User Manual

Installation Guide: PETNET System Components
effective solution can be installed. In large scale roll-outs, often in areas large enough to span
multiple telephone companies’ service territories, a single contact within one telephone company
is often not available, which inevitably results in delays. With the cellular telephone option,
these delays can be eliminated. Additionally, the cellular telephone option can be migrated from
new installation to new installation as hard-wired telephone services are eventually installed at
each site.
The base PETRC unit is mounted at a central point in an apartment complex where ease of
interconnection to power and telephone lines are available. This base unit can monitor and retain
data on up to 1000 Water PET modules. Water usage data is gathered from the PET modules via
a Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum RF technology. Having the PET modules utilize a very
slow “bubble up” rate minimizes the power consumption of the PET module, thus providing a
much longer field life. The slow bubble up rate also minimizes unnecessary RF interference to
other users in the RF band.
The PET Repeater unit provides a store-and-forward functionality in the network. This unit
receives PET module RF transmissions from surrounding PET modules, adds a time stamp, and
upon a predetermined time, forwards the stored PET module data to other PETRC units (either
through additional PET Repeater units or the base PETRC unit). Up to 7 levels can be configured
in a string of PET Repeater units. Each level can communicate with all of the units at lower
levels. Thus, the system can be configured to provide universal coverage in typical multi-
dwelling or highrise environments.
The ruggedized PETRC and PET Repeater units are capable of being mounted outside and is
impervious to weather and potential vandalism.
Water usage data transmitted by the network PETRC unit via telephone or cellular telephone is
processed by the head-end MV-RS Meter Reading Software. The MV-RS system runs on a
standard PC. MV-RS not only processes data received from network PETRC units, it provides
an interactive, graphical user interface to allow users to extract and report key information.
Itron’s MV-RS Meter Reading Software has been deployed throughout the world at over
hundreds of locations. Originating within the utility market, this Multi-Vendor Reading
Software has years of reliable service with millions of meters read. Itron has chosen the MV-RS
Meter Reading Software, along with the network PETRC units and the PET modules, as key
components in Itron’s PETNET Submetering Network because of their substantial history of
reliable operations in the utility meter reading environment around the world.