User's Manual

EA Mobile User Guide
1. Introduction
13
3. Once the route is loaded the reading mode can be entered. In reading
mode the interrogator issues the necessary commands to interrogate the
endpoints while the user drives along the route with the EA_Mobile
operating.
4. The EA_Mobile sends out an interrogation signal searching for the
endpoints that are determined to be within its current interrogation window.
5. When a endpoint receives a signal with its unique ID and specific command,
the endpoint replies by transmitting the requested data (transmitted data
depends on the type of meter).
Endpoint selection
Endpoints can be queued for reading by the EA_Mobile according to three types
of criteria:
Data accuracy verification
The EA_Mobile uses a module to preform RF communication using the EA_LAN
protocol. The EA_Gas module and the EA_Water module use various methods for
error detection including a check sum algorithm.
Meter data acquisition and processing
When the data stream from a endpoint meets the above criteria for accuracy, the
EA_Mobile records the meter index reading along with endpoint status, time and
the vehicle position at the time of the read. If desired, this data can be stored in an
output file on the supplied HP 4GB USB flash drive. At the end of a shift or upon
terminating data collection for a particular route, the HP 4GB USB flash drive is
removed for later use or for further processing by the utility.
Route data collection made fast, easy and safe
Once the EA_Mobile is initialized with the proper route data and the interrogation
command is given by the user, the system will collect readings automatically, with
little or no further intervention from the meter reader as the user drives the
Proximity to EA_Mobile (Lat/
Lon mode)
All endpoints with Lat/Lon coordinates within range of the
EA_Mobile are polled until readings are obtained. This is
the most efficient reading method because the
EA_Mobile only attempts to read endpoints that are
within its range. (Endpoints without Lat/Lon coordinates
cannot be read in Lat/Lon mode.) The EA_Mobile limits
route files to 50176 lines when in this mode.
Sequential (FIFO mode) The FIFO, or first-in-first-out, method simply means the
EA_Mobile will begin at the top of the route list,
continuously searching for all unread endpoints on the
list. As the route is covered and endpoints reply to the
interrogation signal with valid data, the list becomes
shorter. This is the least efficient reading method because
the EA_Mobile may be polling endpoints that are out of
range. The EA_Mobile limits routes to 300 endpoints
when in this mode.
Combination (GEO mode) GEO mode is a combination of Lat/Lon and FIFO. If a
endpoint has Lat/Lon coordinates, the EA_Mobile will
attempt to read this unit ONLY if it is currently within the
interrogation window. All endpoints without Lat/Long
coordinates are constantly polled until readings are
obtained. The EA_Mobile limits the number of endpoints
without Lat/Lon coordinates (GEO transponders) to 100.