BERR WAN Comms Options Definition v0 1

Smart Metering
WAN Communications –
Definition of Options
Author(s) Simon Harrison

Document Draft
Status
Document Ref. WCOD
No.
Document 0_1
Version
Date Issued 14 July 2008
WAN Communications Options Definition Version 0_1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................2
Figures.............................................................................................................2
Document Control ............................................................................................4
1.1 Version History ..................................................................................4
1.2 Related Documents ...........................................................................4
1.3 Intellectual Property Rights and Copyright.........................................4
1.4 Disclaimer..........................................................................................4
2 Executive Summary and Introduction .......................................................5
2.1 Executive Summary...........................................................................5
2.2 Purpose .............................................................................................5
2.3 Scope ................................................................................................5
2.4 Objective............................................................................................6
3 Glossary & Conventions ...........................................................................8
3.1 Document Conventions & Assumptions.............................................8
3.1.1 Conventions for Diagrams ..........................................................8
3.1.2 Market Segments .......................................................................8
3.1.3 Meter Functionality .....................................................................8
3.1.4 Meter Location............................................................................9
3.1.5 Meter and Metering System........................................................9
3.1.6 Communications for Each Fuel.................................................11
3.1.7 Two Types of Communication for Smart Metering?..................11
3.2 Glossary ..........................................................................................12
4 Assumptions and Issues .........................................................................15
4.1 Assumptions ....................................................................................15
4.2 Issues ..............................................................................................15
4.2.1 Variety of Premises Types........................................................15
4.2.2 Longevity ..................................................................................16
5 Solution Options .....................................................................................17
5.1 Wired Solution Options ....................................................................18
5.1.1 Power Line Carrier....................................................................18
5.1.2 Fixed Line.................................................................................27
5.2 Wireless Solution Options................................................................33
5.2.1 Cellular Communications..........................................................33
5.2.2 Low Power Radio .....................................................................39
5.2.3 Long Range Radio....................................................................43
5.3 Other Options ..................................................................................49
5.4 Emerging Wired/Wireless Options...................................................49
5.4.1 Femtocells ................................................................................49
5.4.2 Active Line Access ...................................................................50
6 Considerations........................................................................................51
6.1 Combinations of Physical Media......................................................51
6.2 Co-existence of Communications Infrastructures ............................52
Appendix: Other Information ..........................................................................54
Figures
Figure 1: Smart Metering Scope ......................................................................6
Figure 2: Smart Meter Locations......................................................................9
Figure 3: Smart Metering Systems, Illustration of Flexible Approaches .........10
Page 2 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 4 WAN Connections for Both Fuels ....................................................11

Figure 5 Three Smart Metering Interfaces .....................................................12
Figure 6 Wired and Wireless Options.............................................................17
Figure 7 Power Line Carrier ...........................................................................19
Figure 8 PLC Retrofit Module.........................................................................23
Figure 9 PLC Substation Equipment..............................................................23
Figure 10 PLC Substation Equipment 2 .........................................................24
Figure 11 Echelon PLC Transceiver Chips ....................................................24
Figure 12 Echelon NES PLC Data Concentrator............................................25
Figure 13 Echelon PLC Infrastructure Options...............................................25
Figure 14 PLC Repeater Unit.........................................................................26
Figure 15 Retrofit PLC unit.............................................................................26
Figure 16 High Speed PLC Chip ....................................................................27
Figure 17 Fixed Line Infrastructure ................................................................27
Figure 18 Elster PSTN Modem ......................................................................29
Figure 19 Elster Modem in situ ......................................................................29
Figure 20 Landis + Gyr PSTN Modem Component........................................30
Figure 21 Enermet PSTN Modem ..................................................................30
Figure 22 Cable Metering Solution.................................................................33
Figure 23 Cellular Infrastructure.....................................................................34
Figure 24 Elster GSM Modem (with Internal Antenna)...................................36
Figure 25 GSM Modem Connected to Electricity Meter .................................37
Figure 26 Ericsson Options for Future SIM Cards..........................................38
Figure 27 Telenor UICC with Embedded WLAN ............................................38
Figure 28 Telecnor WLANSIM AMR Slide .....................................................39
Figure 29 Low Power Radio Infrastructure Examples ....................................40
Figure 30 ZigBee 7mm x 7mm Chip...............................................................42
Figure 31 Zensys Z-Wave Chip .....................................................................42
Figure 32 Bluetooth Chip ...............................................................................42
Figure 33 Trilliant Gas Module .......................................................................43
Figure 34 Trilliant Gas Module in situ.............................................................43
Figure 35 Low Power Mesh Infrastructure .....................................................43
Figure 36 Long Range Radio Infrastructure ...................................................44
Figure 37 Arqiva Component Prototype .........................................................45
Figure 38 FlexNet Architecture ......................................................................45
Figure 39 Sensus FlexNet Meter ...................................................................46
Figure 40 Tropos Wi-Fi Infrastructure ............................................................48
Figure 41 Smart Synch Wi-Fi Meter ...............................................................48
Figure 42 Carina Wi-Fi Metering ....................................................................49
Figure 43 Illustration of Femtocell Communications ......................................50
Figure 44 Combinations of Physical Media ....................................................51
Figure 45 Tantalus Infrastructure ...................................................................52
Figure 46 IBM End to End Infrastructure........................................................53
Document Control
1.1 Version History
Version Date Author Description
0_1 14 July 2008 Simon Initial draft
Harrison
1.2 Related Documents

Document Title Version Author Date
Smart Metering Operational Framework, V1 ERA SRSM August
proposals and options Project 2007
WAN Communications Requirements V1 ERA SRSM July
Definition Project for BERR 2008
1.3 Intellectual Property Rights and Copyright

All rights including copyright in this document or the information contained in it
are owned by the Energy Retail Association and its members. All copyright
and other notices contained in the original material must be retained on any
copy that you make. All other use is prohibited. All other rights of the Energy
Retail Association and its members are reserved.
1.4 Disclaimer
This document presents definitions of options for WAN communications for
smart metering in Great Britain. It does not represent all possible solutions
options. We have used reasonable endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the
contents of the document but offer no warranties (express or implied) in
respect of its accuracy or that the proposals or options will work. To the extent
permitted by law, the Energy Retail Association and its members do not
accept liability for any loss which may arise from reliance upon information
contained in this document. This document is presented for information
purposes only and none of the information, proposals and options presented
herein constitutes an offer.
2 Executive Summary and Introduction

2.1 Executive Summary
This document is a product of the Wide Area Network (WAN) Communications
workstream, part of the wider project undertaken by BERR to consider smart
metering.
It presents definitions and illustrations of communications options to provide a

link between gas and electricity smart meters and remote parties.
It is intended to facilitate ongoing smart metering discussions, and does so by

providing a clear explanation of each option within a smart metering context.
No account is taken of industry market design for processes, governance or
commercial relationships.
[Please note that the initial delivery of this document is not intended to
represent a final and complete report. It requires revisions and updates from
communications experts as part of a process to develop and document
common understanding of the WAN Communications options for smart
metering].
The requirements for smart metering WAN Communications, and assessment

of the options defined here will be addressed in other documents.
2.2 Purpose
This document presents descriptions of communications solutions options for
smart metering in Britain.
It is intended to deliver a simple overview of the range of communications

options available to bring all stakeholders to a common level of understanding
(and agreement) of the options.
By establishing and clearly defining each of the options, this document should
provide a solid foundation for subsequent discussions that refer
communications options, for instance market model discussions.
It does not present any assessment of the options.
2.3 Scope
The scope of this document is limited to the requirement for two way
communications between smart gas and electricity meters and authorised
parties.
It considers communications technology and options available to be used

today, as these are practical for deployment in line with the timescales
envisaged for smart metering. It briefly discusses key emerging technology
options.
The diagram below shows the SRSM view of the scope of smart metering, and
the place of WAN Communications within that scope:
Industry Interfaces
Data Transport
(internet)
Figure 1: Smart Metering Scope
This document does not address the ‘upstream’ communications options, as

these, to a large extent, will be dependant upon the market model
approaches. Therefore it considers only how smart metering data moves
between the meters and the ‘cloud’.
This document will not be a detailed comparative assessment of

communications options and it will not make recommendations against the
options. WAN Communications Options for smart metering are likely to flex
over time as technology and commercial arrangements adapt to what is
essentially a new GB market for metering communications. This document
does not consider the commercial or contracting arrangements or implications
for the provision of smart metering communications services.
BERR has stated that the selection of communications for smart metering will
be a responsibility of the market in whatever guise that takes.
2.4 Objective
The objectives of the WAN Communications workstream as part of the wider
BERR activities have been agreed as follows:
The objective of the WAN Communications workstream of work is to deliver a better

understanding of the WAN Communications options and their potential impact on
market models to feed into Phase 2 evaluation of market models.
A better description of the communications options and their requirements will enable
the impact on market models for each option to be better understood, e.g.
constraints, drivers, issues, risks.
What are the practical implications of operating different communications options
within the different market models? This is a question that can be started in Phase 1,
but will have to be answered in more detail in Phase 2.
The output from this workstream will feed into the market model evaluation planned
for Phase 2.
A key objective of this workstream is to bring all stakeholders to a common level of
understanding.
3 Glossary & Conventions

