E-CODER
®
)R900
i™
Installation and Maintenance Guide
1
Chapter 1: Product Description
This chapter provides a general description of the Neptune
®
E-CODER
®
)R900
i
™ register.
The E-CODER)R900
i
is an integrated register containing both the E-CODER
®
and R900
®
technologies in one register that collects meter data. It then transmits the data that a meter
reader collects. A Neptune walk-by, mobile, R900 Gateway
®
fixed network data collection
system, or LoRa
®
fixed network collection system receives the data and stores it to
download into the utility billing system for processing.
The E-CODER)R900
i
is easily installed and operates within a radio frequency (RF) band which
does not require an operating license. The E-CODER)R900
i
meets FCC regulations part
15.247 allowing higher output power and greater range. It uses frequency-hopping spread
spectrum technology to avoid RF interference and enhance security. The transmitted data is
updated at 15-minute intervals and transmits a mobile message that includes the meter
reading data and the unique E-CODER)R900
i
ID every 14-20 seconds. This allows the meter
to be read by a hand-held unit (HHU) or mobile data collections unit.
The E-CODER)R900
i
also transmits a high-power fixed network message every seven and
one-half minutes on an interleaved basis to an R900 Gateway. If connected to a LoRa
network, the E-CODER)R900
i
can transmit a high-power fixed network message every three
hours on an interleaved basis.
The E-CODER)R900
i
is designed to offer advantages to utility organizations of all sizes:
l
Increases meter reading accuracy
l
Eliminates hard-to-read meters
l
Protects utility liability by increasing meter reader safety
l
Requires no external wiring or programming
l
Provides enhanced eight-digit AMR meter reading
l
Provides proactive customer service benefits (leak, tamper, and backflow detection)
Figure
1
–
E-CODER
®
)R900
i
™
