User's Manual

TWACS
®
-ORION
®
for UMT Products User Guide 77
Glossary
RCE
See Remote Communication Equipment.
received signal strength indicator (RSSI)
A value indicating the strength of the received radio frequency signal.
registers
Data storage locations on the transponder microprocessor that contain a variety of information
that is retrievable by the master station. The type of data in registers includes consumption and
demand data.
Remote Communication Equipment (RCE)
The base of the TWACS system hierarchy. RCEs consist of the DCSI family of transponder
products. RCEs are located at customer sites and interface TWACS communication with
various end devices such as meters, water heaters, and air conditioning units to enable
automatic meter reading (AMR), load management, or other functions.
RSSI
See Received Signal Strength Indicator.
Substation Communications Equipment (SCE)
The middle tier of the TWACS system hierarchy, consisting of all TWACS substation
equipment (CRU, OMU, IPU, and MTU). The SCE transmits and receives data between the
Master Station and RCE.
TNS
See TWACS Net Server.
transponder
Two-way field device that can receive and send messages to and from the substation.
TWACS Net Server (TNS) / TWACS
®
Network Gateway (TWACS
®
NG)
Chief component of the entire Two-Way Automatic Communication System. Manages all
collected metering and interval data as well as the connection between the utility and the
consumer’s premises.
Two-Way Automatic Communication System (TWACS)
A patented technology that allows the utility to send and retrieve information to and from
meters and other devices using the utility’s power lines as a communication network.
Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
A frequency range in the radio frequency spectrum between 300 MHz and 3.0 GHz.