Abstract: A method is described for controlling an electronic device with a programmable control unit based upon a plurality of operative parameters and a series of rules that these operative parameters shall satisfy. The method includes the following steps: associating a firmware with the electronic device; providing the firmware with a file containing the values of the operative parameters and the rules these operative parameters shall satisfy; and controlling the device by using the operative parameters and the rules contained in the file.

Abstract: The method is aimed at providing secure multicast communication between a plurality of devices forming a cluster of devices connected to one another by a local network. The method provides for electing a key distribution device and generating a group encryption key in said key distribution device. A secure communication channel is then established between the key distribution device and each device of a group of devices to be connected to the cluster. The group encryption key is transmitted from the key distribution device to the devices to be connected to the cluster and stored thereby. When all devices of the cluster have received the group encryption key, multicast communication among the devices of the cluster can start.

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: connecting each client (5) to a respective one of said servers (3) and establishing a data communication between each client (5) and the respective server (3), thus forming a multi-client/multi-server network; 5 calculating a figure of merit for rejection (FoMR) for at least one client (5) con-nected to at least one of said servers (3), each figure of merit for rejection (FoMR) determining a probability of rejection of the relevant client (5) by the server (3); rejecting at least one client (5), which is connected to a server (3), and placing 10 said client in a non-connected condition; wherein the client to be rejected is selected on the basis of the figure of merit for rejection (FoMR); connecting the rejected client (5) to a server (3) again.

Abstract: The method is aimed at providing secure multicast communication between a plurality of devices forming a cluster of devices connected to one another by a local network. The method provides for electing a key distribution device and generating a group encryption key in said key distribution device. A secure communication channel is then established between the key distribution device and each device of a group of devices to be connected to the cluster. The group encryption key is transmitted from the key distribution device to the devices to be connected to the cluster and stored thereby. When all devices of the cluster have received the group encryption key, multicast communication among the devices of the cluster can start.

Abstract: A method for processing a flow of data from a plurality of devices (1) is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a data package (100) from a device (1); detecting whether said data package (100) relates to an active device (1) or a non-active device; and: if the data package (100) relates to an active device (1), delivering the data to a data processing facility (30); and if the data package relates to a non-active device (1), storing the data package in a raw-data archive (14).

Abstract: A network (1) is described. The network comprises a plurality of electronic devices (9) in data communication relationship with a data collection unit (4) having a wireless network access point. Moreover: each electronic device (9) comprises a wireless communication unit (13; 13.j) featuring a station mode function (SM) and an access-point mode function (APM); each electronic device (9) of a first set of electronic devices is directly linked, through the station mode function (SM) of the respective wireless communication unit (13), to the wireless network access point of the data collection unit (4).

Abstract: A method for recognising a communication protocol of data packets travelling over a communication bus. The method comprises a CRC check procedure for processing a data packet travelling over the communication bus, the CRC check procedure including: calculating a first checksum string by processing the payload portion of the data packet, according to a first CRC-generation engine associated to the first communication protocol; calculating a second checksum string by processing the payload portion of the data packet, according to a second CRC-generation engine associated to the second communication protocol; and comparing with the first and second checksum strings with the CRC portion of the data packet.

Abstract: A method for managing a multi-client/multi-server system or network (1) is disclosed. According to some embodiments, the method comprises the following steps: when at least one of the servers (3) receives a request for connection from one of the clients (5), the server (3) calculates a figure of merit (FoM) for the requesting client; the server (3) sends a connection-accepting response to the requesting client (5) with a probability, which depends upon the figure of merit; the requesting client (5) receiving a connection-accepting response joins the server (3) and starts communication therewith.

Abstract: A method for automatically associating a module to a corresponding inverter of a plurality of inverters which are adapted to generate measurements related to their operation, comprising: installing the module for generating measurements related to the operation of a corresponding inverter of the plurality of inverters; comparing, by processing means, the measurements generated by the module to the measurements generated by the plurality of inverters; and basing on the comparison, determining by the processing means which of the plurality of inverters is the corresponding inverter of the module.

