Principle of implementing remote meter reading for smart meters through remote transmission

The principle of remote meter reading for remote transmission smart meters is based on the deep integration of the Internet of Things, communication technology, and data processing technology. Through a closed-loop process of "data collection transmission processing application", the automation, real-time, and intelligent management of meter data is achieved. The following are its core implementation principles and key technical links:

1、 Data Collection: The Core Perception Layer of Smart Meters

Sensors and Measurement Chips

The smart meter is equipped with high-precision sensors and measurement chips, which collect real-time electrical parameters such as voltage, current, power, and power factor. The analog signals are converted into digital data through digital signal processing technology and stored in the meter's memory.

data preprocessing

The electricity meter performs preliminary processing on the collected raw data, such as filtering, calibration, and outlier removal, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. At the same time, the electricity meter can store historical data from multiple time periods (such as hourly, daily, and monthly electricity consumption), supporting subsequent queries and analysis.

2、 Data transmission: a key support for communication technology

wireless communication

GPRS/3G/4G/5G: Remote data transmission through mobile communication networks, suitable for wide area coverage scenarios. The meter has a built-in wireless communication module, which encrypts the data and uploads it to the operator's base station, and then transmits it to the data center through the Internet.

NB IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things): A low-power, wide coverage wireless communication technology suitable for remote areas or battery powered electricity meters. NB IoT modules can be directly connected to operator base stations, eliminating the need for intermediate gateway devices and reducing deployment costs.

LoRa (Long Range Radio): Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology based on spread spectrum technology, suitable for long-distance, low-speed data transmission. The LoRa terminal communicates with the collector/concentrator through the low-power frequency band, and then the concentrator uploads it to the main station uniformly.

Wi Fi/Bluetooth: Suitable for short distance, high bandwidth scenarios, such as communication between electricity meters and gateways in home or office environments.

Wired communication technology

Ethernet: Connect the electricity meter directly to the router or switch through a network cable to achieve high-speed and stable data transmission, suitable for centrally deployed electricity meter groups.

RS485 bus: Industrial standard serial communication interface, supports multi device cascading, suitable for centralized meter reading in buildings or factories.

Power Line Carrier (PLC): Utilizing existing power lines as communication media, without the need for additional wiring, it is suitable for transmitting meter data in electrified environments. PLC technology overlays data on the power line through a modem, achieving bidirectional communication between the "meter concentrator master station".

3、 Data Processing: Collaborative Analysis between Cloud and Edge

Data reception and parsing

Remote servers or data centers receive encrypted data packets uploaded by electricity meters, extract valid data through protocol parsing (such as DL/T 645, Modbus, etc.), and perform integrity verification and error correction.

Data Storage and Management

The parsed data is stored in a database (such as relational database, time-series database), which supports multi-dimensional queries by time, user, region, etc. At the same time, the system compresses and archives historical data to reduce storage costs.

Data Analysis and Application

Real time monitoring: Display real-time data of the electricity meter (such as current, voltage, power) through a visual interface, support abnormal threshold setting and alarm push (such as overload, leakage).

Load analysis: Based on historical electricity consumption data, analyze user electricity consumption patterns (such as peak and valley periods, equipment start stop patterns) to provide a basis for demand response and energy efficiency management.

Line loss calculation: By comparing the data of the power supply end and the power consumption end, the line loss is calculated to assist in locating electricity theft or equipment failure.

Prepaid management: Combined with user account balance, it realizes functions such as remote recharge, power outage due to arrears, and expense warning.

4、 User management interaction: multi terminal coverage

client side

Users can query real-time electricity consumption data, historical bills, electricity analysis reports, and support online payment, fault repair, and other functions through mobile apps, web pages, or mini programs. Some systems also provide electricity usage suggestions (such as adjusting equipment usage time to save electricity costs).

admin side

Power companies or property management personnel monitor the operation status of electricity meters through the backend management system, and perform operations such as batch meter reading, rate setting, and exception handling. At the same time, the system supports integration with marketing systems and distribution automation systems to achieve business collaboration.

5、 Safety and reliability assurance

data encryption

Encrypt the transmitted data using encryption algorithms such as AES and RSA to prevent data leakage or tampering. Meanwhile, security is enhanced through a dynamic key update mechanism.

Identity Authentication

Establish two-way identity authentication between the electricity meter and the server to ensure that only authorized devices can access the system. When users access the management end, they need to authenticate through multiple factors such as account passwords and SMS verification codes.

Redundant design

The system adopts mechanisms such as dual machine hot backup and data backup to ensure normal operation in the event of a single point of failure. The communication network supports multi link redundancy and automatically switches to backup channels to ensure data continuity.

6、 Typical application scenarios and advantages

residential community

Through wireless/wired hybrid networking, real-time uploading of household meter data to the property management system is achieved, supporting functions such as prepaid, tiered electricity pricing, and abnormal alarm, reducing manual meter reading costs by more than 80%.

industrial park

Deploy fiber optic and wireless redundant networks to meet stable transmission in strong electromagnetic environments. Combined with edge computing module, energy optimization and predictive maintenance of equipment are realized.

public utilities