Abstract:
The present technology discloses a utility meter with an externally-mounted antenna that is electrically insulated to prevent conduction outside of the meter. The antenna is coupled to a communication device that is positioned adjacent to an inside surface of a meter cover and that is configured to connect to a metrology board. The utility meter also comprises an antenna, having one or more leads for coupling with the communication device, the leads extending through openings in the meter cover. The communication device is advantageously positioned to minimize or eliminate radio frequency interference with the metrology board.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application 61/949,943, filed Mar. 7, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present technology relates to utility meters, and more specifically, to utility meters with externally-mounted RF antennas. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Utility meters incorporate many functionalities relating to the consumption of a utility such as water, electricity, and gas, among others. Utility meters may enable a utility provider to remotely monitor utility usage by a customer or group of customers. 
         [0004]    Antennas provide a way to connect utility meter components (e.g., network interface controller (NICs)) to a network. Antennas allow transmission of data obtained from a metering circuit through the NIC to the network for remote accessibility, such as to allow remote meter reading or provisioning of new utility services to customers. Remote accessibility can minimize issues associated with human meter reading, such as the cost of human capital to read meters, as well as the resulting mistakes. 
         [0005]    Data received from the metering circuit can be transmitted to the network via a wireless data transfer medium (e.g., radio, ultrasonic, or infrared systems), or via a telephone or computer network, optical link or other wired communications medium (e.g., power line carrier). 
         [0006]    Mounting an antenna internal to a utility meter (e.g., under a utility meter cover) has been used as a solution to connect the utility meter to a network. However, when the antenna is mounted under the cover of the utility meter, radio frequency (RF) interference with electronics and conductors may pose an issue with data transmission from the antenna to the network. 
         [0007]    To reduce RF interference, the antenna can be mounted outside of the utility meter cover. Such external mounting solutions typically involve mounting the antenna to the meter box and passing a cable through a back of a meter base. Care must be taken to isolate the external antenna, for example, by providing an alternate power supply for the NIC, or by connecting the antenna to the NIC via an RF coupler. Failure to do so can create the risk of electric shock, which is of particular concern in residential installations. Such configurations can be cost prohibitive, particularly when applied to a large-scale utility operation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Due to the aforementioned deficiencies, it is desirable to have utility meter with an externally mounted antenna that is safe and effective. 
         [0009]    It is a goal of the present technology to realize the improved radio frequency (RF) performance in communications associated with a utility meter, while preventing undesirable conduction of electricity outside of the meter. In the present technology, RF performance is improved by positioning an antenna outside a cover that protects the meter and at least partially encloses the meter housing. The approach to external mounting achieves the desired reduction of interference posed by proximity to electronics and conductors within the utility meter and improves efficiency of data transmission to the network via the NIC. The safety aspect of the goal is achieved by enclosing the antenna within an antenna housing, and in some embodiments, further by embedding the antenna within the surface of meter cover or positioning the antenna within a recess formed in the meter cover. 
         [0010]    The present technology discloses a utility meter that includes a communication device that can be positioned approximately adjacent to a top surface of a meter cover. The top surface of the meter cover may include a display that is visible on the outside of the meter cover. A metrology board, located inside the utility meter, is configured to connect with the communication device. The configuration disclosed herein makes it more feasible to site the communication device adjacent to the inside surface of the cover to optimize the performance of the communication system of the utility meter. 
