System and method for communication between remote locations

• US 6,239,722 B1
• Filed: 04/30/1999
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acoustic Technologies Incorporated (Cirrus Logic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CIC GLOBAL, LLC
• Inventors: Faith, Douglas D., Rioboli, Richard David, Worman, Jonathan Peter, Colton, Laurence Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US09/303,173
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.06, 340/870.07, 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/870.18, 379/106.03, 370/320, 370/335
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 15/06 successively, i.e. using time division
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 : using wireless data transmission

Abstract

A communication system transmits data between a plurality of locations. The communication system is suitable for use by a utility provider to monitor a plurality of metering devices from a remote location. The communication system in accordance with use by a utility provider to monitor metering devices comprises a control for at least receiving data, a plurality of metering devices arranged in a defined number of metering groups for transmitting data associated with an amount of usage of a utility, and a defined number of concentrators, each operably connected to the control and one metering group for transmission of data between the control and plurality of metering devices.

Claims

1. A method of remote communication in a code-division multiple access (CDMA) communication system in which a first relay having a CDMA communication link communicates with a communication device and a control station, said CDMA communication link carrying a plurality of data, said method comprising the steps of:

measuring, at said communication device, a local parameter;

transmitting, from said communication device, data over said CDMA communication link corresponding to said measurement;

receiving, in said control station, said data corresponding to said measurement;

generating, in said control station, data;

transmitting said data generated in said control station over said CDMA communication link; and

receiving, in said communication device, said data transmitted from said control station;

wherein said CDMA communication system further includes at least one power line extending over at least a portion of said CDMA communication system from said communication device to said first relay, said method further comprising the steps of;

translating said data into a power-line carrier control signal; and

transmitting said power-line carrier control signal over said at least one power line.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of relaying said data to said communication device and for relaying said data to said control device.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of displaying, at a user terminal, user information in response to said measurement of said local parameter and said data transmitted from said control station.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of regulating a user interface in response to said data transmitted from said control station.

5. A remote metering unit in a code-division multiple access (CDMA) communication system having at least one relay, said at least relay having a CDMA communication link, said CDMA communication link for carrying data, said remote metering unit comprising:

a reading interface for generating a measurement signal in response to reading a measurement device;

a microprocessor for generating data in response to said measurement signal;

a CDMA transmitter for transmitting said data over said CDMA communication link;

a CDMA receiver for receiving data over said CDMA communication link;

a power-line carrier interface for translating said received data into a power-line carrier control signal; and

at least one power-line transceiver for transmitting said power-line carrier control signal over said at least one electrical power line.

6. The remote metering unit of claim 5 further comprising:

means for transmitting and receiving.

7. The remote metering unit of claim 5 further comprising:

means for generating a tampering signal; and

said microprocessor further generating data in response to said tampering signal, and said CDMA transmitter further transmitting said data corresponding to said tampering signal over said CDMA communication link.

8. The remote metering unit of claim 7, wherein said remote metering unit is coupled to at least one electrical power line, said CDMA communication system further comprising at least one distribution transformer.