Patent ID: 8823546
Filing Date: 2014-09-02
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. An automatic meter reading system for an underground distribution line using wired/wireless communication, the system comprising: at least one Data Concentration Unit (DCU) installed in a ground transformer, and configured to send meter reading data, obtained from an electronic meter of each consumer, to an underground high-voltage distribution line (DL) using a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) power line communication repeating method; at least one Wireless Gathering Unit (WGU) installed on a ground rising pipe or at a multi-consumer lead-in wire, and configured to set up a higher wireless mesh network along with the DCU and to set up a lower wireless mesh network along with wireless communication modems mounted on electronic meters of neighboring consumers; and at least one wireless communication modem configured to set up the lower wireless mesh network along with the WGU and the wireless communication modems mounted on the electronic meters of the neighboring consumers, to gather the meter reading data while periodically communicating with the electronic meters of the neighboring consumers, to store the gathered meter reading data, and to transfer the stored meter reading data to the DCU through the WGU when the DCU requests the meter reading data.