Applications
Automatic Meter Reading
As wireless technology continues to improve in price/performance, the number of municipal utilities implementing automatic meter reading (AMR) systems continues to grow. Today, most AMR deployments are "walk-by" or "drive-by" systems. A battery-operated transmitter in each meter sends a radio frequency (RF) signal that is read by a special receiver either carried by hand or mounted in a vehicle. These solutions require a much smaller staff of meter readers, who merely need to pass by meters in a given neighborhood. The result is more accurate readings taken in far less time- all without the need to enter private property. Although this form of AMR is an enormous improvement over manual meter reading, continued high labor and vehicle costs are driving the industry to an even better wireless solution.
Fully automatic meter reading can entirely eliminate the need for staff to go into the field to read meters-ever again-by deploying special receivers to automatically and continuously read all meters in their vicinity. Among their many advantages are the ability to monitor daily demand, implement conservation programs, create usage profiles by time of day, and detect in real-time potentially hazardous leaks or outages. But there is still one drawback with these AMR deployments: the costly leased line or cellular backhaul required from a local telephone company, or Power Line Carrier (PLC) solution from the local power company.
SkyPilot's SyncMesh solution enables fully-automatic meter reading that is practical and affordable for virtually any water, gas, or electric utility, with an integrated wireless mesh backhaul that is self-forming, self-healing, and requires no in-ground wiring or costly backhaul services. As the SkyPilot mesh automatically creates multiple wireless paths, the network can readily overcome obstacles and interference, easily expand into new territory, and deliver mission-critical reliability.
Ideally suited for AMR, the sophisticated SyncMesh solution enables AMR applications to cost-effectively reach throughout large geographies.
Ample bandwidth is available with the SkyPilot solution to support multiple applications over a common network, which allows utility companies to simultaneously support voice and data communications for field workers, video monitoring of infrastructure, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). SCADA can be used for real-time monitoring and control of the utility's entire infrastructure, including valves, pumps, storage tanks, lift stations, and other remote plant and equipment. And other types of municipal meters can be read automatically, including those for parking, traffic, and commuter bridge tolls.
Utilities are finding that a wireless infrastructure capable of delivering last mile Internet services and Wi-Fi HotZones fits naturally with their existing consumer business by adding new revenue opportunities without additional investment. A SkyPilot wireless mesh can support AMR/SCADA, last mile broadband access, and a range of municipal applications like public safety communications over a common network, maximizing cost-savings and community operations efficiency.