Plug-and-Play Radio Module for Smart Metering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metering devices with basic functions lack advanced metering and communications capabilities, requiring costly redesigns to upgrade, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, plug-and-play radio and advanced metering device module that connects to a host device, providing additional functionalities like interval data processing, wireless communications, and smart metering through a computing device and transceiver, with a small form factor and low cost, allowing easy installation without extensive redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a basic metering device is redesigned to provide advanced metering and communications functions, then the device functionality is improved, but the design and testing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: a basic metering device and a separate advanced metering module. The module contains the computing device, radio transceiver, and memory, while the host device performs only basic metering. This segmentation allows the host device to remain simple and avoid redesign, while the module provides advanced functionality that can be independently developed and tested.
Solution Approach 2:
The advanced metering module is designed to be universally compatible with basic metering devices through standardized interfaces (communications interface, power interface, antenna interface). This multi-functionality approach allows the same module to be attached to different host devices, providing advanced metering, interval data processing, and wireless communications without requiring redesign of the host device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a basic metering device is redesigned to provide advanced metering and communications functions, then the device functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into a basic host device and a separate advanced module, the manufacturing complexity is distributed. The host device can be manufactured using existing simple processes, while the module is manufactured as a separate unit with integrated components (computing device, radio, memory), reducing overall manufacturing cost compared to redesigning the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The module is designed as a self-contained unit that provides all advanced functionality independently. It includes its own computing device for interval data processing, radio transceiver for wireless communications, and memory for data storage. This self-service design eliminates the need to modify the host device, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a basic metering device is redesigned to provide advanced metering and communications functions, then the device functionality is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture segments functionality into a simple host device and a separate advanced module. The host device maintains its basic metering function with minimal complexity, while the module encapsulates all complex functions (computing device for interval processing, radio transceiver for wireless communication, memory for data storage) in a single attachable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The module acts as an intermediary between the basic metering device and the external environment. It interfaces with the host device through standardized communication protocols and provides advanced functionality without requiring the host device to become complex. The module mediates all advanced operations, keeping the host device architecture simple.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A radio and advanced metering system. In an example, a multi-device module includes a host device interface configured to connect to a host device. The host device interface includes a communications interface that can send communications to and receive communications from the host device. The multi-device module includes a radio that can to connect to a wireless network and a microcontroller configurable to provide metering functions and smart metering applications.