System and method for improving accuracy of measurements of a network of intelligent power distribution units through time synchronization
AssigneeRaritan Americas, Inc.
InventorBunty Nasta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an energy management system for a data center, intelligent power distribution units are synchronized by a time server. Measurements carried out by the intelligent power distribution units are commenced and stopped synchronously. Each intelligent power distribution unit carries out a calculation based upon the Unix Epoch Time of receipt of a sampling command from the energy management system.
Claims18
An intelligent power distribution unit, comprising:
- a. a plurality of female line power outlets, each adapted for supplying power to a rack-mounted component connected thereto;
- b. means for measuring, in response to an initiate command and during a predetermined measurement interval, a predetermined characteristic of electrical energy delivered to each rack-mounted component that is connected to one of the female line power outlets;
- c. means for receiving a sampling command from a control system;
- and
- d. means for generating, subsequent to receipt of the sampling command, and at a time when the Unix Epoch Time of receipt of the sampling command is divisible by a known quantity to produce an integer and a predetermined remainder, the initiate command.
An intelligent power distribution unit, comprising:
- a. a line power supply cable terminating in a male plug;
- b. a plurality of female line power outlets, each adapted for supplying power to a rack-mounted component connected thereto;
- c. a network connection for receiving commands from a control system and for transmitting measured information thereto;
- d. means for measuring, in response to an initiate command and during a predetermined measurement interval, a predetermined characteristic of electrical energy delivered to each rack-mounted component that is connected to one of the female line power outlets;
- e. means for receiving from the control system, via the network connection, a sampling command from a control system;
- f. means for generating, subsequent to receipt of the sampling command, and at a time when the Unix Epoch Time of receipt of the sampling command is divisible by a known quantity to produce an integer and a predetermined remainder, the initiate command;
- and
- g. means for transmitting to the control system, via the network connection, measured information from said measuring means.
A method of synchronizing the operation of a plurality of slaved devices that are connected to a control system that issues operation commands to the slaved devices over a network, wherein each of the slaved devices is required to carry out an operation after receipt of an operation command, comprising:
- a. supplying each of the slaved devices with Unix Epoch Time;
- b. issuing an operation command to at least two of the slaved devices over the network;
- c. causing each of the slaved devices, upon its receipt of an operation command, to carryout a calculation in which the Unix Epoch Time of receipt of the sampling command is divided by a known quantity to produce an integral quotient and a remainder;
- and
- d. causing each slaved device to carryout an operation only if the remainder equals a predetermined number.
A method of synchronizing the operation of a plurality of slaved devices that are connected to a control system that issues operation commands to the slaved devices over a network, wherein each of the slaved devices is required to carry out an operation after receipt of an operation command, comprising:
- a. supplying each of the slaved devices with Unix Epoch Time;
- b. issuing an operation command to at least two of the slaved devices over the network;
- c. causing each of the slaved devices, upon its receipt of an operation command, to carry out a calculation based upon the Unix Epoch Time of receipt of the sampling command;
- and
- d. causing each slaved device to carryout an operation only if the calculation meets predetermined criteria.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.