LPWAN Meter Installation Using Mobile Network Pre-Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of installing battery-powered stationary measuring devices at distributed locations is the lengthy process of establishing a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) connection, which consumes significant battery power and time, especially when the network is unknown to the utility provider.
Innovation Solution
An automatic reading system (ARS) uses a mobile installation device to provide LPWAN connection candidate information via short-range wireless communication to the measuring devices, allowing them to establish a handshaked LPWAN connection quickly, using LPWAN connection modules that prioritize frequencies based on received information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the measuring device searches for a suitable LPWAN network with sufficient signal quality, then the connection reliability is improved, but the installation time increases significantly (up to 15 minutes or longer)
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile installation device performs preliminary actions by searching for and identifying suitable LPWAN networks and their frequency bands before the measuring device needs to connect. The installer uses the mobile device to scan for available LPWAN networks, determine the frequency band with sufficient signal quality, and prepare the connection parameters in advance. This preliminary search and preparation eliminates the need for the measuring device to perform a lengthy search during installation, reducing installation time while ensuring reliable connection.
2Reliability
If the measuring device searches for a suitable LPWAN network with sufficient signal quality, then the connection reliability is improved, but the battery power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile installation device performs the energy-intensive LPWAN network search and frequency band determination before the measuring device needs to establish connection. By conducting the search in advance using the installer's mobile device (which has its own power source), the measuring device avoids performing lengthy searches that would consume its limited battery power. This preliminary action ensures reliable connection while preserving the measuring device's battery energy for its primary measurement and communication functions.
3Reliability
If the measuring device conducts an extended LPWAN search, then the connection success rate is improved, but the installation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The installer uses the mobile installation device to perform preliminary LPWAN network identification and frequency band determination before reaching the installation location. The mobile device scans for available LPWAN networks, evaluates signal quality, and identifies the optimal frequency band in advance. When the measuring device is installed, it can immediately connect using the pre-determined frequency information, achieving both high connection success rate and efficient installation speed without requiring extended search time.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the LPWAN network is unknown to the utility provider, then the system flexibility is improved, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile installation device acts as an intermediary between the installer and the LPWAN network. It performs the complex tasks of network scanning, frequency band identification, and connection parameter determination, thereby simplifying the installation process. The measuring device only needs to receive the frequency information from the mobile device and establish connection using this pre-provided information, reducing its complexity while maintaining system flexibility in dealing with unknown LPWAN networks.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an automatic reading system, ARS (1), for determining values at a plurality of distributed installation locations and communicating data containing said values via a Low Power Wide Area Network, LPWAN, to a head-end-system, HES (3), the ARS (1) comprising: - a HES (3); - a plurality of battery-powered stationary measuring devices (7), wherein each of the measuring devices (7) is configured to be installed at one of the installation locations and to determine said values of said one installation location, wherein each of the measuring devices (7) comprises an LPWAN connection module being configured to establish a wireless communication connection to the LPWAN for communicating data containing said values via the LPWAN to the HES (3); and - a mobile installation device (13) comprising a short-range connection module configured to establish a short-range wireless communication connection (15) to one of the measuring devices (7) that is about to be installed at one of the installation locations, wherein the short-range connection module is configured to send, via the short-range wireless communication (15), LPWAN connection candidate information to said one of the measuring devices (7) that is about to be installed at one of the installation locations, and wherein the LPWAN connection module of said one of the measuring devices (7) is configured to attempt to establish for the first time at said one of the installation locations a handshaked LPWAN connection to the LPWAN based on the received LPWAN connection candidate information.