         [0011]    The utility meter also includes an antenna having one or more leads to couple the antenna with the communication device. The antenna is positioned at, within, or near an exterior surface of the utility meter, and is positioned to minimize or eliminate radio frequency interference with components of the metrology board. The antenna is coupled to the communication device by means of leads that extend inside the meter. In some embodiments, the antenna is coupled to the communication device by attaching the antenna leads to or through a surface of the communication device. For example, the antenna leads may pass through a through-hole opening beginning on a first surface of the communication device and attach to a second surface of the communication device, opposite the first surface, using a conventional joining technique (e.g., soldering). The through-hole coupling is particularly useful to provide access and sufficient clearance for joining. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the utility meter also includes an antenna housing attachable to the meter cover configured to at least partially cover the antenna. The antenna housing may cooperate with non-conductive coatings or other non-conductive surfaces of the antenna to protectively insulate portions of the antenna that are not enclosed by the meter cover and otherwise would be susceptible to unintentional contact or exposure. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the antenna housing forms a molding that can be secured around the antenna in the process of mounting the antenna to the communication device. In these embodiments, the antenna includes one or more hooks configured to be received by or otherwise fastened to at least a portion of the antenna housing, such that the hooks engage the antenna housing as the antenna is installed. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the meter cover comprises a receiving channel that is sized and shaped to receive the antenna during coupling with the communication device. In other embodiments, the meter cover comprises a recessed channel and the antenna is configured to conform to a shape formed by the recessed channel. In some embodiments, the meter cover also includes one or more retention posts located within or near the recessed channel for positioning the antenna within the recessed channel. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the utility meter utilizes one or more grommets configured to create a secure and sealed conduit. The grommets are in contact with a surface of and/or channel through the meter cover, receive the antenna leads, and provide a seal at a point of passage of the antenna leads through the meter cover for connection to the communication device. In some embodiments, the grommets allow insertion of the antenna leads at one or more angles. 
         [0016]    The present technology additionally discloses a utility distribution system with at least one utility meter having a communication device coupled to an antenna, as described above, to minimize or eliminate radio frequency interference with the metrology board. Communications within the utility distribution system are accomplished in part via a first communication link useful for transmitting data to the utility meter. The first communication link may be used to transmit data from a supply grid or from a utility company to the utility meter. The distribution system also includes a second communication link for transmitting data from the utility meter, either to the grid or to the utility company. 
         [0017]    The present technology additionally discloses a method for providing connection to a network with a utility meter at least in part by positioning the communication device described above adjacent the surface of a meter cover having the display. Additionally, the method comprises securing the antenna leads to the communication device. The antenna is positioned to minimize or eliminate radio frequency interference with the components of the metrology board and provide connection with the network. 
         [0018]    Other aspects of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a utility distribution system in which utility meters monitor utility consumption by various consumers. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary utility meter that may be used in the utility distribution system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of a utility meter, according to an exemplary embodiment of the technology. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the utility meter of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the utility meter according to another exemplary embodiment, the view emphasizing details of a seal grommet via a callout. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the antenna in  FIG. 5 , illustrating insertion of the antenna into the seal grommet. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view the eave and notch of the antenna housing illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view a utility meter according to another exemplary embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view a utility meter cover according to a third exemplary embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view a utility meter cover of  FIG. 9 , including a flexible antenna. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0031]    When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram that represents a utility system  10 , which includes a utility  12  connected to a supply grid  14 , which may include a distribution grid or a transmission grid. The utility may distribute electricity, water, or gas to consumers, such as residential establishments  16  and commercial establishments  18 . For purposes of teaching, and not of limitation, the exemplary embodiments may be described in terms of supply of electrical power. In some embodiments, therefore, the utility system  10  is an electrical system, and the utility  12  is an electric utility that supplies power to a supply grid  14 . In the electrical system, the residential  16  and commercial  18  establishments may include or constitute loads that are served by the supply grid  14 . Utility meters  20  on the supply grid  14  may monitor the consumption or other utilization of the utility by the residential establishments  16  or commercial establishments  18 . 
         [0033]    In a normal operational state, the utility meters  20  may monitor consumption by the residential establishment  16  or the commercial establishment  18  to which they are affixed. Additionally, the utility meters  20  may communicate with the utility  12  via data communication links  22 . Such data communication links  22  may be wired (e.g., over wired telecommunication infrastructure or supply grid  14 ) or wireless (e.g., a cellular network or other wireless broadband, such as WiMax). 
         [0034]    Similarly, the utility  12  may employ a communication link  24  to communicate with the various utility meters  20 . The communication link  24  may be wired or wireless, as may be suitable to communicate to the various communication links  22  of the utility meters  20 . 
