Patent Publication Number: US-2022229410-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for setting controller board id of hvdc system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system, and more particularly to, the apparatus and the method for setting up the board ID of the board used for the controller in the HVDC system according to a location of each of boards mounted in a backplane. In other words, the present invention relates to the apparatus and the method of setting up the board ID of the board used for the controller in the HVDC system by combining a location of each of the boards mounted in the backplane with a unique ID thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recently, to connect a power system; there has been an increasing interest in a method for connecting a power system by converting AC power to DC power rather than a method for connecting an AC power system. Even in Korea, a HVDC electric power transmission system using a power converter has been installed between Jeju and Haenam to connect power systems in Jeju and Haenam. 
     This refers to a method of converting high voltage power generated from a power plant from AC power to DC power and transmitting the power, reconverting the power to AC power and supplying it to a desired power-receiving area, and this has an advantage of having transmission efficiency at least twice compared to the AC because the DC has less transmission power loss than the AC. 
     Meanwhile, the aforementioned HVDC may be configured by using multiple modular multilevel converters (MMCs) as DC-DC converters. A MMC is configured by connecting modular two-level or three-level converters with IGBT in small capacity in series. The control of such MMCs is required to be stably operated, and the studies on stabilization of the control of such MMCs have been continuously performed. 
     For an example, Korean Patent Laid-Open Patent No. 10-2014-0008586 suggested a configuration of: receiving a data back signal received through a communication part of a HVDC system, confirming any error in data or line connection based on the acquired data back signal, and outputting a valve control signal to a valve control apparatus based on the control of a control unit while making the control unit output a valve controlling signal based on the data back signal to be capable of controlling system and data flow stably. 
     However, in this case, as analysis is made simply based on a data back signal, it is impossible to consider a location of a control unit, and it may take a longer time to check the control unit because it is impossible to identify a type of the control unit. 
     DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system that is capable of easily identifying a location and a type of the board for inspection based on locations and types of boards mounted. 
     The other object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system that is capable of shortening a time for inspecting a board by easily identifying locations and types of boards mounted. 
     Means of Solving the Problem 
     An apparatus for setting up a board ID of a board used in a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with the present invention may include input/output (IO) boards for controlling submodules, a main board for managing at least one IO board, and a backplane for connecting the main board with the at least one IO board. 
     Herein, the at least one IO board may create its board ID based on its type and location mounted in the backplane, and deliver the board ID to the main board. 
     In addition, the apparatus for setting up a board ID of a board used in the controller in the HVDC system may further comprise a communication board for performing communication with the at least one IO board, and a power supply board for supplying power to the main board, the communication board and the IO boards. 
     Herein, the IO boards may be mounted in the backplane regardless of their types and order. 
     Besides, a board ID may be created by the at least one IO board according to its type and its location mounted in the backplane. 
     At the time, the IO board may read a board PIN value that represents its type and a slot PIN value that represents its location mounted in the backplane to create a board ID. 
     Meanwhile, the IO boards may include at least one of an analog input (AI) board, an analog output (AO) board, an AI/AO board, a digital input (DI) board, a digital output (DO) board, and a DI/DO board. 
     A method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention may comprise steps of: an IO board collecting slot PIN information and board PIN information by reading a board PIN value that represents its type and a slot PIN value that represents its location mounted in a backplane; the IO board creating its board ID based on the board PIN value and the slot PIN value; a main board determining board type and slot information with the board ID; and operating the board according to a result of determination with the board ID. 
     In addition, the step of operating the board may include steps of: operating an AI board if the board ID represents the AI board; operating an AO board if the board ID represents the AO board; operating an AI/AO board if the board ID represents the AI/AO board; operating a DI board if the board ID represents the DI board; operating a DO board if the board ID represents the DO board; and operating a DI/DO board if the board ID represents the DI/DO board. 
     Effects of the Invention 
     An apparatus and a method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with the present invention have an advantage of easily identifying a location and a type of a board for inspection based on locations and types of boards mounted in a backplane. 