Conventions
3.1 Document Conventions & Assumptions
The ERA SRSM project has been running since September 2006, and has
established a number of practical conventions and assumptions with regard to
smart metering.
The project published Proposals and Options for a Smart Metering

Operational Framework in August 2007 – this document is over 300 pages in
length and presents comprehensive proposals to meet the practicalities of
operating smart metering in a competitive retail environment.
The following subsections give a brief overview of a number of these topics.

For a more complete summary of the Smart Metering Operational Framework,
please visit http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/smartmeters
Throughout this document materials from specific service providers or existing

implementations are used. This is to illustrate the concepts or context under
consideration, and in no way advocates these approaches and products as
preferred solutions or applications. The use of such illustrations is simply to
meet a key objective of establishing a common understanding of the options
to support further discussion.
3.1.1 Conventions for Diagrams

Alongside the conventions listed below, the following standard approaches
have been used within diagrams.
• Wired physical connections are shown using a solid line
• Wireless physical connections are shown using a dotted line
All diagrams within this document are illustrative of the subject under
consideration and are not intended to represent technical, architectural or
schematic depictions of actual situations.
3.1.2 Market Segments

The Operational Framework has been written to address the requirements of
energy Suppliers in the domestic retail markets. However, it recognises that
meters used in homes can actually be exactly the same as meters used in
businesses, and therefore the Operational Framework proposals could apply.
Therefore, within this document, the communications options discussed could

be suitable for use in both domestic and equivalent non-domestic markets.
3.1.3 Meter Functionality

The degree of ‘smartness’ of a smart meter is something that distinguishes
most of the metering products available today, or that are being installed as
part of smart metering projects overseas.
The SRSM project has agreed, and discussed with meter manufacturers and
the wider energy stakeholders, a set of functional requirements for gas and
electricity smart meters. These requirements do not represent final proposals

and are presented here to give context to the WAN Communications
discussions.
• 2 Way Communications – WAN and Local (see below)

• Interval measurement and storage of consumption data
• Support for flexible and configurable energy tariffs
• Interoperable data exchange and protocols
• Remote connection/disconnection1
• Support for prepayment/pay as you go operation (subject to the
footnote above)
• Support for microgeneration
• Provision of consumption information
• Remote configuration of tariffs, meter operations, upgradeable
firmware etc.
3.1.4 Meter Location

Throughout, this document refers mainly to the ‘Home’ and uses illustrations
of houses to represent locations for meter points. However, smart meters and
the communications solution options listed here could apply equally to other
domestic and non-domestic premises types.
Figure 2: Smart Meter Locations
The ERA Smart Metering Operational Framework documentation specifies

‘domestic-sized’ metering, and such meters could be installed in any type of
property where energy consumption is within the load/capacity capability of
such meters.
The Operational Framework includes a number of Meter Variants, usually to

accommodate specific energy supply requirements of a metering point – e.g.
polyphase electricity supply or a semi concealed gas meter location (see
definition of Meter Variant below).
It is also the case that the placement and location of meters as shown in
diagrams is illustrative.
3.1.5 Meter and Metering System

Throughout this document, references to a smart meter, particularly within
diagrams, should not be interpreted as referring only to smart meters where all
1
For electricity, the inclusion of a switch/breaker/contactor has been agreed for all meters.
The inclusion of similar, valve-based functionality for all gas meters remains subject to cost.
of the functionality is contained within one ‘box’. There is regular use of a

picture of an electricity smart meter to represent smart Metering Systems.
Smart Metering Systems – Illustration of Flexible Approaches
+ + +
Software
+ +
Smart Metering Metering System Illustration of how fuels could share
Metering System
Systems, with all using a separate (with suitable commercial
using a separate
the functionality, ‘black box’ and arrangements) a single set of black
‘black box’ (or
including external antenna box(es) to deliver functionality
boxes) to deliver
communications to deliver
functionality
“under the glass” functionality
In all cases, the metrology functions must be delivered by a regulated measuring instrument.
The required functionality could be delivered by components:

- within the meter casing;
- through the use of one or more new hardware components (in conjunction with new meters
or retrofitted to existing); or
- external hardware components shared between fuels.
Generally, no component of the smart Metering System will be reliant upon equipment
owned by the customer (e.g. broadband router), or services under the control of the
customer (e.g. telephony provider). There may be individual circumstances where use of the
customers equipment is unavoidable (customer chooses to own the meter, or particularly
within a non-domestic context where additional energy supply contractual terms can be
applied).
Figure 3: Smart Metering Systems, Illustration of Flexible Approaches
As defined below, a smart metering system could comprise a number of

physical devices (external modems, antennas etc.) to deliver the smart
functionality requirements.
The potential variety of physical locations and conditions of metering points

could result in smart metering systems where components are not located
together in the same metering cupboard, or on the same metering board. It
would not be practical to illustrate or explain these potential variations within
this document.
Therefore all general references to smart meters and uses of icons to

represent smart meters in this document should be inferred as meaning the
defined Metering System.
Page 10 of 54 14-Jul-08
3.1.6 Communications for Each Fuel

There are a number of potential approaches to delivering WAN infrastructures
to both gas and electricity metering. As discussed above, this may involve
additional communications equipment.
Shown below are the two basic approaches – autonomy and the ‘piggy-back’,
both of which are equally valid when considering WAN communications
options. Some of the options presented naturally favour one or other of these
approaches, some can be agnostic. The ‘piggy-back’ approach presents
advantages to key concerns with gas meter power consumption, but creates
interoperability, data storage and network operation challenges for electricity
meters.
In the ‘piggy-back’ option, the electricity meter is effectively part of the gas
metering system.
Figure 4 WAN Connections for Both Fuels
3.1.7 Two Types of Communication for Smart Metering?

This document specifically addresses the options for WAN communications,
i.e. from the meter to a remote party. There are requirements and
expectations of smart meters to deliver communications functionality locally,
i.e. from the meter to a home display, or microgeneration device, or a meter
from a different utility.
Page 11 of 54 14-Jul-08
LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE
WAN COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE
WAN COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE

