Forward throw antenna utility meter

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for a utility meter assembly including a plurality of meter components configured for measuring and collecting data, and including a transceiver operative for signal communications over a network; a faceplate, with meter reading information displayed on the front; an exterior cover; and an internal dipole antenna situated within the exterior cover. The internal dipole antenna is typically situated away from the meter components, so as to minimize interference by the meter components. The internal dipole antenna is typically tuned for optimal matching impedance in an 850 MHz or 1900 MHz receiving band, so that the desired receiving band Standing Wave Ration (SWR) is achieved, and also a specified minimum radiated power threshold is maintained.

1 . A utility meter assembly comprising:
 a plurality of meter components configured for measuring and collecting data, the plurality of meter components including a transceiver operative for signal communications over a network;   a faceplate, configured such that meter reading information is displayed on the front of the faceplate;   an exterior cover configured to enclose the plurality of meter components and the faceplate, wherein the faceplate is forward of the plurality of meter components; and   an internal dipole antenna situated within the exterior cover, wherein the internal dipole antenna is beyond the front of the faceplate and toward the front of the utility meter assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the network is a wireless network. 
     
     
         3 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the internal dipole antenna is further situated away from the plurality of meter components, so as to minimize interference by the plurality of meter components. 
     
     
         4 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate is the front of an inner cover, the inner cover configured to enclose the plurality of meter components. 
     
     
         5 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate is extended from a metering information component. 
     
     
         6 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the metering information component is an LCD board. 
     
     
         7 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection point on the faceplate for securing the internal dipole antenna to the faceplate. 
     
     
         8 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the internal dipole antenna is selectively configured on a portion of the faceplate to optimize performance of the internal dipole antenna. 
     
     
         9 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the internal dipole antenna is conformed to a curved shape of the exterior cover. 
     
     
         10 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the internal dipole antenna is 5.2 inches in length and 0.9 inches in width. 
     
     
         11 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a center-fed driven element 0.5 inches in length and 0.725 inches in width. 
     
     
         12 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the internal dipole antenna is concealed by a coversheet material, the coversheet material configured for providing environmental protection and electrical insulation. 
     
     
         13 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the coversheet material has a total finish thickness of 0.0178 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the utility meter assembly is configured for measuring and collecting data related to at least one of: electrical power, natural gas, water. 
     
     
         15 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the internal dipole antenna is tuned for optimal matching impedance in an 850 MHz receive band, wherein a desired receive band Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) is achieved, and wherein a specified minimum radiated power threshold is maintained. 
     
     
         16 . The utility meter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the internal dipole antenna is tuned for optimal matching impedance in a 1900 MHz receive band, wherein a desired receive band Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) is achieved, and wherein a specified minimum radiated power threshold is maintained. 
     
     
         17 . A utility meter assembly comprising:
 a plurality of meter components configured for measuring and collecting data, the plurality of meter components including a transceiver operative for signal communications over a wireless network;   a faceplate, configured such that meter reading information is displayed on a front of the faceplate;   an exterior cover configured to enclose the plurality of meter components and the faceplate, wherein the faceplate is forward of the plurality of meter components; and   an internal dipole antenna situated within the exterior cover, wherein the internal dipole antenna is beyond the front of the faceplate and toward the front of the utility meter assembly.   
     
     
         18 . A method for assembling a utility meter comprising steps of:
 selecting a plurality of meter components configured for measure and collection of data, the plurality of meter components including a transceiver operative for signal communications over a wireless network;   securing a faceplate forward of the plurality of meter components;   inserting an internal dipole antenna forward of the faceplate; and   covering the internal dipole antenna with an exterior cover, wherein the internal dipole antenna is situated toward the front of the utility meter.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 tuning the internal dipole antenna for optimal matching impedance in an 850 MHz receive band, to achieve a desired receive band Standing Wave Ratio (SWR), and to maintain a specified minimum radiated power threshold.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 tuning the internal dipole antenna for optimal matching impedance in an 1900 MHz receive band, to achieve a desired receive band Standing Wave Ratio (SWR), and to maintain a specified minimum radiated power threshold.