     In addition, the apparatus and the method for setting up a board ID of a board used for the controller in the HVDC system in accordance with the present invention also have an advantage of shortening a time of inspecting a board by easily identifying locations and types of boards mounted in a backplane. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram representing an apparatus for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating the front part of a backplane, in detail, where a main board, a communication board, IO boards and a power supply board are mounted as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a signal connection diagram representing a connection line through which each of IO boards creates a board ID in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a table representing an example of each of IO boards creating a board ID in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed example embodiments to implement the present invention will be explained below by referring to attached drawings. 
     The present invention may be altered in a variety of ways, and have several example embodiments. Specific example embodiments will be illustrated in drawings and detailed explanation will be made. This is not intended to limit the present invention in a specific embodiment, but it may be understood to include all alterations, equivalents and substitutes included in the thought and technical scope of the present invention. 
     Below will be detailed explanation on an apparatus and a method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with the present invention by referring to attached drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram representing an apparatus for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, and  FIGS. 2 through 4  are detailed drawings, a signal connection diagram, and a table. 
     Below can be an explanation for an apparatus for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention by referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     First of all, by referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention comprises: IO boards  400  for controlling submodules, a main board  200  for managing at least one of the IO boards  400 , and a backplane  100  for connecting the main board  200  with the at least one of the IO boards  400 . 
     Herein, each of the IO boards  400  may create a board ID based on a location and a type of each of them mounted in the backplane  100 , and deliver the board ID to the main board  200 . 
     In addition, the apparatus for setting up a board ID of a board used in the controller in the HVDC system may further comprise a communication board  300  for performing communication with the at least one IO board  400 , and a power supply board  500  for supplying power to the main board  200 , the communication board  300  and the IO boards  400 . 
     In other words, the IO boards  400  may be mounted in the backplane  100  together with the main board  200 , the communication board  300  and the power supply board  500 . Herein, the main board  200  should be capable of being operated by identifying locations and types of the communication board  300 , the IO boards  400  and the power supply board  500  mounted in the backplane  100 . 
     At the time, a type of a board may be set to be fixed according to a location of the board mounted, but this method may be ineffective depending on a method for expanding boards. 
     In addition, a type of a board may be identified through a unique ID of the each board regardless of its location, but it is impossible to identify a location of each of boards mounted. Upon inspecting a board, it is impossible to easily identify the location of such board. 
     Meanwhile, an apparatus for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention is easy to expand boards because a board ID is created based on locations and types of boards mounted. Besides, it is easy to inspect each board because the location of such board mounted is easily identified. 
       FIGS. 2 to 4  explain an apparatus of setting up a board ID in detail. 
       FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating the front part of the backplane  100 , in detail, where the main board  200 , the communication board  300 , IO boards  400  and the power supply board  500  are mounted as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the IO boards  400  may be mounted in the backplane  100  regardless of types and order of the IO boards  400 . 
     In other words, regardless of types of the IO boards  400 , a first IO board  410 , a second IO board  420 , a third IO board  430 , a fourth IO board  440 , a fifth IO board  450  and a sixth IO board  460  may be mounted as such IO boards. When each of them is mounted in the backplane  100 , the each of them may have its unique slot PIN value given by the backplane  100  and a unique board PIN value given to a type of each of the IO boards  400 . Accordingly, when at least one of the IO boards  400  is mounted, the main board  200  may operate the one of the IO boards  400  properly according to a type of the one of the IO boards  400  by receiving a board ID created by the one of the IO boards  400 . 
       FIG. 3  is a signal connection diagram representing a connection line through which each of the IO boards  400  creates a board ID in  FIG. 1 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , a board ID may be created by the each of the IO boards  400  depending on a type and a location of the each of the IO boards  400  mounted in the backplane. 
     At the time, the IO board may create the board ID by reading a board PIN value that represents its type and a slot PIN value that represents its location mounted in the backplane. 
     In other words, slot information may be identified with a slot PIN value provided by the backplane  100 . For example, if one of the IO boards  400  transmits High information to DI0 through DI3 and a return value of a switch set in the backplane  100  is returned as High as it is, it may be recognized as High, and if the return value is not returned, it may be recognized as Low. Accordingly, if DI0 is recognized as High and DI1 through DI3 are recognized as Low, slot information may be recognized as 0x1. 
     Similarly, board information may be found out with a board PIN value provided by one of the IO boards  400 . After the one of the IO boards  400  transmits High information to DI4 through D17, if DI4 is recognized as High and DI5 through DI7 are recognized as Low with a return value of a switch set in the one of the IO boards  400 , board information may be recognized as 0x10. 
