INTEGRATED HEAD-END UTILITY METERING SYSTEM

摘要

Disclosed are various embodiments for transmitting data between an integrated head-end system and endpoint devices of a utility metering system. The utility metering system may include a single head-end system including an application layer, an end-device protocol layer, and a network protocol layer operable to generate messages for transmitting to the endpoint devices to obtain metering information. The layers may also be operable to interpret messages received from the endpoint devices including the metering information and convert the messages into a usable format. In some aspects, the end-device protocol layer and the network protocol layer may include adapters for converting information included in the messages based on a metering protocol or network protocol, respectively, used by the endpoint devices.

主权项

1. A head-end system communicatively couplable to at least a first network and a second network, wherein the first network includes a first plurality of endpoint devices that use a first metering protocol and communicate within the first network using a first network protocol and the second network includes a second plurality of endpoint devices that use a second metering protocol and communicate within the second network using a second network protocol, comprising:
an application layer; an end-device protocol layer below the application layer that includes a first metering protocol adapter that supports the first metering protocol and a second metering protocol adapter that supports the second metering protocol; and a network protocol layer below the end-device protocol layer that includes a first network protocol adapter that supports the first network protocol and a second network protocol adapter that support the second network protocol, wherein the first metering protocol and the second metering protocol are distinct and the first network protocol and the second network protocol are distinct.