Data Transport
(internet)
Figure 5 Three Smart Metering Interfaces
Some WAN Communications options – Power Line Carrier, Low Power Radio,
are candidates for the physical medium to deliver Local Communications.
Other WAN options – Cellular, Broadband – have been discounted for Local
Communications either on the basis of initial or ongoing cost, power
consumption and other practicalities.
The ERA SRSM Project has been facilitating a workstream to specifically

consider the options for Local Communications for Smart Metering. This
workstream includes experts from metering and communications
organisations and is expected to deliver an evaluation and recommendation
report in September 2008. Details on this workstream are available from
http://www.srsmlocalcomms.wetpaint.com
Whilst it may seem to be the optimum approach to have one communicating

component within a smart meter, for example WAN and Local
Communications are delivered using low power radio hardware within the
meter, unless the solution option meets all of the requirements for both
applications, there may be an argument for including two communicating
components.
This has been the approach in some international examples requiring Local
Communications connectivity. However, these examples have tended to see
the Local element added after the WAN specification has been set.
3.2 Glossary
A number of these definitions are similar to those used within the Operational
Framework.
Term Meaning
Access Control The method by which the Operational Framework controls
access to smart Metering Systems, smart metering data and
Page 12 of 54 14-Jul-08
Term Meaning
associated devices.
Authorised Party Means the Supplier or another person authorised by
configuration of the Access Control security policies in the
Metering System to interrogate or configure the Metering
System.
Authorised Parties could include a communications service
provider, a meter operator, a network operator etc.
Data Exchange Electronic interactions including the transmission of data
between Metering Systems and Authorised Parties or
Metering Systems and Local Devices
DLMS Device Language Message Specification – European data
protocol for meter communications
ERA Energy Retail Association, the trade association
representing the six major energy Suppliers in Britain.
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute –
international standards body
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers –
international standards body
Interoperability To allow a smart Metering System to be used within market
rules by the registered Supplier, its nominated agents and
parties selected by the customer without necessitating a
change of Metering System.
Security of the smart Metering System infrastructure, with
structured Access Control, is a key interoperability
requirement.
Local Communications between a Metering System and Local
Communications Devices within the premises in which the Metering System is
installed.
Local Device A Local Device can be any piece of equipment within
premises that communicates directly with the Metering
System using Local Communications.
Metering System A single device or meter, or a combination of devices used
to deliver the Lowest Common Denominator as defined in
the Operational Framework - ‘Smart Meter Functional
Specification’.
Meter Variant Classification of meter type under the Operational
Framework. A ‘Standard’ variant is suitable for installation at
the majority of meter points in Great Britain. Other variants
exist to cover specific supply, circuit or customer issues at a
site.
Examples include Polyphase, Semi-Concealed or 5
Terminal variants.
The full table of Meter Variants can be found in the ‘Smart
Meter Functional Specification’.
Meter Worker A generic Operational Framework term referring to any
person attending a metering point for the purposes of
installation, maintenance, investigation, replacement or
removal of the Metering System.
Includes existing energy industry defined roles of Meter
Operator, Meter Asset Maintainer, Meter Reader, Data
Page 13 of 54 14-Jul-08
Term Meaning
Retriever etc.
Open Standard The European Union definition of an open standard (taken
from “European Interoperability Framework for pan-
European eGovernment Services”) is:
• The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a
not-for-profit organisation, and its ongoing development
occurs on the basis of an open decision-making
procedure available to all interested parties (consensus
or majority decision etc.).
• The standard has been published and the standard
specification document is available either freely or at a
nominal charge. It must be permissible to all to copy,
distribute and use it for no fee or at a nominal fee.
• The intellectual property - i.e. patents possibly present -
of (parts of) the standard is made irrevocably available
on a royalty-free basis.
There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.
Operational Smart Metering Operational Framework Proposals and
Framework, or Options v1 – as published August 2007 by the ERA
SMOF
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, generally an
industrial control system managed by a computer.
SRSM Project Supplier Requirements of Smart Metering project.
Exercise in 2006-08 undertaken by ERA to develop the
Operational Framework.
Ongoing at the time of developing this document
Supplier Means an energy retail business
WAN (Wide Area Communications between a Metering System and a remote
Network) Authorised Party
Communications
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4 Assumptions and Issues

This section of the document presents any assumptions used as the basis of
the information provided. It also provides details of particular smart metering
WAN Communications issues.
4.1 Assumptions
Whilst defining the WAN Communications options, a number of assumptions
have been used. These are presented below:
A.1. All communications options are (or will be) compliant with relevant
legislation and regulations
A.2. Smart meter functionality is broadly equivalent to the SRSM Smart
Meter Specification
A.3. WAN Communications options are defined only so far as to reach a
connection to the internet. Architectures and systems ‘upstream’, i.e.
how an energy Supplier accesses metering data, are subject to
separate consideration
A.4. WAN Communications service provision will include network
management activity suitable to that network, i.e. traffic and outage
management, scheduling, fault resolution.
A.5. Smart meters will all have unique (fixed or dynamic) network
addresses in accordance with the protocols to be used
4.2 Issues
4.2.1 Variety of Premises Types
Communicating with a smart meter or smart metering system will, when
considering the mass domestic market, need to include a consideration of the
variety of property types and configurations where smart meters could be
installed.
There will be specific problems with blocks of flats, rural houses, properties
converted for multiple occupancy, unmanned premises etc.
The issue is further compounded by a variety of physical energy supply

conditions that can be site or customer specific. There has been little
standardisation of the exact positioning of where the meter is located. Meter
location, which is usually an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ consideration, and could
be anywhere within or outside premises (or another premises for multi-
occupancy premises with meter rooms), will introduce a range of challenges
for communications solutions.
Similarly, for any number of reasons (preserved tariffs, council heating

initiatives, installed equipment, historical consumption requirements etc), the
energy supply (typically for specific electricity heating configurations, but
potentially including gas configurations e.g. sub/deduct metering
arrangements) to a premises could be ‘different’. The difference could range
from heatwise meters to support night storage heaters through to the use of
multiple meters for a single ‘supply’.
Page 15 of 54 14-Jul-08
As an example of WAN Communications issues, most premises have access

to (or can be connected to) the fixed telephony network, but not all can be
upgraded to broadband, or receive a poor or non-existent cell service for
mobile telephony.
Similarly, all premises that will have an electricity meter could be candidates
for Power Line Communication, but remote properties could be un-economic
due to the cost of installing the necessary filtering equipment to make the
power line suitable for data transmissions over long carries.
4.2.2 Longevity
Communications technology presents a unique challenge for smart metering.
The typical asset life of an energy meter is in excess of ten years, and very
few of the communications solutions options presented below existed in
recognisable form ten years ago, and it remains a significant risk that any
solutions preferred today might not exist (outside of smart metering) ten years
from now.
This is an issue that is currently being experienced with some energy related
equipment that utilises 14.4kb or slower modems over PSTN with dedicated
telephone lines – the service will not be practical on BT’s IP-based next
generation network.
Robust future resistance within smart meters could require modular

construction to be mandatory within the functional specification of those
meters – allowing communications hardware to be upgraded without replacing
the energy meter asset, or a reduction in the asset life expectation of meters
that are more technologically advanced than those used currently.
Page 16 of 54 14-Jul-08
5 Solution Options
This section of the document presents the wired and wireless options for WAN
communications for smart metering.
The diagram below shows an overview of the options:
Head End Systems

Data Presentation
Wired Options Wireless Options
Exchange
Concentrator
Substation
Switch
“Head End” Trans-

Equipment former
Long
Range
Radio
Repeater Cellular
Power Line Carrier Existing Telephony Wireless Mesh

Figure 6 Wired and Wireless Options
It uses a standard template to capture detail relating to each of the options.

This template is presented below with a description of the type of information
to be captured.
Option Name
General
Reference A signifying abbreviation for the option to assist with

reference in other workstream (and subsequent)
documentation
Description: A description of the option
Meter Hardware: What does the option require of a smart meter – e.g. a
Requirements
wireless radio chip, network card, connection port etc.
Infrastructure Equipment required by the option outwith the

Hardware: metering system – e.g. concentrators, switches,
antenna etc.
Data: Any relevant information about data transfer – packet
sizes, maximum speed etc.
Support
Standards: International or national standards relevant to smart

metering utilisation of the option.
Protocols: Any relevant information about support for potential
communications protocols, specifically any limitations
Page 17 of 54 14-Jul-08
or restrictions.
Power: Power consumption of the option, acknowledging
Power usage assumptions. Considers both the power
consumption at the meter, and any impact on energy
usage/battery life. Also considers the power
consumption of the infrastructure to support smart
metering
International Has the option been used in a smart metering context
Examples in other markets?
Use in other Is the solution used for other purposes, i.e. not for
Usage
applications: smart metering, but for building controls, telecare,

entertainment etc.
Maturity: Is the solution available today? If not, when will it be
available?
Notes: Any other notes, weblinks to relevant materials etc.
5.1 Wired Solution Options

For the vast majority of homes within Britain there will already be at least two
wires capable of delivering electronic communications – the electricity supply
cable and the telephone line. A number of properties will have additional
telephone lines specifically for high-speed data connections, or a fibre optic
cable for multimedia and broadband purposes.
The communications and energy industries have developed a number of

technical solutions to deliver electronic data exchanges over these wires.
5.1.1 Power Line Carrier

