User Manual

FlexNet SmartPoint Radio Overview A-2
SmartPoint Module for the Elster A3 Meter ECMTM40000
It is important to specify the actual operating frequency range of the TGB when it is ordered so the correct RF
card frequency range is delivered to the installation.
A.2.1 Systems Operating Under Part 24 of FCC Rules
(Narrow-Band PCS)
US NBPCS Frequency:
• Inbound:901.125 MHz ±25 KHz
• Outbound:940.125 MHz ±25 KHz
A.2.2 Systems Operating Under RSS-134 in Canada
(Narrow-Band PCS)
Canadian NBPCS Frequency:
• Inbound:901.625 MHz ±25 KHz
• Outbound:940.125 MHz ±25 KHz
The operating frequencies stated above are the center of the bandwidth in which Sensus is licensed to
operate. For example, in the US, the operating bandwidth Sensus may use starts at 901.1 MHz and
stops at 901.15 MHz. We define the center frequency of the licensed bandwidth as FCInbound and
FCOutbound for the discussions below. For example, in the US for the NBPCS operating frequencies
FCInbound would be 901.125 MHz and FCOutbound would be 940.125 MHz.
A.3 SmartPoint Radio Transmit Modes
The SmartPoint module can communicate to the TGB in three different modes:
• Normal mode allows for direct communication to the TGB,
• Poll/Response mode or clear channel for responses from tower commands,
• mPass or “Buddy” mode allows for indirect communication from the meter to the TGB via other
meters.
The first two communication modes are direct, SmartPoint module to TGB, while the last provides the greatest
flexibility in a two-way system.
A SmartPoint device may also transmit to other SmartPoint devices with mPass modulation, utilizing the
channels described above. This mode allows a meter to repeat another meter (message pass, thus mPass)
that is out-of-range of the TGB receiver due to installation constraints (i.e. transmitter is mounted in a
basement or other environment that obstructs its signal path back to the TGB). It also allows the TGB to
communicate with a blocked meter through another SmartPoint device.
Meters that receive mPass modulated messages from blocked meters repeat those messages to the TGB
utilizing boost, ½ baudrate or normal modulation modes (and frequencies, i.e. the lower frequency of the
frequency pair).
TGB communication to blocked meters through SmartPoint™ devices that are passing messages utilizes
mPass modulation (and frequencies, i.e. the higher frequency of the frequency pair) from the TGB to the
repeating SmartPoint™ meter and from the repeating SmartPoint™ meter to the blocked meter.
The mPass modulation is only utilized in the frequency channels that occupy the upper frequency of the
frequency pair. The boost,
½ baudrate, and normal modes of modulation are only utilized on the frequency
channels that occupy the lower frequency of the frequency pair.
The mPass modulation is also used by the TGB to communicate with all SmartPoint devices in the field.