Metering Dial Back Project with ENERGEX

Student: Ewan Colin P Maley

Supervisor: Dr. Vaughan Clarkson

Category: Computer Systems Engineering Thesis Project

With the ever-increasing load demand of electrical energy, it is important to consider all cost efficient alternatives to current practices. However, the current set up of the Meter Data Agency (MDA) limits any reduction in the cost of reading meters. Meter-reading software initiates a call to a modem that is connected via a serial port to a meter. Ninety five percent of these modems are on a GSM network and as such to receive a data call require two numbers: data and voice.

By having the meters dial the meter-reading software, the need for the data number is eliminated and hence operating costs are significantly reduced. Should the MDA require contacting a meter, it would be possible to send an SMS message to it in the form of a command.

This thesis particularly studies the algorithm required to perform the dial back and the requirement for a management server to manage all communications. Analysis is performed through the use of queueing theory and Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Experiments were conducted on a number of different algorithms using a variety of values to establish the best algorithm.

The use of SMS for communications to the meter is inherently unreliable, with an average of five percent of SMS's being lost or damaged. In an industry where quality of supply is a priority, this needs to be resolved. The management server is responsible for the flow control of these SMS's, thus providing the required reliability.

The versatility of this thesis should be such that future projects can utilise different features.

Poster Presentation (PDF)