WAVECOM All rights reserved Erik Rasmussen Key Accounts Manager. Meter Communications: What Makes Sense?

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Alan Stanley
5 years ago
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1 Erik Rasmussen Key Accounts Manager Meter Communications: What Makes Sense?

2 Agenda Technologies: Private RF, PLC, mesh, cellular? What is the right choice for AMI? Smart Metering: what is required, what is possible? The true value of cost and design optimized solutions Moving forward - exploring standardization

3 Introduction - Key statements No unique solution Comparison between current AMI technologies (PLC, RF, mesh, and cellular) reveals no clear winner. Projects will often have some combination of these technologies. Different life cycles Metering: 15 years or more Cellular is an established (but relatively new) technology with billions of subscribers worldwide. Close collaboration between meter manufacturers, utilities, systems integrators, and communications technology providers will enable best-in-class AMI solutions.

4 About private radios or PLC networks Utility distribution companies can manage most of the installations, fine tune and maintain them over a long period, without relying on any third party. Network management and maintenance are fully controlled by utilities. The technology is specifically developed for this market and not for mass market consumers. Minimal monthly subscriber fees. Only large organizations can afford such a burden, which requires large number of workforce resources directly impacting operational costs. Field equipment (concentrator/ repeater / antenna / lines) is maintained and managed by utilities and could become a matter of concern for large roll out. Reliability and performance is not guaranteed, consistent, or stable. Potentially large operational costs.

5 About cellular networks How long will Cellular networks will stay in operation? Technologies do evolve, but slowly. Billions of cellular subscribers worldwide ATT/Cingular (GSM) - 60 million subscribers T-Mobile (GSM) 26 million subscribers Verizon (CDMA) - 60 million subscribers Sprint/Nextel (CDMA) - 54 million subscribers Average cost per point is becoming competitive Reduced smart meter costs (also true for RF, PLC) Lower communication costs Decreased installation costs Simplified commissioning/maintenance and operation RF Spectrum is licensed

6 Effect of the density of population 3 phase meter with Switch Breaker Relative Cost per point Private RF Solution Efficiency PLC Cellular Density RF FN PLC FN GSM/GPRS GSMGPRS + Bus Points/net station

7 The deployment can define the solution High density of population and buildings: PLC and/or RF mesh technologies along with Wide Area Network (WAN) Medium and Low densities: WAN technologies Cellular and other WAN technologies can be used to link field equipment to the central station.

8 Multi-Communication Approach Add-on Cellular Integrated Cellular Single utility Dedicated cellular resource. Functionally optimized Several levels of integration (metering + cellular) Cost optimized The meter is equipped with a communication modem inside or add-on and has no other connection with other meters or applications (electric, water, gas, ) Multiple utilities Shared cellular resource + dedicated RF/wired per point Functionally optimized Shared cellular resource + dedicated RF/wired per point Cost optimized One meter is used as a gateway to carry other meters information through the same communication channel. Utilities will rely on smart ways to collect, share, split and distribute relevant data to its partners (water, gas and electricity) Model deployed in Holland and UK use this gateway to bill for multiple services.

9 New meter architecture for AMI Energy utilities may need to bundle AMI services to collect billing information from other meters (Gas, Water, Electricity), 1-way or 2- ways access Electricity meter is the preferred access point (power source) Wired bus / RF technologies are appropriate for powerless meters Gateway meter acts as the 2-way gateway/router for data collection A similar approach could be proposed with a PLC/private RF/mesh to combine technologies and optimize average cost per point Cellular Wireless Microprocessor is powerful enough to manage any combination Cellular + RF (Private, ZigBee ) Cellular + Wired Bus Interface (M-Bus, Euridis ) Cellular + Wired Bus Interface + RF Design for Download Over-The-Air (DOTA) updates and remote management

Today s smart meter architecture Open AT Embedded Firmware/Applications Cellular Stack User Interface GSM WiFi RF Current transformer Measurement Processing Option PLC To Load Phase in Shunt

10 Today s smart meter architecture Open AT Embedded Firmware/Applications Cellular Stack User Interface GSM WiFi RF Current transformer Measurement Processing Option PLC To Load Phase in Shunt Attenuator low pass filter Power Meter µc Application Processor Data Storage Neutral Wireless as an add-on Voltage transformer Supply transformer SIM DC-DC Filter SuperCap Vcc Com External Antenna connection Cellular Com Port Short range External Antenna connection

Tomorrow s smart meter architecture Cellular PLC M-Bus Euridis Cellular Stack Open AT Embedded Firmware/Applications Short Range DOTA Application Stack RDMS Software Data Storage WiFi Coronis User

11 Tomorrow s smart meter architecture Cellular PLC M-Bus Euridis Cellular Stack Open AT Embedded Firmware/Applications Short Range DOTA Application Stack RDMS Software Data Storage WiFi Coronis User Interface WiMax RF EN Current transformer Measurement Processing + Com To Load Phase in Shunt Attenuator low pass filter Power Meter µc Application Processor Embedded Data Storage SIM Wireless at the core Neutral Voltage transformer Supply transformer SIM DC-DC Filter SuperCap Vcc Com External Antenna connection Cellular Com Port Short range Interface External Antenna connection

12 An Industrial SIM Solution Some specific requirements for industrial wireless devices usage: Long-life duration (15 years) Harsh environments usage: Extreme temperatures Resistance to humidity Simplified and fast cellular subscriptions Simplified logistics (components management) Reduced risk of theft of SIMs Answer? A SIM hardware component integrated at the chip level Enables complete system certification (Temperature, Vibration, Humidity) Easier integration in the end-product SIM theft is almost impossible Size optimized

13 Moving forward: Exploring standardization PLC RF The industry must choose between de-facto and IEC standards (LonWorks, DLMS-COSEM, ) One standard EN , not widely implemented ZigBee an emerging possibility Several proprietary mesh solutions Licensed vs. unlicensed spectrum GSM/GPRS/CDMA Direct access to backend IP systems (security SSL & IPSEC, SOAP/XML & WebServices, DLSM-COSEM) Standardized, licensed and regulated

14 Other considerations Consider the complete value chain; focus on real needs Operating costs Service quality (failure costs, security) Maintenance (remote diagnostics and upgrades) Installation costs Activation and test procedures Network tuning Hardware costs Communications integration Customized, flexible and cost-efficient architecture Anticipate hidden costs!

15 Conclusions A smart mix of communication technologies will allow the best performance in terms of cost per point, total cost of ownership, and flexibility. Utilities, smart-meter vendors, system integrators and communication technology suppliers must cooperate on standardization. Component integration and acceptance of M2M technology will decrease replacement costs and enable utilities to take advantage of new communications features and provide valueadded services.

16 Questions?

Cellular Communications and the Future of Smart Metering Olivier Pauzet Sierra Wireless, Inc. September, 2010

Cellular Communications and the Future of Smart Metering Olivier Pauzet Sierra Wireless, Inc. September, 2010 1 Introduction The Smart Grid era is upon us, as energy suppliers around the globe invest in