductor type
'~ switch receiving a 24 volt AC input signal from a source not
shown. When a binary 1 signal is applied to one of the
switches 894, the 24 volt AC signal is applied through that
switch to a load connected thereto by corresponding one of
conductors 896. The loads in Fig, 17 are illustrated as having
their own power source, not shown, and being external to the
MTU, as these loads are generally located in the building of
;~ the residence where the MTU is installed. Typical loads which
' can be controlled by the MTU, as previously described, are
~,
j, C-84
... .
,, ~
21 ME 10
air conditioners, hot w~ter heaters, eie.tric clot~les
dryers, etc.
The load select decode 872 also provides a set
and reset input signal to each of a plurality of LIG}~TFF's
898 on corresponding conductors 899. These flip-flops
operate to activate their corresponding TRIAC switches 895
in a fashion similar to that just described for the LOADFF's.
The switches 895 likewise control a light in the customer's
residence which contains its own power source. As previously
4 10 ~ cribed, the present system is capable of turning on and off
warning lights for the benefit of a customer to let him know
when he is utilizing power during peak periods so that he may
reduce his load voluntarily to cut down on his power bill.
~ It will also be noted that each of the load flip-flops 886
7 and 898 can be reset to disengage their corresponding load(s)
i~ or turn out their corresponding light(s) by the application
of a binary 1 reset signal to the R terminal of those flip-
i flops.
~ Referring to Fig 18, there is shown a load or
`. 20 light control reset line, which illustrates the timing for
, the activation of either a load(s) or a light(s) flip-flop(si. A slight delay is shown between the rising edge of the FC0' -
s FC4l signals compared to the load or light control set or
~; reset signals merely to indicate that there is a slight delay
for the loads connected to flip-flops 886 and 898 to activate
or deactivate their corresponding loads.
` Reference is now made to Fig. 17 to the set load and
drop load decode circuits 876 and 880. These two circuits
receiving the FC0' and Fc4' input signals will generate a
binary 1 output signal on their corresponding output conductors
900 and 902 to activate an OR gate 904 whenever the message
function code specifies that a load(s) is to be set or dropped
out, The binary 1 signal on either of conductors 900 or 902
C-85 91
1(~85~81 21 ME 10
will be pass~d throuc~h OR gat~ 904 on a cond~ctor 906 to
activate a g~aranteed delay 908. The purpose of this delay
908 is to allow sufficient time for all of the loads to be
either set or dropped out prior to resetting the FSFF 792.
After a specified delay, delay 908 will provide a binary 1
trigger signal to an S input terminal of a control reset
one-shot (CONT RESET OS) 910, causing that one-shot to gen-
erate a control reset pulse on a conductor 912 at the time
as shown in Fig. 18. The control reset pulse on conductor
9~ is applied to OR gate 788, causing that OR gate to now
provide a binary 1 reset signal on conductor 790 to t,he FSFF
792. Resetting the FSFF causes the function strobe signal
to go to a binary 0 as shown in Fig. 18. The function strobe
signal now disables the function code gating on Fig. l9B,
and the MTU is in standby ready to receive another message
from the SCU.
MTU ~ead and Store Operationa-l Description
The MTU read and store operation is best illustrated
by Fig. 19, which is a legendary drawing showing the inter-
relationships between Figs. l9A - l9D. In the following dis-
cussion, Figs. l9A - l9D should be positioned as shown in
Fig. 19. Figs. 20, 21A and 21B are the timing diagrams which
will be used in the subsequent discussion of Figs. l9A - l9D.
It will be noted in Figs. l9A - l9D that the time-shared
logic previously described in connection with Figs. 15 and i9
is duplicated, wherein like numbers are assigned to like num-
bers of ~hose previously discussed logic elements.
Let it now be assumed that the MTU has just completed
the receive message mode and that a message is in the message
receive register 656, which specifies in its function code
that the MTU is to read and store the meter information from
C-86
.,
92
i
: .
~S~8~ 21 ME 10
one o~ several melt~rs ~t~ o~n in Fig. 19D. Lr, rig. l9D
there is shown a plur.l~ity of auxi]iary meters 914 desig-
nated meter Al - meter AN, each havlng an encoder 916.
Meters 916 represent any number of meters at a customer
residence such as gas meters, water meters, oil meters, etc.
Also shown in Fig. 19B is a main meter 918, having its
associated encoder 920. The main meter 918 customarily would
be the main watt-hour meter found in a customer residence for
recording the consumption of power. As previously mentioned,
e~ch of the encoders 916 and 920 preferred by the present
embodiment contemplates the use of an optical, serial-type
read-out encoder for providing binary output signals repre-
sentative of the amount OL consumed commodity as documented
1n the aforementioned patent 3,8~6,789. In the ensuing de-
scription, the read and store command, which is now in the
message register, will selectively specify which of the meter
encoders 916 through 920 will be read in accordance with the
function code as previously described in connection with Fig. 3.
Reference is now made to Figs. l9B and 20. Let it
20 now be assumed that the MTU has just completed the received
message mode of operation as shown in Fig. 20 by the genera-
tion of the T30 pulse, which effects the decoding of the
; FC0' - Fc4' signals now containing the proper function code
for a read and store main meter or one of the auxiliary meters
Al - AN. Referring to Fig. l9B, the function strobe signal
on conductor 794 at this time is enabling the function decode
796 to allow a function code decode logic 922 to decode the
FC0' - Fc4' signals to provide the proper output signals to
read and store the one of the meter encoders to be selected.
Since the function code of the message now specifies the read
and store operation, the function code circuit 922 generates
a binary 1 read and store (R & S) output signal on a conductor
924 to set a MODE A FF g26. The function decode 922 will
93
C-87
~5~ 21 ME 10
also aenerate one of t-;o binary 1 outp~t slgnals to read
and store either the main meter or a selected one of the
auxiliary meters in accordance with the function code on two
signal lines 928 and 930, designated R & S MAIN and R & S
EX~, res~ectively,
Reference is now made to the MODE A FF 926, which
is now set. That flip-flop is now providing a binary 1 out-
put signal on a conductor 932 to generate a binary 1 mode A
signal on a conductor 934 as shown in Fig. 20. The instant
that the MODE A FF 926 sets, its binary 1 output signal also
triggers a one-shot multivibrator 936 via conductors 932 and
~,
938, One-shot 936 generates a narrow binary 1 pulse to reset
a 1/2 second delay counter 940 and set a MODE B FF 942 via a
conductor 944, With the MODE B FF 942 now set, its 1 output
terminal generates a binary 1 signal on a conductor 946,
which is passed through an OR gate 948 to generate a binary 1
mode B signal on a conductor 950 as shown in Fig. 20.
