Mesh Network Access Points for Utility Meter Data Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying and operating Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems with thousands of cellular modems for utility meter data communication results in significant capital and operational expenditures due to the cost of modems and managing large numbers of modems at central utility sites.
Innovation Solution
Linking access points of multiple subnetworks to communicate with the utility via a mesh network, allowing only one designated access point to communicate directly with the utility, thereby eliminating or deactivating the need for cellular modems in other subnetworks and enabling selective activation/deactivation of WAN links based on traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each subnetwork deploys its own cellular modem to communicate directly with the utility, then communication reliability is improved, but capital expenditure and operational cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple subnetworks are merged into a single mesh network where access points share communication resources. Instead of each subnetwork having its own dedicated cellular modem, the access points form a collaborative network that aggregates data and shares a common backhaul connection to the utility, thereby reducing the total number of modems required while maintaining communication reliability through redundant paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points are designed to serve multiple functions: they act as both local communication nodes for meters within their subnetwork and as relay points in the broader mesh network. This multi-functionality allows a single access point to handle traffic for multiple subnetworks, reducing the need for dedicated modems in each subnetwork while maintaining reliable communication through shared infrastructure.
2Reliability
If thousands of cellular modems are deployed for individual subnetworks, then communication coverage is improved, but capital expenditure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple subnetwork communication paths into a unified mesh network architecture. Access points from different subnetworks interconnect to form a collaborative backbone, allowing a single backhaul connection to serve multiple subnetworks. This consolidation reduces the total number of cellular modems required from thousands to a manageable number, significantly reducing capital expenditure while maintaining comprehensive coverage through the mesh topology.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points serve as intermediary nodes between meters and the utility server. Rather than meters directly connecting to the utility through expensive cellular modems, the access points act as intermediaries that aggregate data locally and relay it through the mesh network. This intermediary layer enables cost-effective communication by sharing infrastructure resources while maintaining communication coverage across all subnetworks.
3Ease of operation
If a large number of modems are managed at central utility sites, then direct communication capability is improved, but operational expenditure and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into hierarchical levels: local access points handle meter communication, intermediate relay points manage subnetwork aggregation, and a limited number of backhaul connections provide utility connectivity. This segmentation distributes management responsibilities throughout the network rather than concentrating all modem management at the utility site, reducing operational expenditure and management complexity while maintaining direct communication capability through the mesh architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh network enables access points to autonomously route traffic and manage their own communication paths based on network conditions. This self-service capability reduces the need for centralized management of thousands of modems, as the network automatically optimizes data flow through available paths. Operational complexity is reduced while direct communication capability is maintained through the distributed intelligence of the mesh architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A meshed networking of access points in a utility network provides a more efficient and cost effective arrangement for communicating data between meters and the utility by linking the access points of multiple subnetworks for purposes of communicating with the utility. As a result, each individual subnetwork is not required to directly communicate with the utility. For those access points that are relieved of the need to directly communicate with the utility, the communication mechanism, e.g., cellular modem, can be eliminated, or deactivated, to thereby reduce capital expenditures and/or operational costs. Additionally, links to a WAN can be selectively activated or disabled to provision bandwidth, for example, on demand, to react to changing conditions in the subnetworks.