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Cost efficient Meter Reading with Wireless Sensor Networks |
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Written by Vector1Media
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Monday, 22 September 2008 |
PR - The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS presents its
adaptive sensor network technology for a great variety of data
collection, monitoring and control applications on the conference and
exhibition “Metering Europe” in Amsterdam.
Software basis of the systems is a power saving protocol, the
so-called »Slotted MAC«. The Fraunhofer scientists also optimized the
hardware: The sensor node is small in dimension, extremely power
efficient and can be adapted to custom-tailored sensor network
solutions.
The innovative technology was licensed by the Austrian company
VERAUT – Verfahrens- und Automationstechnik GmbH, in order to develop
their VERSIM product portfolio. The Linz-based (Austria) company
manufactures data loggers and communication equipment for gas, water
and heat meter. „This low-cost automatic meter reading solution is
possible only with the Fraunhofer sensor networks,” enthuses CEO
Patrick Sonnleitner. To date each and every household meter required a
GSM module for wireless reading, but now the meters are equipped with a
radio node. Now the radio nodes transmit the data wirelessly to a
master node, which again forwards all collected data via power line
communication or GSM/GPRS to a central server. VERAUT utilizes the
Fraunhofer technology in pilot projects for Oberösterreichische Ferngas
AG, Linz AG and Wien Energie.
Presently Wien Energie runs 200 household meters entirely
failure-free since three months. Head of division for gas measurement
and meter installation Herbert Schwab explained: »Our great advantage
is the automated meter reading. So far installation teams once a year
have to drive long distances to check meters in every household. Now we
get daily updated datasets delivered electronically.« They are much
more significant for consumer needs than an estimate based on previous
consumption. The exact reading could one day be used for more accurate
charging and make deposits needless. Schwab: “Our costumers also
receive the data so that they have got better checking possibilities
and can take energy efficiency measures.”
The network solution also allows for bidirectional multi-hop
communication – instructions or commands like required for automated
connection and disconnection of meters can be transmitted via the radio
nodes.
Founded in 1985 the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits
IIS in Erlangen, today with 585 staff members, ranks first among the
Fraunhofer Institutes concerning headcount and revenues. As the
inventor of mp3 and co-inventor of the MPEG 4 AAC audio coding
standard, Fraunhofer IIS has reached worldwide recognition.
It provides research services on contract basis and technology licensing.
The research topics are: Audio and video source coding, multimedia
realtime systems, digital radio broadcasting and digital cinema
systems, integrated circuits and sensor systems, design automation,
wireless, wired and optical networks, localization and navigation,
imaging systems and nanofocus X-ray technology, high-speed cameras,
medical sensor solutions and communications technology in transport and
logistics.
The budget of 70 million Euro is mainly financed by projects from
industry, the service sector and public authorities. Less than 25
percent of the budget is subsidized by federal and state funds.
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Vector1Media |
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