~ Still referring to Pig. l9B, it will be noted that
J, the binary 1 output signal from the MODE A FF 926 is inverted
f 20 to a binary Q through an inverter 952 to generate a binary 0
; mode A signal on conductor 936, In a similar fashion, binary
1 ~ode B signal from OR gate 948 is inverted to a binary 0
through an inverter 954 to generate a binary 0 mode B signal
on a conductor 938, At this time, the binary 0 mode A and
mode B signals are applied to the inputs of the MPX 618 and
DMPX 624 of Fig. l9B, causing those two logic circuits to
take on the switch positions as shown by the solid line there-
in. As shown in Figs. 20 and l9B, the 60Hz clock pulses on
conductor 644 are now applied through MPX 618 and DMPX 624 to
trigger the input of the 1/2 second delay counter 940 via a
conductor 956, Delay counter 940, as shown in Fig. 20, will
continue to count the 60Hz pulses and, after a 1/2 second de-
lay, will generate a 1/2 SEC DELAY(DL) pulse on a conductor
. C-88 9 k
21 ME 10
35~. The 1/2 Sl`C DL pulsc ic; no~,; applied to an ~D gate 960,
enabllng that ~ND gate, due to thc presence of the binary 1
signal from the MODE A FF. AND gat:e 958 now applies a bi-
nary 1 signal on a conductor 962 to reset the MODE B E'F 942
at the time shown in Fig. 2~.
Resetting the MODE B FF 942 applies a binary 0
signal on a conductor 946 to OR gate 948, now causing the
mode B signal on conductor 950 to go to a binary 0 and the
mode s signal on conductor 93~ to go to a binary 1. Referring
now to the MPX 618 and the DMPX 624, it can be seen that the
mode A signal applied to those two logic circuits is still a
binary o, and the mode B signal is now a binary 1. This
combination of binary inputs now causes the MPX 618 and the
DMPX 624 to switch from the position shown by the solid swi-tch
arrow to the position now shown by the dotted switch arrow
to allow the continued application of the 60Hz pulses on
conductor 644 through those two logic units to the input of
the 1/2 second delay counter 940.
The purpose of the 1/2 second delay can best be
described by referring to Fig. l9D. In that figure, there
is shown a meter select decode 964 similar to the previously
described load select decode receiving the FC0' - Fc4'signals
; on conductors 870 from the function code gating 796 of Fig.
~ l9B. The meter select decode will generate a binary 1 output
', signal on one of a plurality of conductors 966 in accordance
with the function code to activate a corresponding one of a
plurality of TRIAC switches 968, each having its own 24 volt
AC input from a power source not shown. The activated TRIAC
switch will apply 24 volt AC to its corresponding encoder 916
to start a motor in that encoder in order to read out the in-
îormation from an optical disc. Since it takes a certain ;
amount of time for the motor in the selected encoder to come
, C_~89
9 ~
~0~5~ 21 ME 10
:
up to speed, the 1/2 second delay has been provided in the
system to allow the motor to come up to speed prior to the
reading of the optical e~coder Reference is now made back
to Fig. 20 to the mode B line of that figure to the point
showing where the MODE B FF last reset. Immediately follow-
ing the resetting of the MODE B FF, there is a note between
arrows, which says Read. It is during this period that the
MTU will now read the meter information from the selected
encoder.
lQ Reference is now made to Figs. 21A, 21B and l9A.
In Fig. l9A the 60Hz pulses are shown being applied on con-
ductor 644 to a phase lock loop circuit 970, generating
2880Hz output pulses on conductors 972 and 974. The 2880Hz
signal is applied to a trigger (T) input terminal of a
!~' divide by 48 counter 976, which divides the 2880Hz down to
regenerate a 60Hz pulsating signal on a conductor 978 for
feed-back to the phase lock loop 970. The 2880Hz signal is
also applied to an AND gate 980, also receiving a binary 1
enable input signal at this time from an AND gate 982 via a
conductor 984. It will be recalled that the mode A signal
is now a binary 1 and the mode B signal is also a binary 1,
thus enabling AND gate 982 to provide a binary 1 input signal
; to AND gate 980. The 2880Hz signals are applied on a con-
ductor 986 to a trigger T input terminal of a divide by 5
down counter 988. Counter 988 always starts out in a preset
count of 4, as a result of a decode zero output signal shown
in counter 988 when that counter is reset to zero. When the
MTU is first turned on, counter 988 is always zeroed out.
- Thus, the binary 1 output signal from a DEC 0 terminal of
counter 988 is passed through an OR gate 992 to a PR input
' terminal of counter 988 to preset that counter to a count of
four via conductors 990 and 994. Counter 988 divides the
.
C- 90 9~
.,
1~35~L8~ 2l ME l0
288011z lnput signal b~ 5 .o regcnerate a read clock signal
at a 576~ rate on ~ conductor 996 of Fig. l9C.
As sho~"n in Figs. 21A and 21B on the read clock
576Hz line, the read clock is constantly being re-centered
in the middle of each data bit being read from the selected
meter encoder by a DATA IN (slope pulse)presetting the divide
by 5 down counter 988. The DATA IN (slope pulse) is that
pulse coming out of a data one-shot 998 of Fig. 19D on a
conducto~ l000. It will be noted in Fig. l9D that the meter
encoder data on conductor l000 is also being read from the
encoder at a 576Hz rate. For each binary 0 bit of data read
from the selected encoder, the data one-shot 998 is triggered
to generate a positive output signal to preset the down count-
er 988 to a count of four via OR gate 992 as shown in Fig. l9A.
Thus, for each data pulse out of the encoder, the 576Hz read
' clock is re-centered in the center of the bit corresponding
to that data pulse to synchronize the reading of the data from
the encoder with the read clock. The timing relationships
between the DATA IN (slope pulse) on conductor l000 from the
data one-shot 998 and the read clock (576Hz) pulses on con-
ductor 996 are shown in Figs. 21A and 21B.
`' As previously mentioned, the down counter 988 is
preset to a count of four upon the detection by one-shot 998
of each binary 0 from the selected encoder. However, under
- those conditions when a binary 0 is not present (i.e., a
binary l is generated), there is no output pulse from one-
shot 998. Thus, down counter 988 will not be preset. How-
ever, this is compensated for in order to continuously gen-
erate the read clock on conductor 996 by the output from the
., 30 DEC O terminal of counter 988 on conductor 990 to OR gate 992.
If a binary 0 is not received at OR gate 992, when the down
counter achieves a binary count of 0, it is preset from the
C-9I 9 7
,~ .
lV854~ 21 ME 10
o~tp~t cf the l)~C 0 terlrlinal via Ol~ gatc 992. In this manner
the 576~z read clock signal is continuously generated in the
center of the DATA IN (slope pulse) as indicated in Figs. 21A
and 21B.
