The Next Generation AMR System - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

(John MacConnell)

Valon Technology, LLC

(Stuart Rumley)

A Joint Development between:

and

• Optimized for highest performance and lowest cost
• Flexible Architecture (features easily added; mobile, handheld, network)
• True 2-way radio link (allows controlling and programming endpoints)
• High Performance RF Link (Long Range)
• High Data Rate (Selectable: 100 kbps or 50 kbps)
• High Endpoint Transmitter Power (100 mW)
• Low Endpoint Current (10 μA yields >10 year battery life)
• Low Endpoint Cost ($11 @ 100K excluding battery and case)
• Modular and Extensible Reader Design
• Reader is Small and Light Weight (Easily moved between vehicles)

• Optimally supports mobile, handheld or network readers
• New Endpoint features can be added without obsolescing the installed base
• New message types are easily added
• Endpoints optimally support both full duplex and half duplex readers
• Additional receivers can be added to the reader receiver bus

Two-way link allows added features. A few Examples:

• Remote programming
• Calling individual endpoints “by name”
• Setting the data rate for best performance
• Setting the number of transmissions per wake-up
• Set full or half duplex depending on reader type
• Changing the hop sequence to avoid interference
• Request different endpoint data sets
• Monthly consumption and/or
• TOU data and/or
• Peak demand and/or
• Other data

• Endpoints run 100 mW output power
• Mobile reader sensitivity approaches the theoretical maximum
• Can handle 130 dB of path loss at 100 kbps and133 dB of path loss at 50 kbps (for the geeks amongst us)(This is very good performance)
• Measured range in excess of 3000’ line of sight(range is determined by the path loss and varies according to the conditions)
• Endpoint to reader link:902 to 928 MHz frequency hopping
• Reader to endpoint Link:952 to 960 MHz MAS band (1.4 GHz optional)

• 100 kbps or 50 kbps
• Dynamically selectable (the reader controls the endpoint data rate)
• 100 kbps for large files
• 50 kbps for hard-to-read situations
• Supports high functionality meters having large data sets such as TOU

• 100 mW Transmitter Output Power
• Long range
• Read from difficult situations
• water meter pits
• basements
• long driveways
• Supports higher data dates without range degradation
• Battery or Mains Operation
• Low peak current allows use of AA Lithium battery
• Clever transmitter power supply for battery operation
• 99% battery power supply efficiency (higher than a charge pump)
• Less than half the cost of a charge pump
• Rapidly comes on line reducing transmitter latency
• No transformer required for mains operation, reducing cost

• Ultra low current superheterodyne receiver
• 10 microamps average receiver current
• 10 to 15 year battery life from a AA lithium cell
• Proprietary algorithms conserve energy
• High power transmitter is very efficient
• 0.1 microamp average current(based on 300 reads per month)
• Low peak transmitter current(less than 5 mA above the peak receiver current)
• DC Power conversion circuitry is 99% efficient

• Separate transmitter, receiver, power supply, and decoder/controller assemblies
• Additional receiver modules can be added to the control and data bus
• Easily packaged into other form factors due to modular subsystem packaging

Reader

Radio Link

Serial Connection

(RS232 or USB)

Endpoints

Host

User Interface

Thread

(User Supplies)

API

Command & Control

Thread

(We supply as a DLL)

Serial Link

Reader

• Any endpoint can communicate with any other endpoint that is within RF range.
• Electric endpoints can repeat messages for any other endpoint.
• Battery powered endpoints can communicate with electric endpoints, although they do not repeat messages.
• The top of each sub-net is connected to the control center through a public network such as telephone, 802.11, or cellular.

• Paths are source routed.
• Newly added endpoints are automatically discovered and added to the network.
• Optimum primary and secondary paths are computed to each endpoint.

• Demonstrates a mobile reading system
• Uses a long message
• 38 bytes (304 bits)
• Longer than a typical TOU message
• Carries endpoint engineering data
• Allows changing the endpoint parameters:
• Demonstrates some of the 2-way capabilities
• Data rate (50 kbps or 100 kbps)
• Number of times each endpoint repeats its message
• Frequency hopping on or off

• Optimized for highest performance and lowest cost
• Flexible Architecture (features easily added; mobile, handheld, network)
• True 2-way radio link (allows controlling and programming endpoints)
• High Performance RF Link (Long Range)
• High Data Rate (Selectable: 100 kbps or 50 kbps)
• High Endpoint Transmitter Power (100 mW)
• Low Endpoint Current (10 μA yields >10 year battery life)
• Low Endpoint Cost ($11 @ 100K excluding battery and case)
• Modular and Extensible Reader Design
• Reader is Small and Light Weight (Easily moved between vehicles)

John MacConnell

P.O. Box 278

La Canada, CA 91012

(818) 952-0688

john.macconnell@ieee.org

Valon Technology, LLC

Stuart Rumley

308 Nevada St.

Redwood City, CA 94062

(650) 369-0575

stuart@valontechnology.com