One of the most widely used technologies for advanced metering, power line
communications makes use of the existing electricity wires to transfer data.
The diagram below illustrates how a smart meter could be connected to the
internet using power line carrier:
Page 18 of 54 14-Jul-08
Data Transport
(internet)
Figure 7 Power Line Carrier
The same infrastructure as shown above could support narrowband or

broadband data services. The key difference would be in the sophistication
(and cost) of the equipment installed in the infrastructure and the meters to
support higher bandwidth data connections.
For the purposes of defining Power Line Carrier, this document does not
distinguish between narrowband or broadband applications of the physical
media.
Theoretically, a power line carrier network should be as capable as any other

fixed network of supporting interoperable communications protocols– IP,
HTML, SSL etc. However, it has generally been the practice for a utility to
contract with a solution provider who then uses proprietary hardware or
software within the network to deliver the service.
There are international examples of investment in Broadband over Power Line

(BPL) infrastructures allowing a much higher bandwidth. However, these are
usually implemented with the intention of providing non-utility services such as
internet connection or multimedia services.
Option Power Line Carrier

Reference: PLC
Description: The Edison Electrical Institute defines power line
carrier as “A communication system where the utility
power line is used as the primary element in the
communication link.”
All power line communications systems operate by
impressing a modulated carrier signal on the wiring
system. Different types of powerline communications
use different frequency bands or modulation
techniques, depending on the signal transmission
Page 19 of 54 14-Jul-08
characteristics of the power wiring used.

There can be differing terminology - Power Line
Communications could refer to data transferred over
the High and Medium Voltage wires, with Distribution
Line Carrier referring to the Low Voltage connection
to individual meters.
Initially in a metering context, PLC was used to deliver
1 way information transmission, with meters sending
consumption information according to configured
schedules. Technology is now widely available that
allow for bi-directional use of PLC to and from meters.
A number of existing solutions use mesh networking,
sending information from meter to meter to reach a
concentrator – this can effect the overall speed of the
solution.
Implementations in other markets do not attract a ‘per
kilobit’ commercial cost model (unlike cellular),
meaning that the cost to use a PLC network will not
flex with the volumes of data transferred.
Meter Hardware: As PLC communicating Smart meters utilise the
electricity mains wiring, the hardware within the meter
will include a transponder or transceiver to deliver
communications capability, with some associated
microelectronics to provide coupling to the wiring,
power management etc.
Examples of meter hardware components are shown
below this table.
Infrastructure The scale of infrastructure required by a PLC
Hardware: implementation varies by the commercial solution
selected. Some include substantial equipment within
the electricity distribution network, others are less
intrusive.
All PLC deployments will require some network
infrastructure equipment.
Examples are shown below this table.
Data: The ‘speed’ of data transfers varies by commercial
solution.
Traditionally PLC has been viewed as a narrowband
communications link, with speeds lower than 10kbps.
However, technology continues to offer alternatives,
with much higher speeds available with more
expensive components within the infrastructure and
meter.
One of the ‘narrowband’ PLC systems reviewed
stated a time of 20 seconds for an enquiry from a
utility billing system front end to receive a response
containing a meter read from an individual meter.
There are widely available and utilised HomePlug
technologies using PLC connections that offer speeds
of 14MBps, 85MBps and 200MBps – it is thought that
these high rates are only possible at reasonably low
cost by the ‘closed’ nature of mains wiring within a
home.
Page 20 of 54 14-Jul-08
Standards: There are a number of international standards for PLC

in use or under development:
• ETSI have a suite of standards relating to
PLC, and are also working with a CENELEC
committee on power line (SC 205A)
• IEEE standards
P1775, P1675, P1901 – focus seems to
be more on developing the Broadband
over Power Line aspects
• LonWorks – a standard operated by Echelon,
based upon the use of their protocol and
silicon within a range of applications and
devices
• OPERA – EU funded initiative, being lead by
Iberdrola, to develop an interoperable
platform to use PLC for utility and internet
purposes
Protocols: There are a wide range of protocols currently in use,
generally being supplier-, service- or application-
specific.
The protocols will include a specific modulation
scheme to impose the carrier signal. Some use
Frequency Shift Key techniques, some use Spread
Spectrum or other methods. It is important to note that
modulation schemes are not interoperable – meters
using one scheme will not speak to concentrators
using a different scheme.
Power: The power usage implications of any PLC system will
be largely dependent on the type of infrastructure
installed.
Data concentrators will all represent ‘new’ equipment
that will consume power.
The power consumption of the PLC communications
system itself – the transmission and processing of the
carrier signal – is also dependent on the signal,
frequency, level of amplification etc.
International The Echelon system described below has been
Examples: implemented in Italy for 30m domestic electricity
customers.
There are a large number of PLC AMR systems in
use in the US.
The Aclara TWACs system described below is being
used by Pacific Gas and Electric.
Use in other PLC solutions are generally used for utility
applications: applications – distribution and transmission operator
SCADA systems, AMR, smart grid.
Maturity: PLC solutions are available ‘off-the-shelf’ from a
number of service providers. The technology is being
used extensively in AMR/AMI applications in the US
and in Europe.
Notes: - PLC for smart metering in Britain could require:
• Extension of an existing data network within a
Page 21 of 54 14-Jul-08
distribution company – i.e. the power lines are

already in use for SCADA purposes
• Installation of new PLC equipment, on distribution
(or transmission) premises, or other premises,
depending on the nature of the implementation
• Projects are generally ‘turnkey’ deployments by
PLC specialists, although some have been
implemented by utility personnel themselves.
Where there is a ‘turnkey’ project, then issues with
training and qualifications and wayleaves to enter
substations will need to be considered
- It is important to note that PLC does not rely upon a
connection for every meter to operate effectively
within an area.
- A number of technical challenges for PLC remain
where the meter is remote, or the electricity
infrastructure is not wholly robust (communications
success/quality is generally directly linked to the
distance between devices).
- The potential effects of widespread use of
microgeneration on the quality of PLC
communications remains unclear.
- Similarly, there are reports of interference from
customer appliances – washing machines and other
equipment with electric motors.
Some of the PLC installations are naturally vulnerable to power outages.

Techniques are emerging using capacitors (and super capacitors) in electricity
meters to send ‘power outage’ messages back into the network once the
frequency of the current falls below a configurable tolerance (risk of a ‘brown-
out’), or the power fails completely. As PLC signals operate at a much lower
voltage than mains supply, these messages can still reach a concentrator.
Shown below is an example of a retrofit PLC component for an American solid

state electricity meter. The actual communications hardware is the
transponder unit. This unit is for use within the TWACs platform (Two-Way
Automatic Communication System) as provided by Aclara.
Page 22 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 8 PLC Retrofit Module

Shown below are illustrations of PLC equipment as may be installed in an
electricity substation to provide communications connectivity to meters
(transponders) on the low voltage network.
Figure 9 PLC Substation Equipment
The second image shows the unit within a substation that provides the
backhaul link to head-end systems. This particular unit supports connectivity
to a range of physical media for backhaul, which is usually whatever is
available at the equipment location or as preferred by the utility. Examples
given include PLC, serial connection to an Ethernet connected computer, dial-
up modem, radio, microwave, fibre, cellular or satellite.
Page 23 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 10 PLC Substation Equipment 2
An alternative approach is used by the Echelon Corporation, who utilise

transceiver chips within meters and data concentrators that do not need to be
installed at a substation.
Shown below is an example of the transceiver chips that would be included in

a meter (or powerline controlled thermostat, light switch, security camera etc.).
Although two chips are shown, only one is required in each meter, alongside
some microelectronic components (capacitors, resistors).
Figure 11 Echelon PLC Transceiver Chips
Page 24 of 54 14-Jul-08
Shown below is an Echelon data concentrator – these could be fitted alongside

meters, rather than in substations. These units come either with an Ethernet
connection – to hook into an existing broadband service, or with a modular
bay, antenna and serial port to support a modem appropriate to the installation
requirements. In most instances this will mean a GSM/GPRS modem. This
particular model can manage connections for over 1000 electricity meters
(and up to 4000 M-Bus devices – i.e. gas and water meters).
Figure 12 Echelon NES PLC Data Concentrator
Taking the Echelon model, the PLC infrastructure could be as shown below,
illustrating the minimal requirement for access to distribution premises.
Data Transport
(internet)
Figure 13 Echelon PLC Infrastructure Options
Page 25 of 54 14-Jul-08
There are many more examples of individual design approaches to PLC

deployment, often using a mix of physical media alongside the power lines to
reach the head end systems. Information from the Continuon deployment in
Holland suggests the ‘per meter’ cost of PLC equipment at volume is less than
5 Euros.
As an illustration of potential ancillary equipment, shown below is a PLC

repeater unit from the Finnish company Enermet – this is used to increase the
communication range between an electricity meter and concentrator units.
Figure 14 PLC Repeater Unit
A further example is shown below – the Enermet retrofit device that delivers
PLC connectivity to any electricity meter with a standard terminal block.
Figure 15 Retrofit PLC unit
Finally, and announced in July 2008, transceiver chips are emerging to deliver
100kBit/s speeds over powerline. Using different modulation techniques, the
chip shown below can operate globally (US/EU markets allow different
frequencies for the carrier signal), and is listed at $8.50 per unit.
Page 26 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 16 High Speed PLC Chip
5.1.2 Fixed Line

