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The Next Generation AMR System

Pinnacle Technologies (John MacConnell)

Valon Technology, LLC(Stuart Rumley)

A Joint Development between:

and

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Features

Optimized for highest performance and lowest cost Flexible Architecture (features easily added; mobile, handheld,

network) True 2-way radio link (allows controlling and programming

endpoints) High Performance RF Link (Long Range) High Data Rate (Selectable: 100 kbps or 50 kbps) High Endpoint Transmitter Power (100 mW) Low Endpoint Current (10 μA yields >10 year battery life) Low Endpoint Cost ($11 @ 100K excluding battery and case)

Modular and Extensible Reader Design Reader is Small and Light Weight (Easily moved between

vehicles)

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Features: Flexible Architecture

Optimally supports mobile, handheld or network readers

New Endpoint features can be added without obsolescing the installed base

New message types are easily added Endpoints optimally support both full duplex

and half duplex readers Additional receivers can be added to the

reader receiver bus

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Features: True 2-way radio link

Two-way link allows added features. A few Examples:

Remote programming Calling individual endpoints “by name” Setting the data rate for best performance Setting the number of transmissions per wake-up Set full or half duplex depending on reader type Changing the hop sequence to avoid interference Request different endpoint data sets

Monthly consumption and/or TOU data and/or Peak demand and/or Other data

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Features: High Performance RF Link

Endpoints run 100 mW output power Mobile reader sensitivity approaches the

theoretical maximum Can handle 130 dB of path loss at 100 kbps and

133 dB of path loss at 50 kbps (for the geeks amongst us)

(This is very good performance) Measured range in excess of 3000’ line of sight

(range is determined by the path loss and varies according to the conditions)

Endpoint to reader link:902 to 928 MHz frequency hopping

Reader to endpoint Link:952 to 960 MHz MAS band (1.4 GHz optional)

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Features: High Data Rate

100 kbps or 50 kbps Dynamically selectable (the reader controls the endpoint data

rate) 100 kbps for large files 50 kbps for hard-to-read situations

Supports high functionality meters having large data sets such as TOU

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Features: High Endpoint Transmitter Power

100 mW Transmitter Output Power Long range Read from difficult situations

water meter pits basements long driveways

Supports higher data dates without range degradation

Battery or Mains Operation Low peak current allows use of AA Lithium battery Clever transmitter power supply for battery operation

99% battery power supply efficiency (higher than a charge pump)

Less than half the cost of a charge pump Rapidly comes on line reducing transmitter latency

No transformer required for mains operation, reducing cost

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Features: Low Endpoint Current

Ultra low current superheterodyne receiver 10 microamps average receiver current 10 to 15 year battery life from a AA lithium cell Proprietary algorithms conserve energy

High power transmitter is very efficient 0.1 microamp average current

(based on 300 reads per month) Low peak transmitter current

(less than 5 mA above the peak receiver current) DC Power conversion circuitry is 99% efficient

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Features:Modular and Extensible Mobile Reader

Separate transmitter, receiver, power supply, and decoder/controller assemblies

Additional receiver modules can be added to the control and data bus

Easily packaged into other form factors due to modular subsystem packaging

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Mobile Transmitter Module

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Mobile Receiver Module

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Mobile System Architecture

Host

Reader

Endpoints

Serial Connection(RS232 or USB)

Radio Link

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Host Architecture

User InterfaceThread

(User Supplies)

Command & ControlThread

(We supply as a DLL)

API

Reader

Serial Link

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Mesh Network Architecture

ControlCenter

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Mesh Network

Any endpoint can communicate with any other endpoint that is within RF range.

Electric endpoints can repeat messages for any other endpoint.

Battery powered endpoints can communicate with electric endpoints, although they do not repeat messages.

The top of each sub-net is connected to the control center through a public network such as telephone, 802.11, or cellular.

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Mesh Network

Paths are source routed. Newly added endpoints are automatically

discovered and added to the network. Optimum primary and secondary paths are

computed to each endpoint.

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Demo

Demonstrates a mobile reading system Uses a long message

38 bytes (304 bits) Longer than a typical TOU message Carries endpoint engineering data

Allows changing the endpoint parameters: Demonstrates some of the 2-way capabilities Data rate (50 kbps or 100 kbps) Number of times each endpoint repeats its message Frequency hopping on or off

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Demo User Interface Screen

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Demo Setup Screen

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Conclusion

Optimized for highest performance and lowest cost Flexible Architecture (features easily added; mobile, handheld,

network) True 2-way radio link (allows controlling and programming

endpoints) High Performance RF Link (Long Range) High Data Rate (Selectable: 100 kbps or 50 kbps) High Endpoint Transmitter Power (100 mW) Low Endpoint Current (10 μA yields >10 year battery life) Low Endpoint Cost ($11 @ 100K excluding battery and case)

Modular and Extensible Reader Design Reader is Small and Light Weight (Easily moved between

vehicles)

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Contact Information

Pinnacle TechnologiesJohn MacConnellP.O. Box 278La Canada, CA 91012(818) 952-0688john.macconnell@ieee.org

Valon Technology, LLCStuart Rumley308 Nevada St.Redwood City, CA 94062(650) 369-0575stuart@valontechnology.co

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