Apparatus And Method For Establishing Communication From Remote Sites In A Fixed Meter Reading Network
First Claim
1. A utility meter interface circuit for use in a fixed automatic meter reading network, the utility meter interface circuit comprising:
- a site transmitter that transmits a first message as a first transmission of radio frequency signals from one of a plurality of utility meter data origination sites in a condition to be received by a gateway fixed transceiver;
a site receiver at the one of the utility meter data origination sites that listens for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver; and
whereupon the site receiver not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a defined time period;
control circuitry for executing one or more retries of transmitting the first message by transmitting radio frequency signals in a condition for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver; and
the site receiver again listening for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver; and
upon the site receiver not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a second defined time,said control circuitry adjusting the transmission power level for the site transmitter to an optimum level on a last retry and the site transmitter transmitting radio frequency signals in a condition for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver; and
the control circuitry being responsive to an acknowledgement signal received from the gateway fixed transceiver to skip retries and the control circuitry being responsive to a command that received from the gateway fixed transceiver to further adjust the transmission power level of the site transmitter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for adjusting a transmission power level of a transceiver (12, 15) at a utility meter data origination site (10). A power level of transmission at the site transceiver (12, 15) is adjusted to an optimum level if an acknowledgement is not received from a network gateway (30) in response to data transmissions from the site transceiver (12, 15). Also, for each unsuccessful transmission period, the amount of metering data is increased in the next transmission period to make up for the failed communication tries. Upon establishing communication with the gateway (30), the site transceiver (12, 15) can receive commands from the gateway (30) that further adjust its power level of transmission to optimize reception at the gateway from a large plurality of utility meter data origination sites (10) within a geographical area served by the gateway (30). The gateway (30) communicates utility metering data through a wireless network (40), such as WIFI, GPRS, POE or CDMA to a data collection center (50) for data processing and billing operations.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A utility meter interface circuit for use in a fixed automatic meter reading network, the utility meter interface circuit comprising:
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a site transmitter that transmits a first message as a first transmission of radio frequency signals from one of a plurality of utility meter data origination sites in a condition to be received by a gateway fixed transceiver; a site receiver at the one of the utility meter data origination sites that listens for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver; and whereupon the site receiver not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a defined time period; control circuitry for executing one or more retries of transmitting the first message by transmitting radio frequency signals in a condition for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver; and the site receiver again listening for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver; and upon the site receiver not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a second defined time, said control circuitry adjusting the transmission power level for the site transmitter to an optimum level on a last retry and the site transmitter transmitting radio frequency signals in a condition for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver; and the control circuitry being responsive to an acknowledgement signal received from the gateway fixed transceiver to skip retries and the control circuitry being responsive to a command that received from the gateway fixed transceiver to further adjust the transmission power level of the site transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of communications between a gateway fixed transceiver and a plurality of transceivers located at respective utility meter data origination sites, the method comprising:
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transmitting radio frequency signals from a site transmitter at one of the utility meter data origination sites in a first message to be received by the gateway fixed transceiver; listening at the site transmitter for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver; and upon not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a defined time period, transmitting radio frequency signals from the site transmitter in one or more retries of the first message for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver; and listening at the site transmitter for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver; and upon not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a second defined time period or within a number of retries at the utility meter data origination site, increasing a power level of the transmission from the site transmitter by a predetermined amount and transmitting radio frequency signals on a last retry for reception of the first message by the gateway fixed transceiver; and wherein upon receiving the radio frequency signals from the site transmitter, the gateway fixed transceiver sends an acknowledgement signal; and wherein the gateway fixed transceiver is adapted to transmit a command to adjust the power level of transmission of the site transmitter for further communications. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification