Novel AMR technologies and Remote Monitoring Marios Milis, SignalGeneriX Ltd marios.milis@signalgenerix.com 1
AMR Overview AMR is the technology of automatically collecting consumption, diagnostic, and status data from water meter devices and transferring that data to a central database for billing, troubleshooting, and analyzing 2
AMR Main Advantages Saves utility providers the expense of periodic trips to each physical location to read a meter. Billing can be based on near real time consumption rather than on estimates based on past or predicted consumption Help both utility providers and customers better control the use of water consumption 3
AMR Further Benefits Increased Data Security efficiency in the data collection process Avoid reading errors and missing meter readings Increased security of data flow between AMR and other applications Avoids errors caused by manual entries and data transfers Reduced Operation Costs Constant access to real time data Meter readings available on request Efficient handling of customer complaints Significant reductions in costs for meter reading Reduced costs over the lifetime of the AMR system 4
AMR Further Benefits Improved Cash Flows Utility Bills are based on actual consumption Steady cash flow for the Water Board Utility Billing is based on real time data Estimated bills no longer necessary Improved budgeting and management Improved Customer Service No need for estimated or adjusted billing On demand reads as part of the customer service Quicker reaction in abnormal situations Better monitor demand and consumption 5
Loss of privacy AMR Disadvantages Greater potential for monitoring by unauthorized third parties. Reduced reliability (in case of interference) Increased security risks from network or remote access Meter readers losing their jobs!!! 6
AMR systems 1. Water Meters a device used to measure the volume of water usage positive displacement, velocity, compound and electromagnetic meters different measurement technology and thus accuracy, efficiency and other specific technical characteristics 2. Radio Modules Modules attached to water meters which can transmit the water meter reading AMR capable Meter 3. Meter Reading methods Touch Technology Walk by or Drive by technology Fixed Network 4. AMR software 7
AMR Fixed Network Data Acquisition Network Base Station Controller Water Meters Network Wireless Network, (Wi- Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular Network, GPRS, CDMA, GSM, 3G) Base Station Wireless Network, (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular Network, GPRS, CDMA, GSM, 3G) Information Distribution Network Gateway ` SmartPhone Internet Access 8
AMR modules Limitations Magnetic pulses counting Modules: Susceptible to interference Can loose pulses for high flows Incremental errors Continuous powering of the modules limited battery life. 9
Novel AMR module Overview Designed and Developed by SignalGeneriX Ltd icycam acts as the main sensor of the AMR system Able to acquire the water meter register reading and convert it to digital form for easy transmission to the central aggregate node 10
Novel AMR module Overview IcyCam AMR Module includes: IcyCAM sensor, Extra storage capabilities GPRS modem RF interface 11
Novel AMR module Overview IcyCam AMR Module operation: Takes snapshot of the water meter reading Perform OCR algorithms recognize water meter digits Transmits digits in txt format via GPRS/GSM/3G network Transmits low resolution image of the water meter register (e.g ones per month) for errors correction. 12
Novel AMR module Overview IcyCam AMR Module usage: Can be attached to various types of existing water meters As a part of a fixed network AMR system. As an autonomous Logger 13
Novel AMR module Advantages IcyCAM AMR Modules: No interference to meter readings Ensure transmission of the register value No incremental errors (any errors can be corrected through image transmission) Module operated in deep sleep mode and wakes up only in specific times to get and transmit the measurement > very low battery consumption. 14
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Wisense Remote Sensor Monitoring Platform 16
OVERVIEW Wisense is solution for efficient remote monitoring and control of indoor and outdoor industrial, commercial and environmental applications. The complete integrated end toend system includes wireless technology, data logging and management, web based visualisation, user notification through reporting and alerts. SignalGeneriX secured a European trademark for Wisense and commercialised the product in February 2010. Wisense is combined with SignalGeneriX wireless sensor networks to provide customised real time remote monitoring solutions for various applications Currently there are 10 deployments in three countries for: Precision Agriculture, Water Leakage monitoring, Water quality monitoring Environmental Monitoring, Process control, Energy Efficient Buildings Solar park monitoring, Oil spill monitoring. 17
SYSTEM OVERVIEW 1. WIRELESS SENSOR NODES Low power design for longer autonomy on standard batteries Advanced smart antenna technology for longer communication range Solar powered ruggedized option for longest battery life Multible external analogue or digital sensors per node Adjustable sampling rates IP66 enclosures for harsh environments 18
SYSTEM OVERVIEW 2. WISENSE GATEWAY AND DATA LOGGER Embedded low powered processor Solar Powered system Wifi, Ethernet, GPRS communication to remote server GPS Functionality Gateway to Wireless Sensor Network Data Logger with >2Gb storage Nine different on-board environmental sensors Tens of different sensors from WSN Event driven camera 19
SYSTEM OVERVIEW 3. SECURE REMOTE DATA STORAGE SERVER The Wisense gateway and data logger can be programmed to transmit the collected data to a secure remote data server The Storage Server allows: Continuous Backup of data Real time monitoring of data via a standard web browser. The system support programmable storage server database update rates for minimizing operational cost and power consumption. 20
SYSTEM OVERVIEW 4. DATAVIEW REMOTE MONITORING WEB PLATFORM Provides a fully customisable interface to the users for controlling their deployments and accessing their data in real time. Web based application which can be accessed through any PC equipped with a web browser, Fully customizable Graphical User Interface on clients needs Fully customizable real time control panel Historic data display and analysis Integration with GIS systems and Google Earth Wireless Sensor Node health and performance monitoring Display of trend charts of multiple sensors across customized time periods 21
SYSTEM OVERVIEW 5. USER DEFINED NOTIFICATIONS AND ALERTS The Notifications and Alerts Wisense feature provides clients with the capability: to establish alert thresholds according to desired operation scenarios of sensors and to specify alert notification SMS text messages and emails. Alerts may be sent to any email enabled desktop computer or mobile phone. The user can also set up periodic information messages to report on the health and performance of the sensor network and the values of vital parameters. 22
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Sample Applications In collaboration with the Water Development Department of Cyprus for monitoring of the water quality in Dams 27
Sample Applications In Collaboration with the Maritime Institute of Eastern Mediterranean and the Cyprus Oceanography Center for monitoring of the air and water pollution in Limassol port. A novel power autonomous smart buoy has been developed 28
Sample Applications Development of a Wireless Sensor Network Solution for water leakage detection in urban networks 29
Color coded Average Consumption by Location 30
Color coded Average Consumption by Location 31
Questions We will be happy to answer any question and further demonstrate our technology For Further Information Contact Dr. Anastasis Kounoudes Chief Executive Officer Tel: +357 25870072 Email: tasos@signalgenerix.com 32