Cellular Modem Wireless Meter Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional utility meters, such as electric, gas, and water meters, often lack the capability for wireless communication, making it difficult to remotely monitor and transmit data, especially in areas where wireline transmission is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a cellular modem, processor, and antenna for CDMA/1xRTT digital wireless cellular radio communications, enabling two-way wireless communication with a remote control station for data acquisition and transmission from meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional meters are used without wireless communication capability, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but remote monitoring capability and data transmission ability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate wireless communication device that interfaces with the conventional meter through existing communication ports. This intermediary device handles all wireless communication functions, allowing the meter itself to remain simple while gaining remote monitoring capability through the added communication module.
2Reliability
If wireline transmission is used for meter data, then communication reliability is improved, but installation feasibility deteriorates in hard-to-reach or restricted areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wireline connection system with a wireless communication system using cellular networks. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cable installation in hard-to-reach areas while maintaining data transmission capability through electromagnetic wave communication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication components are added to conventional meters, then remote monitoring capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication functionality into a separate, standalone device rather than integrating it directly into the meter. This segmentation allows the meter to remain a simple, low-cost device while the wireless communication capabilities are provided by a separate module that can be independently manufactured and configured.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna is adapted for receiving via a CDMA/1xRTT digital wireless cellular radio communications network incoming data from a client remote control station, and for transmitting via a wireless cellular communications network outgoing data to the client remote control station. A cellular modem is connected to the antenna for establishing a wireless telephony data connection, and a processor is connected to the modem for receiving and processing incoming data, and for processing and communicating outgoing data to the modem for transmission via the antenna and the wireless cellular communications network to the client remote control station. A communication interface is connected to the processor and connectable to the meter for communicating incoming data from the processor to the meter, and for communicating the outgoing data from the meter to the processor. A power supply is connected for supplying power to the processor and the modem.