Abstract:
Apparatus and methodology are disclosed for providing effective transmission of data to and/or from an electricity meter by providing embedded radio frequency components. An antenna and stripline or microline filter arrangement are provided as embedded components in association with a transmitter or transceiver portion of the electricity meter&#39;s metrology circuitry so as to provide control of out of band harmonic radiation and to provide enhanced signal transmission to and/or from the electricity meter, to accomplish automated meter reading communications or similar. The antenna element is configured and mounted such that, once the electricity meter is fully assembled, the meter case itself can be used as part of a radiating element. An overall resulting integrated design can achieve greater economy utilizing printed circuit board approaches with no additional parts, and with less uncontrolled surface radiation because of the otherwise buried or embedded structure.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/604,973, entitled “EMBEDDED ANTENNA AND FILTER APPARATUS AND METHODOLOGY”, filed Aug. 27, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter generally concerns improved apparatus and methodology for providing radio frequency communication to and/or from electricity meters. More particularly, the present subject matter concerns combined radio frequency filter and antenna configurations achieving improved transmission characteristics to and/or from associated electricity meters. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter concerns both apparatus and methodology in such areas, including the use of embedded components in relation to printed circuit board components, for forming a transmitter or transceiver associated with an electricity meter. 
     A general object of metrology is to monitor a physical phenomenon to permit a record of the monitored event(s). If the ability to communicate recorded measurements or monitored data is impeded, then the basic purpose of the metering device and/or effort fails. Such basic function and purpose of metering devices can be applied to a number of contexts. One broad area of measurement relates, for example, to utility meters. These may include the monitoring of consumption of a variety of forms of energy or other commodities, such as electricity, water, gas, and oil, to name a few. 
     Historically, a mechanical form of register was used for utility meters. Such an approach provided a relatively dependable field device with certain inherent functional advantages. For example, if the flow of the consumable commodity being measured was interrupted, the mechanical form of gauge simply stopped in its place, automatically reflecting the previous accumulation without other arrangements being required, and without any loss of such accumulated data. After resumption of the flow of the commodity, the mechanical register could then simply begin to add additional flow values to the previous accumulation, so that accurate data was reflected at all times regardless of intermittent commodity flow interruptions. 
     Also, in many instances, the gauge or register required no separate power supply since it was operated directly by the commodity flow. In the case of electricity meters, the mechanical register could be electrically powered. Hence, when power was lost, the measurement function was temporarily moot so no measurement functionality was lost even though the gauge itself would be temporarily without power. 
     As the technology of metering devices progressed, mechanical registers began to be replaced with more electrical-based devices and electronic forms of registers. In addition, data transmission devices have been introduced that permit remote reading and/or control of utility meters, thus relieving utility companies of the need to visually inspect meters to obtain periodic reading, or of the need to visit a meter to undertake certain communications (for example, such as instructions) directed to the meter. 
     For example, in the case of an electricity meter, electric power is already flowing to and through the metering or measuring device. Such fact makes for a convenient supply of electricity, without having to attempt to rely on battery operation or some other source of electrical power. Thus, there is a ready source available to provide power for onboard transmitters and/or transceivers that may be used to transmit collected data to a remote location and/or to receive various command and/or control signals designed to modify or control the operation of the utility meter. 
     Regardless of such uses for communications, an inherent problem exists due in part to the fact that, when a relatively large number of such devices are in use, interference with other such devices or with other devices operating on similar frequencies, can create errors in the reception of transmitted data or control signals to or from the utility meter. Prior attempts have been made to address such technical problem. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,985 to Garrard et al. for Remote Metering, issued May 18, 2004, discloses an electricity meter including, among other features, an antenna system  120 . 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,785 to Bush for Demand Reporting of Electricity Consumption by Radio in Relays to a Base Station, and Demand Relays Wattmeters So Reporting Over a Wide Area, issued Jun. 20, 2000, discloses an electricity meter including an antenna that may correspond to a loop integral to a non conductive portion of the case. 
     A 2000 article entitled “Current Affairs—Advances in AMR technology” briefly discusses the use of PCS wireless modems with automated electricity meter reading systems using proprietary antenna fully contained within the meter chassis. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the recognized features encountered in the prior art and addressed by the present subject matter, improved apparatus and methodology for transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals relating to metrology operations within electric meters are disclosed. More particularly, a particular aspect of certain embodiments of the present subject matter involves improved antenna radiation patterns from antennas coupled to transmitters or transceivers associated with utility meters. 