There is already an extensive and flexible wired communication system in
place in the UK.
There are three main options for smart metering that could use existing
telecommunications wires:
o PSTN
o xDSL – broadband
o Cable
All of these solutions may require the use of equipment external to the meter
to connect it to the fixed line, as telephony entry points to premises are
unlikely to be coincident with energy meter locations.
Shown below is an illustration of the potential infrastructure for smart metering
using fixed line telephony.
Figure 17 Fixed Line Infrastructure
Option PSTN/POTS (Plain Old Telephone System)

Reference: TEL
Description: Most of the energy metering for large user sites will
already have PSTN connectivity – all Half Hourly
Page 27 of 54 14-Jul-08
electricity and Daily Metered gas sites require regular

data collection, and this has traditionally been done
through the use of a meter (or datalogger) with a
modem connected to a telephone line.
For a wider scale deployment of smart metering, the

system would operate in the same way – each
metering system would include a modem and be
connected to a telephone line.
It would be possible, using Customer Premises

Equipment (CPE) to use/share an existing customer
line for smart metering.
Meter Hardware: Meters will require some form of modem. There is a
wide range of technological options for meter modem.
Some illustrations are shown below this table.
Infrastructure Generally already in place for most premises – i.e. a
Hardware: connected telephone line and the infrastructure to
support it.
Data: Dial-up connection speeds are now seen as inferior
for applications such as internet connections, but may
be sufficient for smart metering purposes.
The speed of data transfer is in direct correlation to
the modem within the meter.
Standards: Existing and well established to deliver voice and data
services using PSTN.
Protocols: Will vary by service or component provider – the
majority of existing protocols will be proprietary - but
there are DLMS classes for PSTN modem operation
and configuration.
Power: Power consumption of an internal modem will vary by
model and transmission speed – i.e. a slower modem
may use more power as it operates in an ‘active’
mode for longer than a seemingly more powerful
faster model.
International PSTN for residential metering is not common,
Examples: although there are numerous examples of usage for
business customers.
Use in other Alongside widespread use for industrial metering for
applications: gas and electricity customers.
Maturity: The PSTN network and devices
Notes: Ofcom’s Nations & Regions Communications Market
report in May 2008 shows that 87% of UK households
have a fixed line, and that this number is falling as
increasing numbers of customers rely solely upon
mobile telephony.
Shown below are a number of existing internal and retrofit modem

components for use in electricity smart metering. All of these modems will
require connection to a telephone line, and tend to use Caller Line
Identification to ensure that they only send data to recognised parties.
Page 28 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 18 Elster PSTN Modem

This Elster modem is designed to be installed under the terminal cover of an
electricity meter (see below) to protect it from interference or environmental
problems. It connects to the meter using one of a range of standard serial
interfaces (RS232, RS485, CL1) and supports data transmission speeds of up
to 19.2kBit/s. A variant model exists with an M-Bus interface allowing more
than one meter or device, for example gas and water meters or a smart
thermostat, to share the modem connection.
Figure 19 Elster Modem in situ
Page 29 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 20 Landis + Gyr PSTN Modem Component

Shown above is one of a range of internal meter modem components from
Landis + Gyr. As with the Elster modem, this connects to a phone line, and to
the meter using the RS485 serial port.
Figure 21 Enermet PSTN Modem
Enermet are now part of the Landis+Gyr group, but the modem shown above
is a retrofit unit to provide connectivity for existing electricity meters. It
connects using an RS232 interface and offers connection speeds up to
33kBit/s.
Option Broadband xDSL

Reference: DSL
Description: Similar to PSTN connections, this option would utilise
a fixed telephony line, but delivers data transfers at a
much higher speed.
xDSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, with the x
signifying the particular version in use. This is typically
ADSL (Asynchronous), although could include SDSL
(Symmetric), HDSL (High bit rate), and several other
Page 30 of 54 14-Jul-08
variants.
Meter Hardware: Whilst there are a number of Broadband Over
Powerline products available, these are mainly aimed
at the delivery of internet services to premises using a
powerline, rather than the meter itself connecting to a
fixed line broadband network.
It was not possible to find examples of modems

specifically connecting meters to xDSL services.
Infrastructure For the majority of areas this will already be in place
Hardware: to deliver high speed internet connection services.
Data: Broadband speeds can vary by area or service
provider, but are all capable of significantly higher
data transfer speeds than PSTN.
One example from service provider literature states
delivery of a meter read to a billing system using
broadband taking 4 seconds.
Standards: As discussed above, there are a variety of broadband
standards and versions – ADSL (and updates) is by far
the most common type in use.
Protocols: The physical broadband connection will support a
wide range of protocols, as it is currently used within a
number of applications. However, it is not clear if
there are any specific protocols in place or under
development for energy meters.
Power: An internal or external modem will consume power
during standby and transmission and reception.
As an example, a standard home router uses 6 watts.
International No examples of the use of existing broadband
Examples: connections for utility meter data services have been
found.
Use in other Used widely for internet connectivity.
applications:
Maturity: Mature for other services, not evident in a smart
metering context.
Notes: Whilst coverage is increasing, the proportion of
homes in Britain with access to broadband remains
well below 100%.2
There may be co-existence issues, as it is understood

that only one xDSL modem can operate on a line at
any one time. Sharing an existing line where a
customer already has a broadband router, could
cause issues.
See the discussion regarding Active Line Access

below for details of developments in the broadband
services market.
2
May 2008 figure is 57% of UK homes with a broadband internet connection Nations and
Regions Communications Market Ofcom
Page 31 of 54 14-Jul-08
Option Cable
Reference: CAB
Description: A number of households have co-axial or fibre optic
cables delivering television, telephony and internet
services.
It would be possible to utilise this cable to transfer
smart metering data.
See Active Line Access discussion below for details
of where this opportunity might develop for smart
metering.
A number of discussions have suggested that the
electricity meter could represent ubiquitous Customer
Premises Equipment as required to ‘light the fibre’.
Meter Hardware: Requires a transceiver in the meter.
There are a number of patents lodged with the US
Patent Office for energy revenue meters with fibre
optic connections, and a small number of high value
meters for industrial use but actual products for a
residential metering market are not evident.
Infrastructure Assumed to be in place for traditional cable service
Hardware: delivery of television and internet access.
Data: Theoretically the highest speed of data transfer.
Standards: There are existing European and global standards for
delivering television over cable, although no evident
detail of a similar standard for energy metering.
Protocols: As with broadband, cable networks will support a wide
range of protocols. There are no apparent specific
protocols for utility metering.
Power: As there are no actual products to review, power
consumption can only be estimated by the power
consumption of a cable router – 8 watts.
International There is no evidence of the use of existing cable
Examples: networks for energy smart metering, although
products are emerging to make use of this.
Use in other Widely used in North America for television services.
applications: Also used for telephony and data services.
Maturity: Fully mature for primary applications, immature within
a smart metering context.
Notes: Currently approximately 50% of the households in
Britain have access to cable, with 95% of those being
served by Virgin Media.
Shown below is an example of a fibre based metering solution from Carina

Technology – the box on the right is designed to take a circular electricity
meter as commonly found in the US.
Page 32 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 22 Cable Metering Solution
5.2 Wireless Solution Options

