SYSTEM PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF A FIXED NETWORK FOR THE REMOTE READING OF METERS
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Abstract
The invention proposes a system for assisting deployment of a fixed remote meter reading network, in which system an access point is to recover measurement data from meters (1) by radio, said data being transmitted via a radio communication module (2) associated with each meter and being relayed to the access point via at least one intermediate collector. The system enables an installer to be equipped with a portable device enabling in situ validation of future positions for intermediate collectors. The device includes a measurement mobile unit (6) for simulating the radio receiver operation of an intermediate collector capable, in an access point/collector mode (M1), of communicating by radio with a first mobile unit (3) for simulating the operation of the access point in a collector/collector mode (M2) with a second mobile unit (4) for simulating the operation of the intermediate collector and, in a listening mode (M3), of intercepting a response radio signal transmitted by a communication module (2) following interrogation by a remote meter reading portable unit (5). In the three modes, the measurement unit measures the intensity of the received or intercepted signal. The modes are triggered by radio from a portable radio control and display unit (7) that displays information relating to the quality of the link based on the measurement.
14 Citations
18 Claims
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1-9. -9. (canceled)
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10. A system for assisting deployment of a fixed remote meter reading network, the fixed network to be deployed being of the type enabling an access point or main collector to recover measurement data transmitted by radio from a plurality of meters via a radio communication module associated with each meter and relayed to said access point or main collector via at least one intermediate collector, the system being characterized in that it includes:
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a first mobile unit for simulating the radio operation of said access point or main collector; a second mobile unit for simulating the radio receiver and repeater operation of an intermediate collector; a remote meter reading portable unit able to exchange data with each radio communication module; a measurement mobile unit for simulating the radio reception operation of an intermediate collector; and a portable radio control and display unit; in that the portable unit is able to control the operation of the measurement mobile unit by radio in three distinct operating modes; an access point/collector mode in which the measurement mobile unit initiates radio communication with the first mobile unit for simulating the operation of the access point and effects a measurement indicating the intensity of the signal that it receives from the first mobile unit; a collector/collector mode in which the measurement mobile unit initiates radio communication with the second mobile unit for simulating the operation of the intermediate collector and effects a measurement indicating the intensity of the signal that it receives from the second mobile unit; and a listening mode in which the measurement mobile unit intercepts a response signal transmitted by a radio communication module in response to an interrogation signal sent by the portable remote meter reading unit and effects a measurement indicating the intensity of the intercepted signal; and in that the portable unit is able to receive by radio said measurement effected in each of the three operating modes and includes means for displaying information relating to the quality of the link determined from said measurement. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification