User's Manual

XXXXX-01 4 Eka Gas Meter Node User’s Guide
1 About the Eka Gas Meter Node
The Eka Gas Meter Node is designed for installation in Datamatic FIREFLY Meter
Interface Units. The node obtains data from the Meter Interface Unit, and uses an
integrated radio transceiver to communicate data to an associated network. The node
communicates with a nearby EkaNet network, enabling the meter to be read remotely.
[photo of node]
The node is powered by a battery attached to the FIREFLY Meter Interface Unit. The
battery is field-replaceable. Data, operating parameters and configuration parameters
are retained by the node if power is lost (for example, during battery replacement).
Eka Gas Meter nodes:
z Operate in the 915 MHz license-free band.
z Fit entirely within the FIREFLY Meter Interface Unit.
z Perform automatic time synchronization.
z Provide real-time access to interval data.
z Contain local non-volatile data storage.
Eka Gas Meter Nodes are fully compatible with EkaNet mesh network hardware,
protocols and operations.
Eka nodes integrated with electric meters can draw sufficient power from the meters to
continuously communicate, which enables them to form mesh networks. In contrast, Eka
Gas Meter Nodes only communicate periodically to conserve battery power. Because of
that, Gas Meter Nodes cannot perform the routing operations that other Eka nodes
routinely perform in mesh network topologies. Thus, Gas Meter Nodes are limited to
being “leaf” nodes, and must be able to communicate directly with one of the following
components of a typical Eka mesh network:
z An Eka electric meter node.
z An Eka relay.
When placed within range of an Eka electric meter node or an Eka relay, Gas Meter
Nodes are automatically recognized by the network at the next scheduled reporting time.
No special changes to the EkaNet network are required to integrate Gas Meter Nodes.
To help conserve battery power, Gas Meter Nodes typically collect and report data much
less frequently than their electric meter counterparts. Gas Meter Node settings can be
configured in the field, but are factory set for the following intervals:
z Read and store meter data: hourly.
z Report meter data: daily.
Eka Gas Meter Nodes are expected to have an operating life of at least 15 years under
normal operating conditions. Nodes are expected to operate for an additional 5 years
after the onset of slightly degraded performance.