         [0035]    The utility meters  20  may take a variety of forms. It should be noted that while the disclosed embodiments discussed below are in the context of an electric meter, other types of utilities are also presently contemplated. For example, meters in accordance with the disclosed embodiments may monitor and/or control any one or a combination of electricity, heat, gas, water, or any other utility, and may additionally or alternatively monitor anything that can be metered. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a functional schematic showing certain components of a utility meter  20  in a power meter system  50 . Joined to the power supply grid  14 , the utility meter  20  monitors power flowing through power lines  52  and  54  of the supply grid  14  to an AC load (e.g., a residential, commercial, or industrial asset owned by a consumer). In the illustrated embodiment, the power lines  52  and  54  of the supply grid  14  may transmit three-phase power via three phase lines  52  and a neutral line  54 . Although the embodiment of  FIG. 2  involves monitoring three-phase power, alternative embodiments of the utility meter  20  may monitor single-phase power. 
         [0037]    The utility meter  20  may include a metrology board  28  designed to operatively interconnect and position components of the utility meter  20  such as, but not limited to, one or more power supplies, processors, storage devices (e.g., memory), and network communication devices. 
         [0038]    In the illustrated embodiment, the utility meter  20  may obtain power via a power supply  56  that couples to the three phase lines  52  and the neutral line  54  for its internal power consumption. To back up power consumption data in the event of a power outage, the power supply  56  may also charge a battery and/or super capacitor  58 . In alternative embodiments, backup power may be fed by a non-rechargeable battery. 
         [0039]    Metering circuitry  60  may ascertain power consumption by monitoring the voltage and current traversing the power lines  52  and  54  to the AC load (e.g., the consumer  61 , residential establishment  16 , and commercial establishment  18 ). In particular, voltage sensing circuitry  62  may determine the voltage based on the three phase lines  52  and the neutral line  54 . Current transformers (CTs)  64  and current sensing circuitry  66  may determine the current flowing through the three phase lines  52 . 
         [0040]    The metering circuitry  60  may output the current power consumption values to an electronic display  68 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), by way of a processor  70 . The metering circuitry  60  may detect voltage and current inputs and send corresponding pulses to the processor  70 , which calculates various data relating to the current power consumption of the consumer  61 . For example, the processor  70  may calculate the energy accumulation, power factor, active power, reactive power and maximum demand, etc. 
         [0041]    The processor  70  may store the demand details in memory  72  and/or nonvolatile storage  74 , which may be NVRAM (EEPROM) or other suitable nonvolatile storage. In certain embodiments, multiple functions of the utility meter  20  may be implemented in a single chip solution, in which a single chip performs both the voltage/current sensing and the calculation of demand parameters. Certain audio alerts may be provided by the processor  70  to audio output circuitry  76  and/or  78 , which may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a built-in speaker or external powered speakers connected by the consumer  61 . These audio alerts may include, for example, an indication that the utility provider  14  has sent a demand response event request such as a renewable power notification. 
         [0042]    The processor  70  may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more application-specific processors (ASICs), or a combination of such processing components, which may control the general operation of the utility meter  20 . For example, the processor  70  may include one or more instruction set processors (e.g., RISC), audio processors, and/or other related chipsets. The memory  72  and the nonvolatile storage  74  may provide instructions to enable the processor  70  to control the utility meter  20  and process the renewable power notification, for example. 
         [0043]    The processor  70  may be operably coupled to the memory  72  and/or the storage  74  to carry out the presently disclosed techniques. These techniques may be carried out by the processor  70  and/or other data processing circuitry based on certain instructions executable by the processor  70 . Such instructions may be stored using any suitable article of manufacture, which may include one or more tangible, computer-readable media to least collectively store these instructions. The article of manufacture may include, for example, the memory  72  and/or the nonvolatile storage  74 . The memory  72  and the nonvolatile storage  74  may include any suitable articles of manufacturer for storing data and executable instructions, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, rewriteable flash memory, hard drives, and/or optical discs. 