The alternative to a wired solution is the use of radio technology. Mobile
phones, laptop computers and a range of increasingly common consumer
equipment make use of wireless technologies to relay voice or data
communications. All of these applications are based upon silicon radio
transceivers.
There are several types of wireless communications, usually distinguished by

the frequency band and the standards used, and the primary application.
5.2.1 Cellular Communications

There are a number of types of communications options based upon the
cellular network. This document does not distinguish between GSM, SMS,
GPRS as separate options as they will all utilise the same network
infrastructure and basic hardware within a meter.
The illustration below is a simple infrastructure for energy meters to utilise

existing mobile telephony networks for WAN communications. Note that the
illustration shows a single network infrastructure, where in fact there are
several licensed networks in operation.
Page 33 of 54 14-Jul-08
Data Transport
(internet)
Figure 23 Cellular Infrastructure
Option Cellular
Reference: CEL
Description: Cellular networks are increasingly pervasive. The
infrastructure is in place, there is competition between
service providers and a range of service options
tailored to customer requirements.
Smart metering is increasingly adopting cellular
technology to provide the physical carrier to and from
metering devices – the cellular platform exists, it is
robust and there are attractive tariffs for applications
that do not require voice services.
The range of meters and ancillary products using
cellular technology is increasing, and take up by
smart metering and AMI projects, particularly in
Northern Europe, is increasing.
Meter Hardware: Each meter, including potentially gas meters, would
require a GSM modem (examples are shown below).
There may also be a requirement for an internal or
external antenna, usually depending on the modem or
signal coverage.
GSM modems for utility data use would not require
some of the more sophisticated functionality found to
handle voice and other applications in mobile
telephony.
Broadly, there are three different ‘models’ for data
transfer using cellular technology:
• Global System for Mobile (GSM) – operates at a
top speed of 9.6kbit/s
• General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) – operates
at a top speed of 140kbit/s (actual throughput is
closer to 56.6kbit/s). There are several
standardized classes of GPRS, all of which offer
Page 34 of 54 14-Jul-08
different speeds.
• 3G services:
Universal Mobile Telecommunications
System (UTMS) – 384kbit/s
High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) –
14.4mbit/s
It is important to note that actual speeds delivered are
lower than listed.
All GSM modems currently on the market require the

use of a SIM card.
Infrastructure Generally already in place, providing near national
Hardware: coverage. Coverage is higher for GSM than for GPRS
or 3G, although this is being addressed.
Data: The speed of data transfer possible is generally set by
the standard used – GPRS, UTMS, SMS etc. (see the
description above for speeds)
Additionally, SMS places an upper limit on message
size.
Standards: Cellular communications uses a wide range of
standards to distinguish services. These can be
global, regional or service specific standards.
There is no specific standard for energy metering.
Protocols: Where cellular carriers are used in a metering
context, this is typically done as part of a managed
service from a communications or data agent. Whilst
delivering this service, the agent may use standard or
proprietary protocols to encode or encrypt data.
Cellular data services increasingly support (or

transparently support) standard internet protocols.
Power: Although smart meter data messages will generally
be very small files sent intermittently, the use of a
GSM modem necessarily uses more power than PLC
or Low Power Radio options.
Peak consumption of 2 Amps have been recorded,
although it is expected that power management
innovation will improve this.
Also, the additional power consumption of the cellular
network itself to support a smart metering network
would not be inconsiderable.
International There is extensive use of GSM/GPRS at a meter level
Examples: in Nordic implementations.
Use in other Used globally for voice and data communications.
applications:
Maturity: Fully established for primary telephony applications.
Growing usage for energy metering applications.
Notes: There have been concerns over the constraints of the
SIM card, which generally has a one to one
relationship with a mobile network operator. However
there are options to address this potential ‘physical’
barrier (i.e. a SIM card could require a field visit to
Page 35 of 54 14-Jul-08
replace if a customer changed energy Supplier, who

prefers a different network operator to the one in the
meter). These possibilities have included ‘roaming
SIMs’ and ‘SoftSIMs’.
Concerns have also been evident regarding the signal
strength (and hence power consumption) relating to
particular meter locations, typically metal meter
cabinets.
Environmental robustness for external meter
placements is also a factor.
Mains powered GSM modems will be susceptible to
power outages unless back-up batteries form part of
the solution.
At times of intensive traffic load on the mobile
network, there may be issues in delivering metering
data packets.
Discussions have raised concerns that some cellular
platforms, GSM, have limited life expectancy that
could be less than the expected life of a metering
asset.
Shown below is an example of a GSM modem provided by Elster – this is

designed to be fitted to the distribution board and connected via a serial
interface on the meter. Alternatively it could be fitted under the terminal cover
of the meter.
Figure 24 Elster GSM Modem (with Internal Antenna)
Page 36 of 54 14-Jul-08
A second example of a GSM modem, this time in situ attached to a standard

electricity meter is shown below.
Figure 25 GSM Modem Connected to Electricity Meter
It is understood that a reasonable cost figure for a GSM modem for use in an
energy meter is 20-30 Euros.
GSM based smart meters could be expected to operate using a machine to
machine (M2M) set of tariffs.
Developments in the M2M commercial and technical market are moving very
quickly. ETSI hosted a major conference in June 2008, where metering was
featured in a number of potential applications.
The example below shows options for the use of an advanced SIM card – a
Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) in M2M applications, one of which
does not require a physical card.
Page 37 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 26 Ericsson Options for Future SIM Cards

Another option, currently being tested by the Norwegian telecom company TeleNor,
who are also involved in smart metering deployments in Norway, features an
advanced SIM card that has its’ own built in radio, and therefore would not require a
GSM modem.
Figure 27 Telenor UICC with Embedded WLAN
These new devices are then shown operating within an AMR context,
although as an 802.11/802.15.4 radio, it would support smart metering 2 way
communications.
Page 38 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 28 Telecnor WLANSIM AMR Slide
5.2.2 Low Power Radio

A growing communications market, utilising silicon transceivers and specific
protocol stacks, is developing solution options to allow devices and sensors to
be networked.
Using similar technology to that used to link mobile phones and headsets,
there is a range of applications for solutions such as ZigBee, Bluetooth and Z-
Wave. These include, alongside computing and telecommunications, use in
other markets such as home automation and building control, SCADA
systems and even livestock control.
Other commercial options for low power radio have been specifically
developed for (or evolved as a result of) utility communications. Examples of
these include the M-Bus standards used for smart metering in northern
Europe, the Wavenis solution used for water metering in France and the
Trilliant platform being used by some utilities in Canada. ZigBee offers a
specific Smart Energy profile, developed with utilities in America and Australia
to provide smart metering connectivity to home area networks.
Some of the low power radio systems operate using a mesh network,
bouncing packets of data through a series of nodes to reach their target. Using
this type of network topology offers the protection of avoiding potential single
points of failure in a network, but can also increase the power consumption of
every fully functional node in the network as they have to be able to receive
and transmit data to and from neighbouring nodes whenever data transfers
are required. Some of the mesh-based solutions feature non-repeating ‘end’
devices, where power consumption will be lower than for fully functioning
nodes.
Page 39 of 54 14-Jul-08
The SRSM project is reviewing low power radio technologies in detail for use
within gas and electricity meters for Local Communications – i.e. between
meters, displays and other devices within the home.
However, using the same radio chips and protocols for WAN communications
would overlay a distinct set of requirements specific to the WAN context that
would not apply to the Local context. For example, signal propagation
characteristics, support for data security techniques and network addressing
requirements may all be more stringent for WAN usage of low power radio.
Shown below is an illustration of how a low power radio infrastructure for WAN
communications could look. The location of the data concentrator with this
approach is very flexible.
Data Transport
(internet)
Figure 29 Low Power Radio Infrastructure Examples
Option Low Power Radio

Reference: RF1
Description: A specific wireless approach to provide connections
for a range of devices. Solutions are generally
designed for small data transfers over relatively short
distances.
There is a crowded market for low power radio –
solutions such as Zigbee, M-Bus, KNX, Z-Wave etc. –
are all competing for business.
A number of these solutions feature specific utility
metering applications.
Meter Hardware: Requires the use of a silicon radio transceiver, there
are many different types of these chips. Some come
with built in antennas, some require external
antennas, some come as a ‘System on Chip’ product,
others require an external microcontroller alongside
the radio.
Examples of radio chips are shown below this table.
Page 40 of 54 14-Jul-08
Infrastructure Will require some form of data concentrator to provide

