User's Manual

TRACE SYSTEM OVERVIEW
VRT Transponder—User Guide Page 5
AMCO Automated Systems, January 2003 Last Saved: 1/28/2003 10:00 AM
Transponder data acquisition. The transponder is programmed with a
unique serial number at the time of manufacture. The transponder
queries the water meter register/encoder and stores this reading in
memory.The transponder also records changes to the tamper detection
sensor.
Route information loading. Route data includes meter account number,
address and latitude/longitude coordinates (when available), and
transponder serial number. This information, along with Guide and Start
files, is downloaded to the interrogator prior to commencing automated
meter reading. By also tracking the vehicle or interrogator’s coordinates,
a GPS-equipped system determines which transponders in the route
should lie within range at any given time and transmits those serial
numbers requesting meter data.
Interrogation. Once placed in an interrogation mode by the meter
reader, the TRACE interrogator transmits serial number(s) of the desired
transponder(s) along with a command requesting the contents of each
transponder’s memory. Transponders are selected for reading on the
basis of route and meter location information stored in the interrogator
and presence of the transponder within range of the interrogator.
Route data processing. Meter data from transponders is stored in the
interrogator’s memory and can be transferred to the utility’s host
computer for processing