         [0044]    To interface with the consumer  61 , the processor  70  may cause an indicator  80  to provide a signal or output such as, but not limited to, a light that intermittently illuminates or stays illuminated to indicate a predetermined instruction or a transcribes a message on the display  68 . By way of example, such a message may include a demand response event request such as the renewable power notification. The consumer  61  may respond by pressing a user pushbutton  82  or via a peripheral device  84 , such as a computing device (e.g., computer or portable phone) or an input device (e.g., a keyboard or touch-sensitive screen). These components of the utility meter  20 , including the display  68  and the audio output circuitry  76  and/or  78 , generally may represent the interface circuitry of the utility meter  20 . 
         [0045]    The utility meter also includes a communication device  26  such as a network interface controller (NIC) to communicate data provided by the utility meter  20  to the communication links  22 ,  24  or other network. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, a utility meter  20  by way of the communication device  26  may interface with the supply grid  14  and/or the utility  12 . 
         [0046]    The communication device  26  may be integrated into the utility meter  20  (e.g., built into the metrology board  28 ) or may be interconnected by being plugged into a bus (not illustrated) provided by the utility meter  20 . In an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the communication device  26  is integrated into the metrology board  28  by way of a connection  30 . The connection  30  allows the communication device  26  to be powered from and/or in communication with the metrology board  28 . 
         [0047]    In some conventional utility meters, communication devices are positioned such that they do not come in contact with a casing or cover that encloses the utility meter. For example, the communication device may be connected to the metrology board in a location that is opposite a top surface of the cover which contains the display. 
         [0048]    In contrast,  FIG. 3  illustrates the present technology where the communication device  26  is attached to the metrology board  28  in a location that is adjacent a meter cover  88  that contains the display  68 . The communication device  26  may be attached to a top surface  89  of the cover  88  using one or more fasteners  32  such as, but not limited to rivets or snap-and-lock mechanisms (e.g., pins and clamps) that securely join the communication device  26  and the cover  88 . The snap-and-lock mechanisms may be molded integrally with the cover  88 . Such a configuration would reduce labor at assembly and improve the quality of the finished product. 
         [0049]    The communication device  26  may, for example, include a card specifically designed for an assigned transmission technology such as, is not limited to, interfaces for a personal area network (PAN) such as a Bluetooth network, a local area network (LAN) such as an 802.11x Wi-Fi network, a wide area network (WAN) such as a 3G or 4G cellular network (e.g., WiMax), an infrared (IR) communication link, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and/or a power line data transmission network such as Power Line Communication (PLC) or Power Line Carrier Communication (PLCC). The utility meter  20  may also control certain loads of the consumer  61  based on received instructions. Controlling these loads may involve communicating with the loads using a LAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) and/or a home power line network (e.g., X10). 
         [0050]    The communication device  26  is coupled to at least one antenna  86 . The antenna  86  is utilized to transmit information recorded by the processor  70 , stored in the memory  72  and/or the storage  74  record information about electricity usage and transmit (e.g., automatically or on demand) the recorded data to the utility provider at regular intervals of time (e.g., every few seconds or minutes). 
         [0051]    The antenna  86  may be any antenna suitable for transmission of data from the utility meter  20  to the communication links  22 ,  24 , such as but not limited to inverted-F antennas. 
         [0052]    The antenna  86  may contain one or more leads  34  that couple the antenna to the communication device  26 . Substantially rigid leads are depicted, but alternately or additionally, the antenna  86  may be coupled to the communication device  26  using one or more cables as leads. 
         [0053]    The antenna  86  is positioned to minimize or eliminate RF interference with the components of the metrology board  28 . Interference, due to electromagnetic induction produced by the antenna  86 , may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade performance components of the metrology board  28 , such as metering circuitry  60 . Altered performance of circuity within the metrology board  28  can range from a simple degradation of data to a total loss of data. Altered performance of circuity within the metrology board  28  may also stall or prevent data transmission to the utility  12  over the data communication link  22  for example. 