Reference is now made to Figs. 21A and 21s to the
data from encoder line in that timing diagram. It will be
noted that digits 4 and 5 from the selected encoder precede
a start code comprised of ten l's, a 0 and a 1. This field
of bits is read from the selected optical encoder and is
utilized by the MTU to detect the start of the meter data
indicated by the six 6-bit fields designated ID ~ and digits
~1 through #5.
Referring to Fig. l9D, let it now be assumed that
one of the encoders 916 or 920 has been commanded by the meter
select decode 964 to start that encoder's motor and thus begin
reading out the meter data in serialized message form to the
MTU. If the main meter 918 has been commanded to read its
encoder, the encoder optical read-out disc will begin to
generate a message on a conductor 1002 to a multiplexer
MPX 1004. On the other hand, if either one of the meters Al
through AN has been commanded to read its encoder 916, those
encoders will provide their meter data on corresponding lines
1006 and 1008 to their corresponding inputs of the MPX 1004.
It should be noted at this time that the two signals FC0'
and Fcl' are applied simultaneously to the MPX 1004 and to
and MPX 1010 from the function code gating 796 on conductors
1012 and 1014 to select the appropriate one of the meter en-
covers as determined by the meter select decode 964. It
should be noted that the MPX 1004 has a plurality of positions
which can be selected by the binary configurations of the
FC0' and Fcl' signals to select any one of the meter lines
coming in td MPX 1004. Thus, the MPX will pass the meter
.,
C-92
98
.,
1~8S~ 21 ~IE 10
data from the selected one of the meters via conductor 1016
to the S input terminal of the data one-shot 998.
As previously mentioned, for each binary 0 read by
the selected encoder, one-shot 998 is fired to generate a
narrow data out pulse as shown on line 1000. These data
pulses are applied via line 1000 to the input of an AND gate
1018 of Fig. 19A. That AND gate is now enabled to pass any
DATA IN (slope pulses) which appear at the input to ti~at gate.
This is explained as follows:
Reference is now made back to Fig. l9B to the out-
put of the FSFF 792 generating the function strobe signal on
conductor 794. With the FSFF 792 set at the time shown in
, Fig. 20, the leading edge of the function strobe signal is
applied via a conductor 1020 to a set S input terminal of a
one-shot multivibrator 1022. One-shot 1022 generates a nar-
row positive going output signal as shown in Fig. l9A, which
is passed through an OR gate 1024 to a set S input terminal
of a ten l's FF 1026 via a conductor 1028. It can now be
- seen that the ten l's FF 1026 is in the set state generating
a binary 1 signal at its one-output terminal on conductor
1030 to AND gate 1018, to thus allow the DATA IN(slope pulses~
to pass through that AND gate each time the data one-shot 998
of Fig. l9D is fired.
Flip-flop 1026 is that element of the MTU which
, controls the detection of the start code shown in Figs. 21A
and 21B comprised of ten l's, a 0 and a 1. Let it now be
assumed that-the selected meter encoder is providing meter
data via line 1000 to the input of AND gate 1018. Whenever
a binary 0 is detected by data one-shot 998 of Fig. l9D,
that one-shot generates a data out pulse, which is applied
' to AND gate 1018 enabling that AND gate. AND gate 1018
applies a binary 1 pulse to an OR gate 1032 via a conductor
1034. OR gate 1032 passes that binary 1 pulse on a
C-93 9 9
. .
21 ME 10
conductor 1036 as a redd rcset signal throu3h the now sclccted
read input terminal of ~,;7 0 via OR qate 785c~ on to a reset
R input terminal of clock counter 732 via conductor 772.
This will cause the clock counter 732 to reset. It should
be noted at this time, as sho;^!n in Figs. l9A and l9C, in
conjunction with Figs. 21A and 21B, that the read clock
(576Hz)signal frcm AND gate 1038 on conductor 996 is applied
to the trigger input terminal of the clock counter 732 via
' the MPX 728. The timing relationships between the read
clock signal on conductor 996 and the DATA IN (slope pulses)
are shown in Figs. 21A and 21B. The DATA IN (slope pulses~
, are shown in dot-ted form indicating that their presence is
indeterminate because it is not known whether they are bi-
nary 0's or binary l's. Also shown in Figs. 21A and 21B,
; in dotted form, are the read reset pulses derived from the
DATA IN (slope pulses) to reset the clock counter 732 of
' Fig. l9A.
~, Reference is now made back to AND gate 1018 of
Fig. ~9A. Let it now be assumed that the encoder is pro-
viding a binary 1 signal on conductor 1016, which has no
effect on the data one-shot 998 of Fig l9D. Thus, the
DATA IN (slope pulse) is a binary 0 disabling AND gate 1018.
The output of OR gate 1032 in turn goes to a binary 0, remov-
ing the binary 1 read reset signal from the clock counter 732.
However, the presence of the read clock signal on conductor
996 now causes the clock counter 732 to count for each bi-
nary 1 read from the encoder. It can now be seen that for
each binary 0 read from the encoder, the clock counter 732
will be reset, and for each binary 1 read (the absence of a
pulse) the clock counter 732 will count up by one.
' Let it now be assumed that the encoder as shown in
Figs. 21A and 21B has just provided the binary bit configura-
tion from digits 4 and 5 to the input of AND gate 1018 of
C-94 1 0 o
.~ ,
. . .
~S~l 21 ME 10
Fig. l9A. At the end of digit ~5 as shown in Fig. Z1~, the
AND gate 1018 detects the first binary 1 in the start code
from the encoder. Since the start code is comprised of ten
l's, the AND gate 1018 will be disabled, removing the reset
input to clock counter 732 and allowing the read clock on
conductor 996 to trigger the counter. Referring to Fig. l9A,
it can be seen that when the clock counter 732 achieves a
binary count of 10, the clock counter decode 736 generates a
count of 10 output signal on a conductor 1040. The count of
10 signal on conductor 1040 resets the ten l's FF 1026,
causing its output conductor 1030 to go to a binary 0, dis-
abling AND gate 1018.
