Abstract: A method and device for converting between different time domains at a local unit utilizing an processor is disclosed. Time counters to count time in at least two different formats are located locally at each unit. Once a time conversion is initiated, a time stamp is received by the processor and the time counter in the new time domain commences calculating an adjustment count. Once the converted time is received from the processor, the received time plus the adjustment count are summed to provide a time base for the new time domain. The time counters continue counting in their respective time domains after conversion.

Abstract: An open frame chassis has a top opening and a bottom opening permitting ambient airflow. A plurality of modules, each enclosing electrical components in thermal contact with a heat sink area of their corresponding module, can each be inserted in the chassis. Ambient air may flow from the bottom opening across the heat sink area of each module to the top opening to passively cool the modules and electrical components. Key pins guide the modules into place and prevent incorrect insertion of a different type of electrical module not corresponding to the electrical connection of the chassis for that slot. Guide pins on corners of the modules mate with guide holes in the chassis to secure the module to the chassis and decrease vibration. Both sides of the chassis have side openings through which the fins of the modules in the end slots of the chassis may be exposed.

Abstract: A management station discovers agent devices connected to a network by broadcasting discovery messages having a session number and waiting for discovery acknowledge unicast messages from at least some of the discovery aware agent devices connected to the network. The management station receives the discovery acknowledge unicast messages from the agent devices and each message comprises the session number and an address uniquely identifying the agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message. The management station then sends a unicast registration message having a sequence number based on the session number of the discovery message. At that point, the agent device will be registered permitting further communication to the registered discovery aware agent device. The management station will send, periodically, rediscovery messages having the same session number as the discovery message.

Abstract: An active loop-free topology established by a Rapid Spanning Tree Algorithm and Protocol (RSTP) emanates from an original root bridge. Upon a bridge directly connected to the root bridge suspecting a failure in the root bridge, the bridge directly connected to the root bridge generates a Root Failure Suspicion Notification (RFSN) Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) comprising a standard Rapid Spanning Tree (RSTP) BPDU portion and a compressed failed root identifier portion uniquely identifying the root bridge which is suspected of failing. The RFSN BPDU is propagated amongst the bridges in the network. The bridges which can identify a flag in the standard RSTP BPDU portion of the RFSN BPDU decompress the compressed failed root identifier and compare it to the stored root identifier at each bridge. If the received failed root identifier in the RFSN BPDU corresponds to the stored root identifier of the bridge, the bridge deletes the stored root identifier.

Abstract: A method and device for converting between different time domains at a local unit utilizing an processor is disclosed. Time counters to count time in at least two different formats are located locally at each unit. Once a time conversion is initiated, a time stamp is received by the processor and the time counter in the new time domain commences calculating an adjustment count. Once the converted time is received from the processor, the received time plus the adjustment count are summed to provide a time base for the new time domain. The time counters continue counting in their respective time domains after conversion.

Abstract: An open frame chassis has a top opening and a bottom opening permitting ambient air flow there through. A plurality of modules, each enclosing electrical components which are in thermal contact with a heat sink area of their corresponding module, and each of which can be inserted to an inserted position in the open frame chassis. When the modules are inserted into the open frame chassis, ambient air may flow from the bottom opening of the chassis across the heat sink area of each module to the top opening in order to passively cool the modules and the electrical components enclosed therein. The heat sink area has fins which are separated by a distance of 9 mm to 12 mm and have a height 10 mm to 20 mm. Key pins are associated with the electrical connectors of the chassis to guide the modules into place and prevent incorrect insertion of a different type of electrical module not corresponding to the electrical connection of the chassis for that slot.

Abstract: A management station discovers agent devices connected to a network by broadcasting discovery messages having a session number and waiting for discovery acknowledge unicast messages from at least some of the discovery aware agent devices connected to the network. The management station receives the discovery acknowledge unicast messages from the agent devices and each message comprises the session number and an address uniquely identifying the agent device sending the discovery acknowledge unicast message. The management station then sends a unicast registration message having a sequence number based on the session number of the discovery message. At that point, the agent device will be registered permitting further communication to the registered discovery aware agent device. The management station will send, periodically, rediscovery messages having the same session number as the discovery message.

Abstract: An open frame chassis has a top opening and a bottom opening permitting ambient air flow there through. A plurality of modules, each enclosing electrical components which are in thermal contact with a heat sink area of their corresponding module, and each of which can be inserted to an inserted position in the open frame chassis. When the modules are inserted into the open frame chassis, ambient air may flow from the bottom opening of the chassis across the heat sink area of each module to the top opening in order to passively cool the modules and the electrical components enclosed therein. The heat sink area has fins which are separated by a distance of 9 mm to 12 mm and have a height 10 mm to 20 mm. Key pins are associated with the electrical connectors of the chassis to guide the modules into place and prevent incorrect insertion of a different type of electrical module not corresponding to the electrical connection of the chassis for that slot.

Abstract: The transmission of data is accomplished across a network having wireless and wired interfaces. Data is transferred through a wireless interface from an Access Point to a Client/Bridge and then to one of a Intelligent Electrical Device (IED) connected to the Client/Bridge through a wired connection. Data is transferred from the Access Point to the Client/Bridge through a 4 address mode wireless interface having originator, transmitter, receiver and destination address fields. The originator address uniquely identifies an IED in the overall network, the transmitter address identifies the AP transmitting the data, the receiver address identifies the Client/Bridge receiving the data through the wireless interface while the destination address refers to one of the IEDs connected to the Client/Bridge through the wired interface. Communication can also be performed in reverse from one of the IEDs connected to the Client/Bridge through the wired interface to an IED in the overall network.

Abstract: A circuit for an Intelligent Electrical device (IED) is disclosed. Using this circuit, the IEDs can be used in harsh industrial environments, such as those present in power utility substations. The circuit may comprise a dual stage isolated power supply. The dual stage isolated power supply has a first DC to DC converter for converting received power from the received voltage to an intermediate voltage. The intermediate voltage is then further converted to a voltage which can be used by the Ethernet IED. Each of the DC to DC converters also provide galvanic isolation and also transient suppression and electromagnetic interference filtering to decrease adverse electrical effects which may be inherent in the power received from an external source. The first and second DC to DC converter provides a first level of galvanic isolation which is greater than the second level of galvanic isolation provided by the second DC to DC converter.

Abstract: A device for hardening an Ethernet switch is disclosed. The device provides cooling for the switch, and, suppresses electrical transients and electromagnetic interference, which could affect the power supply, and data transmission of the Ethernet switch. Using this device, the Ethernet switch can be used in harsh industrial environments, such as those present in power utility substations.

Abstract: An anchoring member and related method are disclosed for substantially parallel assembly of two additional daughter printed circuit boards (PCB) and heat sink on each side of main of mother PCB, and to retain a predetermined mating distance thereto to retain a predetermined mating distance thereto. The anchoring member comprises an elongated body extending in a longitudinal direction and having a first coupling member on one end for coupling the first daughter board in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the longitudinal direction on a first side of the mother board. The elongated body also comprises a second coupling member at the opposite end from the elongated body from the first coupling member for coupling the second daughter board in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the longitudinal direction on a second side of the mother board.

Abstract: An anchoring member and related method are disclosed for substantially parallel assembly of two additional daughter printed circuit boards (PCB) and heat sink on each side of main of mother PCB, and to retain a predetermined mating distance thereto to retain a predetermined mating distance thereto. The anchoring member comprises an elongated body extending in a longitudinal direction and having a first coupling member on one end for coupling the first daughter board in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the longitudinal direction on a first side of the mother board. The elongated body also comprises a second coupling member at the opposite end from the elongated body from the first coupling member for coupling the second daughter board in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the longitudinal direction on a second side of the mother board.

Abstract: A device for hardening an Ethernet switch is disclosed. The device provides cooling for the switch, and, suppresses electrical transients and electromagnetic interference, which could affect the power supply, and data transmission of the Ethernet switch. Using this device, the Ethernet switch can be used in harsh industrial environments, such as those present in power utility substations. The Ethernet switch may comprise a dual stage isolated power supply. The dual stage isolated power supply has a first DC to DC converter for converting received power from the received voltage to an intermediate voltage. The intermediate voltage is then further converted to a voltage which can be used by the Ethernet switch. Each of the DC to DC converters also provide galvanic isolation and also transient suppression and electromagnetic interference filtering to decrease adverse electrical effects which may be inherent in the power received from an external source.

Abstract: A device for hardening an Ethernet switch is disclosed. The device provides cooling for the switch, and, suppresses electrical transients and electromagnetic interference, which could affect the power supply, and data transmission of the Ethernet switch. Using this device, the Ethernet switch can be used in harsh industrial environments, such as those present in power utility substations.