Technologies

Touch technology

With touch-based AMR, a meter reader carries a handheld computer or data collection
device with a wand or probe. The device automatically collects the readings from a meter
by touching or placing the read probe in close proximity to a reading coil enclosed in the
touchpad. When a button is pressed, the probe sends an interrogate signal to the touch
module to collect the meter reading. The software in the device matches the serial number
to one in the route database, and saves the meter reading for later download to a billing or
data collection computer. Since the meter reader still has to go to the site of the meter, this
is sometimes referred to as "on-site" AMR. Another form of contact reader uses a
standardized infrared port to transmit data. Protocols are standardized between
manufacturers by such documents as ANSI C12.18 or IEC 61107.

AMR Hosting

AMR Hosting is a back-office solution which allows a user to track his/her electricity,
water, or gas consumption over the Internet. All data is collected in near real-time, and is
stored in a database by data acquisition software. The user can view the data via a web
application, and can analyze the data using various online analysis tools such as charting
load profiles, analyzing tariff components, and verify his/her utility bill.

Radio frequency network

Radio frequency based AMR can take many forms. The more common ones are handheld,
mobile, satellite and fixed network solutions. There are both two-way RF systems and one-
way RF systems in use that use both licensed and unlicensed RF bands.

In a two-way or "wake up" system, a radio signal is normally sent to an AMR meter's
unique serial number, instructing its transceiver to power-up and transmit its data. The
meter transceiver and the reading transceiver both send and receive radio signals. In a one-
way bubble-up or continuous broadcast type system, the meter transmits continuously
and data is sent every few seconds. This means the reading device can be a receiver only,
and the meter a transmitter only. Data travels only from the meter transmitter to the reading
receiver. There are also hybrid systems that combine one-way and two-way techniques,
using one-way communication for reading and two-way communication for programming
functions.

RF-based meter reading usually eliminates the need for the meter reader to enter the
property or home, or to locate and open an underground meter pit. The utility saves money
by increased speed of reading, has less liability from entering private property, and has
fewer missed readings from being unable to access the meter.
The technology based on RF is not readily accepted everywhere. In several Asian countries,
the technology faces a barrier of regulations in place pertaining to use of the radio
frequency of any radiated power. For example, in India the radio frequency which is
generally in ISM band is not free to use even for low power radio of 10 mW. The majority
of manufacturers of electricity meters have radio frequency devices in the frequency band
of 433/868 MHz for large scale deployment in European countries. The frequency band of
2.4 GHz can be now used in India for outdoor as well as indoor applications, but few
manufacturers have shown products within this frequency band. Initiatives in radio
frequency AMR in such countries are being taken up with regulators wherever the cost of
licensing outweighs the benefits of AMR.

Handheld

In handheld AMR, a meter reader carries a handheld computer with a built-in or attached
receiver/transceiver (radio frequency or touch) to collect meter readings from an AMR
capable meter. This is sometimes referred to as "walk-by" meter reading since the meter
reader walks by the locations where meters are installed as they go through their meter
reading route. Handheld computers may also be used to manually enter readings without
the use of AMR technology as an alternate but this will not support exhaustive data which
can be accurately read using the meter reading electronically.

Mobile

Mobile or "drive-by" meter reading is where a reading device is installed in a vehicle. The
meter reader drives the vehicle while the reading device automatically collects the meter
readings. Often, for mobile meter reading, the reading equipment includes navigational and
mapping features provided by GPS and mapping software. With mobile meter reading, the
reader does not normally have to read the meters in any particular route order, but just
drives the service area until all meters are read. Components often consist of a laptop or
proprietary computer, software, RF receiver/transceiver, and external vehicle antennas.

Satellite

Satellite transmitters can be installed in the field next to existing meters. The satellite AMR
devices communicates with the meter for readings, and then sends those readings over a
fixed or mobile satellite network. This networks requires a clear view to the sky for the
satellite transmitter/receiver, but eliminates the need to install fixed towers or send out field
technicians, thereby being particularly suited for areas with low geographic meter density.

RF technologies commonly used for AMR

Narrow Band (single fixed radio frequency)

Spread Spectrum

o Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)

 o Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)

There are also meters using AMR with RF technologies such as cellular phone data
systems, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wavenis and others. Some systems operate with U.S. Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) licensed frequencies and others under FCC Part 15,
which allows use of unlicensed radio frequencies.

Wi-Fi

WiSmart is a versatile platform which can be used by a variety of electrical home

appliances in order to provide wireless TCP/IP communication using the 802.11 b/g
protocol.

Devices such as the Smart Thermostat permit a utility to lower a home's power
consumption to help manage power demand.

The city of Corpus Christi became one of the first cities in the United States to implement
city wide Wi-Fi, which had been free until May 31, 2007, mainly to facilitate AMR after a
meter reader was attacked by a dog.[1] Today many[which?] meters are designed to transmit
using Wi-Fi, even if a Wi-Fi network is not available, and they are read using a drive-by
local Wi-Fi hand held receiver.

The meters installed in Corpus Christi are not directly Wi-Fi enabled, but rather transmit
narrow-band burst telemetry on the 460 MHz band. This narrow-band signal has much
greater range than Wi-Fi, so the number of receivers required for the project are far fewer.
Special receiver stations then decode the narrow-band signals and resend the data via Wi-
Fi.

Most of the automated utility meters installed in the Corpus Christi area are battery
powered. Wi-Fi technology is unsuitable for long-term battery-powered operation.

Power line communication

PLC is a method where electronic data is transmitted over power lines back to the
substation, then relayed to a central computer in the utility's main office. This would be
considered a type of fixed network systemthe network being the distribution network
which the utility has built and maintains to deliver electric power. Such systems are
primarily used for electric meter reading. Some providers have interfaced gas and water
meters to feed into a PLC type system.