Eka Gas Meter Node
User’s Guide
Document Number
XXXX
Revision 01
Eka Systems, Inc.
20201 Century Boulevard, Suite 250
Germantown, MD 20874 USA
www.ekasystems.com
Tel (301) 515-7118
Fax: (301) 515-4965
EKA CONFIDENTIAL
Confidential and Proprietary
Reproduction or Distribution Prohibited
This document is for informational purposes only. It contains
information that is confidential and proprietary. This document
has been prepared by and is the property of Eka Systems, Inc.
By accepting and reviewing this document, you agree that you
will treat its contents as confidential and proprietary, and that
you will not copy, distribute or otherwise disclose the information
contained herein to third parties.
XXXXX-01 2 Eka Gas Meter Node User’s Guide
Contents
1 About the Eka Gas Meter Node ............................................................................................................. 4
2 Eka Gas Meter Node Hardware ............................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Node Layout ...................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Installation and Configuration ............................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Operation ........................................................................................................................................... 8
2.4 Alarms and Events ............................................................................................................................. 8
3 Eka Gas Meter Node Specifications ..................................................................................................... 9
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1 About the Eka Gas Meter Node
The Eka Gas Meter Node is designed for installation in Datamatic FIREFLY Meter
Interface Units. The node obtains data from the Meter Interface Unit, and uses an
integrated radio transceiver to communicate data to an associated netwo rk. The node
communicates with a nearby EkaNet network, enabling the meter to be read remotely.
[photo of node]
The node is powered by a battery attached to the FIREFLY Meter Interface Unit. The
battery is field-replaceable. Data, operating parameters and config uration parameters
are retained by the node if power is lost (for example, during battery replacement).
Eka Gas Meter nodes:
z Operate in the 915 MHz license-free band.
z Fit entirely within the FIREFLY Meter Interface Unit.
z Perform automatic time synchronization.
z Provide real-time access to interval data.
z Contain local non-volatile data storage.
Eka Gas Meter Nodes are fully compatible with EkaNet mesh network hardware,
protocols and operations.
Eka nodes integrated with electric meters can draw sufficient power from the meters to
continuously communicate, which enables them to form mesh networks. In contrast, Eka
Gas Meter Nodes only communicate periodically to conserve battery power. Because of
that, Gas Meter Nodes cannot perform the routing operations that other Eka nodes
routinely perform in mesh network topologies. Thus, Gas Meter Nodes are limited to
being “leaf” nodes, and must be able to communicate directly with one of the following
components of a typical Eka mesh network:
z An Eka electric meter node.
z An Eka relay.
When placed within range of an Eka electric meter node or an Eka relay, Gas Meter
Nodes are automatically recognized by the network at the next scheduled reporting time.
No special changes to the EkaNet network are required to integrate Gas Meter Nodes.
To help conserve battery power, Gas Meter Nodes typically collect and report data much
less frequently than their electric meter counterparts. Gas Meter Node settings can be
configured in the field, but are factory set for the following intervals:
z Read and store meter data: hourly.
z Report meter data: daily.
Eka Gas Meter Nodes are expected to have an operating life of at least 15 years under
normal operating conditions. Nodes are expected to operate for an additional 5 years
after the onset of slightly degraded performance.
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2 Eka Gas Meter Node Hardware
FCC Notice
The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) must ensure that FCC
Warning
Warning
Labeling requirements are met. This include s a clearly visible label on the
outside of the OEM enclosure specifying the appropriate EKA Systems FCC
identifier for this product as well as the FCC Notice below.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Warning
Warning
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a parti cular
installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
z Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
z Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
z Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
z Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The installer of this radio equipment must ensure that the antenna is located
Warning
or pointed such that it does not emit RF field in excess of Health Canada
limits for the general population; consult Safety Code 6, obtaina ble from
Health Canada’s website www.hc-sc.gc.ca.
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Warning
To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, the antenna
used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of
at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operate in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.”
As such, the radio component of this device is intended only for OEM
integrators under the following two conditions:
The antenna must be installed such that 20 cm is maintained between the
antenna and users.
The transmitter module may not be co-located with any other transmitter or
antenna.
As long as the two conditions above are met, further transmitter testing will
not be required. However, the OEM integrator is still responsible for testing
their end product for any additional compliance requirements required with
this module installed (e.g., digital device emission s, PC peripheral
requirements).
In the event that these conditions cannot be met (for example, co-location
with another transmitter), then the FCC authorization is no longer considered
valid and the FCC ID cannot be used on the final product. In these
circumstances, the OEM integrator will be responsible for re-evaluating the
end product (including the transmitter) and obtaining a separate FCC
authorization.
End Product Labeling
This transmitter module is authorized only for use in devices where the
antenna may be installed such that 20 cm may be maintained between the
antenna and users (for example access points, routers, wireless AS DL
modems, certain laptop configurations, and similar equipment). The final
end product must be labeled in a visible area with the following: “FCC
ID: F9X2400B”.
The radio component is an integral part of the Eka module and cannot
be removed.
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2.1 Node Layout
The Eka Gas Meter Node is shown in the photograph below.
[photo with callouts for key features that user’s need to know about]
Each Gas Meter Node is identified by a unique serial number. This number is displayed
on the label and is encoded in the bar code. Additionally, the serial number is embedded
in the node’s firmware. The seri al number is displayed on the Field Tool and in the
Network Manager to identify the node.
2.2 Installation and Configuration
The Eka Gas Meter Node is designed specifically for installation in Datamatic FIREFLY
Meter Integration Units. Installation instructions for the node and its companion battery
are provided in the “Eka Gas Meter Node Installation Manual.”
The Eka Gas Meter Node is configured over a local RF link using the Eka Field Tool.
Programmable parameters include:
z Meter serial number.
z Node serial number.
z Node description.
z Meter’s latitude and longitude.
z Local standard time in relation to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).
z Meter’s reading when the node was installed.
z Read interval (5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour or up to 24 hours in 1 hour
increments; factory default is 1 hour).
z Reporting interval (factory default is daily).
z Report cycle start date (factory default is 1st of the month).
z Gas volume per dial rotation (default value is 1).
z Meter measurement units (CF, CCF, MCF and Cubic Meters; default is cubic feet, CF).
z Pressure compensation ratio (normally printed on the meter index face plate; default is
1.0).
z High flow alarm threshold in units/minute, where units is the meter measurement units
(see above).
Note: All changes made to remotely programmable parameters become effective by 8:00am
the day after the changes are made.
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2.3 Operation
Node data is retrieved by the EkaNet Network Manager software at intervals set by the
utility company. Data consists of pressure compensated total gas consumption as of the
last time the meter was read by the Gas Meter Node.
Note: RF communications during data reporting are the single largest drain on the node’s
battery. For maximum battery life, it is recommended that the data reporting interval be set at
the maximum (once each 24 hours).
For purposes of redundancy, at least 45 days of data are stored in the node (assuming
data is recorded once per hour for a single cha nnel). Also, at least 512 event or alarm
messages are stored in the node. Stored data is retained for at least 90 days if power is
lost.
2.4 Alarms and Events
The Eka Gas Meter Node reports the following alarms and events:
z Acknowledgement of changes to programmable parameters.
z Low Battery Alarm (sent at least 30 days before battery power is depleted). The initial
low battery alarm will be sent with the first scheduled report after the condition is
detected, and will be repeated with each scheduled report until the condition is
corrected.
z Reverse Flow Alarm. This alarm will be sent immediately, and will be repeated with
each scheduled report until the condition is corrected.
z Magnetic Tampering Alarm. This alarm will be sent immediately, and will be repeated
with each scheduled report until the condition is corrected.
z High Flow Alarm. This alarm will be sent immediately when consumption volume
reaches the threshold set when the meter is installed, and will be repeated with each
scheduled report until the condition is corrected.
z Low Flow Alarm [TBD].
z No Usage Status reports the number of days there was no gas consumption. This is
sent with scheduled reports until usage is detected.
z Leak Alarm [TBD].
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3 Eka Gas Meter Node Specifications
Application Specifications
Compatibility Datamation FIREFLY Meter Integration Unit
Data storage Stores 45 days of data (1 channel @ 1 hour intervals)
Data integrity Non-volatile data storage provides extra security in the event of
communication failure or power outage
Advanced features Load profile, remote demand reset
Radio Specifications
Operating frequency 902 – 928 MHz
Reliable data transmission Error detection, correction
and retransmission
RF output power 20 dBm1
Data rate 76.8 Kbps
Receiver sensitivity -93 dBm (@ 0.1% BER, +25°
C)
Range (w/ omni antenna)
Outdoor < 1,000 m (3200 ft)
Indoor 75 – 150 m (225 – 490 ft)
Mode Frequency hopping spread
spectrum
1. 20 dBm is the typical output power. The radio hardware is capable of producing up to 30 dBm (1W) of RF
output power.
Interface Specifications
ANSI C12.18/C12.19
Meter manufacturer proprietary protocol for the Centron Polyphase meter
Mechanical Specifications
Weight ???? g (???? oz)
Dimensions ???? x ???? mm
(???? x ???? in)
Network Specifications
No hard limitation on number of meters per Gateway (actual number of meters per Gateway
depends on network performance requirements
Full peer-to-peer communication
Fully self-configuring
Automatic routing
No network address management required
Automatic network acquisition
Automatic time synchronization of all nodes in the network
128 bit authentication/encryption
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Operating Conditions
Environmental -40° C to +85° C
0 – 95% non-condensing humidity
Power supply Battery pack installed in FIREFLY Meter Integration Unit
Power consumption 0.6W typical
XXXXX-01 10 Eka Gas Meter Node User’s Guide
20201 Century Boulevard, Suite 250
Germantown, MD 20874 USA
www.ekasystems.com
Tel (301) 515-7118
Fax: (301) 515-4965
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