Hardware: backhaul connection to the internet.
There are no fixed design solutions for the

infrastructure, and indeed the optimum design will be
determined by the density of meters, types of housing
and the local landscape. Low power radio signals can
be affected by line of sight, co-existence and signal
interference issues.
Data concentrators could take the form of a ‘black

box’ on a lamp-post or other street furniture. Or it
could be a single meter in 200 that also has a modem
connected to a fixed or wireless connection to the
internet.
Data: Each solution option offers different data transfer
speeds, and speeds are also determined by the signal
frequency.
Actual throughput will vary, and always be lower than
stated by the solution providers, but speeds range
from 20kbit/s to 250kbit/s.
Standards: The licensed radio band for utility meters in the UK is
184MHz, although the data transfer speeds are
comparatively low compared to unlicensed options. It
is also important to note that the cost of 184MHz
radios is significantly higher (due to low volumes in a
specific licensed band) than for other frequencies –
figures over £50 have been stated.
A number of commercial solutions are based upon the
IEEE 802.15.4 wireless standard, however in this
market, the protocol stack is generally the standard
that defines and differentiates solutions from each
other.
Protocols: The protocol stack is the key differentiator for
competing technologies, each have individual
strengths and weaknesses.
One of the more established
Power: Low power radio systems have been designed to use
as little power as possible to maximise battery life in
devices. Again performance will vary by the particular
technology and protocol stack.
International The Trilliant solution has been installed for 500,000
Examples: customers of Hydro One in Ontario.
Use in other Home automation and control, SCADA and a range of
applications: ICT applications
Maturity: Whilst Bluetooth is now established, a number of the
other offerings are still evolving.
Notes: It is important to note that even whilst some solutions
can use the same radio chipsets or IEEE standards,
protocols are not interoperable – a Zigbee radio will
not speak to a Trilliant radio.
Compatible extensions are appearing, for example
Page 41 of 54 14-Jul-08
Wavenis will work with Bluetooth.
It has been noted that in order for low power radios to

form mesh networks outside of premises legally in the
UK, they cannot operate at 868MHz.
Shown below are examples of the types of low power radio transceivers as
might be used within smart meters.
Figure 30 ZigBee 7mm x 7mm Chip
Figure 31 Zensys Z-Wave Chip
Figure 32 Bluetooth Chip
The following two illustrations show a gas low power radio device from
Trilliant. The first shows the radio (and large battery) itself, the second shows
the device attached to a gas meter.
Page 42 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 33 Trilliant Gas Module
Figure 34 Trilliant Gas Module in situ
Finally, the illustration below shows how a mesh network of low power radio
devices in gas and electricity meters could operate. This is taken from Trilliant
materials.
Figure 35 Low Power Mesh Infrastructure
5.2.3 Long Range Radio

There are a number of existing applications for long range radio, aside from
the traditional 1-way broadcast delivery.
International examples of the use of long range radio include the Sensus
FlexNet solution used widely in North America, or the utilisation of
Metropolitan Area Networks based on Wi-Fi or WiMAX by municipal utilities.
Shown below is an illustration of two different types of long range radio
infrastructures – the top section shows a network where each tower is
Page 43 of 54 14-Jul-08
connected to provide backhaul connectivity. The lower section shows how

WiMAX antennas can use mesh topology to connect.
Data Transport
(internet)
Figure 36 Long Range Radio Infrastructure
Option Licensed/Private Frequency

Reference: LRR1
Description: For this option a service provider will have obtained a
licence for a section of the radio spectrum, and would
make all or some of that frequency allocation
available for smart metering use.
Meter Hardware: Radio transceiver chip and antenna, operating at the
licensed frequency. See below for examples
Infrastructure Tower based radio infrastructure covering the area
Hardware: where meters are installed. Typically these will be
placed at a much lower density than the data
concentrators for other options, and could be placed
5-15 miles apart.
Each tower will have some equipment with a modem
to provide the backhaul connection to the internet.
Data: Speed of data transmission will depend on the
frequency used.
Standards: As these types of solutions generally use licensed
frequency bands, the standards used are likely to be
proprietary to the solution provider.
Protocols: As per standards.
Power: The Sensus solution uses provides 2 watts of
broadcast power from the meters. It also states a 20
year battery life for gas and water AMR meters for
daily updates.
International The Sensus FlexNet solution is used widely in North
Examples: America, particularly for one-way gas and water AMR
services.
Use in other Tower-based radio communication is a fully mature
Page 44 of 54 14-Jul-08
applications: technology and provides a great deal of the broadcast

media.
Maturity: There are international applications in metering, but in
Britain this type of communication has been used
mainly by National Grid as part of their SCADA
systems, rather than as part of a metering solution.
Notes:
Shown below an illustration of a prototype component for use with the Arqvia
network of radio infrastructure. The antenna shown may not represent the final
design.
Figure 37 Arqiva Component Prototype
The Sensus Flexnet literature includes the following illustration of the

infrastructure. TGB means Tower Gateway Basestation, and RNI means
Regional Network Interface.
Figure 38 FlexNet Architecture
Finally, the illustration below shows a FlexNet electricity meter with the cover
removed.
Page 45 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 39 Sensus FlexNet Meter
Option WiMAX
Reference: LRR2
Description: Also known as 4G, WiMAX is a ‘last mile’ wireless
solution based upon a cellular antenna infrastructure.
Where Wi-Fi is viewed as a local technology, WiMAX
is a neighbourhood/metropolitan technology.
Meter Hardware: Would require a WiMAX chipset, similar to other
wireless solutions. Research did not show any
existing metering-specific products.
Infrastructure Requires the installation of antennas, in a cell
Hardware: structure, with typical spacing of 3 to 10km.
WiMAX antennas are generally thought to be more
expensive (although the cost is falling) than cellular or
Wifi equipment.
Data: Speeds can vary by distance of the endpoint from the
antenna, and the number of endpoints using the
connection from that antenna.
Generally equivalent to 3G mobile internet connection
speeds, unless there is a higher concentration of
antennas, or proximity to an antenna.
Standards: IEEE 802.16(x) defines the WiMAX standard. There
have been several iterations of the standard, 802.16a,
802.16-2004, 802.16d etc. Most of these standards
are interoperable
Protocols: As with other ‘broadband’ physical media, WiMAX is
capable of supporting most communications
protocols.
Power: Compared to other solutions, the power consumption
of WiMAX hardware is high. This is generally to
maintain the bandwidth
International There are no known examples of the use of WiMAX to
Examples: provide smart metering connections.
Use in other Used mainly for internet connectivity.
applications:
Page 46 of 54 14-Jul-08
Maturity: WiMAX is increasingly featuring in mobile telephony

handsets and laptop computers, but remains relatively
immature.
System on Chip WiMAX products are available, but
the majority of offerings seem to include several chips
to provide WiMAX connectivity.
Notes: The availability of WiMAX networks in Britain is low,
although there are plans to introduce metropolitan
area networks in Milton Keynes and Norwich that
could support energy smart metering.
Option Wi-
Wi-Fi
Reference: LRR3
Description: Wi-Fi is becoming an increasingly common method of
providing wireless internet connectivity for a range of
consumer electronics items.
Also known as ‘wireless broadband’, it is a standards-

based solution for local area networking.
Typically operates at 2.4GHz, although 5GHz

products are becoming available.
Meter Hardware: Requires a Wi-Fi radio transceiver chipset in the
metering system.
Infrastructure To be independent of customer owned equipment, a
Hardware: metering infrastructure based on Wi-Fi would require
placement of a number of wireless access points to
provide point to point connections for smart meters.
Data: Depending upon the particular standard used, the
speeds of data transfer will vary. All, however, are
regarded as broadband-capable
Standards: Based on IEEE 802.11(x) standards, with x signifying
versions. 802.11a, b, g all offer similar signal
propagation characteristics, with b being slower than
a and g. 802.11n offers increased range and data
rates.
Protocols: Wi-Fi will support most common internet protocols
Power: Comparatively high power usage, due to the
International Some municipal utilities in the US are utilising existing

