Airborne Meter Data Collection Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for reading utility meters are labor-intensive and costly, often resulting in infrequent meter readings, and Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems face challenges with reliable communication due to positioning issues, leading to incomplete data collection and inaccurate billing.
Innovation Solution
A meter reading system utilizing an airborne platform equipped with multiple antennas and transceivers that cover a wide area without gaps or overlaps, allowing for efficient data collection from Automated Meter Reading meters, including a computer system for data processing and visualization of read and unread meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are used to cover wide area, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airborne platform divides the ground coverage area into multiple zones, with each antenna responsible for a specific directional zone. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex antenna system, as each antenna handles a portion of the total area.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple antennas are combined on a single airborne platform to achieve comprehensive ground coverage. The platform integrates several simpler antennas pointing in different directions, merging their coverage areas to eliminate gaps and improve overall measurement precision.
2Productivity
If airborne platform moves faster, then productivity is improved, but reliability of data collection worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple antenna coverage zones before the platform reaches them during flight. This preliminary positioning of coverage areas ensures that meters are captured within the communication range of at least one antenna, maintaining reliability even at higher speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors data collection success rates and adjusts platform speed or antenna positioning based on feedback from actual reading outcomes. This feedback mechanism ensures that productivity increases do not compromise the reliability of meter data collection.
3Measurement precision
If antenna footprints have no gaps, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each antenna is optimized for its specific directional zone with appropriate beam width and gain characteristics. This local optimization allows seamless coverage without gaps while keeping each individual antenna relatively simple, avoiding the need for one overly complex omnidirectional antenna.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enables efficient and accurate reading of utility meters from an airborne platform, reducing labor costs and improving data collection frequency, ensuring accountability and minimizing leakage by providing comprehensive and precise meter data.
Implementation Method 1
The antennas receive meter data from the meters
Data Source
AI summary
A meter reading system for communicating with Automated Meter Reading meters. The system includes an airborne platform and a meter data collection system disposed on the airborne platform. The meter data collection system includes antennas, with each of the antennas pointing in a different direction, one from another, and each antenna generally pointing downward when the airborne platform is airborne. The antennas receive meter data from the meters. The meter data collection system also includes transceivers, one each of the transceivers associated with and in signal communication with one each of the antennas. The transceivers receive the meter data through the antennas. A first computer is in signal communication with the transceivers, and receives the meter data from the transceivers.