     Another broader present aspect is to accomplish improved automated meter reading communications and/or improved command and control communications from and/or to an electricity meter. 
     Another more particular aspect of certain embodiments of the present subject matter relates to providing reduced interference in out of band signals from transmitters (or transceivers) associated with utility meters. In such context, it is a general aspect of the present subject matter to provide for reduced harmonic frequency radiation from low-cost transmitters associated with utility meters. 
     It is another of the broader aspects of the present subject matter to advantageously utilize embedded radio frequency components. More particularly, for example, in such context, it is a present advantage to in certain embodiments provide for stripline or microline filter arrangements combined with antenna features, all in an embedded context. 
     It is a still further present advantage, for some particular present embodiments, to provide an antenna element configured and mounted such that, once the electricity meter is fully assembled, the meter case itself contributes as a part or all of a radiating element. 
     Additional aspects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that the modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referenced, and discussed features and steps hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of this subject matter without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of present reference thereto. Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means and features or steps for those shown, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like. 
     Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of this subject matter may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed steps or features, or their equivalents (including combinations of steps or features or configurations thereof not expressly referenced in the figures or stated in the detailed description). 
     One exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter relates to an improved antenna design that manages in a positive manner the unavoidable radio frequency (RF) parasitics presented by mechanical association of an antenna within a metallic housing environment, thus providing for improved efficiency of radiation. 
     Other exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter may make use of embedded filters to limit harmonic radiation that may impair the operation of other nearby electronic equipment. As another aspect of the present subject matter, such embedded filters may employ a design utilizing a multilayer printed circuit board and thereby limit the need for other expensive components. 
     Other exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter relate to a utility meter, having a metrology portion, a transmitter portion configured to transmit radio frequency signals at a predetermined frequency, and a display portion. In such embodiment, the transmitter portion may advantageously further comprise a printed circuit board supporting a transmitter, and there may be provided with the utility meter an antenna and a filter respectively embedded in such circuit board. Such an exemplary filter configuration preferably involves the filter being connected between the transmitter and the antenna. Additional details of the filter may be specified in some embodiments thereof (though not necessarily required in others) in which the filter comprises a predetermined number of quarter-wave tuned resonators tuned to a predetermined number of selected harmonics of the predetermined frequency. 
     Still further, other present embodiments may relate to an electricity meter with embedded radio frequency features to provide control of out of band harmonic radiation. Such present exemplary electricity meters may include, for example, a metrology portion, a printed circuit board, a transmitter supported on such a printed circuit board and configured to transmit radio frequency signals at a predetermined frequency, an antenna embedded in such a printed circuit board, and a filter embedded in such printed circuit board. The filter may preferably be connected between the transmitter and the antenna and may prefereably comprise one of a stripline filter and a microline filter. In such exemplary present electricity meters provided with embedded radio frequency features, the result is enhanced electricity meter data signal communications for effective communication of data such as for automated meter reading communications or related. 
     Certain present exemplary embodiments relate in greater manner to a stripline filter for reducing harmonic radiation from a transmitter designed for operation at a predetermined frequency. Such an exemplary filter may comprise a stripline transmission line extending from a first terminal to a second terminal, a first pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators tuned to a first predetermined harmonic of a predetermined frequency and coupled to the stripline transmission line, and a second pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators tuned to a second predetermined harmonic of the predetermined frequency and coupled to the stripline transmission line. In certain of such exemplary stripline filter embodiments, a printed circuit board may be provided, where the stripline transmission line, the first pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators, the second pair of quarter-wave tuned resonators, and the fifth quarter-wave tuned resonator are all embedded in the printed circuit board. In other, alternative stripline filter embodiments, all such features may be formed on, rather than embedded in, the associated printed circuit board. 
     Still further present aspects relate to corresponding methodology, it being intended as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that such corresponding methodology equally forms part of the present disclosure. Broadly speaking, one exemplary such present methodology relates to a method for reducing harmonic frequency radiation from a printed circuit board, comprising the steps of: providing a printed circuit board and including thereon a transmitting portion configured for transmission of radio frequency signals at a predetermined frequency; embedding in such printed circuit board an antenna, with such antenna configured so as to radiate the predetermined frequency; embedding in the printed circuit board a filter, such filter including at least one paired portion tuned to a predetermined harmonic of the predetermined frequency; and connecting the filter between the transmitting portion and the antenna. 
