AMRUSB-1

Utility Meter Data Receiver

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The AMRUSB-1 is our first utility meter data receiver product intended for direct PC connection and use by everyday consumers. It has been designed to be easy to connect, configure, and use -- a device that just works. Moreover, its small size makes it discrete enough to leave connected to a PC indefinitely, allowing the user to monitor utility consumption 24x7 with no additional equipment required.

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. These include all Itron Centron C1SR R300 electricity meters, GE Energy I-210 series and kV2c series electricity meters with Itron ESS module, most 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.

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. The data can, with appropriate software, be displayed, stored, and charted locally, or streamed to third-party energy management services (the open source development community is actively developing multi-platform software to work with Pachube, Wattvision, Sen.se, WattzOn and others).

amrusb-1_enclosed.jpgReceive range of the AMRUSB-1 depends on where it is installed in relation to the meter it is trying to receive. In 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, because metal barriers can factor into the receiver's practical range, please take a moment to read through our page on AMR signal propagation if you are not already familiar with the topic.

The target retail price for the AMRUSB-1 when it goes into production is under USD $50. (Volume discounts will be available to utilities.) If you would like to be added to the pre-order notification list, please fill out the form below or drop us an e-mail.

Early-access Dev Kit

Development kits are presently available to system integrators and open source software developers. The development kit package includes the following:

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

We have priced the dev kit at $299 for system integrators and at $50 for individual open-source developers. These limited-production, early-release kits are individually hand-assembled.

 

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Please contact us via telephone or e-mail to purchase.

 

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

[1] Source: Itron ChoiceConnect Water Video (https://www.itron.com/na/PublishedContent/choiceconnect.flv)

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