Multi-Wireless Gateway for Meter Data Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility metering systems face challenges in communicating with different wireless networks due to varying wireless capabilities, leading to costly reconfiguration and potential errors, especially when legacy devices need to support third-party networks, resulting in suboptimal communication with backend systems.
Innovation Solution
A network device with a multi-wireless access service and repeater service that supports both fixed/proprietary and third-party wireless networks, enabling simultaneous or interleaved communication modes, message translation, and bulk data transfer, reducing the need for multiple device configurations and improving resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy devices are configured to support third-party wireless networks, then network compatibility is improved, but device complexity and reconfiguration costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between legacy metering devices and third-party wireless networks. The gateway handles protocol translation and network communication, allowing legacy devices to access third-party networks without modifying their internal complexity. The gateway acts as a mediator that bridges the communication gap between different network types.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple wireless network types (Fixed/Proprietary, Third-Party, and Mobile). It can simultaneously manage communications across different network protocols and types, providing universal access capability without requiring separate devices for each network type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple device configurations are used to support different wireless networks, then network coverage is improved, but installation costs and error potential increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device consolidates support for multiple wireless network types into a single universal device. Instead of deploying separate configuration devices for each network type, one gateway can handle Fixed/Proprietary, Third-Party, and Mobile networks simultaneously, reducing installation complexity and costs while maintaining broad network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple network access capabilities into a single gateway device. By combining support for different wireless network types and protocols in one device, the system eliminates the need for multiple separate devices, thereby reducing installation costs and minimizing configuration errors.
3Productivity
If wireless communication is used for meter readings, then operational efficiency is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to network variability
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a reliable intermediary that manages communications between meters and backend systems across different wireless networks. It handles protocol translation, error correction, and data routing, ensuring reliable communication despite the variability of different wireless network types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the gateway monitors communication quality across different networks and can adapt its transmission parameters accordingly. This feedback loop helps maintain communication reliability by adjusting to network conditions in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a collector device comprises a first wireless communication interface of a first wireless network configured to receive messages from and transmit messages to a meter interface unit of a utility meter; and a second wireless communication interface of a second wireless network configured to receive messages from and transmit messages to the meter interface unit, wherein the second wireless network is a third party wireless network and the first wireless network is not, and wherein the first wireless communication interface and the second wireless communication interface are configured to operate in a simultaneous mode of communication that provides for a simultaneous transmission to or simultaneous reception of messages from the meter interface unit.