     In accordance with aspects of certain embodiments of the present subject matter, each such embedded filter may be configured to minimize uncontrollable surface radiation otherwise resulting from the use of individual filter components. 
     Additional embodiments of the present subject matter, not necessarily expressed in this summarized section, may include and incorporate various combinations of aspects of features, components, or steps referenced in the summarized objectives above, and/or other features, components, or steps as otherwise discussed in this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary configuration of an exemplary filter constructed in accordance with the present subject matter; 
         FIGS. 2   a  through  2   d , inclusive, represent examples of equivalent circuits at different frequencies of the exemplary filter illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  representatively illustrates the mounting of an antenna within a utility meter in accordance with the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features, elements or steps of the present subject matter. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As discussed in the Brief Summary of the Invention section, the present subject matter is particularly concerned with improved apparatus and methodology for the transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals relating to metrology operations within utility meters, for example, such as electric meters. As a general non-limiting example, a medium-powered RF transmitter operating in the 900 MHz (mega Hertz) ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) band of frequencies (generally 902 MHz to 928 MHz) generates considerable power output at the third, fourth and fifth harmonics that fall into FCC (Federal Communications Commission) restricted bands. Thus, specific harmonics filtering is needed to bring the level of emissions under government regulated limits. 
     Traditional designs utilize lumped band-pass and/or low-pass filters to carry out the task of harmonic suppression. Implementation of such filters has been difficult, mostly due to creation of parasitic pass-bands and uncontrolled radiation from the filter itself. In addition, the use of individual components adds unnecessarily to the overall cost of such filters. 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 1 , a diagrammatic illustration is shown of an exemplary configuration of a stripline filter  10  constructed in accordance with the present subject matter. The present subject matter provides an economical stripline filter  10  that may be incorporated into a regular multi-layer printed circuit board, and which otherwise addresses many of the concerns identified with respect to previous developments in the art. More specifically, the stripline filter  10  in accordance with present subject matter avoids the use of individual components that may themselves be a source of uncontrollable radiation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the stripline filter  10  in accordance with the present subject matter comprises a transmission line portion generally  12  extending between a first port  20  and a second port  22 . Such ports  20  and  22  may be designated as input and output ports, although the order may be electrically reversed, as the exemplary filter structure illustrated is symmetrical. Such symmetry may not be exhibited, however, in other designs so that symmetry of filter design is not a necessary limitation of the present subject matter. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 1 , the stripline filter  10  in accordance with the present subject matter may correspond, for example, to a plurality of bowed quarter-wave resonators generally arranged in pairs and distributed along the transmission line  12 . Such quarter-wave resonators may be configured as notch filters, whereas low-pass or band-pass filters may have been types of filters previously employed in other configurations (i.e., non-stripline embodiments) of filters. Thus, quarter-wave resonators  30  and  32 , as illustrated, may each be tuned to the third harmonic of the transmitter operating frequency. In the exemplary configuration, such frequency may correspond to about 2,700 MHz or 2.7 GHz (i.e., three times the base or fundamental frequency of 900 MHz), as well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In like manner, resonators  40  and  42 , as illustrated, may correspond to quarter-wave resonators tuned to the fourth harmonic of the exemplary base 900 MHz frequency, while resonator  50  may correspond to a quarter-wave resonator tuned to the fifth harmonic of the exemplary base 900 MHz frequency. 
       FIGS. 2   a  through  2   d  individually correspond to equivalent circuit representations of the stripline filter  10  corresponding to the base frequency and harmonics thereof particularly of interest (i.e., third, fourth, and fifth) according to the present subject matter. 
     In particular,  FIG. 2   a  representatively illustrates an equivalent circuit of the stripline filter  10  as it may appear electrically while operating at a fundamental frequency within the 900 MHz ISM frequency band. As illustrated in  FIG. 2   a , with respect to a fundamental operating frequency, the stripline filter  10  may be represented as a series and parallel configuration of substantially symmetrically arranged transmission lines of selected lengths. More specifically, in the case of the fundamental frequency representation of  FIG. 2   a , ports  20  and  22  (Port  1  and Port  2 , respectively), as shown, may both be considered to be equivalently coupled to the junction of a 1/16 wavelength transmission line and a 1/12 wavelength transmission line, the opposite ends of each of which may be representatively shown as coupled to a common ground plane. As is customary in representations like those of  FIGS. 2   a  through  2   d , the Greek symbol lambda (λ) is understood to represent wavelength. 
     Coupled to the junction points of the two λ/16 and λ/12 series coupled transmission lines are a pair of series connected λ/12 transmissions lines whose common connection point may be represented as coupled by way of a λ/20 transmission line connected to the previously mentioned common reference plane (see upper portion of the illustration of  FIG. 2   a ). 
     With further reference to  FIG. 2   a , it will be observed that the just described equivalent representation of the stripline filter  10  may be further reduced as represented by the unmarked right-hand side arrow head to a simpler form illustrated on the right hand portion of  FIG. 2   a . Such reduced or simplified illustration and representation corresponds to a pair of capacitors coupled respectively to ports  20  and  22  and a corresponding representation of a common ground plane together with a single transmission line segment of approximately λ/4 coupled between port  20  and port  22 . 
     In accordance with the present technology, the third, fourth and fifth harmonic operational equivalents may correspond to elements as illustrated in  FIGS. 2   b  through  2   d , respectively. As will be observed from an examination of such Figures, the initial representation in each of such equivalent circuit representations is structurally identical to that illustrated in  FIG. 2   a  representing the fundamental frequency equivalent of the stripline filter  10  except that the various lengths of the transmission line representations for each differ as illustrated in the corresponding Figures. 
     In addition to the above noted differences in lengths of transmission line representations for the various harmonics, the second, reduced component equivalent circuit representations (right-hand portions of each respective illustration of  FIGS. 2   b  through  2   d ) differ somewhat from that of the fundament frequency to the various harmonic frequencies as illustrated, respectively, in the right hand portion of each of the  FIGS. 2   a  through  2   d . However, in each instance, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such illustrations make use of indicated capacitors (illustrations of right-hand side of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ) or inductors (illustrations of right-hand side of  FIGS. 2   c  and  2   d ), as well as various nodes, connections with common ground planes, and specific exemplary approximated transmission line lengths. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , an additional aspect of the present technology will be discussed in more detail, more specifically involving a methodology for providing an embedded antenna for association with a transmitter or transceiver associated with a utility meter, such as an electricity meter. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 3  is an electricity meter generally  100  that includes, in an installed configuration, a metallic housing  110  to which may be couple a metrology assembly generally  130  that may be plugged into matching connectors (not shown) positioned within a circular opening  120  within the face of the metallic housing  110 . The metrology assembly or components  130  of the exemplary representative electric meter  100  are representatively illustrated as corresponding to a metrology circuit board  140 , a radio frequency (RF) transmitter or transceiver board  150  and a display panel  160 . Display panel  160  may correspond to a liquid crystal display (LCD) or any other type of display as may be selected from those known in the art or yet to be developed. The particular form of (or even the presence of) a display does not form a limitation to the present subject matter. Each of such components (i.e., the metrology board  140 , the transmitter/transceiver board  150  and the display panel  160 ) are coupled together by suitable interconnections (not shown but well understood to those of ordinary skill in the art) as may be specifically required in a given embodiment of the present subject matter to permit proper operation of the exemplary representative electricity meter. 
     With further reference to the transmitter/transceiver board  150 , an antenna  170  may be embedded into the printed circuit board on which the components corresponding to the transmitter/transceiver are mounted. Antenna  170  may be embedded in the same manner as was previously discussed with respect to the stripline filter  10  with reference to  FIGS. 1  and  FIGS. 2   a  through  2   d , respectively. In certain embodiments of the present subject matter, both the antenna  170  and stripline filter  10  may be embedded together as parts of a multi-layer printed circuit board otherwise corresponding to (i.e., serving as) the transmitter/transceiver board  150 . In other embodiments, antenna  170  may be formed on the printed circuit board rather than embedded therein. Similarly, a microline filter arrangement may be practiced in place of a stripline filter. Also, optionally, housing or meter case  110  may be operatively associated with antenna  170  for forming a portion or all of a radiating element of the antenna, once the meter with case  110  is fully assembled. 
     Design principles relating to specific placement of the antenna  170  within, for example, the transmitter/transceiver board  150  will take into consideration antenna orientation as well as the physical presence and effect on the antenna radiation pattern that the electricity meter housing and any connecting conduits and electrical wiring may have on the antenna performance. The antenna may also be designed to provide radiation in two orthogonal polarizations, i.e., dual polarization characteristics, in order to increase transmission range and reliability, all in accordance with the present subject matter. In many cases, electricity meters will not be within the line of sight of transmitters/transceivers wishing to communicate with the electricity meter. In such case polarization diversity may be of assistance in improving the reliability of such non line of sight communications. 
     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.