User Manual

Chapter 1___________________________________________________
Theory of Operation
C&I Gas Meter Interface Purpose
The C&I Gas Meter Interface is a programmable end-point device, designed to replace or
supplement a customer’s existing mechanical utility meter index. Using a magnetic pulse output
adapter to interface to the meter output, it can be installed on a variety of meter brands.
The C&I Gas Meter Interface end-point device allows for accurate, near-real-time customer utility
use information, which can be read from a remote location.
Functionality
The C&I Gas Meter Interface end-point device performs two basic functions:
• Gathering and recording customer utility use information directly at the metering point.
• Sending and receiving messages to and from the utility company computer system such as:
- Utility use, status, alarm data, and similar information.
- Data requests, configuration, and verification messages.
C&I Gas Meter Interface end-point devices communicate with the utility company computer
system using a combination of Local Area Networks (LAN), AxisGate
TM
nodes, and a Wide Area
Network (WAN).
Components
C&I Gas Meter Interfaces are Innovatec end-point devices, containing two primary components: a
digital processor and a radio transceiver.
The digital processor within the end-point device gathers and records utility use data at the
metering point. Every time the meter drive rotates, pulses are recorded by the digital processor.
The pulses are converted into utility use data, and this data is stored until readings are requested
from the utility.
Each C&I Gas Meter Interface also contains a 900MHz two-way radio frequency (RF) transceiver.
This radio provides communication between the end-point device, and an AxisGate
TM
node.
Depending upon the communication distance involved, and Innovatec relay might be used
between the end-point device and the node, to extend RF communications. This RF connection
between the end-point device and the node, possibly through a relay, is a Local Area Network
(LAN).
AxisGate
TM
nodes then communicate with the rest of the AxisPath
TM
network using a Wide Area
Network (WAN). This communication allows C&I Gas Meter Interfaces to transmit use data to
the utility, or to receive requests or programming instructions from the utility, or from a technician
or installer using a Field Service Unit attached to a laptop computer.