Modular wireless fixed network for wide-area metering data collection and meter module apparatus
DCFirst Claim
1. A scalable and modular fixed-base wireless network system for wide-area metering data collection comprising:
- multiple meter modules for monitoring, storing, encoding and periodically transmitting metering data;
multiple base stations for receiving, decoding, storing and forwarding metering data; and
a data operations center, which communicates with said receiver base station and receives decoded metering data from the base station, said data operations center processing, validating and storing metering data in a database that it maintains for meter modules operating in the network system, wherein;
the number of base stations being selected in accordance with frequency channels used in the network system and meter module message bit rate to optimize message delivery probability, metering data latency and meter module battery life.
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Abstract
A one way direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications wide-area network is the data collection channel (uplink) of an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, and a paging network, or other suitable communication channel is the optional forward (downlink) channel. The communications network may include one-way meter modules (transmitters) each communicatively coupled to a corresponding electric, gas or water utility meter, and may include two-way meter modules (transceivers) each coupled to such a corresponding utility meter. The meter modules monitor, store, encode and periodically transmit metering data via radio signals (air messages) in an appropriate RF channel. Metering data air messages are collected by a network of receiver Base Stations (BS) and forwarded to a Data Operations Center (DOC), which acts as a metering data gateway. The reception range of each base station is typically over 5 miles in urban areas, allowing sparse infrastructure deployment for a wide variety of metering data collection applications.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A scalable and modular fixed-base wireless network system for wide-area metering data collection comprising:
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multiple meter modules for monitoring, storing, encoding and periodically transmitting metering data; multiple base stations for receiving, decoding, storing and forwarding metering data; and a data operations center, which communicates with said receiver base station and receives decoded metering data from the base station, said data operations center processing, validating and storing metering data in a database that it maintains for meter modules operating in the network system, wherein; the number of base stations being selected in accordance with frequency channels used in the network system and meter module message bit rate to optimize message delivery probability, metering data latency and meter module battery life. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A scalable and modular fixed-base wireless network system for wide-area metering data collection comprising:
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at least one meter module for monitoring, storing, encoding and periodically transmitting metering data; at least one base station for receiving, decoding, storing and forwarding metering data; and a data operations center, which communicates with said receiver base station and receives decoded metering data from the base station, said data operations center processing, validating and storing metering data in a database that it maintains for meter modules operating in the network system, wherein; said at least one meter module includes sensor means, data storage and processing means, a direct sequence spread spectrum transmitter, and an antenna, all within the same physical enclosure, and said at least one meter module further includes a power supply in which a capacitive element and a limited current source are combined to allow high output power during a short transmission burst, the capacitive element and the limited current source imposing a physical limitation on the charge time of the capacitive element and thus the transmission duty cycle to reduce interference that may be caused by a malfunctioning meter module. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification