meteringcommunication

Metering communication refers to the exchange of measurement data between intelligent meters and utility back-end systems. In some contexts the term meteringcommunication is used to denote the data exchange processes that support automatic meter reading and advanced metering infrastructure. It encompasses the methods, protocols, and networks used to collect usage, status, and diagnostic information from electricity, gas, water, and heat meters. Metering communication supports both automatic meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), enabling remote collection, monitoring, and remote configuration.

The typical architecture includes meters at premises connected to a local network (home area network, HAN). Data are aggregated by data concentrators or gateways and transmitted over a wide-area network to utility head-end systems. Transmission media include power-line communication (PLC), wired interfaces such as RS-485 and M-Bus, and wireless technologies such as Zigbee, Wi-SUN, NB-IoT, LTE-M, and cellular. Common data models and formats include DLMS/COSEM, IEC 62056, ANSI C12 standards, and DNP3/IEC 60870. Protocols may be application-layer oriented and support secure authentication, encryption, and integrity.

Data types include interval and load profile data, event logs, tariff and billing information, status and device health. Applications include remote meter reading, demand response, outage management, and automated bill generation. Time synchronization is often required for accurate interval data and is achieved via protocols like NTP or IEEE 1588 (PTP).

Security and privacy concerns are central, with emphasis on secure boot, device authentication, encrypted communication, and access control. Interoperability and standardization are ongoing challenges due to multi-vendor ecosystems and regulatory requirements. The field continues to evolve with smart grid initiatives, enabling more accurate billing, better grid reliability, and more responsive energy management.