Modular wireless fixed network for wide-area metering data collection and meter module apparatus

Abstract

A method of encoding interval consumption values transmitted by a meter module in a metering data collection system includes collecting consumption values at selected intervals, and compressing collected consumption data using a logarithmic table encoder to reduce the number of bits required in a data message for each consumption interval.

1 . A method of encoding interval consumption values transmitted by a meter module in a metering data collection system, comprising:
 collecting consumption values at selected intervals; and   compressing collected consumption data using a logarithmic table encoder to reduce the number of bits required in a data message for each consumption interval.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including:
 assigning a list of consumption encoding/decoding tables, adapted to various consumption patterns to said logarithmic table encoder; and   specifying which set of encoding/decoding tables is assigned to each meter module.   
     
     
         3 . A method of increasing the redundancy level of interval consumption data transmitted by a meter module in a metering data collection system, comprising:
 transferring interval consumption values from said meter module using multiple messages related to the same time period, and wherein each of said multiple messages has a time base; and   shifting the time base of each message compared to the previous message, in a cyclic manner, so that interval consumption data may be reconstructed even if some of the messages are not received thus increasing the redundancy level of the data while simultaneously enabling the transfer of more detailed interval consumption data related to smaller consumption intervals, within the metered time period.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 reducing the number of bits required in an interval consumption data message and increasing the redundancy level of the data, while simultaneously enabling the transfer of more detailed interval consumption data related to smaller consumption intervals.