The days of a man with a torch peering into your understairs cupboard to read your electricity meter have gone the same way as faxes and video cassettes. With utility networks moving towards smart metering, consumers are benefitting from cost efficiencies and accurate billing. Mitigating interference in smart networks is a challenge, particularly as broadcasting frequencies become more crowded. And achieving maximum coverage at the lowest possible cost is essential in today’s financial climate.
ATDI has been supporting utility companies and their communications infrastructure for their transmission networks for the past three decades. The main technologies used by utilities include:
- Microwave – used widely to support operational needs such as monitoring grid infrastructure;
- Private LTE (P-LTE) – providing high bandwidth broadband traffic to support operations;
- Telemetry and SCADA systems – these automated communication networks gather data from multiple sources and are used to monitor security, quality and performance.
- Mesh networks and Point to multipoint (P2MP) - for smart meter readings, supporting operational needs and enabling power distribution automation for the smart network;
- Fixed links - for supporting utility network services (VHF, UHF and MW);
- Public-mobile radio - to provide voice communications for remote workers and robust, mission-critical applications.
HTZ Communications offers dedicated features to utility companies including:
- Spectrum regulation, band planning and coordination – allowing operators to manage their radio spectrum effectively and efficiently;
- Frequency allocation - for telemetry networks and other technologies;
- Automatic coverage planning - for individual sites and compositive sites;
- Automatic microwave path calculation – time-saving features;
- Network planning and optimization – whatever the network technology, HTZ can design, model and optimise radio spectrum to provide resilient and robust networks;
- Windfarm coordination to manage the impact on microwave and telemetry links.
Automated Mesh network and Clustering networks - Select the best locations with the minimum number of Gateways required to coved End-devices, individually or merged by Clusters.
Read our case study on relocating a TETRA base station for the Shaybah Oil reserve, here.