         [0054]    In each of the embodiments described below, the antenna  86  is at least primarily positioned outside the cover  88  of the meter  20 . For example, the antenna  86  may be disposed outside of a wall of the meter  20 , rather than within an internal volume inside of the wall of the meter  20 . 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the antenna  86  is at least partially covered by an antenna housing  38 . The antenna housing  38  may be configured to protect material of the antenna  86  from elements (e.g., sun, dirt, and precipitation). The antenna housing may include the same material used for the cover  88 . The antenna housing  38  may be made separate from the cover  88  or molded as an integral part of the cover  88 . 
         [0056]    The antenna housing  38  may include materials such as, but not limited to, electrically-insulating materials (e.g., polymers and rubber), flexible insulating materials (e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), and mineral based materials (e.g., steatite). In some embodiments, the antenna housing  38  may be substantially transparent, and may be formed from a plastic material. 
         [0057]    Embodiments of the antenna  86  of the communication device  26  may include, but are not limited to the embodiments illustrated and discussed below. 
         [0058]    The antenna  86  may be manufactured separate from the utility meter  20  and installed at a later time. To facilitate assembly and to protect the antenna  86 , the cover  88  may be formed with a receiving channel (not illustrated) or other structure for receiving the antenna  86 . The receiving channel is sized and shaped to receive the antenna  86 . 
         [0059]    The receiving channel is configured to prevent penetration of elements such as moisture and dirt from penetrating the cover  88 , thus protecting the metrology board  28  and other components housed by the cover  88 . 
         [0060]    During attachment, manually or otherwise, to the utility meter  20 , the antenna  86  is positioned to be in connection with and/or receive information from the communication device  26 . For example, the antenna  86  may be attached to the communication device  26  by pushing antenna leads  34  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) through seal grommets  36 . 
         [0061]    In some embodiments, the receiving channel may also be sized and shaped to receive the antenna housing  38 , once the antenna  86  has been or as the antenna  86  is being coupled with communication device  26 . The antenna housing  38  may be installed within the receiving channel to substantially enclose the antenna  86  and isolate the antenna  86  from an undesired contact, which may result in making an undesired electrical connection. In some embodiments, the antenna housing  38  is a separate component that is configured to attach to the receiving channel of the cover  88 . 
         [0062]    The seal grommets  36  provide a weather resistant seal that prevents moisture or debris from entering the cover  88 . In some embodiments, the seal grommets  36  may include openings having a diaphragm feature within at least one grommet hole to enable receiving of the antenna leads  34 . After attachment, the antenna  86  has an attached position that couples with the communication device  26 . The insertion of the seal grommets  36  is further described in association with  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0063]    In some embodiments, the antenna  86  is at least partially enclosed in a molding  98  and mechanically attached to the antenna housing  38 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the antenna housing  38  protrudes (e.g., generally perpendicular) from the top surface  89  of the cover  88  containing the display  68 . 
         [0064]    The this embodiment, the antenna housing  38  forms a first eave  39  configured to divert elements, such as precipitation, from coming in contact with portions of the antenna  86  not enclosed by the molding  98 . For example, the first eave  39  prevents rain from coming in contact with the antenna leads  34 . 
         [0065]    The molding  98  creates a protective barrier and diverter around the portion of the antenna  86  to attach to the antenna housing  38  while leaving at least the leads  34  exposed for inserting into the communication device  26 , by way of the seal grommets  36 , where present. Additionally, the molding  98  serves to prevent the antenna  86  from exposure to environmental conditions such as weather (e.g., sun and dirt) and contact from unintended objects external to the cover  88 . For example, the molding  98  protects the antenna  86  from human contact to prevent electric shock or damage to the antenna. 
         [0066]    In some embodiments, the molding  98  includes a second eave  99  where the molding  98  is configured to contact the cover  88 . Similar to the first eave  39 , the second eave  99  serves to prevent elements, such as precipitation, from contacting portions of the antenna  86  not enclosed by the molding  98 . 
         [0067]    To couple the antenna  86  with the communication device  26 , the antenna leads  34  are inserted to the seal grommets  36 , which in some embodiments contain one or more openings  37  for receiving the antenna leads  34 . The openings  37 , prior to insertion of the antenna leads  34 , are illustrated in the callout of  FIG. 5   
         [0068]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the antenna housing  38 , forming the first eave  39  and the antenna  86  enclosed in the molding  98 , forming the second eave  99 . The antenna leads  34  are exposed from the molding  98 , and configured to insert through the cover  88 , for contact with the communication device  26 . 