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: connecting each client (5) to a respective one of said servers (3) and establishing a data communication between each client (5) and the respective server (3), thus forming a multi-client/multi-server network; 5 calculating a figure of merit for rejection (FoMR) for at least one client (5) connected to at least one of said servers (3), each figure of merit for rejection (FoMR) determining a probability of rejection of the relevant client (5) by the server (3); rejecting at least one client (5), which is connected to a server (3), and placing 10 said client in a non-connected condition; wherein the client to be rejected is selected on the basis of the figure of merit for rejection (FoMR); connecting the rejected client (5) to a server (3) again.

Abstract: In a method for gathering time-variable data from electronic slave devices in data communication through a data transmission channel with an electronic master device, the slave devices periodically measure and store a current value of at least one respective time-variable parameter (P1(t), . . . Pn(t)). The master device sends a freeze command to the slave devices. Upon receipt of the freeze command from the master device, the slave devices freeze the last measured value of the at least one time-variable parameter. During a data-gathering time interval following sending of the freeze command, the master device gathers the frozen values from the slave devices.

Abstract: A method for processing a flow of data from a plurality of devices (1) is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a data package (100) from a device (1); detecting whether said data package (100) relates to an active device (1) or a non-active device; and: if the data package (100) relates to an active device (1), delivering the data to a data processing facility (30); and if the data package relates to a non-active device (1), storing the data package in a raw-data archive (14).

Abstract: A method for forecasting the power generable by a solar inverter during a current day, including: a) collecting sunrise measurements related to the power generated by the inverter during at least a staring period of the sunrise of one or more days including the current day; and b) performing modelling techniques based on the sunrise measurements of at least one of the one or more days, for determining a forecasting model which fits the sunrise measurements and predicts the power generable by the inverter during the rest of the current day.

Abstract: A photovoltaic inverter for a photovoltaic electric power generation plant, the photovoltaic inverter comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of the photovoltaic inverter and a main communication port for communication with a remote computerized system through a main communication channel. The photovoltaic inverter comprises an auxiliary communication port for communication with a remote computerized system through an auxiliary communication channel. The auxiliary communication port has a narrow band so that the control unit can transmit or receive only small-size data-sets through the auxiliary communication port.

Abstract: A method for recognising a communication protocol of data packets (M1, M2) travelling over a communication bus (20). The method comprises a CRC check procedure (PCRC1, PCRC2) for processing a data packet (M1, M2) travelling over said communication bus (20), said CRC check procedure comprising: calculating a first checksum string (CKS1) by processing the payload portion (S1) of said data packet, according to a first CRC-generation engine associated to said first communication protocol (PR1); calculating a second checksum string (CKS2) by processing the payload portion (S1) of said data packet, according to a second CRC-generation engine associated to said second communication protocol (PR2); comparing with said first and second checksum strings (CKS1, CKS2) with the CRC portion (S2) of said data packet.

Abstract: A network (1) is described. The network comprises a plurality of electronic devices (9) in data communication relationship with a data collection unit (4) having a wireless network access point. Moreover: each electronic device (9) comprises a wireless communication unit (13; 13.j) featuring a station mode function (SM) and an access-point mode function (APM); each electronic device (9) of a first set of electronic devices is directly linked, through the station mode function (SM) of the respective wireless communication unit (13), to the wireless network access point of the data collection unit (4).

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: a) establishing a secure communication channel between the first device and the second device; b) transmitting a set of symmetric encryption keys from the first device to the second device under secure transmission conditions through the secure communication channel, and storing the set of symmetric encryption keys in respective protected storage memory areas at the first device and at the second device. When the second device is required to transmit data to the first device, the following steps are performed: c) selecting one of said symmetric encryption keys at the second device; d) generating a data bunch at the second device and encrypting the data bunch with the selected symmetric encryption key; e) transmitting the encrypted data bunch from the second device to the first device; f) decrypting the encrypted data bunch at the first device using the selected symmetric encryption key.

Abstract: An inverter for renewable energy applications, comprising: a meter; and a cellular card which is operatively connected to said meter and which is adapted to provide a communication with a network of a mobile network operator.

Abstract: An inverter for renewable energy applications, characterized in that it comprises: a meter; a cellular card which is operatively connected to said meter and which is adapted to provide a communication with a network of a mobile network operator.