As shown in Fig. 21A, following the ten l's in
; the start code are bits 0 and 1 just prior to the first bit
; of the ID # field. The purpose of the 0 bit is to ensure
that the beginning of the meter data message (ID# - digit #5)
is always detected at the proper time so that the entire
' 36-bit message is clocked into the selected one of a
plurality of storage registers 1084 and 1058 of Figs. l9C
and l9D. The state of the bit 1 is insignificant. It could
also be a bit 0 as it is not used. Referring now to Fig.
l9A, there is shown an ODETFF 1041, which is utilized to
detect the presence of the first binary 0 after the clock
counter 732 has counted 10 consecutive binary l's in the
~, encoder data message. The DATA IN (slope pulses) are applied
to the set S input terminal of the ODETFF 1041 from con-
ductor 1000. Flip-flop 1041 is reset by a binary 1 signal on
a conductor 1045 from the 1040 conductor output of decode 736
when the counter 732 achieves a count of ten.
The operation of the ODETFF 1041 is as follows:
Let it be assumed that a meter encoder is being read and
providing binary 1 and 0 DATA IN (slope pulses) to AND gate
,.,
C-95 1 0 1
:.,.
. - .
1~8~ 21 ME 10
1018 to control the operation of the clock counter 732 as
just described. These DATA IN (slope pulses) are also
applied to the ODETFF 1041. It should be noted, for each
binary 0 DATA IN (slope pulse) a positive going set signal
is applied to flip-flop 1041. With flip-flop 1041 set, a
binary 1 signal from its 1 output terminal on a conductor
1047 keeps AND gate 1038 enabled to generate the read clock
pulses. It should also be noted that a binary 1 (negative
level) DATA INN(slope pulse) has no effect on flip-flop 1041.
Flip-flop 1041 can only be set or reset on a positive going
pulse.
So long as AND gate 1038 is enabled by the ODETFF
1041, the read clock pulses are applied to the T input termi-
nal of the clock counter 732 allowing it to count binary 1
DATA IN (slope pulses). Assume now that the clock counter
has counted ten consecutive binary 1 DATA IN (slope pulses)
from the selected meter encoder. At the count of ten, the
counter decode resets the ODETFF 1041 by the generation of
a binary 1 signal on conductors 1040 and 1045. With flip-
flop 1041 now reset, its 1 output terminal goes to a binary 0
disabling AND gate 1038 via conductor 1047. This stops the
generation of the read clock pulses and prevents the clock
counter 732 from counting until a binary 0 (positive going
pulse) DATA IN (slope pulses) set the ODETFF 1041.
Reference is now made to Fig. 21A to the digit #5
field of the Data From Encoder line. It is significant to
note at this time that the code utilized by the meter encoder
to transmit the meter data (digits #1 - #5) is a 6-bit trun-
cated reflected binary code which does not use the all binary
l's configuration. Thus, at least one binary 0 is guaranteed
in each digit transmitted from a selected encoder to the MTU.
C-96 102
;
., .
., .
~ 21 ME 10
Utilizing the at least one binary 0, w}~en reading a se-
lected encoder, will guarantee thclt the clock counter 732
is reset at least once for every digit read by the encoder
until at least ten consecutive l's are counted by the clock
counter.
Ref~rring to Fig. 21A to the digit #5 message
field, it can now be seen that a worst case condition for the
number of binary l's preceding the start code would be five
kinary l's in each of bits 2 - 6 of digit #5, because a bi-
n~ry 0 would have to reside in bit 1 (the all binary l's
code is not used). Under this worst case condition, the
clock counter 732 of Fig. l9A will begin counting binary 1
pulses starting at the 2nd bit of digit #5 and will effect
the generation of the count of ten signal on conductor 1040
` ten counts later (5 counts into the start code 10 l's field)
to reset flip-flops 1026 and 1041. This will have no effect,
however, on the proper detection of the start of the message
at the beginning of the ID # field. This is explained in
the following paragraph.
Reference is now made to the ODETFF 1041 of Fig.
l9A. Let it now be assumed that the clock counter 732 has
counted ten binary l's from the encoder under the worst
case condition as just described. As a result, flip-flop
1041 is reset, disabling AND gate 1038 stopping the read
pulses on conductor 996. This stops the clock counter 732.
Referring to Fig. 21A, it is noted on the Data From Encoder
line that the ODETFF is reset at approximately the middle
- of the start code if worst case. If it is not worst case,
the ODETFF will be reset at some time between the point
shown and the bit 0 of the start code, depending on how
many consecutive binary l's have been counted by the clock
counter 732. After the ODETFF 1041 is reset, five more
., .
C- 97 103
r
, .
.,. ~ .
~8~4~ 21 ~ 10
binar~ l's of th~ start code are read from the encoder.
As previousl~ noted, a binary 1 D~TA IN (slope pulse) has
no effect on the ODETFF. Thus, it will remain reset until
A binary 0 (positive pulse) is applied to its set terminal.
During the period of these last five binary l's of the start
code, the clock counter is inhibited from counting the read
clock pulses because AND qate 1038 is disabled. When the
start code bit 0 is read from the selected encoder, the
positive DATA IN (slope pulse) will set the ODETFF at the
, 10 time shown in Fig. 21A. The ODETFF now re-enables AND gate
1038 to re-apply the read clock pulses to the clock counter
732. The clock counter will continue to count until it
achieves a count of 48 as detected by the clock counter de-
code 736 on a conductor 1042 to reset the MTU after the
, complete 36-bit meter data message has been stored in the ~TU.
The reset operation will subsequently be described.
$ Reference is now made to Fig. l9A to a clock EN
flip-flop 1044. It will be noted that flip-flop 1044 receives
~' a binary 1 signal on a conductor 738 at its set S input termi-
` 20 nal whenever the clock counter decode 736 decodes a binary
count of 0 in the clock counter 732. Thus, it can be seen
' that the clock enable flip-flop 1044 is set each time the
clock counter is reset to generate a binary 1 R & S clock
enable signal (read and store) at its 1 output terminal on a
conductor 1046, The R & S clock enable signal is that sig-
~ nal which is utilized to enable the appropriate logic to
;, allow the infor~ation from the selected meter encoder to be
.
- shifted into a selected one of the previously mentioned
storage registers 1084 or 1058.
In Figs. 21A and 21B the R & S clock enable slg-
nal is shown to be at a binary 1 at the start of the timing
sequence, because the clock ENFF 1044 is set upon MTU power
C- 98 1 ~ ~
, ' ' '
, .
21 l~; 10
~? initialization. The R ~ S clock enable sig~al is ap~lied
to two AND gates 1048 of Fig. l9D and 1050 of Fig. l9C via
conductors 1046 and 1052, respectively. Reference is first
made to A~D gate 1048 of Fig. l9D. It will be noted that
` that AND gate is also receiving the 576Hz read elock signal
on conduetor 996 as well as the R & S eloek enable signal on
conductor 1046 and the R & S EXT signal on conductor 930 from
the function code decode 922 of Fig. 19B. If the message
funetion eode speeifies that one of the auxiliary meter encod-
ers 916 is to be read, the R & S EXT signal 930 will be a
binary 1, thus enabling AND gate 1048 to provide a READ EXT
CLOCK signal on a eonduetor 1054 to a multiplexer MPX 1056.
