Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to monitor real-time digital data for degradation. In one embodiment, an intelligent electronic device (“IED”) in an electric power system may include an interface to receive a stream of digital data, the stream of digital data comprising a plurality of data frames. A protective action subsystem may monitor the sampled digital data and implement a protective action based on the stream of sampled digital data. A digital data degradation detection subsystem may analyze a plurality of digital metrics associated with the plurality of data frames and make a determination regarding degradation of a communication channel based on whether the plurality of digital metrics fails at least one threshold. In response to the determination, the digital data degradation detection subsystem may implement a response to the determination that the plurality of digital metrics fails at least one threshold.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining, via a power system device, a source media access control (SMAC) address. The method includes generating, via the power system device, an Ethernet frame of power system data with a destination media access control (DMAC) address comprising at least a portion of the SMAC address. The method includes sending, via the power system device, the Ethernet frame to an intelligent electronic device (IED) of a power system.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining, via a power system device, a source media access control (SMAC) address. The method includes generating, via the power system device, an Ethernet frame of power system data with a destination media access control (DMAC) address comprising at least a portion of the SMAC address. The method includes sending, via the power system device, the Ethernet frame to an intelligent electronic device (IED) of a power system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to monitor real-time digital data for degradation. In one embodiment, an intelligent electronic device (“IED”) in an electric power system may include an interface to receive a stream of digital data, the stream of digital data comprising a plurality of data frames. A protective action subsystem may monitor the sampled digital data and implement a protective action based on the stream of sampled digital data. A digital data degradation detection subsystem may analyze a plurality of digital metrics associated with the plurality of data frames and make a determination regarding degradation of a communication channel based on whether the plurality of digital metrics fails at least one threshold. In response to the determination, the digital data degradation detection subsystem may implement a response to the determination that the plurality of digital metrics fails at least one threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods to share data in a point-to-point system. In one embodiment, a system to share point-to-point information may be used in an electric power system, and the system may include a communication interface to communicate using a point-to-point protocol using at least a first port and a second port. A point-to-point information sharing subsystem may receive an indication that point-to-point information received on the first port is to be shared on the second port and may configure the second port to share point-to-point information received on the first port. In some embodiments, a delay associated with the communication link may be added to the shared point-to-point information prior to transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for hardware accelerated communications between devices for the protection of electric power delivery systems. For example, a merging unit may include input circuitry that receives a monitoring signal indicating an electrical characteristic of a power line. The merging unit may include pre-payload circuitry that generates at least portions of preset metadata of a communication frame. The merging unit may include payload generation circuitry that generates payload data of the communication frame based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. The merging unit may include a communication interface that sends the communication frame to a receiving device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for time aligning electric power system measurements at an intelligent electronic device (IED) from signals from merging units where the merging unit does not require a common or external time source. Communications from merging units may arrive at different times due to differences in communication latency or other factor. The IED may associate digital samples from merging units with a local time domain of the IED based on the data acquisition, data processing, and data communication latency in communicating with the merging units.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of calculating and mitigating time delays for electric power system samples received by remote data acquisition unit (RDAU), digitized, and transmitted to a receiving intelligent electronic device (IED). The IED may calculate time delays for various RDAUs, and establish wait windows for certain protection operations based on the samples needed for the protection operation and the calculated time delays for the various RDAUs. The IED may detect and report system or time signal anomalies based on changes to the calculated time delays from particular RDAUs.

Abstract: A single point to modify a behavior of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) between active and testing modes is disclosed herein. The IED may include a variety of logical nodes, each with a behavior object related to the active or testing mode behavior of the IED. A single testing mode selection point of the IED is used to modify each of the logical nodes to change between active and testing modes. The testing mode selection point may be a logical input. The testing mode selection point may be a physical switch on the IED.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for hardware accelerated communications between devices for the protection of electric power delivery systems. For example, a merging unit may include input circuitry that receives a monitoring signal indicating an electrical characteristic of a power line. The merging unit may include pre-payload circuitry that generates at least portions of preset metadata of a communication frame. The merging unit may include payload generation circuitry that generates payload data of the communication frame based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. The merging unit may include a communication interface that sends the communication frame to a receiving device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for time aligning electric power system measurements at an intelligent electronic device (IED) from signals from merging units where the merging unit does not require a common or external time source. Communications from merging units may arrive at different times due to differences in communication latency or other factor. The IED may associate digital samples from merging units with a local time domain of the IED based on the data acquisition, data processing, and data communication latency in communicating with the merging units.

Abstract: A single point to modify a behavior of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) between active and testing modes is disclosed herein. The IED may include a variety of logical nodes, each with a behavior object related to the active or testing mode behavior of the IED. A single testing mode selection point of the IED is used to modify each of the logical nodes to change between active and testing modes. The testing mode selection point may be a logical input. The testing mode selection point may be a physical switch on the IED.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of calculating and mitigating time delays for electric power system samples received by remote data acquisition unit (RDAU), digitized, and transmitted to a receiving intelligent electronic device (IED). The IED may calculate time delays for various RDAUs, and establish wait windows for certain protection operations based on the samples needed for the protection operation and the calculated time delays for the various RDAUs. The IED may detect and report system or time signal anomalies based on changes to the calculated time delays from particular RDAUs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network communication switch that facilitates reliable communication of high priority traffic over lower priority traffic across all ingress and egress ports. The network communication switch may monitor the frame storage buffer regardless of egress port, and when the frame storage buffer reaches a predetermined level, the switch may discard lower priority frames from the most congested port. When the frame storage buffer reaches a second predetermined level, the switch may discard lower priority frames before they are stored according to egress port. The network communication switch may further monitor ingress frames for priority, and assign priority to frames according to pre-assigned priority, ingress port, and/or frame contents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network communication switch that facilitates reliable communication of high priority traffic over lower priority traffic across all ingress and egress ports. The network communication switch may monitor the frame storage buffer regardless of egress port, and when the frame storage buffer reaches a predetermined level, the switch may discard lower priority frames from the most congested port. When the frame storage buffer reaches a second predetermined level, the switch may discard lower priority frames before they are stored according to egress port. The network communication switch may further monitor ingress frames for priority, and assign priority to frames according to pre-assigned priority, ingress port, and/or frame contents.