User's Manual

COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL
RF-TWACS Based AMR System DCSI CUSTOMER PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
May 30, 2003 Application Notes – Rev. 1 11
4.2.1.1 Initial Installation and Change-outs
The installation of a Centron meter that is integrated with the EMT-3C-MP TWACS
module is handled like any ordinary meter change-out. The installer must record the final
reading of the meter that is removed, replace it with a Centron meter that is outfitted with
a TWACS module, record the customer number, date, initial reading, and meter serial
number. Other data items may be required as part of the utility’s data process.
Once the data from the installer has entered the CCE, the integrated assembly will be
“searched”, and the electrical path to the unit determined. Additional steps will be taken
to set it up as part of the daily electric meter AMR process.
4.2.2 Remote Meter (gas/water) Transceiver (RMTR)
4.2.2.1 RMTR Specifications
Power Source: 3.6 Volts battery
Design Operational Lifespan:
Minimum: 10 years
Expected: 15 years
Communication Range: 1200 ft. open field @ max. power amplifier gain
Frequency of Operation: 902 to 928 MHz
Number of Channels: 5 link acquisition + 45 link maintenance, bi-directional
Frequency Selection: Pseudo-random Frequency Hopping Spread
Spectrum. (The link acquisition channels are not
part of the hopping sequence).
Signal Strength Indicator: Integral Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).
Clear Channel Selection Method: Walkthrough acquisition channel list in ascending
order, and then use the quietest. Occupied channels
are immediately passed over.
Clear Channel Signal Strength Criterion:The RMTR finds the quietest channel by tuning to
each and recording the RSSI, the channel with the
lowest RSSI is used.
Gain Control: 3 discrete auto-adjustable levels of transmitter
power.
Acquisition Retry Limit: All transmissions comply with FCC limits. This
includes the acquisition process. Acquisition is
attempted on each channel at each power level.
TX Power Amplifier Gain: A value is maintained by the RMTR that records the
level used for the last successful transaction. This
value is used until an RF session has failed and a
successful session is acquired with a new power
level. All packets are transmitted at this level until
every acquisition channel has experienced the retry
limit. After one cycle through the channels, the gain
is increased to the next level (if available) and the
channels cycled again.