MPX 1056 is receiving as an address control input a transmit
external input signal XMIT EXT on a conduetor 1058 from the
function eode decode 922 in Fig. l9B. Since-in the present
discussion, the funetion eode speeifies that a read and store
operation is being performed, the XMIT EXT signal on conduc-
tor 1058 is a binary 0, eausing the MPX 1056 to switeh to the
position shown in Fig. l9D. Thus, the READ EXT CLOCK signal
on eonduetor 1054 is passed~throuqh MPX 1056 to a eioek CL input
` terminal of an Aux. 36-bit reeireulating shift register 1058
via a eonduetor 1060.
If it is assumed at this time that one of the aux-
iliary meters Al through AN has been addressed to transfer
its eneoder data to the MT~, the data from the seleeted one
of those meter eneoders will be routed through an MPX 1010
of Fig. l9D via one of the eonduetors 1062 or 1064 into a
data DA input terminal of the register 1058 on a conductor
1066.
Referring to Figs. 21A and 21B, it can now be seen
how the timing relationships between each of the DATA IN
(slope pulses) and the read clock (576Hz) pulses are syn-
chronized to shift the 36-bit message from a selected one
1~
C- 99
l ~S~81 21 ME 10
of the encoders into reqister 105B It should also be
pointed out at this time, as shown in Fig. l9D, that the
XMIT EXT signal applied to MPX 1056 is also applied as a
binary 0 at this time to an A/B input terminal of register
1058 on a conductor 1068. Register 1058 has as its primary
input the auxiliary meter data at its DA terminal. Register
1058 is also provided with a recirculating input fed back
from that register's output line 1070 to a DB input terminal.
When the input signal to the A/B terminal is a binary 0, as
in the present discussion, the register 1058 serves as a
stxaight shift register with no recirculating capabilities.
However, when the input signal on conductor 1068 to the A/B
; terminal is a binary 1, that register functions as a shift
register as well as a recirculating register whereby the
output data on conductor 1070 is recirculated back into reg-
ister 1058 via the D/B terminal. The purpose of recirculat-
ing the data in register 1058 will be described in connection
with the transmit mode of operation.
Reference is now made to Fig. 19C to AND gate 1050
c 20 now receiving the R & S clock enable signal on conductor 1052
in conjunction with the read clock 576Hz signal via conduc-
tors 996 and 1072. If the message function code specifies
! that the main meter encoder 920 is to be read, AND gate 1050
will be enabled by the R & S MAIN signal on conductor 928
from the function code decode 922 of Fig. l9B. Assuming AND
gate 1050 is enabled, a read main clock signal on a conduc-
tor 1074 is applied to the input of a multiplexer MPX 1076.
MPX 1076 is receiving as its control input a binary 0 XMIT
MAIN signal on a conductor 1078 from the function decode 922
;; 30 of Fig. l9B, thus causing the MPX 1076 to be switched to the
position shown. The read main clock is thus routed through
, MPX 1076 into a demultiplexer DMPX 1080 via a conductor 1082.
.
~ ' C- 100
v ~B
,. .
., 1 :
1~ 85 4~ 21 ME 10
It will be noted that the DMPX 1080 receives the FcO' and
Fcl' signals on conductors 1014 and 1012, respectively. As
previously explained in-connection with the two multiplexers
MPX 1010 and 1004 of Fig. 19D, the binary configuration of
the FcO' and the Fcl' signals will effect the switch selection
of the DMPX 1080 to route the rea~ main clock into the appro-
priate one of a plurality of 36-bit shift registers 1084,
i designated 36-bit S/R A through D.
Registers 1084 operate in the same fashion as pre--
viously described for the auxiliary 30-bit shift register 1058
of Fig. 19D. The read main clock signal from DMPX 1080 is
routed into an appropriate one of the clock CL input terminals
of registers 1084 via a one of a plurality of corresponding
conductors 1086 as selected by the DMPX 1080. Referring now
to Figs, l9C and 19D, it will be noted that the main meter
data on conductor 1002 is provided to the DA input terminal
of each of the registers 1084 via conductor 1088. It will be
Y noted in Fig. l9C that the XMIT MAIN signal, which is now a
binary 0 on conductor 1078, is applied to each of the registers
1084 via conductor 1090 to the A/B input terminal of each of
' those registers to now control their straight forward shifting
as previously described in connection with register 1058 of
Fig. l9D.
Reference is now made back to Fig. l9A to the out- -
put of the clock counter decode 736. Reference is also made
to Figs. 21A and 21B where it is shown that the clock counter
` 732 will continue to receive the read clock 576Hz input sig-
nals from MPX 728, causing that counter to count one for each
bit of the 36-bit message word from the encoder clocked into
the one of the selected 36-bit shift registers in Figs. l9C
and l9D. As shown in Fig. 21B, at a count of 48 (36 message
, bits plus 12 start code bits) by the clock counter 732, the
C- 101
, ~7
,.,
..
21 ME 10
108~4~1
clock counter ~ecod~ 73~ c3ener~t~s a binary 1 48-count
output signal on a conductor 1042, which is applied to a
set S input terminal of a R & S RE'~ET OS 1092(read and
store reset one-shot). The R & S RESET OS 1092 now generates
a binary 1 output signal R & S RES]-T on a conductor 1094,
which is slightly delayed by one-shot 1092 from the leading
edge of the 48-count pulse as shown in Figs. l9A and 21B.
The R & S RESET pulse is now applied from one-shot 1092 to
' a reset R input terminal of the CLOCK ENFF 1044 via conduc-
, 10 tor 1096, resetting that flip-flop to thus cause a R & S
~, CLOCK ENABLE signal on conductors 1046 and 1052 to go to
binary 0 state to stop the shifting of meter data into the
recirculating registers 1084 and 1058. Additionally, the
R & S RESET signal is applied via conductors 1098 and 1099
, to an OR gate 1024 of Fig. l9A. The R & S RESET signal is
passed through OR gate 1024 via conductor 1028 to set the
ten l's FF 1026 in preparation to receipt of another read
and store command from the SCU,
Reference is now made to Fig. l9B to OR gate 788
also receiving the R & S RESET signal on conductor 1098 to
now enable that OR gate to reset the FSFF 792 via conductor
790. With the FSFF now reset, its 1 output terminal is a
binary 0 on conductor 794, removing the FUNC STROBE signal
from the function code gating, thus causing all output sig-
nals from the function code decode to go to a binary 0.
s Also in Fig. l9D, the R & S RESET signal is applied from
conductor 1098 to an R reset input terminal of the MODE A
FF 926 via conductor 1100. Resetting the MODE A FF causes
i the Mode A signal on conductor 934 to go to a binary 0 and
, 30 the mode A signal on conductor 636 to go to a binary 1 state
to place the MTU back into the receive mode in preparation to
receipt of another message from the SCU.
