Mobile Relay Units for Smart Meter Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart-metering systems face challenges in acquiring and forwarding data to central processing when a stationary concentrator is not yet operational, particularly during construction projects, leading to potential energy inefficiencies and delayed detection of connection leaks or line breaks.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing mobile units equipped with communication devices, such as smartphones, to act as relay stations for short-distance data packet reception from meters and long-distance communication to a center, enabling data forwarding even without a functional concentrator, using ISM channels and protocols like IEEE 802.15.4, wMbus, or Bluetooth, with minimal battery load and increased reliability through piggybacking and multiple mobile units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stationary concentrator is used for data relay, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device mobility and adaptability to construction sites deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static concentrator into a dynamic system by introducing mobile relay units (smartphones, tablets, laptops) that can move freely to different construction sites. These mobile units dynamically establish communication links with meters and relay data to the center, providing both reliability through established protocols and adaptability through physical mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile relay units as intermediary devices between meters and the central system. These intermediaries (smartphones, tablets, laptops) equipped with communication apps facilitate data transmission in environments where direct concentrator-meter communication is not yet available, solving the contradiction by providing a flexible intermediate solution.
2Device complexity
If data transmission is delayed until concentrator is operational, then system complexity is reduced, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary data acquisition and transmission using mobile relay units before the stationary concentrator is fully operational. Measurement data can be collected and forwarded immediately via mobile devices, eliminating waiting time while maintaining system simplicity by using existing communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows self-service data transmission where mobile relay units autonomously establish connections, retrieve measurement data from meters, and forward it to the center without requiring the stationary concentrator to be operational first. This eliminates time loss while keeping the overall system architecture simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile relay units are deployed, then adaptability to provisional construction sites is improved, but use of energy by moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile relay units selectively and partially - only in the specific phase during construction when the stationary concentrator is not yet operational. Once the concentrator is installed, the mobile units are withdrawn from active service. This partial deployment minimizes overall energy consumption while providing adaptability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the universality of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) that already have communication capabilities and are commonly available on construction sites. By using existing multi-functional devices rather than dedicated energy-intensive relay equipment, the system achieves adaptability with minimal additional energy burden.
4Reliability
If stationary concentrator is installed early, then data transmission reliability is improved, but ease of operation during construction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic operational system where mobile relay units can be freely moved to different construction locations and temporarily deployed as needed. This dynamic approach provides ease of operation during construction phases while maintaining data transmission reliability through established communication protocols in the mobile devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Mobile units moving in a local network environment and at times in the vicinity of meters of the network, at least temporarily bypass relay functions of a concentrator operated in a stationary manner, if the relay function is not yet available, for instance during construction, for radio communication of data packets of the meter linked into the smart-metering network to a center. The mobile units are persons and/or vehicles with communication devices such as smartphones for long-distance links over the Internet or in the mobile radio standard. The communication devices, as modified mobile radio telephones, receive data packets from meters by using hardware or a software app over a short-distance link to the mobile unit being accidentally temporarily located in the vicinity of the meter. Long-distance communication of packets from mobile unit to center then takes place over the Internet or the mobile radio standard.