         [0069]    The antenna lead  34  may be inserted into the seal grommet  36  through the opening  37  at an angle. As such, it may be desirable for the seal grommet  36  to contain materials with flexible properties such as but not limited to rubber. The seal grommets  36  configured to contact the top surface  89  of and/or channel (not illustrated) through the cover  88 . The seal grommets  36  are also configured to provide a seal at a point of passage of the antenna leads  34  through the cover  88  for connection to the communication device  26 . 
         [0070]    As the antenna lead  34  is inserted, the antenna  86  may attach to the antenna housing  38  by way of fastener, such as a hook  90 . In fact, in the various embodiments, the antenna  86  may contain one or more hooks  90  configured to attach to the antenna housing  38 . The hooks  90  are configured to contact and latch on to the antenna housing  38 , which in some embodiments has one or more notches  35  for receiving the hooks  90 . 
         [0071]    The hooks  90  allows angled insertion of the antenna  86  enclosed in the molding  98  under the first eave  39 . In such embodiments, the angle at which the antenna lead  34  is inserted into the opening  37  of the seal grommet  36  should be conducive for insertion and should also facilitate attachment to the molding  98 /antenna  86  by causing each hook  90  to engage the antenna housing  38  as the antenna  86  is placed. Each hook  90  may include a protrusion  92 , most clearly illustrated in the cross section of  FIG. 6 . The protrusion  92  on the hook  90  improves the clamp force and retention of the hook  90  as it engages the antenna housing  38 . 
         [0072]    In addition to forming the first eave  39 , the antenna housing  38  may include a notch  35  formed along a distal edge of the first eave  39 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The notch  35  cooperates with the protrusion  92  on the hook  90  to create a clamp force that is useful to securely affix the molding  98 /antenna  86  to the antenna housing  38 . The notch  35  may be utilized where the hook  90  by itself will not create enough retention force to withstand environmental conditions such as high winds. 
         [0073]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the dimensions, shape, rigidity, material, and other configuration aspects of the hook  90  and the notch  35  are design choices that may vary in concert with other design choices, such as the profile, dimensions and materials chosen for the antenna housing  38 , and fastness of the connection desired between the hook  90  and the antenna housing  38 . 
         [0074]    In some embodiments, as seen in  FIG. 8 , the antenna  86  is secured to the communication device  26  during manufacture. Coupling the antenna  86  and the communication device  26  during manufacture may allow the antenna  86  to be secured without the use of additional components (e.g., seal grommets  36 ), as the penetration can be sealed as part of the assembly process. Therefore, pre-coupling of the antenna  86  and the communication device  26  may be beneficial where a reduction in a height dimension of the meter cover  88  or a reduction in material consumption is desired. 
         [0075]    During attachment, manually or otherwise, the antenna leads  34  are attached to the communication device  26 . For example, the antenna leads  34  are may pass through a through-hole opening (not illustrated) beginning on a first surface of the communication device  26  and attach to a second surface of the communication device  26 , opposite the first surface, using a conventional joining technique (e.g., soldering). 
         [0076]    Where the antenna  86  is coupled the communication device  26  during manufacture, or is otherwise anticipated to be coupled to the communication device  26 , the antenna housing  38  may be molded or otherwise formed as a portion of the cover  88  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0077]    In addition, prior to or after coupling to the communication device  26 , the antenna  86  itself may be inserted into an injection mold, and the meter cover  88  may be molded around (e.g., insert molded) the antenna  86 . Such insertion-molding configurations are particularly useful in connection with antennas that consists primarily of a thin, metal-stamped part. 
         [0078]    Insertion-molded antennas are sufficiently thin to be completely encapsulated and environmentally sealed with respect to an outside surface of the cover  88 . However, the antenna leads  34  can be kept free from encapsulation such that the leads  34  extend inside of the cover  88 , and such that cover  88  is formed from transparent material that will not obstruct RF signals. The transparent material can function as the antenna housing  38  as it serves as the cover  88 . 
