Metering Technology Solutions and partner HomeRider Systems are breaking new ground in the domain of radio fixed networks for the collection and management of environmental data. Applications include water and gas metering, water leak detection and management, sewage network management, tank monitoring, recycling container management, temperature monitoring, state change detection and reporting, Home Riders' range of integrated 'Gateway' terminals known as the C@ll Rider®, and radio end points known as Trak modules, are used to collect: data, status reports, information and alerts from urban areas, buildings and industrial sites.
The HomeRider fixed network is low cost and flexible, and can range in size from a micro network, such as a single building, to a large network covering an entire city. HomeRider Systems have developed these solutions, amongst others to, read utility meters; monitor fuel tank levels and offer additional services such as the monitoring and control of intelligent appliances; and information services between suppliers and their customers. In an urban area the HomeRider technology can be used to establish a complete urban network dedicated to data collection. Moreover here in the U.K. MTS will collect data from your choice of hardware, and hardware originating from different suppliers.
The collected information is transmitted at regular intervals, or immediately in the case of alarms, to the HomeRider gateway , known as the C@ll Rider® and the Street Rider, which in turn transmits the collected information via the Internet network to the HomeRider servers. There, the information is acted upon or relayed to utilities, customers or partners as is the case.
THE HR GATEWAYS
The HomeRider 'Gateway' terminal functions as the central point for collecting and stocking data from the various radio modules before sending it via Internet to the HomeRider servers. Always active, it can communicate with a number of radio receivers or transmitter/receivers. It is simply plugged into a standard telephone socket where it will co-exist with the existing telephone network. Installation of the gateway is simple and normally incurs no additional telephone wiring or mains power wiring, as power is derived from the telephone line itself. (Certain models with expanded memory or the GSM /GPRS model may require an AC power supply). HomeRider offers 4 main types of gateway:
The C@ll Rider® is the fully integrated gateway used in the reading of utility meters to monitor fuel tank levels and offer additional services such as: the monitoring and control of intelligent appliances and services; (heating boilers, temperature control) and information services between suppliers and their customers. This gateway has a customer display and 4 validation keys. This gateway can receive information from up to 30 different HomeRider radio modules –Trak Modules. Non-urgent data is collected from different points and appliances around the network and stored in this intelligent device prior to transmission to the HomeRider Service Centre. Transmission is handled through the telephone line using Internet protocols, at predetermined times to optimise transmission costs. The user can receive information on the integrated 4x21 line display and respond (ex. make a choice of delivery date) with the aid of the 4 validation keys. This reply is sent to the Service Centre where it is then forwarded to the appropriate service provider. The C@ll Rider® is a small discrete unit, designed to be placed near the telephone in a home or office.
The Street Rider is the fully integrated proximity gateway used to read a large quantity of HomeRider radio modules - Trak Modules. The Street Rider is rugged and splash proof, destined to work in an adverse environment, typically installed in a cellar, roof space, out house, building entrance etc. The standard version can collect data from up to 30 Trak Modules, but it is also manufactured in a large capacity version, collecting data from up to 250 Trak Modules. In this case the Street Rider is powered by AC power and not from the telephone line.
Non-urgent data is collected from the various Trak Modules and stored in this intelligent device, prior to transmission to the HomeRider Service Centre via the telephone line, using Internet protocols. Transmission occurs at predetermined times to optimise transmission costs. Urgent data, such as that generated by an alert, is sent immediately to the Service Centre, where it is forwarded without delay.
TheC@ll Rider® GSM offers a choice of modems: RTC, ISDN, GSM or GPRS according to the customer's needs. This gateway can collect data from a maximum of 400 different points. It is powered by AC, with emergency power supplied by replaceable lithium batteries that provide 3 months running time. TheC@ll Rider® GSM can be used outside; it is water proof and very resistant.
THE HOMERIDER TRAKS and REPEATERS
The collection of data at the end points of the network is carried out by the HomeRider Trak Module. It is designed to transmit collected data by low powered radio to a Repeater module or a C@ll Rider®. Its principal characteristics are:
* Acquisition of the data as transmitted by a sensor
* Memorisation
* Data management
* RF data transmission
* Battery powered
* Operation in hostile environment (IP68; functional from –40°C to + 55°C)
Its casing of injected polyamide, reinforced with glass fibre, and its electronics encased in resin, protect against shocks, cleaning products, pollutions and climatic conditions. It has CE approval and is classed IP68.
A variety of Trak Modules are available, destined for different functions:
Tank Trak®: Propane Trak, Fuel Trak, Tank Trak 2
Meter Trak®: Gas Trak, Water Trak
Stop Trak
Status Trak...
The Repeater is designed to retransmit data received from the Trak Modules by low power radio, to a receiver, type Repeater or C@ll Rider® gateway. It is used when the radio conditions are difficult and do not allow direct radio communication of sufficient quality between the radio modules and the C@ll Rider®. The communication distance between a Trak Module and a C@ll Rider® can be several hundreds of metres. However, depending upon the environmental conditions and the obstacles, it is conceivable that communications between the Trak Module and the gateway are impossible, or of very poor quality. In these particular circumstances Repeater modules are installed, allowing the distance between the two points to be doubled or tripled. Compatible with all end points, the Repeater is a generic module of the HomeRider system.