Spread spectrum meter reading system utilizing low-speed/high-power frequency hopping

摘要

A spread spectrum meter reading system enables the use of high power frequency hopping spread spectrum (HFSS) transmission at both the encoder transmitter and repeater levels of the meter reading system. A plurality of end point encoder transmitter devices (RF devices) are each connected to a utility meter and transmit high power FHSS signals containing metering data for the corresponding utility meter. A plurality of intermediate transceiver units (PET Repeaters) both receives and retransmits the high power FHSS signals. The base station (PETRC Base Unit) can receive the high power FHSS signals from both the encoder transmitter devices and the intermediate transceiver units. The intermediate transceiver units aggregates metering data from multiple encoder transmitter devices prior to block retransmission of the metering data to the base station. The high power FHSS signals are transmitted at a maximum hopping rate to reduce power consumption and increase battery life of the devices.