Installation Guide

4 Introduction
Main Processor
External Communications Interfaces
Measurement
Processor
Analog/Digital Input
Power SupplyInternal Sensors
ECN ENCLOSURE
Optional Backup
Battery
Mains Power
Digital
Input
Cover
Switch
MV/LV
CT
PLC
Modem +
Antenna
USB /
Serial
Ethernet
Figure 1. ECN Hardware Architecture
The ECN main processor manages the other hardware components within the
ECN and runs the COS system software and related applications. The main
processor communicates with a measurement processor that monitors the overall
health of the ECN unit, including internal sensors and certain input data. The
measurement processor also provides a hardware watchdog function to ensure
that the main processor remains responsive.
The ECN main processor also communicates with system cards and expansion
cards that provide the communications interfaces for the ECN. It is these cards
that allow the ECN to communicate with smart meters, home area networks,
wide area networks, and the Internet.
Inside the ECN enclosure, all of the hardware is further enclosed in an inner card
cage that protects the main processor, the system cards, and the expansion cards
from exposure to the communications frequencies emitted from the antennas
located at the periphery of the ECN unit. Figure 2 on page 5 shows the ECN
with its external cover removed so that the inner card cage is visible. Also visible
in the figure are the antenna holders at the edges of the enclosure.