User's Manual

VRT T
RANSPONDER
O
VERVIEW
VRT Transponder—User Guide Page 7
AMCO Automated Systems, October 2002 Last Saved:
11/13/2002 10:25 AM
How the Transponder Works
When a transponder is installed on a meter the installer programs the
transponder’s e-index to correspond to the meters mechanical index. As
the mechanical index accumulates count the transponder’s e-index
accumulates count as well from a magnet and reed switch configuration
integral to the transponder. Once a day, at a pre-programmed time, the
transponder stores the current index reading for that day into the e-index
for that day. The transponder maintains daily reading history for the past
35 days. Four time-of-use registers with programmable start and stop
times can accumulate consumption in separate e-indexes as well.
To maximize battery life, the transponder changes from its normal, low-
power quiescent state every 1.5 seconds into an intermediate power
state for 2.5 milliseconds in order to (1) update the e-index for the meter
index, daily reading and time-of-use indexes; poll the tamper detector;
and (3) check to see if a valid interrogation signal is being received.
When a valid interrogation signal (including the transponder’s unique
serial number) is received, a two-way communication link is established.
A current reading and other historical data (as required for each
individual account) is transmitted to the interrogator. Data collected by
an interrogator are validated, audited and stored for uploading to
TRACE® Route Manager VRT Software later.
VRT™ Transponder Program Values.
At the time of manufacture transponders are programmed with the
current date, time of day, and other values as specified by the utility.
Time of Day. The time of day for the time zone specified by the utility is
programmed into the transponder. The time of day on the transponder
can be synchronized with the clock in the interrogation device each time
the transponder is read.
Daylight Savings Time. If daylight savings time is observed the utility
must advise AMCO Automated Systems and the initial settings will be
programmed into the transponder at the time of manufacture. Updates
to daylight savings time will be communicated through Route Manager
VRT ™ and interrogators.
Daily Read Capture Time. Daily read history is recorded at the same
time each day for retrieval at a later date. The daily read capture time is
specified by the utilty and programmed into the transponder at time of
manufacture.
Time of Use Registers. Time of use registers, if activated, accumulate
consumption recorded by the transponder between the start and stop
time set for each TOU register. If activated the TOU register must be
active for a minimum of 00:29:59 (hh:mm:ss) and a maximum of
23:44:59 (hh:mm:ss). TOU registers can start on the hour or in 15-
minute intervals after the hour (12:15:00 PM is a valid start time /
12:07:00 PM is not a valid time). TOU registers must end at the end of
the hour or in 15-minute intervals thereafter (01:59:59 PM is a valid stop
time / 02:13:59 is not). TOU registers can overlap – for example, TOU
01 can run from 08:00:00 AM until 10:29:59 PM and TOU 02 can run