Examples: metropolitan WiFi infrastructures for metering
services.
Cities such as Lafayette, Burbank and Corpus Christi
have all implemented Wi-Fi for multi-utility metering
(AMR and AMI).
Use in other Widely used for wireless in-home or hot-spot
applications: networking, providing personal computer and wi-fi
enabled device access to network data and the
internet.
Increasing use in latest generation mobile phone
handsets.
Page 47 of 54 14-Jul-08
Maturity: Fully established and developing technology

Notes: Wi-Fi networks do not natively support mesh
topologies.
The illustration below shows a Wi-Fi based infrastructure as provided by

Tropos.
Figure 40 Tropos Wi-Fi Infrastructure
A metering system as might be used in the infrastructure above, as provided

by SmartSynch, is shown below:
Figure 41 Smart Synch Wi-Fi Meter
Finally, shown below is a North American electricity metering solution that

uses Wi-Fi chipsets within the meter. It is important to note that for this design
the metering connects to the customers’ own connected router.
Page 48 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 42 Carina Wi-Fi Metering
5.3 Other Options

There are a number of other options for communications which have not been
explored in detail in this document, mainly as these have not been considered
as practical to support mass market smart metering.
These options include:

• Use of the 2-way radio paging network
• PAKNET radio network
5.4 Emerging
Emerging Wired/Wireless Options
Communications technology continues to innovate and develop new solutions
to a variety of challenges. A number of these could be applicable to the future
of smart metering.
This document does not propose that these solutions are suitable for smart
metering or mature enough to be considered for large deployment. The
technologies presented here are to illustrate the ongoing development of
communications options.
5.4.1 Femtocells
A femtocell network is one where low power wireless access points operating
in licensed spectrums connect standard mobile devices to a mobile operator’s
network using broadband connections.
Page 49 of 54 14-Jul-08
Figure 43 Illustration of Femtocell Communications3
The femtocell device, of which an increasing number are on general sale, acts
as a cellular ‘mast’ within a home – improving coverage and potentially
replacing the need for a fixed voice (or data) line.
There have been suggestions of energy meters acting as nodes within a local
femtocell network, even potentially for an electricity meter to act at the
broadband router/gateway.
A benefit for smart metering of a femtocell application would be the power

consumption/battery usage of a GSM-type meter. As the ‘mast’ is effectively
within the boundaries of the premises, the power required to connect is much
less than to reach an equivalent existing network mast.
5.4.2 Active Line Access

Similar to Femtocells, Active Line Access (ALA) is a model whereby a
gateway within premises is provided to support a range of services.
In the ALA model, high speed broadband is delivered to the home, based
upon fibre optic cabling as a result of the BT Openreach 21CN project.
Customer Premises Equipment is then installed to allow a number of services
and applications within the home to utilise the high speed link.
Discussions on ALA are still at a relatively early stage.
3
Taken from the “Femtocell Technology” page of the UK based website www.femtoforum.org
Page 50 of 54 14-Jul-08
6 Considerations
6.1 Combinations of Physical Media
Almost all of the real world examples of smart metering feature combinations
of physical media to deliver end to end WAN communications.
At some point within the network, PLC will become Cellular, or Fixed Wire in
order to reach the WAN ‘cloud’. In the same way, Low Power Radio does not
generally offer direct connectivity to the cloud.
WAN
Data
Concentrator
Low Power Radio Power Line Carrier Cellular
WAN
Data
Concentrator
Low Power Radio Cellular Broadband
WAN
Data Exchange
Concentrator
Low Power Radio Cellular Fibre
WAN
Comms Box
Exchange
Low Power Radio & PLC Long Range Radio Cellular

Figure 44 Combinations of Physical Media
Even varieties of individual types of physical media can be used together to

deliver connectivity – low voltage PLC is not the same as medium or high
voltage PLC, as SMS is not the same as 3G, or ZigBee the same as Wireless
M-Bus.
The image below shows how Badger meter combine two radio frequencies to
deliver their Tantalus metering solution. The meter end points transmit at
900MHz (yellow lines) to the concentrator unit (blue dot) which then
communicates at 200MHz (white lines) to a remote base station connected to
the internet.
Figure 45 Tantalus Infrastructure
6.2 Co
Co--existence of Communications
Infrastructures
As currently exists for customers’ general voice, data and media use,
communications options for smart metering do not, of themselves, present an
‘either/or’ choice, any number could co-exist at any level of geographic
granularity.
There will be economic drivers to inform the decision to select the most
appropriate solutions for particular premises types, streets, towns, regions
etc., but there are very few technical barriers arising from the solutions options
themselves. There will also be density considerations, i.e. some solutions
work better if there are more meters using them, but this does not apply to all
options.
There are a number of papers available discussing the degree to which

communications options, or other devices, can affect the quality of service
delivered. Examples include the affects of lawnmowers and power tools on
Power Line Carrier services, or microwaves or DECT telephones on wireless
solutions, even on Wi-Fi and ZigBee operating at 2.4GHz. It must be noted
that there as many papers dismissing these issues as there are those raising
them.
Shown below is an illustration taken from the IBM response to the BERR
consultation on advanced billing and metering. It shows how a range of
communications technologies can co-exist to deliver smart metering
information to Authorised Party head-end systems. The upstream systems are
not specifically concerned with the physical media of the WAN infrastructure.
Page 52 of 54 14-Jul-08
The ‘System Boundary’ notation is for a different context discussion outside of

the scope of this document.
Figure 46 IBM End to End Infrastructure
Page 53 of 54 14-Jul-08
Appendix: Other Information
Take up and use of communications services
Source: Ofcom Nations & Regions Communications Market May 2008

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Smart Metering

Author(s) Simon Harrison

Figure 4 WAN Connections for Both Fuels ....................................................11

1.2 Related Documents

1.3 Intellectual Property Rights and Copyright

2 Executive Summary and Introduction

It presents definitions and illustrations of communications options to provide a

It is intended to facilitate ongoing smart metering discussions, and does so by

The requirements for smart metering WAN Communications, and assessment

It is intended to deliver a simple overview of the range of communications

It does not present any assessment of the options.

It considers communications technology and options available to be used

Figure 1: Smart Metering Scope

This document does not address the ‘upstream’ communications options, as

This document will not be a detailed comparative assessment of

The objective of the WAN Communications workstream of work is to deliver a better

3 Glossary & Conventions

The project published Proposals and Options for a Smart Metering

The following subsections give a brief overview of a number of these topics.

Throughout this document materials from specific service providers or existing

3.1.1 Conventions for Diagrams

3.1.2 Market Segments

Therefore, within this document, the communications options discussed could

3.1.3 Meter Functionality

electricity smart meters. These requirements do not represent final proposals

• 2 Way Communications – WAN and Local (see below)

3.1.4 Meter Location

Figure 2: Smart Meter Locations

The ERA Smart Metering Operational Framework documentation specifies

The Operational Framework includes a number of Meter Variants, usually to

3.1.5 Meter and Metering System

of the functionality is contained within one ‘box’. There is regular use of a

Smart Metering Systems – Illustration of Flexible Approaches

The required functionality could be delivered by components:

As defined below, a smart metering system could comprise a number of

The potential variety of physical locations and conditions of metering points

Therefore all general references to smart meters and uses of icons to

3.1.6 Communications for Each Fuel

Figure 4 WAN Connections for Both Fuels

3.1.7 Two Types of Communication for Smart Metering?

LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE

WAN COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE

WAN COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE

The ERA SRSM Project has been facilitating a workstream to specifically

Whilst it may seem to be the optimum approach to have one communicating

4 Assumptions and Issues

The issue is further compounded by a variety of physical energy supply

Similarly, for any number of reasons (preserved tariffs, council heating

As an example of WAN Communications issues, most premises have access

Robust future resistance within smart meters could require modular

The diagram below shows an overview of the options:

Head End Systems

“Head End” Trans-

Power Line Carrier Existing Telephony Wireless Mesh

It uses a standard template to capture detail relating to each of the options.

Reference A signifying abbreviation for the option to assist with

wireless radio chip, network card, connection port etc.

Infrastructure Equipment required by the option outwith the

Standards: International or national standards relevant to smart

applications: smart metering, but for building controls, telecare,

5.1 Wired Solution Options

The communications and energy industries have developed a number of

5.1.1 Power Line Carrier

The same infrastructure as shown above could support narrowband or