Abstract: A method for operating a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of components, and at least one node electronics unit coupled to at least one control processing unit. The method includes associating a unique identifier with at least one component class of the power distribution system, identifying each component based on the identifier, determining a specification associated with each identifier, and operating at least one of the node electronics unit and the control processing unit based on the determined specification.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a communication network is provided. The network includes a plurality of node electronics units communicatively coupled to at least one central control processing unit through at least one network wherein each network includes a network switch. The method includes coupling a monitoring domain to the network, and receiving at least one of network traffic transmitted on at least one of the monitored links, and network traffic received on at least one of the monitored links through at least one monitoring link. The apparatus includes a plurality of node electronics units communicatively coupled to at least one central control processing unit through at least one network wherein each network includes a network switch, and wherein the apparatus comprises a monitoring domain.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.

Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.

Abstract: A method for operating a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of components, and at least one node electronics unit coupled to at least one control processing unit. The method includes associating a unique identifier with at least one component class of the power distribution system, identifying each component based on the identifier, determining a specification associated with each identifier, and operating at least one of the node electronics unit and the control processing unit based on the determined specification.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a configuration of a redundant critical control system is provided. The method includes receiving power distribution system operating characteristic information, using a computer, determining a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system that are consistent with the operating characteristic information and determining efficiency characteristics of each of the alternative configurations, and selecting a configuration from the plurality of alternative configurations. The system includes a computer system configured to receive power distribution system operating characteristic information, determine a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system that are consistent with the operating characteristic information and determine life-cycle cost characteristics of each of the alternative configurations, and select a configuration from the plurality of alternative configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power distribution system circuit breaker is provided. The circuit breaker includes an associated node electronics unit wherein a node electronics unit redundancy requirement is predetermined. The method includes monitoring electrical system parameters associated with the circuit breaker with the node electronics unit, communicating the electrical system parameters over a digital network to at least one central control processing unit, receiving commands and actions from the at least one central control processing unit over the digital network, determining circuit breaker actuation commands based at least partially on the received commands and actions, and operating the circuit breaker based on the circuit breaker actuation commands.

Abstract: A method for communicating information bundled in digital message packets via a digital network communication system is provided. The digital network communication system a sample source and each packet includes a header and a communication payload area. The method includes sampling the source at a first sample rate, selecting at least one decimation of the samples based on at least one of a plurality of algorithmic data rates and a channel bandwidth, determining a packet rate based on a plurality of algorithmic latency requirements, and transmitting the digital message packet containing decimated data on the digital network.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a plurality of processors within a computer system is provided. The computer system includes a plurality of processors that are each communicatively coupled to a respective network wherein each network is independent of each other network. The method includes receiving a plurality of input signals at a first rate from at least one source, transmitting the input signals to a reference object, and transforming the input signal to a known temporal reference. The apparatus is configured to receive a plurality of input signals at a first rate from at least one source, transmit the input signals to a reference object, and transform the input signal to a known temporal reference.

Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system is provided. The module has a microprocessor and a network interface. The microprocessor samples first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The network interface places the microprocessor in communication with a data network. The microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal transmitted on the data network.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, each circuit breaker coupled to a single node electronics unit, the node electronics unit includes a plurality of processors and a memory, and the node electronics unit is communicatively coupled to at least one central control processing unit through an associated network. The method includes triggering a first node electronics unit process with a processor interrupt, and triggering a second node electronics unit process with at least one of a background polling of process execution flags and scheduled processor interrupts. The apparatus includes a software program code segment configured to trigger a first node electronics unit process with a processor interrupt, and trigger a second node electronics unit process with at least one of a background polling of process execution flags and scheduled processor interrupts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used to calibrate a gamma camera include an energy source and intensity selector and an energy weighting device. The energy source provides an energy output, such as an electrical current. The intensity selector is connected to the energy source and adjusts the energy output to a predetermined energy level that corresponds to an intensity of a predetermined radioactive source. The energy weighting device is also connected to the energy source and gamma camera, and the spatial compensator creates calibration signals from the energy output of the energy source. The calibration signals are supplied to the gamma camera and used during calibration of the gamma camera in lieu of energy signals produced by the gamma camera in response to a radioactive source.

Abstract: A ballast includes a resonant load circuit having a resonant inductance and a resonant capacitance. The load circuit couples a.c. current to a gas discharge lamp. A self-oscillating complementary converter circuit of the ballast induces a.c. current in the resonant load circuit. The converter circuit includes a pair of switches serially connected between a d.c. voltage bus and a reference bus. Respective reference nodes of the switches are interconnected at a common node through which the induced a.c. current flows, and respective control nodes of the switches are substantially directly interconnected. A gate drive circuit controls the switches. The gate drive circuit includes a drive winding connected to the control nodes. The drive winding is mutually coupled to the resonant inductance for sensing current therein, and an inductor is serially connected to the drive winding and to the common node.