By Sean McCree, SAN People & Deon Henriksen, Elster Kent Metering SA.
Elster Kent Metering SA, previously ABB Metering SA, has commissioned SAN People, a company specializing in Ethernet Connectivity, to develop an
Ethernet module for their A1700 meter.
This development is a result of interest shown by Elster Metering's customers in Hong Kong, UK, and South Africa. These customers see the benefits of using their company's existing Ethernet infrastructure as a cost effective medium for remote connectivity. These clients are typically interested in being able to configure the meters, view and log load profiles and other energy measurements from a central location.
As a large majority of energy meters are installed in remote locations, PSTN and GSM communication mediums are the most popular for remote connection, however, where an Ethernet infrastructure exists, a lower cost network connection can be utilized.
The module is based on an ATMEL ARM9 processor, supports Ethernet connectivity at 10/100Mbps, and configurable via both a dedicated serial configuration port and a telnet session (over the Ethernet network). The module also includes a socket connection for an industry standard flash memory card, allowing for future enhancements such as data logging to be simply added. The modules are expected to be available for testing in June 2003, and product pricing is expected to be similar to, or lower than, the equivalent GSM module.
SAN People, established in 1994 and based in Stellenbosch, South Africa, has expertise in the development of Ethernet connectivity products and solutions using the following processors: Intel 188, Intel 386, NetSilicon NetARM7, ATMEL ARM9.
SAN People have developed an implementation of Linux for the ATMEL ARM920T processor and are currently using this operating system to develop the ABB application. SAN People develop their own range of products, but are also involved with large companies, such as Hirschmann and ABB, to develop branded products.
For more information, contact:
Sean McCree, SAN People
sean@sanpeople.com
Tel: +27 (0)21 882-8811
Deon Henriksen, Elster Metering SA
deon.henriksen@za.elster.com
Tel: +27 (0)11 470-4971
