User's Manual
Table Of Contents
GENERAL
The following specifications describe the requirements for a radio-
based automatic meter reading system as it relates to the mobile radio
Vehicle Transceiver Unit (VXU). If meters and/or other equipment are
included in the proposal or bid, that material will be covered under a
separate specification.
RADIO SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The radio AMR system must have the ability to read meters equipped
with absolute encoder registers using either a hand-held or mobile
interrogation unit. The encoder registers will be connected to a Meter
Transceiver Unit (MXU) that will provide the radio link from the meter to
the interrogation device.
The radio AMR system will utilize a true two-way (interrogate and
respond) communication protocol that enhances system integrity and
reliability.
Upon completion of the meter reading route, the meter reading data
from the VXU will be downloaded via a PC with radio AMR software.
The radio AMR software will prepare and format the meter reading
data for the printing of selected management reports and the transfer
of the meter reading data to the billing software for customer invoicing.
VXU BASIC FUNCTIONS
The VXU is considered the complete package that will permit the utility
to read meters by using any vehicle in the utility’s fleet via radio sig-
nals.
The complete VXU package, as a minimum, will include the following:
●
A laptop computer connected to the VXU with the capability to han-
dle multiple reading of radio equipped meters and the storage of
meter reading data
●
VXU radio operating software
●
A magnetic mount antenna that connects to the VXU for optimal
radio reading performance
●
A power cable capable of plugging into a 12-volt cigarette lighter to
power the VXU
●
Applicable connector cables for the computer and VXU
●
Carrying case for all VXU equipment
The VXU will have the capability to collect and store meter readings at
any time on the meter reading route via radio transmission with any
meter equipped with an encoder and MXU.
The VXU will send an alert signal to a MXU connected to a meter fitted
with an encoder register. Upon receipt of the alert, the MXU will trans-
mit the meter reading data to the VXU. Once this data is received and if
all parameters are valid in the meter reading message, the VXU will
acknowledge the MXU that the data is valid and permit the MXU to go
into a power down mode. The VXU will be able to handle multiple read-
ings from MXUs simultaneously.
The VXU software will periodically transfer the meter reading data to
the hard drive of the VXU computer to maintain already read meters in
case of power failure. The VXU computer will also have its own battery
in case of vehicle power system failure.
VXUSPEC
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SPECIFICATIONS
RadioRead
W
For Automatic Meter Reading System
➀
Mobile Radio Vehicle Transceiver Unit (VXU)
The VXU will provide the capability to read the MXUs in either a geo-
graphic mode or blind mode. Geographic mode being the ability to
alert and receive transmission for a specific MXU or group of specified
MXUs. In the blind mode, the VXU will be able to alert and receive
transmission from any MXU within range of the alert signal simulta-
neously.
The VXU shall also have the capability to address MXUs on a wild card
alert basis. The wild card will be operator controlled from the VXU.
The VXU, in conjunction with the MXU will have the capability of utiliz-
ing a reading cycle code within the transmission protocol. The reading
cycle code is utility controlled and changes with each reading cycle.
Once an MXU has been successfully interrogated and powered down
using a specific reading cycle code parameter, the MXU will not alert
again until the code is changed.
For optimum performance, the VXU will have the capability to analyze
noise levels of applicable RF channels in the area and select the opti-
mum frequency for the MXU to transmit. It will then command through
the alert signal to the MXU what frequency to transmit the meter read-
ing back to the VXU.
The VXU shall be able to function either with or without a meter read-
ing route. With a reading route, the VXU will be able to read the meters
in either blind or geographic reading mode and post the readings to the
proper account through the use of the MXU and encoder register iden-
tification number. Without a reading route, the VXU will be able to read
the meters in either blind or geographic reading mode. The VXU will
retain the meter readings for later posting to the billing software by
matching with the proper account through the use of the MXU and
encoder register identification number.
The VXU software will have the capability to address MXUs in conjunc-
tion with the MXU class code option. The class code being an optional
utility defined code programmed into the MXU for meter reading.
VXU DATA TRANSFER
The VXU will be able to store the meter reading data either on the hard
disk of the laptop computer or on a diskette of the computer disk drive.
If stored on the computer hard drive, the meter reading data will be
able to be transferred to the computer interfacing to the billing software
through file transfer to a diskette. The VXU computer will also have the
capability to be directly linked to the interfacing computer for computer
to computer transfer. The VXU computer will have a programmable
baud rate capability for the computer transfer.
VXU POWER REQUIREMENTS
The VXU will be powered from any vehicle in the utility’s fleet that has a
12-volt power system. The VXU computer will have its own battery for
backup in case of the vehicle system failure. The backup battery will be
able to operate the VXU computer for at least two (2) hours with a fully
charged battery.
VXU NAVIGATION SYSTEM
The VXU will provide for an optional navigation system. The VXU
design will permit a commercially available GPS receiver to be inter-
faced to the VXU via an RS232 link.