     After that, the board ID is created as 0X11 which is board information+slot information. In addition, the created board ID may be transmitted to the main board  200 , and may be used for a communication frame between the one of the IO boards  400  and the main board  200 . 
     Meanwhile, it is easy to inspect the IO boards  400  because it is easy to identify locations and types of the IO boards  400  upon debugging communication by utilizing such board IDs. 
       FIG. 4  is a table representing an example of each of JO boards creating a board ID in  FIG. 1 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the JO boards  400  may include at least one of an AI board, an AO board, an AI/AO board, a DI board, a DO board and a DI/DO board. 
     Herein, AI means Analog Input while AO refers to Analog Output. AI/AO represents Analog Input and Analog Output. DI, DO, and DI/DO mean Digital Input, Digital Output, and Digital Input/Digital Output, respectively. 
     At the time, each ID may be given depending on a type of a board. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 may be given to an AI board, an AO board, an AI/AO board, a DI board, a DO board and a DI/DO board, respectively. 
     Meanwhile, the number attached next to a type of a board may refer to the number of JO ports. For example, in case of AI16, it may also refer to providing 16 analog input ports. 
     If there are six slots mounted in the backplane  100 , six slot PIN values may be given as slot information. For example, numbers one through six may be given. 
     Accordingly, it may be easily identified that if one of the IO boards  400  that provides 16 analog inputs is mounted to a second slot, 0x12 is given as a board ID. Therefore, it is possible to easily inspect IO boards  400  by utilizing such board IDs upon debugging communication because the locations and the types of the JO boards  400  can be easily identified. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention. 
     As can be shown in  FIG. 5 , a method for setting up a board ID of a board used for a controller in a HVDC system comprises: a step S 100  of each of JO boards  400  reading a board PIN value representing its type and a slot PIN value representing its location mounted in a backplane  100 ; a step S 200  of the each of the IO boards  400  creating a board ID based on the board PIN value and the slot PIN value; a step S 300  of a main board  200  determining a type of the board and slot information with the board ID; and a step S 400  of operating the board according to a result of determination with the board ID at the step S 300 . 
     Besides, the step S 400  includes a step S 410  of operating an AI board if the board ID represents the AI board; a step S 420  of operating an AO board if the board ID represents the AO board; a step S 430  of operating an AI/AO board if the board ID represents the AI/AO board; a step S 440  of operating a DI board if the board ID represents the DI board; a step S 450  of operating a DO board if the board ID represents the DO board; and a step S 460  of operating a DI/DO board if the board ID represents the DI/DO board. 
     Herein, AI means Analog Input while AO refers to Analog Output. AI/AO represents Analog Input and Analog Output. DI, DO, and DI/DO mean Digital Input, Digital Output, and Digital Input/Digital Output, respectively. 
     At the time, each ID may be given depending on a type of a board. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 may be given to an AI board, an AO board, an AI/AO board, a DI board, a DO board and a DI/DO board, respectively. In addition, the number attached next to a type of a board may refer to the number of IO ports. For example, AI16 may be used to provide 16 analog inputs. 
     Meanwhile, if there are six slots mounted in the backplane  100 , six slot PIN values may be given as slot information. For example, numbers one through six may be given. 
     Accordingly, it may be easily identified that if one of the IO boards  400  that provides 16 analog inputs is mounted to a second slot, 0x12 is given as a board ID. Therefore, it is possible to easily inspect IO boards  400  by utilizing such board IDs upon debugging communication because the locations and the types of the IO boards  400  can be easily identified. 
     As seen above, the apparatus and the method for setting up a board ID of a board used in the controller in the HVDC system has an advantage of being capable of easily identifying a location and a type of the board for inspection by setting up a board ID based on the location and the type of the board used for the controller in the HVDC system. 
     Example embodiments explained above include one or more example embodiments. Of course, it can be understood that all possible combinations of components or methods for the purpose of explaining aforementioned example embodiments can be described and a lot of additional combinations and substitutions of various example embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the explained example embodiments can include all alternatives, variations and alternations in the real intention and scope of what is claimed as attached. 
     INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY 
     The present invention is used for a controller in a HVDC system, and is available in the field of HVDC.