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Tampering detection for an electric meter

  • US 9,506,950 B2
  • Filed: 03/17/2014
  • Issued: 11/29/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A tamper detection system for an electricity meter, comprising:

  • an antenna configured to receive an RF signal;

    an RF signal level circuit supported within an electricity meter housing and operatively connected to the antenna, the RF signal level circuit configured to detect the RF signal and to provide a strength signal corresponding to a magnitude of the RF signal received by the antenna;

    a controller supported within the electricity meter housing, operatively connected to the RF signal level circuit, the controller configured to;

    generate an RF signal strength value based at least in part on the strength signal;

    generate a tamper flag responsive at least in part to a determination that the RF signal strength value exceeds a threshold value;

    wherein the RF signal level circuit includes RF peak detector circuit operatively connected to the antenna, the RF peak detector circuit configured to provide a signal component of the RF signal; and

    wherein the RF signal level circuit includes a discharge circuit operatively connected to the RF peak detector circuit and configured to receive the component of the RF signal, wherein the discharge circuit is configured to provide the strength signal.

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