C-102
"
10~ .
~V ~ 21 ~E 10
This complctes the r~ad and store mode operational
description of the ~IT~, The MTU no~ contains the meter data
stored in one of the selected registers 1084 or 1058 from a
selected one of the meter encoders 916 or 920 for subsequent
transfer to the SCu in response to a transmit command pre-
sente~ to the MTU from the SC~. The operation of the transmit
mode will now be described.
MTU Transmit Mode Operational Description
Reference is now made to Fig. 22, which is a legen-
10 dary drawing showing the inter-relationships of Figs. 22A
through 22D, the latter illustrating in detailed block dia-
' gram form the logic in the MTU for executing the transmit
mode sequence. Like that logic previously described in con-
nection with Figs. 15 an~ 19, like logic elements in Figs. 22A
i through 22D have like numbers to those corresponding numbers
in Figs. 15 and 19. To aid in the understanding of the opera-
. ......................... .
tion of the transmit mode sequence, it is suggested that Figs.
22A through 22D be positioned as shown by Fig. 22. Fig. 23
will also be referred to in the subsequent description. Fig.
23 is a timing diagram showing the operational sequence of
the transmit mode.
Reference is now made to Fig. 22D, Let it now be
assumed that the MTU has just executed a read and store com-
mand which has caused meter data to be stored in one of the
selected registers 1084 or 1058 as previously specified by
the function code of the read and store command. The purpose
of the transmit command is to place the MTU in the transmit
mode to transmit the data from its selected one of registers
1087 or 1058 of Fig. 22D via the power lines to the MTU's
connected SCU.
Reference is now made to Figs. 22B and 23. Let
it now be assumed that the MTU has just gone through the
C-103 1 0
;
~ ~o~5~ 21 ME 10
mcssac~e r~c~iv~ s~c~ nc~ ~ind th~ FSFF 79~ i~; set at T30
,~ time ~s shown in Fig. 23 l~y th~ F~NC STROBE Ei~A~I,E signal
on conductor 802. As it will be recalled from the previous
description, the function code and address portions of the
message are decoded at the time the function strobe on con-
ductor 794 is provided to the function code gating of Fig.
l9B. Referring to Figs. l9B and 23, there is shown now
being generated by the function code decode 922 an XMIT mode
signal on a conductor 1002 to OR gate 948 causing the mode B
signal on conductor 950 to become a binary 1 and the mode B
signal on conductor 638 to become a binary 0. Fig. 23 shows
the mode B signal going to a binary 1 state at the time of
;, the function strobe. It will be noted at this time that the
mode A signal is a binary 0. The binary states of the mode A
and mode B signals will be utilized during the present de-
scription to properly switch the various multiplexers (MPX's)
in the MTU to direct the clock pulses and data to the proper
logic elements.
The XMIT mode signal is also provided on a conduc-
tor 1004 to various logic elements to be discussed. Still
referring to the function code decode 922 of Fig. l9B, the
' appropriate one of the XMIT MAIN or XMIT EXT lines will be
; a binary 1 dependent upon the contents of the message func-
'~ tion code. If the message is to be transmitted from one of
i' the main meter registers 1084, the external main signal on
conductor 1078 will be a binary 1. On the other hand, if the
meter data is to be transmitted from the auxiliary 36-bit
shift register 1058, the XMIT EXT line 1058 will be a binary
1. The manner in which these two signals control the shift-
ing of data out of those registers will subsequently be
described. The XMIT MAIN and XMIT EXT signals are generated
at the same time as the XMIT MODE signal shown in Fig. 23.
C-104
1 1 0
~4~,~ 21 ~. l0
~ efer~nce is no~ m~de to ~ 2B to the function
strobe output on conductor 79~, which is applied to a sct S
input terminal of a start code on~-shot 1104. One-shot 1104
now generates a binary 1 output pulse as shown on a conductor
1106. The signal on conductor 1106 is shown in that figure
as a START CODE S/R PRESET signal, applied to preset inputs
of the flip-flops of a 3-bit start code shift register 1108.
The first flip-flop of regis-ter 1108 receives the start code
shift register preset signal on a PRl input terminal setting
that flip-flop to a binary 1. The two remaining flip-flops
in register 1108 each receive the preset signal on correspond-
ing PR0 terminals, presetting those two flip-flops to binary
;
0's. As will subsequently be described, and as shown in Fig. 4,
' the three sync bits to be transmitted with the MTU message are
001. These bits now eY.ist in the start code shift register
1108 for subsequent transfer to the SCU.
Reference is now made to a transmit clock register
i 1111 cf Fig. 22C. That register is now reset to all binary 0's
on a conductor 1112 by a binary 1 output pulse from the 1 out-
20 put terminal ofa transmit reset one-shot 1114. One-shot 1114
receives the XMIT MODE signal on conductor 1116 to reset the
clock register llll at the leading edge of the XMIT mode sig-
nal at the time shown in Fig. 23. Resetting register 1111 now
synchronizes that register to begin counting the 120Hz pulses
applied to the register on conductor 686. Register 1111 func-
, tions in the same manner as previously described for the clock
sync register 674 of Fig. 15A during the receive mode sequence
to shift a binary 1 through the four stages of that register.
The 0 output terminals of register 1111 are connected to an
30 AND gate 118 via a plurality of conductors 1120 to control the
setting and resetting of the first stage of the register via
, conductors 1122, 1124 and an inverter 1126.
C-105
, 111
. ~
21 ME 10
It ~!ill bc note t~-~a~ the 0 out~)ut ter~,i~als of
the second and third stac7es of th~ transmit clock regist~r
1111 are provided as inputs to an ~ND gate 1128 in conjunc-
tion with the now binary 1 XMIT MOD~ signal on conductor
1004. The inputs on conductors 1120 to AND gate 1128 gen-
' erate a transmit (XMIT) clock siynal at a 30Hz rate on a
conductor 1130. Tne generation of the XMIT cloc]c signal is
shown in Fig. 23. AND gate 1128 generates one 30Hz XMIT
clock pulse in response to each four 120~1z input clock pulses
to register 1111 on conductor 686. Referring to Figs. 22C
and 23, the first XMIT clock signal generated by AND gate 1128
.' is applied via conductors 1130 and 1132 to the input of
. MPX 728. MPX 728 is now addressed by the mode A and mode B
signals on conductors 636 and 638 to switch MPX 728 to the
position shown. The binary states of the mode A and mode B
signals are shown in Fig. 23. The first transmit clock sig-
, nal is now passed through MPX 728 to the trigger T input
terminal of clock counter 732, causing that counter to count
to a count of one. The output of clock:counter 732 is now
; 20 decoded by clock counter decode 736 to generate a binary 1
output signal representative of the count of 01 on a conduc-
tor 1134. The 01 count signal is applied to the set S input
' terminal of three flip-flops TXDATAFF 1136, PARITY CLOCKFF
1138 and STARTCODEFF 1140, placing each of those flip-flops
in a set state. The 1 output terminal of each of these flip-
flops is applied as an enable input to each of three corre-
sponding AND gates 1142, 1144 and 1146. Further, each of
AND gates 1142, 1144 and 1146 is now receiving the trans-
mit clock signal from AND gate 1128 via conductors 1130 and
1148. As can be seen in Fig. 23, three clock signals are
generated by these AND gates designated XMIT S/R clock,
C-106
112
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P~.RITY XMIT CLOCK, and ST~iRT CODE S/l~ CLOCK. The start
code shift register clock sign~l is generated by AND gate
1146 and applied to a CL clock input terminal of the start
code shift register 1108 via a conductor 1150. The parity
transmit clock signal is generated by AND gate 1144 on a
conductor 1152 and applied to the clock CLK input terminal
of the parity check generate circuit 658 via conductor 762
and MPX 660. It should be noted at this time that the XMIT
MODE signal on conductor 1004 applied to MPX 660 is now a
binary 1 causing MPX 660 to switch to the position shown.
Referring now back to Fig. 22A, AND gate 1142
now provides the XMIT S/R CLOCK on a conductor 1154 to the
input of MPX 1076 and MPX 1056 of Fig. 22D. The MPX 1076
of Fig. 22D receives the XMIT MAIN signal on conductor 1078
' from the function code decode 922 of Fig. l9B. If the present
; command speeifies that the meter data is to be transferred
from one of the main meter registers 1084, the MPX 1076 switch
will be in the bottom position as shown by the dotted line
within the MPX 1076. However, if the ~IT MAIN signal is
20 a binary 0, the switeh will be in the up position not allow-
ing the XMIT S/R CLOCK to be passea through MPX 1076. As-
' suming that the XMIT MAIN signal is a binary 1, the XMIT S/R
CLOCK will be passed through MPX 1076 into MPX 1080 via eon-
duetor 1082. MPX 1080 will now have its switeh position
seleeted in aceordance with the binary states of the function
eode signals FC0' and Fcl' from the output of the function
code gating circuit of Fig. l9B. Depending upon the binary
configuration of the FC0' and Fcl' signals, the XMIT S/R
CLOCK signal will be applied to the appropriate one of the
'- 30 conductors 1086 to the CL terminal of the selected one of
the registers 1084. It should be noted at this time that
the XMIT MAIN binary 1 signal on conductor 1078 is also
C-107 1 1 3
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- applie~ via a conductor 1156 ~s ~ recirculate on XMIT
signal to the ~/B inputs of each of the registers 1084.
The application of the binary 1 signal on conductor 1156
now ~llo~s the 36-bit met~r data message in the selected
one of the registers 1084 to be serially shifted out to an
MPX 1158 via the selected shift register's corresponding
,, output conductor 1160. Further, the binary 1 signal applied
to the A/s input terminals of the registers allows the select-
ed register to be recirculated by having the output data on
its corresponding conductor 1160 shifted back into the
register via the DB terminal. Recirculating the meter data
' in the selected register preserves that data in the event the
'~ shift register contents are needed at a later time. The da-ta
in registers 1084 and 1058 is lost only if replaced during a
' read and store operation. It should also be pointed out at
~ this time that no meter data on conductor 1088 is shifted
`~' into the selected register.
~; Still referring to Fig. 22D, it will be noted that
', MPX 1158 also receives as address control input signals the
FC0' and Fcl' signals from thelEunction code gating of Fig.
l9B to select the output of the appropriate one of the regis-
ters 1084. The ouput from the selected register is trans-
ferred through MPX 1158 into an MPX 1162. MPX 1162 is re-
ceiving the XMIT EXT signal on conductor 1058 from the function
code decode 922 o'f Fig. l9B. If,the message is to be trans-
mitted to the SCU from one of the main meter registers 1084,
the XMIT EXT signal will be a binary 0, placing the MPX 1162
switch in the up position, allowing the data to be transferred
from the selected register through MPX 1162 on to a conductor
1164.
; Reference is now made to the multiplexer 1056 of
Fig. 22D receiving the XMIT S/R CLOCK signal on conductor 1154.
C-108
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If the function code o~ the transrnit command specifies that
the message is to be tra~smitted to the 5CU from the au~-
iliary register 1058, the XMIT EXT signal on conductor 10S8
will select MPX 1056 to place its switeh in the down position
to allow the XMIT S/R CLOCK to pass through MPX 1056 into the
CL terminal of register 1058. Register 1058 also reeeives
the XMIT EXT binary 1 signal on eonductor 1068 at its A/B
input terminal to control its cireular shifting. The message
. from register 1058 is transmitted out as XMIT DATA on a con-
~: 10 ductor 1070 to MPX 1162f which would now be selected by the
XMIT EXT signal to have the switch in the down position to
pass the data on to conductor 1164. It can now be seen how
; the MTU, through its function code and multiplexing means
(MPX's), effects the selection of the plurality of registers
shown in Fig. 22D to transmit previously stored meter data to
the SCU.
s Still referring to Fig. 22D, the output djata from
;~ the selected one of the registers 1084 or 1058 on eonduetor
1164 is provided through MPX 660 of Fig. 22B to the data in
~, 20 terminal of the parity check generate circuit 658. The MPX
switehes are in the down position because of the binary 1
XMIT MODE signal applied to MPX 660 on conduetor 1004. The
message from the seleeted one of the registers is allowed
to be eloeked through the parity eheek generate eireuit 658
;; in response to the PARITY XMIT CLOCK on conductor 1152 now
~, applied to the parity cheek generate eireuit via MPX 660 and
eonduetor 762.
Referenee is now made baek to Fig. 22A to the 1
output terminal of the TXDATAFF 1136. That flip-flop, whieh
is now set, is providing a binary 1 TX DATA XMIT signal to
the REC/XMIT CONT input terminal of the parity cheek generate
circuit of Fig. 23B via conductors 1166, 1168 and MPX 660.
'
C- 109
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~V ~S ~ 21 ME 10
This binary 1 signal enabies tnc parjtv ch~c~ generate
circuit 658 to allow the P~RITY XM:[T DATA on conductor 116
to be passed through that circuit out to a data line 1170.
The message data from the parity check generate circuit 658
is provided v a conductor 1170 to a data D input terminal
of the start code shift register 1108. It will be noted that
the start code shift regis-ter 1108 is now receiving the
START CODE S/R CLOCK pulses on conductor 1150 from now en-
abled AND gate 1146 of Fig. 22A. By referring to Fig. 23,
it can be seen that the XMIT S/R CLOCK, the XMIT PARITY CLOCK
and the start code S/R CLOCK pulses are all generated in
- synchronism to transfer the message from the selected one
of the 36-bit shift registers in Fig. 22D out through the
parity check generate circuit of Fig. 22B and into the start
code shift register 1108.
It will be recalled at the beginning of this dis-
cussion that the start code shift register 1108 was set to
a 001 start bit configuration by the start code S/R PRESET
signal from the start code one-shot 1104. in a practical
sense, the start code shift register 1108 is a 3-bit ex-
tension of the selected one of the 36-bit shift registers
1084 or 1058.- Thus, since the start code shift register and
the selected one of the registers 1084 or 1058 are synchro-
nously shifted, the start code sync bits precede the 36-
'~ message bits as the message is shifted through the start
code shift register.
Referring now to Fig. 22B, the three sync bits are
shifted out of the start code shift register 1108, followed
by the 36-message bits from the selected one of the meter
data registers onto a conductor 1172 feeding the data mes-
sage to a transmitter 1174. Transmitter 1174 is also re-
ceiving the RF carrier input signal fl via a conductor 1178
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fro~ th~ ~utput of a Dr~ x 624 of Fig. 22C. The mode A
and mode B signals applied to DMPX 624 and MPX 61~ are now
binary l's, causing each of those units to select their
switches in the position shown. As a result, the fl carrier
output signal from transmit oscillator 640 is passed through
MPX 618, and DMPX 624 and on to the transmitter 1174 ~here
that carrier is modulated by the binary 1 and 0 data mes-
sage output from the start code shift register 1108. The
message is now passed through transmitter 1174 on to the
power line 18 via conductor 1176 and the power line coupler
600 for receipt by the SC~.
~ Reference is now made back to Fig. 22A to the
TXDATAFF 1136. That flip-flop receives a binary 1 reset
signal via a conductor 1178 when the clock counter decode 736
' detects a bit count of 36 in the clock counter 732. At a
count of 36 the last bit of the 36-bit message is shifted
into the first stage of the start code shift register. It is
$ at this time that the TXDATAFF 1136 is reset, thus providing
a binary 0 signal to AND gate 1142 preventing the further
20 generation of XMIT S/R CLOCK signals and simultaneously
applying abinary 0 signal via conductors 1168, 1166 and
MPX 660 to the REC/XMIT CONT terminal of the parity check
generate circuit to inhibit the further transfer of the mes-
sage to the start code shift register.
Referring still to Figs. 22A and 23, it can be
seen that the XMIT PARITY CLOCK signal continues to be gen-
erated after the XMIT S/R CLOCK signal is terminated. The
` purpose of this is due to the fact that the MTU must generate
the proper parity for the 36 message bits previously trans-
ferred through the parity check generate circuit 658. Re-
ferring to Fig. 22A and 23, the PARITY CLOCKFF 1138 is reset
at a clock count of 42 (36 message bits plus 6 parity bits).
C-lll
117
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~5~8~L 21 .~E 10
When flip-flop 1139 resets, AND gate 1144 is disabled, thus
inhibiting the further generation of the PARITY XMIT CLOCK
signals to the parity check generate circuit.
eference is made now to Fig. 22B. In order to
, transmit the entire message (last three parity bits) out of
the MTU onto the transmission lines 18, it is necessary to
generate three additional start code shift register clock
signals to pass those three bi-ts out of the start code shift
register 1108. The generation of these three additional
clock bits is shown in Fig. 23. The manner in which these
three clock bits are generated is shown by the logic in
Fig. 22A. Referring to the output of the clock counter decode
736, at a count of 45, as decoded by the clock counter decode
736 from the clock counter 732, a binary 1 output signal resets
the start code FF 1140 via a conductor 1180. When the start
code FF 1140 resets, it disables AND gate 1146 and inhibits
the further generation of the STATE CODE S/R CLOCK signals on
conductor 1150 to the start code shift register 1108. At a
count of 45, the last message bit of meter data is shifted
`~ 20 out of the transmitter 1174 onto the power transmission lines
18.
Referring back to Fig. 22A, the clock counter 732
now counts one more count to a count of 46 as detected by
clock counter decode 736. The clock counter decode now
generates a binary 1 XMIT RESET signal on a conductor 1182
at the time shown in Fig. 23. The XMIT RESET signal on con-
ductor 1182 is simultaneously applied to the MPX 770 to reset
the clock counter 732 via OR gate 785 and to the reset input
terminal of the parity check generate circuit 658 of Fig. 22~ via
MPX 660 to reset that circuit in preparation to receipt of
another message from the SCU. The XMIT RESET signal is also
applied via conductors 1182 and 1184 to OR gate 788 to in
C-112 1 1 8
l~S~8~ 21 ME 10
turn reset the FSFF 792. ~esettirlg the FSFF 792 causes
the function strobe signal on conductor 79~ to go to a
binary 0 state as shown in Fiy. 23. The function strobe
signal now going to a binary 0 disables the function code
gating in Fig. 19B to thus cause the transmit mode and
mode B signals on conductors 1004 and 950 to each go to a
binary 0 as shown in Fig. 23.
j Reference is now made back to Fig. 22B to the
output of OR gate 788. Upon receipt of the XMIT RESET sig-
i 10 nal by that OR gate at the time shown in Fig. 23, a binary 1
j signal on a conductor 1186 is applied to -the parity register
flip-flop 805, resetting that flip-flop. A binary 0 signal
from flip-flop 805 is now applied to AND gate 798 of Fig.
15D to prevent the generation of a function strobe signal
until the receipt of another valid message having good parity
from the SCU.
The MTU is now in the standby receive mode in
preparation to receipt of another message from the SCU as
described in the receive mode operation.
While the principles of the invention have now been
made clear in a preferred embodiment, there will be immediate-
ly obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of
structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials
and components used in the practice of the invention and
otherwise, which are particularly adapted for specific en-
vironments and operating requirements without departing from
those principles. The appended claims are, therefore, in-
tended to cover and embrace such modifications within the
limits only of the true scope of the invention.
i
C-113
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