         [0079]    As an example, an inverted-F antenna can be inserted into an injection mold, with the cover molded around the inverted-F antenna. In some such embodiments, the antenna  86  is molded into the top surface  89  of the cover  88 . The antenna leads  34  extend inwardly with respect to the underside of the cover  88  and are left exposed, to be drawn through the first surface (e.g., topside) of communication device  26  and robotically soldered on the second surface (e.g., backside) of the communication device  26 . In this fashion, the inverted-F antenna is essentially surrounded and encapsulated within the material of the meter cover, thereby achieving the objects described above. 
         [0080]    Alternatives to insertion-molding include lamination, as the object of means for forming the antenna  86  within the top surface  89  of the meter cover is to achieve an integrated configuration. As another alternative, the antenna  86  may be disposed or pressed into a mold before material of the cover  88  has set, and material may optionally be deposited over the antenna  86 , the material flowing over and setting as a continuous surface of the cover  88 . As yet another alternative, the antenna  86  may be positioned within the cover  88  by three-dimensional printing, where printed material forms at least partially around the antenna  86  during formation of the cover  88 . 
         [0081]    In some embodiments, the cover  88  includes a protruding portion by which the antenna  86  has been affixed to the cover  88 . 
         [0082]    In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cover  88  may be molded to receive a flexible antenna  86 . Where the antenna  86  is flexible, the antenna  86  may be coupled to the communication device  26  utilizing a cable  40 . 
         [0083]    The flexible antenna  86  may be a flexible circuit that can conform to a desired shaped shape for a location. For example, the flexible circuit may conform the shape of a recessed channel  46  molded into the cover  88  using an injection mold slider, for example. 
         [0084]    The recessed channel  46  is configured to receive the flexible antenna  86 . In some embodiments, the recessed channel  46  may be molded directly into the cover  88 . In these embodiments, the antenna housing  38  is molded into the cover  88 . The antenna housing  38  at least partially covers the flexible antenna  86 . 
         [0085]    The recessed channel  46 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9  may have an opening, for receiving the flexible antenna  86 , that includes a draft angle (illustrated as a tapered profile of the antenna housing  38 ) which is conductive for manufacturing the cover  88 . Stated another way, the recessed channel  46  has a tapered profile that begins at the top surface  89  on which the display  68  is positioned that decreases in width through a channel depth. 
         [0086]    Due to the draft angle, the flexible antenna  86  may not be secured within the recessed channel  46 . Therefore, to prevent the flexible antenna  86  from moving within the recessed channel  46 , one or more studs  49  may be used. The stud  49  serves as function similar to a shim. The studs  49  may be molded into the cover  88  as seen in  FIG. 9 , or inserted in the space between the flexible antenna  86  and the cover after insertion into the recessed channel  46 . 
         [0087]    Additionally, due to the flexible nature of the flexible antenna  86 , one or more retention posts  48  are be molded into or otherwise affixed to the cover  88  in some embodiments. 
         [0088]      FIG. 10  illustrates the flexible antenna  86  inserted positioned within the recessed channel  46  of the cover  88 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the cable passes through an opening  42 , and in some embodiments, an eyelet grommet  44  is pressed into place in the opening  42 , such that the cable  40  passes through the eyelet grommet  44  in the opening  42 . The antenna  86  is attached to the cable  40  and positioned within the recessed channel  46 . 
         [0089]    The flexible antenna  86  is securely positioned within the recessed channel by the retention post  48 , studs  49 , or other similar features configured to secure the position and stabilize the flexible antenna  86 . 
         [0090]    The embodiments discussed above desirably position the antenna  86  away from radio frequency interference from components within the utility meter  20 . The cover  88  may support the communication device  26 , metering circuitry  60 , and a name plate carrier. In some embodiments, the cover  88  may be integrated with the antenna  86 , the communication device  26 , metering circuitry  60 , or a name plate carrier, or any combination thereof.