Basic wireless meter reading system description

AN2048

4/13

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Basic wireless meter reading system description

To reduce cost and difficulties associated with the reading of indoor utility meters for gas,

water and electricity, a new automatic meter reading system has recently been introduced. It

uses radio frequency networks and allows direct data communication between reading

meters and services and/or the billing department. A DTU (Data Transmission Unit) module

that contains a powerful UHF narrow-band radio transmitter is attached to gas, water and

electric utility meters.

Figure 3.

Network system

A DCU (Data Collector Unit) is placed in a convenient location within an apartment building

or housing complex.

The DCU contacts daily an NCC (Network Control Computer) and forwards the meter

reading information.

The NCC processes the information and provides billing data and customer support

information. This paper describes a DTU solution using an STMicroelectronics 8 W - 7 V

LDMOS device housed in a PowerFLAT and called PD54008L-E.

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Electrical requirements

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