AMRUSB-1

Utility Meter Data Receiver

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The tiny AMRUSB-1 Utility Meter Data Receiver receives and decodes energy and water consumption data from many of the 73 million deployed ERT-compatible utility meters and add-on meter transmitters manufactered over the two decades by EnScan, Itron, GE Energy, Schlumberger, Hunt, and others.

The AMRUSB-1 can receive standard consumption messages (SCM) and interval data messages (IDM) from meters that comply with Itron's ERT over-the-air protocol and digital data packet format. The AMRUSB-1 is ideally suited to work with ERTs operating in bubble-up mode, but it also receives signals from active wake-up mode ERTs (although it cannot initiate a wake-up transmission).

Based on independent testing, the AMRUSB-1 can receive signals from all Itron Centron C1SR R300 electricity meters, GE Energy I-210 series and kV2c series electricity meters with Itron ESS module, electromechanical electricity meters fitted with Itron series 45 ERT transmitters, Itron 60W and 100W water meter transmitters, Itron 100G gas meter transmitters, and many others. See the data sheet for a complete list.

Because of Grid Insight's unique position having independently engineered its ERT-compatible receiver technology, our products are not encumbered by third-party license fees and artificial functional limitations.

The AMRUSB-1 receiver outputs a well-documented, straightforward serial data stream that looks very much like the NMEA 0183 protocol used by most GPS receivers. For testing, you can connect to the receiver using any serial terminal program.

amrusb-1_enclosed.jpgIn unobstructed range tests, the AMRUSB-1 has been shown to reliably receive signals over a distance of several hundred feet from even low-powered transmitters. However, metal barriers and other radio obstructions can factor into the receiver's practical range.

The target retail price for the AMRUSB-1 is under USD $50. To stay up to date on Grid Insight's research and products, please fill out the form below. For other inquiries, please call or drop us an e-mail.

Dev Kit

Development kits are presently available to utilities, smart grid companies, system integrators, and software developers. The development kit package includes the following:

  • an AMRUSB-1 receiver, BETA edition;
  • driver software for Windows (32-bit and 64-bit), Linux, and Mac;
  • full device interface specification documents;
  • a hinged 1/2-wave dipole whip antenna (5.5");
  • membership in the Beta Users mailing list;
  • developer-level technical phone and e-mail support.

These limited-production kits are individually hand-assembled.

Please contact us via telephone or e-mail to inquire about availability.

Need a custom or embedded solution? Please contact us.

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Key Specifications

  • Tiny 12mm x 55mm “thumb drive” form factor
  • Receives Itron ERT IDM and SCM meter data messages from electric, gas, and water meters
  • Electric load precision of ±120 watts at five minute intervals or ±60 watts at ten minute intervals with IDM meters
  • Works with high-power (FCC Type 15.247) and low-power (FCC Type 15.249) meters
  • Compatible with ERT protocol, used by over 73 million[1] utility meters
  • Frequency range: 902.0 to 928.0 in 100 kHz steps
  • Adaptive frequency-hopping receiver design
  • Sensitive to approximately -95 dBm
  • SAW filter to reduce out-of-band interference
  • 20 Mhz PIC microcontroller
  • Bi-color status LED
  • Wide range of antenna options using SMA jack
  • CRC and NMEA (two’s complement) error detection
  • No FCC license required

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