Smart Water Meter Transmission Method Reducing Network Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart water meters generate excessive network loading due to the continuous transmission of measurement data, even when water consumption is zero, leading to inefficient data transmission and network congestion.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a transmission method that distinguishes between normal and compact measurement frames, where compact frames are sent when multiple measurements are zero, containing only identification data and non-zero measurements, significantly reducing the frame length and network load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If normal measurement frames are transmitted for all measurement periods, then complete measurement data is transmitted, but network loading increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structure parameter of measurement frames by introducing two modes: normal mode (complete data) and compact mode (reduced data). The mode bit parameter indicates which structure to use, allowing the system to adapt frame composition to actual measurement conditions and reduce network loading when measurements are zero
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the measurement frame structure dynamic by selecting between normal and compact modes based on the measurement data characteristics. The mode bit dynamically indicates whether the current frame contains complete data or reduced data, allowing the transmission system to adapt to varying measurement conditions in real-time
2Loss of information
If all measurement data is transmitted including zero values, then no data is lost, but transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes redundant zero-value measurements from the transmission data. By identifying and excluding consecutive zero measurements (up to a limit defined by Nb) while maintaining identification data for active intervals, the system eliminates unnecessary data transmission and improves efficiency without losing meaningful information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments measurement data into active intervals (non-zero measurements) and inactive intervals (zero measurements). By transmitting identification data that marks active intervals and only including non-zero measurements, the system efficiently represents the measurement period structure while reducing overall data volume
3Quantity of substance
If compact measurement frames are used to reduce data size, then network loading is reduced, but frame structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces identification data as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between compact representation and data completeness. These identification bits serve as markers that enable the receiving system to reconstruct the measurement period structure and understand which time intervals contain active measurements, simplifying the interpretation of compact frames
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission method for transmitting measurements is taken by a fluid meter during successive measurement periods, each subdivided into successive time intervals. The measurements comprise first measurements, each representative of a quantity of fluid distributed during a respective one of the time intervals. The transmission method includes, for each measurement period, the step of producing and then transmitting at least one measurement frame such that: when the number of first measurements that are equal to zero is strictly less than a predetermined number during said measurement period, then the measurement frame is a normal measurement frame; otherwise the measurement frame is a compact measurement frame that, when there is at least one first measurement that is not equal to zero, comprises both preliminary data comprising identification data for identifying active time intervals and also compact first measurement data comprising only said non-zero first measurements ordered in a predefined order.