CUBE - ESEP
MDC Systems
CUBE – ESEP
Fast, Secure and Adaptable
The Cube system is a scalable, unified IP-based communications infrastructure that includes network elements (hardware) and services (software) for Advanced Metering Infrastructure applications such as data acquisition, asset management, and Demand Response (DR). Cube System delivers a proven two-way communications network and AMI solutions field-tested in real-world utility environments. For Demand Response, Power disconnection / restoration, Revenue protection, and a host of other utility requirements, no solution can integrate with your operation more effectively. Our solutions can be deployed today and are designed and architected to expand for future AMI requirements.
Designed on a flexible, open-standards platform, the Cube architecture allows plug-n-play capabilities of network elements. A chief advantage of the system is its ability to support multiple communications technologies concurrently between the network elements and the head end. This flexibility allows the utility to select an optimum combination of technologies, based on application, cost, and other factors, while providing the ability to adapt as new technologies emerge.
The Cube central system provides a client-software with a graphical user interface (GUI) to enable the operator to manage the system and visualize any definitions and data within the system. The operator can access the application from his standard workstation PC located within the company network (intranet) or from external sites (internet). The access is protected by standard security policy such as user name / password, VPN, RAS, etc. In addition, the privileges to access functions and data can be managed by a super user.
Key Features
- Meter data acquisition, management to smart operational analysis
- Easy-to-use web-based meter operations
- Supports email / SMS messaging
- Smart data unification platform
- Unified meter data collection – in push or pull mode
- Directly reading meters or concentrators
- Flexible data modeling and cost-effective scaling to millions of meters
- Powerful API supporting full customization
- Multi-vendor compliant
- Validated for CIM IEC 61968 interoperability
- Business process automation
- Rule-based validation, editing & estimation
- Standard Transfer Specification STS – compliance
- Full security & SOX compliance
- Industry-standard connectors like CIM IEC 61968
- Smart data analytics, custom reports
- AMI head-end connectors
- Handling high volumes of data transfer
- Scale out with distributed data collection Alarm management & escalation.
On data level
The COSEM data models define the structure of the data. Modifications on the data would lead to inconsistencies with the standardized models and are detected by the Data Acquisition system.
On application level
The DLMS pdus are encoded using A-XDR encoding (a compact form of BER). The encoding of the data block contains the encoding of the data type. Modifications of the data would lead to inconsistencies between type and data and are detected by the Data Acquisition system.
On PLC communication level
The MAC layer protocol contains a Cyclic Redundancy Check Code (CRC) of 24 bits. Considering the fact that the code guarantees a minimal Hamming distance of 6 and that the MAC layer frames can have a maximum length of 242 data Bytes, the probability of undetected errors is kept at a minimum.
The robustness of the Spread Frequency Shift Keying modulation provides addition protection against communication errors.
On GPRS communication level
The HDLC layer protocol is equipped with a 16 bit CRC. Together with the 16 bits of CRC in the IP layer, the probability of undetected errors is kept at a minimum.
Further, the GPRS channel is protected with error control mechanisms by the GPRS provider.
Cube has very versatile interfacing with other systems. Besides the traditional making of flat files of data, there is Cube integration platform which offers full 2-way integration between Cube central system and other systems based on XML-files and WEB-services architecture. If needed, other file formats can also be supported through adapter services of Cube.
The Cube architecture support continued growth and proliferation of smart meters, data storage requirements, and integrated applications by offering a scalable architecture that can be easily extended in accordance with customer’s requirements. System’s size can range from a separate building to a multi-million connections city. Its scalability allows you to start with small installations (few hundreds) and to expand as your business grows.
Cube is a flexible and open system that can be easily adjusted, both structurally and functionally, to particular application conditions. It is an open system, compatible with other systems, for example, billing system, supporting standard protocols and generally accepted data formats.