Patent ID: 8471723

Claim:
A utility meter interface circuit for use in a fixed automatic meter reading network, the utility meter interface circuit comprising: a site transmitter that transmits a first message, as a first transmission of radio frequency signals from one of a plurality of utility meter data origination sites in a frequency channel to be received by a gate way fixed transceiver; a site receiver at the one of the utility meter data origination sites that listens for an acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver; and whereupon the site receiver not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a defined time period; control circuitry for executing one or more retries of transmitting the first message for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver; and the site receiver again listening for the acknowledgement signal from the gateway fixed transceiver; and upon the site receiver not detecting the acknowledgement signal within a second defined time, the site transmitter transmitting radio frequency signals on a last retry for reception by the gateway fixed transceiver; and wherein after three tries to transmit the first message, and upon not receiving the acknowledgement signal, a second message is transmitted from the site transmitter and includes meter reading data for the last sixteen meter reading intervals to make up for non-acknowledged transmissions of the first message.