The Next Generation AMR System

1. Pinnacle Technologies (John MacConnell) Valon Technology, LLC (Stuart Rumley) The Next Generation AMR System A Joint Development between: and

2. Features • Optimized for highest performance and lowest cost • Flexible Architecture (features easily added; mobile, handheld, network) • True 2-way radio link (allows controlling and programming endpoints) • High Performance RF Link (Long Range) • High Data Rate (Selectable: 100 kbps or 50 kbps) • High Endpoint Transmitter Power (100 mW) • Low Endpoint Current (10 μA yields >10 year battery life) • Low Endpoint Cost ($11 @ 100K excluding battery and case) • Modular and Extensible Reader Design • Reader is Small and Light Weight (Easily moved between vehicles)

3. Features: Flexible Architecture • Optimally supports mobile, handheld or network readers • New Endpoint features can be added without obsolescing the installed base • New message types are easily added • Endpoints optimally support both full duplex and half duplex readers • Additional receivers can be added to the reader receiver bus

4. Features: True 2-way radio link Two-way link allows added features. A few Examples: • Remote programming • Calling individual endpoints “by name” • Setting the data rate for best performance • Setting the number of transmissions per wake-up • Set full or half duplex depending on reader type • Changing the hop sequence to avoid interference • Request different endpoint data sets • Monthly consumption and/or • TOU data and/or • Peak demand and/or • Other data

5. Features: High Performance RF Link • Endpoints run 100 mW output power • Mobile reader sensitivity approaches the theoretical maximum • Can handle 130 dB of path loss at 100 kbps and133 dB of path loss at 50 kbps (for the geeks amongst us)(This is very good performance) • Measured range in excess of 3000’ line of sight(range is determined by the path loss and varies according to the conditions) • Endpoint to reader link:902 to 928 MHz frequency hopping • Reader to endpoint Link:952 to 960 MHz MAS band (1.4 GHz optional)

6. Features: High Data Rate • 100 kbps or 50 kbps • Dynamically selectable (the reader controls the endpoint data rate) • 100 kbps for large files • 50 kbps for hard-to-read situations • Supports high functionality meters having large data sets such as TOU

7. Features: High Endpoint Transmitter Power • 100 mW Transmitter Output Power • Long range • Read from difficult situations • water meter pits • basements • long driveways • Supports higher data dates without range degradation • Battery or Mains Operation • Low peak current allows use of AA Lithium battery • Clever transmitter power supply for battery operation • 99% battery power supply efficiency (higher than a charge pump) • Less than half the cost of a charge pump • Rapidly comes on line reducing transmitter latency • No transformer required for mains operation, reducing cost

8. Features: Low Endpoint Current • Ultra low current superheterodyne receiver • 10 microamps average receiver current • 10 to 15 year battery life from a AA lithium cell • Proprietary algorithms conserve energy • High power transmitter is very efficient • 0.1 microamp average current(based on 300 reads per month) • Low peak transmitter current(less than 5 mA above the peak receiver current) • DC Power conversion circuitry is 99% efficient

9. Features:Modular and Extensible Mobile Reader • Separate transmitter, receiver, power supply, and decoder/controller assemblies • Additional receiver modules can be added to the control and data bus • Easily packaged into other form factors due to modular subsystem packaging

10. Mobile Transmitter Module

11. Mobile Receiver Module

12. Mobile System Architecture Reader Radio Link Serial Connection (RS232 or USB) Endpoints Host

13. Host Architecture User Interface Thread (User Supplies) API Command & Control Thread (We supply as a DLL) Serial Link Reader

14. Mesh Network Architecture

15. Mesh Network • Any endpoint can communicate with any other endpoint that is within RF range. • Electric endpoints can repeat messages for any other endpoint. • Battery powered endpoints can communicate with electric endpoints, although they do not repeat messages. • The top of each sub-net is connected to the control center through a public network such as telephone, 802.11, or cellular.

16. Mesh Network • Paths are source routed. • Newly added endpoints are automatically discovered and added to the network. • Optimum primary and secondary paths are computed to each endpoint.

17. Demo • Demonstrates a mobile reading system • Uses a long message • 38 bytes (304 bits) • Longer than a typical TOU message • Carries endpoint engineering data • Allows changing the endpoint parameters: • Demonstrates some of the 2-way capabilities • Data rate (50 kbps or 100 kbps) • Number of times each endpoint repeats its message • Frequency hopping on or off

18. Demo User Interface Screen

19. Demo Setup Screen

20. Conclusion • Optimized for highest performance and lowest cost • Flexible Architecture (features easily added; mobile, handheld, network) • True 2-way radio link (allows controlling and programming endpoints) • High Performance RF Link (Long Range) • High Data Rate (Selectable: 100 kbps or 50 kbps) • High Endpoint Transmitter Power (100 mW) • Low Endpoint Current (10 μA yields >10 year battery life) • Low Endpoint Cost ($11 @ 100K excluding battery and case) • Modular and Extensible Reader Design • Reader is Small and Light Weight (Easily moved between vehicles)

21. Pinnacle Technologies John MacConnell P.O. Box 278 La Canada, CA 91012 (818) 952-0688 john.macconnell@ieee.org Valon Technology, LLC Stuart Rumley 308 Nevada St. Redwood City, CA 94062 (650) 369-0575 stuart@valontechnology.com Contact Information