Gas Meter Passive Repeater for Shielded Radio Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Static gas meters face challenges with battery life optimization, power consumption, and communication issues due to network coverage limitations and tampering concerns, particularly in environments with shielding that prevents radio communication.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a passive repeater system with antennas and a charging pack using supercapacitors, along with a control unit that manages energy distribution and communication, allows for efficient energy use and communication even in shielded environments, and includes a tamper detection mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a radio transmitter is integrated into the gas meter for remote communication, then consumption data can be transmitted to a central system, but battery power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The radio transmitter operates in periodic bursts rather than continuously. The control unit activates the transmitter only when consumption data needs to be transmitted to the central system, allowing the battery to remain in low-power standby mode for extended periods. This periodic operation significantly reduces average power consumption while maintaining the ability to transmit consumption information when required.
2Reliability
If the gas meter is installed in shielded cabinets for protection, then the meter is physically protected, but radio signal transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
A passive repeater system is introduced as an intermediary between the gas meter inside the shielded cabinet and the external communication network. The repeater receives radio signals from the meter through the cabinet walls (which block direct transmission) and retransmits them externally, effectively mediating the communication through the shielding barrier without requiring physical access to the meter.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into two independent parts: the transmitter inside the shielded cabinet and the repeater outside. This segmentation allows the meter to remain protected within the cabinet while the repeater handles external communication, separating the physical protection function from the radio transmission function.
3Ease of operation
If the battery is made removable for easy replacement, then maintenance is simplified, but tampering detection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the electrical connection status of the battery through feedback signals. When the battery is removed or improperly connected, the control unit detects the change in electrical parameters and activates a tamper alarm, providing immediate feedback about the tampering condition while still allowing legitimate battery replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical approach of secure battery mounting is replaced with an electrical detection system. Instead of relying on mechanical locks or sealed compartments to prevent tampering, the system uses electrical monitoring to detect battery removal or disconnection, substituting mechanical security with electronic surveillance that maintains both ease of replacement and tamper detection.
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 solution extends battery life, simplifies installation, ensures reliable communication, and detects tampering, addressing the limitations of existing static gas meters by optimizing energy use and communication in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
the passive repeater is mounted so as to receive a signal transmitted by the meter inside the cabinet and to transmit it outside of the cabinet itself
Implementation Method 2
the passive repeater comprises a pair of antennas electrically connected through antenna connection means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A static gas meter is described comprising a control unit (7), a measuring circuit (6) for detecting gas consumptions, a wireless transmission system (8) for transmitting measurements made by the measuring circuit, a charging pack (13) for storing energy to be released to the transmission system in case of need. A battery generates a power supply voltage for supplying the control unit, the measuring circuit and the transmission system. The transmission system (8) comprises a first inner antenna placed inside or on the surface of the body (2) of the meter (1) and a passive repeater (19) coupled to said first antenna.